@wordsmith24.bsky.social
Reporter, editor, writer, dog lover. Editor in chief at Capitol Weekly. Opinions my own.
Tattoos are gaining acceptance in most workplaces. But even in a place with a well-deserved reputation as a bastion of progressive politics, the California Capitol can still be as conservative as any corporate office. My story in today's Capitol Weekly.
capitolweekly.net/capitol-ink-...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-ink-...
Capitol Ink: body art under the dome - Capitol Weekly
Tattoos are becoming far more common around the Capitol than in years past. It is anybody’s guess as to exactly how many staff or even elected members in the Capitol have tattoos, but it is a safe bet...
capitolweekly.net
December 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Tattoos are gaining acceptance in most workplaces. But even in a place with a well-deserved reputation as a bastion of progressive politics, the California Capitol can still be as conservative as any corporate office. My story in today's Capitol Weekly.
capitolweekly.net/capitol-ink-...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-ink-...
My guest today is the wonderful Priscilla Paton, the writer behind the Twin Cities Mystery Series featuring detectives Erik Jansson and Deb Metzger, which have been widely lauded for clever plots, witty and intelligent dialogue and just generally being great reads. youtu.be/fnTvJRjwTBo
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Priscilla Paton
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December 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
My guest today is the wonderful Priscilla Paton, the writer behind the Twin Cities Mystery Series featuring detectives Erik Jansson and Deb Metzger, which have been widely lauded for clever plots, witty and intelligent dialogue and just generally being great reads. youtu.be/fnTvJRjwTBo
My friends, if you do nothing else in this lifetime please learn the appropriate use of apostrophes.
November 25, 2025 at 7:50 PM
My friends, if you do nothing else in this lifetime please learn the appropriate use of apostrophes.
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Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom's former Chief of Staff, was indicted by federal officials, charged with corruption. Also named in the indictment were Democratic consultant Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie, McCluskie’s spouse & an unnamed former public official
capitolweekly.net/dana-william...
capitolweekly.net/dana-william...
Dana Williamson, Newsom's former Chief of Staff, four others, indicted for corruption - Capitol Weekly
Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom's former Chief of Staff, who stepped down in December last year, was indicted by federal officials today, charged with corruption. Also named in the indictment were Democ...
capitolweekly.net
November 12, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom's former Chief of Staff, was indicted by federal officials, charged with corruption. Also named in the indictment were Democratic consultant Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie, McCluskie’s spouse & an unnamed former public official
capitolweekly.net/dana-william...
capitolweekly.net/dana-william...
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For Lourdes Ayon, lobbyist for @sdge.bsky.social by day and a comedian by night, “the policy brain and the comedy brain are totally different.” She’s found a way to conquer both. @leahotarrow.bsky.social for Capitol Weekly
capitolweekly.net/capitol-spot...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-spot...
Capitol Spotlight: Lourdes Ayon, San Diego Gas & Electric - Capitol Weekly
For Lourdes Ayon, lobbyist by day and a comedian by night, “the policy brain and the comedy brain are totally different.” She’s found a way to conquer both.
capitolweekly.net
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
For Lourdes Ayon, lobbyist for @sdge.bsky.social by day and a comedian by night, “the policy brain and the comedy brain are totally different.” She’s found a way to conquer both. @leahotarrow.bsky.social for Capitol Weekly
capitolweekly.net/capitol-spot...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-spot...
The new Open Mic is here with the fantastic crime fiction author Richie Narvaez! youtu.be/968n88A5LS8?...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Richie Narvaez
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November 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The new Open Mic is here with the fantastic crime fiction author Richie Narvaez! youtu.be/968n88A5LS8?...
Hard not thought feel like the Jays choked.
November 2, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Hard not thought feel like the Jays choked.
Toronto needed to close this out last night. If you have the champs on the ropes you had best put them away. I would never bet against a champion in a winner take all game.
November 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Toronto needed to close this out last night. If you have the champs on the ropes you had best put them away. I would never bet against a champion in a winner take all game.
Reposted
Via @thestar.com:
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series:
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series:
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series: ‘I just want us to be seen’
Jalani Morgan is building an archive of Black Blue Jays fans, families and community showing their unwavering love of baseball.
www.thestar.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Via @thestar.com:
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series:
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Why this photographer is capturing the joy of Black Blue Jays fans during the World Series:
www.thestar.com/sports/blue-...
Reposted
For years, pharmacy benefit managers – prescription drug middlemen often referred to as PBMs – have gone virtually unregulated in California. With @governor.ca.gov's signature of a PBM regulation bill, @scottwiener.bsky.social's #SB41, that is about to change
capitolweekly.net/sb-41-gettin...
capitolweekly.net/sb-41-gettin...
SB 41: getting deep in the weeds on pharmacy benefit managers - Capitol Weekly
For years, pharmacy benefit managers – prescription drug middlemen often referred to by the shorthand term PBMs – have gone virtually unregulated in California. With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on O...
capitolweekly.net
October 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
For years, pharmacy benefit managers – prescription drug middlemen often referred to as PBMs – have gone virtually unregulated in California. With @governor.ca.gov's signature of a PBM regulation bill, @scottwiener.bsky.social's #SB41, that is about to change
capitolweekly.net/sb-41-gettin...
capitolweekly.net/sb-41-gettin...
