Zac Estrada
@zacestrada.com
L.A. freelance writer/editor.
Climate/energy, transportation, tech, TV.
Gizmodo, Autolist, others. Prev. The Verge, Jalopnik, others.
@zacestrada elsewhere.
https://linktr.ee/zacestrada 🏳️🌈
Climate/energy, transportation, tech, TV.
Gizmodo, Autolist, others. Prev. The Verge, Jalopnik, others.
@zacestrada elsewhere.
https://linktr.ee/zacestrada 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Nearly all city or regional newspapers have or are being bought up by private equity. Alden Capital alone owns 600-700, and they're one of many. It's the usual model, fire everyone, sell the data and real estate, then bleed them dry and toss away the empty husk.
December 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Nearly all city or regional newspapers have or are being bought up by private equity. Alden Capital alone owns 600-700, and they're one of many. It's the usual model, fire everyone, sell the data and real estate, then bleed them dry and toss away the empty husk.
Reposted by Zac Estrada
The idea is simple:
(1) We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to give their side of the story, if they want to.
(2) If someone has information that could refute something we plan to publish or cast it in a new light, we want to know that before publication — not after.
(1) We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to give their side of the story, if they want to.
(2) If someone has information that could refute something we plan to publish or cast it in a new light, we want to know that before publication — not after.
December 29, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The idea is simple:
(1) We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to give their side of the story, if they want to.
(2) If someone has information that could refute something we plan to publish or cast it in a new light, we want to know that before publication — not after.
(1) We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to give their side of the story, if they want to.
(2) If someone has information that could refute something we plan to publish or cast it in a new light, we want to know that before publication — not after.
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Spotted a Waymo putting in the “inclement weather” work
December 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Spotted a Waymo putting in the “inclement weather” work
There are still two more days in 2025, please don't say Happy New Year to someone who can't remember the day, date, or year under normal circumstances
December 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
There are still two more days in 2025, please don't say Happy New Year to someone who can't remember the day, date, or year under normal circumstances
Reposted by Zac Estrada
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever." - Dept. of Education to ProPublica's @megomatz.bsky.social
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever." - Dept. of Education to ProPublica's @megomatz.bsky.social
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
Also, it's not just LA but who the hell thought these rocks in crosswalks like these were a good idea, aesthetically or practically?
I take photos of sidewalks in every city I visit. I have never — EVER — seen such tortured intersections like this anywhere else but LA
December 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Also, it's not just LA but who the hell thought these rocks in crosswalks like these were a good idea, aesthetically or practically?
Another reminder fuel economy standards can change (or go away) tomorrow but that won't have significant effects for several years. At which point, who knows what consumer interests/needs/whatever will be
Gas hybrids are likely going to reach 15% of the US market in 2026, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them hit 25-30% by 2030.
Not all hybrids are created equal, but market forces will push OEMs to chase Toyota’s performance.
Fleet fuel economy goin' ⬆️
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Not all hybrids are created equal, but market forces will push OEMs to chase Toyota’s performance.
Fleet fuel economy goin' ⬆️
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How Hybrid Models Are Helping Keep Automakers’ Electrification Plans Afloat
With EV incentives no longer available, hybrid vehicle sales are gaining speed.
www.bloomberg.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Another reminder fuel economy standards can change (or go away) tomorrow but that won't have significant effects for several years. At which point, who knows what consumer interests/needs/whatever will be
"Los Angeles spends $35,000 to $50,000 per corner, or up to $200,000 per intersection. This is approximately 10 times what Dallas spends on its ramps, and five times what Beverly Hills spends"
I wrote something with @futureis about how LA has basically stopped maintaining its streets.
At this rate, the city is going to be one big pothole in a few years, and we’re going to spend more on settling lawsuits than fixing streets.
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
At this rate, the city is going to be one big pothole in a few years, and we’re going to spend more on settling lawsuits than fixing streets.
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: You're not imagining it. L.A. has surrendered to the potholes
To avoid a legal obligation to make sidewalks accessible, the city stopped repaving streets in July and doesn't plan to resume.
www.latimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:47 PM
"Los Angeles spends $35,000 to $50,000 per corner, or up to $200,000 per intersection. This is approximately 10 times what Dallas spends on its ramps, and five times what Beverly Hills spends"
Reposted by Zac Estrada
We Now Know What You'll Be Charged if You Puke in a Tesla Robotaxi https://gizmodo.com/we-now-know-what-youll-be-charged-if-you-puke-in-a-tesla-robotaxi-2000703779
We Now Know What You'll Be Charged if You Puke in a Tesla Robotaxi
And we looked into how Tesla compares to its competition.
gizmodo.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
We Now Know What You'll Be Charged if You Puke in a Tesla Robotaxi https://gizmodo.com/we-now-know-what-youll-be-charged-if-you-puke-in-a-tesla-robotaxi-2000703779
Reposted by Zac Estrada
The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
December 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Huge win for Richard Noticias LA, TikTok journalist shot by ICE. Criminal charges dismissed with prejudice, meaning can’t be refiled.
ICE did him DIRTY. Repeatedly. Inhumane treatment, basically medical torture.
Still in ICE custody on immigration case. They owe him unconditional release.
ICE did him DIRTY. Repeatedly. Inhumane treatment, basically medical torture.
Still in ICE custody on immigration case. They owe him unconditional release.
Federal judge dismisses indictment against TikToker shot by ICE, citing constitutional violations
Days before Carlitos Ricardo Parias was set to to go to trial for assault on a federal officer, a federal judge dismissed the case against him. The judge cited the deprivation of Parias' access to cou...
www.latimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Huge win for Richard Noticias LA, TikTok journalist shot by ICE. Criminal charges dismissed with prejudice, meaning can’t be refiled.
ICE did him DIRTY. Repeatedly. Inhumane treatment, basically medical torture.
Still in ICE custody on immigration case. They owe him unconditional release.
ICE did him DIRTY. Repeatedly. Inhumane treatment, basically medical torture.
Still in ICE custody on immigration case. They owe him unconditional release.
🙃
“We are not out to…win followers on social media,” Bari Weiss said after pulling 60 Minutes' CECOT story
But Status has learned that those working on Tony Dokoupil’s Evening News kickoff tour have been urged to prioritize content built for social
www.status.news/p/cbs-news-b...
But Status has learned that those working on Tony Dokoupil’s Evening News kickoff tour have been urged to prioritize content built for social
www.status.news/p/cbs-news-b...
CBS’ New Year Reset
With a stalled “60 Minutes” segment, Tony Dokoupil’s national tour kicking off, and ratings pressure mounting, Bari Weiss enters 2026 needing to prove the network is driven by the news and not the Ell...
www.status.news
December 29, 2025 at 2:31 AM
🙃
"I certainly don't know I'd be happier if I were to turn away from having a less shareable life online, to treat my writing more like a commodity, locked up behind the counter at CVS"
Sometimes I hate some of my best, most useful work was never un-paywalled mattdpearce.substack.com/p/the-limits...
Sometimes I hate some of my best, most useful work was never un-paywalled mattdpearce.substack.com/p/the-limits...
The limits of giving it all away
On Lewis Hyde’s “The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World."
mattdpearce.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:43 PM
"I certainly don't know I'd be happier if I were to turn away from having a less shareable life online, to treat my writing more like a commodity, locked up behind the counter at CVS"
Sometimes I hate some of my best, most useful work was never un-paywalled mattdpearce.substack.com/p/the-limits...
Sometimes I hate some of my best, most useful work was never un-paywalled mattdpearce.substack.com/p/the-limits...
You can puke in a Tesla Robotaxi, but it'll cost you. And it could cost more than if you did the same in a Waymo and not tell the company gizmodo.com/we-now-know-...
We Now Know What You'll Be Charged if You Puke in a Tesla Robotaxi
And we looked into how Tesla compares to its competition.
gizmodo.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
You can puke in a Tesla Robotaxi, but it'll cost you. And it could cost more than if you did the same in a Waymo and not tell the company gizmodo.com/we-now-know-...
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Our photographer Alex Kormann captured the exact moment the presses stopped for the last time in Minneapolis, ending a 158 history of locally printed newspapers.
December 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Our photographer Alex Kormann captured the exact moment the presses stopped for the last time in Minneapolis, ending a 158 history of locally printed newspapers.