My guest Robbie Bach started writing techno-thrillers after he spent much of his career at Microsoft, where he led the creation and development of a little thing you might have heard of – the Xbox. Now his tech background informs his writing. The new Open Mic is here! youtu.be/dvXCyWperKE?...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Robbie Bach
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October 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My guest Robbie Bach started writing techno-thrillers after he spent much of his career at Microsoft, where he led the creation and development of a little thing you might have heard of – the Xbox. Now his tech background informs his writing. The new Open Mic is here! youtu.be/dvXCyWperKE?...
Reposted
Leah Barros is a familiar face in Sacramento, having worked in the Capitol as a staffer and as a lobbyist for various firms before launching Barros Clay & Associates. Among her notable wins was leading the lobbying effort to enact The CROWN Act. #caleg
capitolweekly.net/a-chat-with-...
capitolweekly.net/a-chat-with-...
A chat with Leah Barros of Barros Clay & Associates - Capitol Weekly
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Today we welcome lobbyist Leah Barros of Barros Clay and Associates. Barros is a familiar face in Sacramento, having worked in the Capitol as a staffer and later as a lobbyist ...
capitolweekly.net
October 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Leah Barros is a familiar face in Sacramento, having worked in the Capitol as a staffer and as a lobbyist for various firms before launching Barros Clay & Associates. Among her notable wins was leading the lobbying effort to enact The CROWN Act. #caleg
capitolweekly.net/a-chat-with-...
capitolweekly.net/a-chat-with-...
The new Open Mic features my conversation with the very prolific crime fiction writer Michael Bracken. youtu.be/mLP7HubFx0I?...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Michael Bracken
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October 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The new Open Mic features my conversation with the very prolific crime fiction writer Michael Bracken. youtu.be/mLP7HubFx0I?...
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Measure G, the revolutionary ballot measure approved by Angelenos in 2024 reshaped the nation’s most populated county by expanding the Board of Supes from 5 to 9 & made the county executive an elected official. Here's how @lindseyphorvath.bsky.social made it happen:
capitolweekly.net/change-agent...
capitolweekly.net/change-agent...
Change Agent: Lindsey Horvath and the massive reform of LA County governance - Capitol Weekly
Last November Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure G, a massive reform to county governance that will eventually expand the Board from its current five members - each representing aroun...
capitolweekly.net
October 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Measure G, the revolutionary ballot measure approved by Angelenos in 2024 reshaped the nation’s most populated county by expanding the Board of Supes from 5 to 9 & made the county executive an elected official. Here's how @lindseyphorvath.bsky.social made it happen:
capitolweekly.net/change-agent...
capitolweekly.net/change-agent...
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BIG NEWS: @gavinnewsom.bsky.social signed my bill (SB 41) to end abuses by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — behemoth corporate drug middlemen that increase the cost of Rx drugs & destroy local pharmacies to favor their own mail order pharmacies.
Huge win to lower drug costs & benefit consumers.
Huge win to lower drug costs & benefit consumers.
October 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
BIG NEWS: @gavinnewsom.bsky.social signed my bill (SB 41) to end abuses by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — behemoth corporate drug middlemen that increase the cost of Rx drugs & destroy local pharmacies to favor their own mail order pharmacies.
Huge win to lower drug costs & benefit consumers.
Huge win to lower drug costs & benefit consumers.
Reposted
Join Capitol Weekly, @calmatters.org and @ucstudentpolicy.bsky.social on Oct. 14 for CALIFORNIA VOTES: PROPOSITION 50. We'll moderate a debate on whether voters should approve or reject California's new congressional district maps. Free but registration required.
capitolweekly.net/events/calif...
capitolweekly.net/events/calif...
California Votes: Proposition 50 - October 14, 2025 - Capitol Weekly
Join Capitol Weekly, CalMatters, and the University of California Student and Policy Center for: . California Votes: Proposition 50 Should Californians support mid-decade redistricting? . October 14, ...
capitolweekly.net
October 8, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Join Capitol Weekly, @calmatters.org and @ucstudentpolicy.bsky.social on Oct. 14 for CALIFORNIA VOTES: PROPOSITION 50. We'll moderate a debate on whether voters should approve or reject California's new congressional district maps. Free but registration required.
capitolweekly.net/events/calif...
capitolweekly.net/events/calif...
Reposted
PODCAST: Capitol Weekly and @ucstudentpolicy.bsky.social presented A Conference on Health Care on October 1, 2025. In today’s episode we present the Keynote: A conversation between Dr. S. Monica Soni of @coveredca.bsky.social and Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen.
capitolweekly.net/special-epis...
capitolweekly.net/special-epis...