Would like to say that I fell asleep at 9:30 last night because of jet lag but all of my traveling this month has been in the same time zone
December 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Would like to say that I fell asleep at 9:30 last night because of jet lag but all of my traveling this month has been in the same time zone
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Television used to be great.
December 28, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Television used to be great.
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Eric Adams may be living the high life -- for now. But both he and his aides still have serious legal troubles. A series of criminal and civil cases loom.
My last story for the year for @nymag.com ...
nymag.com/intelligence...
My last story for the year for @nymag.com ...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Eric Adams and His Aides Are Not Out of Legal Trouble
The outgoing mayor is living it up. A series of court cases still loom.
nymag.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Eric Adams may be living the high life -- for now. But both he and his aides still have serious legal troubles. A series of criminal and civil cases loom.
My last story for the year for @nymag.com ...
nymag.com/intelligence...
My last story for the year for @nymag.com ...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by Zac Estrada
as a matter of fact the Cybertruck represents corruption, not "innovation"
“‘They represent something far bigger than just a police car,’ Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a recent press conference showcasing the vehicles. ‘They represent innovation.’”
How Las Vegas police ended up with a fleet of free Tesla Cybertrucks
Mysterious donors gave a fleet of 10 of the vehicles – which have had a number of recalls – to the police earlier this year
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
as a matter of fact the Cybertruck represents corruption, not "innovation"
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Waymo and Santa Monica Will Go To Court Over Public Nuisance Allegations https://gizmodo.com/waymo-and-santa-monica-will-go-to-court-over-public-nuisance-allegations-2000703279
Waymo and Santa Monica Will Go To Court Over Public Nuisance Allegations
Residents claim that the vehicles' shrieking noises keep them awake.
gizmodo.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Waymo and Santa Monica Will Go To Court Over Public Nuisance Allegations https://gizmodo.com/waymo-and-santa-monica-will-go-to-court-over-public-nuisance-allegations-2000703279
Reposted by Zac Estrada
I need the name of the TV exec who was like “actually, less sex”
last piece for the year! I spoke with author Rachel Reid and show runner Jacob Tierney about why & how Heated Rivalary became such a monster hit.
Spoiler: Jacob is really glad he didn’t listen to the exec who said the characters shouldn’t have sex until Season 2!
Spoiler: Jacob is really glad he didn’t listen to the exec who said the characters shouldn’t have sex until Season 2!
Few People Saw TV’s Latest Breakout Hit Coming. There’s a Secret Behind Its Success.
How Heated Rivalry pulled off its hat trick, according to the minds behind the series.
slate.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I need the name of the TV exec who was like “actually, less sex”
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Wrote about something a lot of young/middle aged people are experiencing: Coming home for the holidays and being concerned about older loved ones being consumed by their screens www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
The Phone-Based Retirement Is Here
Do your parents have a screen-time problem?
www.theatlantic.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Wrote about something a lot of young/middle aged people are experiencing: Coming home for the holidays and being concerned about older loved ones being consumed by their screens www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Zac Estrada
It’s sad to see Sears finally circling the drain but I worked in one of their stock rooms for an extended period during the 90s and even then that company was burning down. It was the most chaotic place I ever worked.
Why Sears’s Last Great Hope Was a Promise That Never Materialized
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
It’s sad to see Sears finally circling the drain but I worked in one of their stock rooms for an extended period during the 90s and even then that company was burning down. It was the most chaotic place I ever worked.
Same stretch of road every time there's more than a heavy fog. Slow. Down.
Back-to-back crashes caught on video amid flooded 101 Freeway in Ventura County
Back-to-back crashes caught on video amid flooded 101 Freeway in Ventura County
Back-to-back crashes were captured by KTLA cameras on Friday morning on the flooded southbound 101 Freeway in Ventura County, as storm conditions caused drivers to lose control on water-covered lan…
ktla.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Same stretch of road every time there's more than a heavy fog. Slow. Down.
Reposted by Zac Estrada
Just wow. @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy came out swinging in this article. He's right though and that's the coolest part.
December 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Just wow. @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy came out swinging in this article. He's right though and that's the coolest part.