Special Episode: Health Care - Interview with Dr. S. Monica Soni of Covered California - Capitol Weekly
CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Capitol Weekly and the University of California Student and Policy Center presented A Conference on Health Care on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in Sacramento. In today's episode we present the Keynote: A conversation between Dr. S. Monica Soni of Covered California and Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen. Stick around til the end; Rich and special guest Robin Epley of the Sacramento Bee tell you Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics.
capitolweekly.net
October 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
PODCAST: Capitol Weekly and @ucstudentpolicy.bsky.social presented A Conference on Health Care on October 1, 2025. In today’s episode we present the Keynote: A conversation between Dr. S. Monica Soni of @coveredca.bsky.social and Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen.
capitolweekly.net/special-epis...
capitolweekly.net/special-epis...
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Capitol Briefs: @gavinnewsom.bsky.social has signed AI and abortion access bills.... with the end of session in the rearview, Gov. Newsom is now deep into considering the mountain of bills on his desk. Our rundown of the status of some notable pieces of legislation:
capitolweekly.net/capitol-brie...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-brie...
Capitol Briefs: The race to the finish begins - Capitol Weekly
We're entering the final two weeks of the gubernatorial signing session and Gavin Newsom has over 700 bills to act upon. Here are a few high profile measures he signed this week, a few more bills folk...
capitolweekly.net
September 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Capitol Briefs: @gavinnewsom.bsky.social has signed AI and abortion access bills.... with the end of session in the rearview, Gov. Newsom is now deep into considering the mountain of bills on his desk. Our rundown of the status of some notable pieces of legislation:
capitolweekly.net/capitol-brie...
capitolweekly.net/capitol-brie...
A 79-year-old man with a heart condition. www.dailynews.com/2025/09/25/v...
79-year-old Van Nuys car wash owner, a U.S. citizen, files $50M claim over immigration raid, injuries
The owner, who recently had heart surgery, said three agents jumped on him, with one of them putting a knee on his neck as others pinned his arms behind his back.
www.dailynews.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A 79-year-old man with a heart condition. www.dailynews.com/2025/09/25/v...
A former National Park Service ranger and investigator, Andrea Lankford's latest book TRAIL OF THE LOST is a gripping tale of her efforts to help find a trio of missing Pacific Crest Trail hikers who all seemed to vanish without a trace. The new Open Mic is here! youtu.be/yku3PUObubk?...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Andrea Lankford
YouTube video by The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words
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September 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
A former National Park Service ranger and investigator, Andrea Lankford's latest book TRAIL OF THE LOST is a gripping tale of her efforts to help find a trio of missing Pacific Crest Trail hikers who all seemed to vanish without a trace. The new Open Mic is here! youtu.be/yku3PUObubk?...
Reposted
CA Ins. Comm. Ricardo Lara announced proposed regulations that strike at a financial model employed by @consumerwatchdog.bsky.social, the crusading consumer advocacy organization that makes money by intervening in insurance rate-setting proceedings
capitolweekly.net/lara-proposa...
capitolweekly.net/lara-proposa...
Lara proposal targets a beleaguered Consumer Watchdog - Capitol Weekly
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced Friday proposed regulations that seek to strike at a financial model employed by Consumer Watchdog, the crusading consumer advocacy organization that has ...
capitolweekly.net
September 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
CA Ins. Comm. Ricardo Lara announced proposed regulations that strike at a financial model employed by @consumerwatchdog.bsky.social, the crusading consumer advocacy organization that makes money by intervening in insurance rate-setting proceedings
capitolweekly.net/lara-proposa...
capitolweekly.net/lara-proposa...
Of all things that actually make America great, the number one thing is the freedom of speech. Stifling free speech does not make you tough or strong - it makes you a physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional coward. Full stop.
September 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Of all things that actually make America great, the number one thing is the freedom of speech. Stifling free speech does not make you tough or strong - it makes you a physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional coward. Full stop.
I wasn't able to make it to Bouchercon this year, but I was able to have a great Open Mic conversation with one of the best dark fantasy/YA writers around - the fantastic Maria Alexander, who joined me to talk about her new book Brimstone and Blades. youtu.be/7i2vMLiY_ec?...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Maria Alexander
YouTube video by The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words
youtu.be
September 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I wasn't able to make it to Bouchercon this year, but I was able to have a great Open Mic conversation with one of the best dark fantasy/YA writers around - the fantastic Maria Alexander, who joined me to talk about her new book Brimstone and Blades. youtu.be/7i2vMLiY_ec?...
John Burton, a titan of 20th Century California politics has died at age 92. Watch the Oral History with journalist Jerry Roberts conducted with Burton here:
capitolweekly.net/oral-histori...
capitolweekly.net/oral-histori...
John Burton, A San Francisco Democrat - Capitol Weekly
Few politicians have the experience of John Lowell Burton – the state Assembly, Congress and state Senate, where he served as president pro tem, and chairman of the California Democratic Party. In thi...
capitolweekly.net
September 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
John Burton, a titan of 20th Century California politics has died at age 92. Watch the Oral History with journalist Jerry Roberts conducted with Burton here:
capitolweekly.net/oral-histori...
capitolweekly.net/oral-histori...