Jon Talton

Attack on the Federal Reserve chair is a dangerous move | Jon Talton The president's move to unseat the chair of the most important central bank is unprecedented. He appears to want to run the Fed himself, with major risks.

My new column:

www.seattletimes.com/business/att...

ICE agent believed responsible for L.A. killing accused of child abuse, racism in court filings A court filing made public this week claims that a federal immigration agent thought to have shot and killed a Los Angeles man on New Year's Eve was previously accused of child abuse and making racist...

About the ICE agent who fatally shot a man on New Year’s Eve while off-duty:

A court document "says the ICE agent allegedly whipped his sons with a belt, made homophobic slurs and racist remarks about Black and Latino people and brought a gun to a youth sports game."

World War 2-era U.S. government-issued "Army Talk" pamphlet describes how to identify American fascists

Seattle will see ramifications of U.S. attack on Venezuela | Jon Talton The White House once again breaks norms and the consequences for Seattle's economy are substantial, Jon Talton writes.

My new column:

www.seattletimes.com/business/sea...

Where are ICE protests taking place this weekend? Here's what to know www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday.com

I was just denied access to the ICE processing center at the Whipple Building.

Members of Congress have a legal right and constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight where people are being detained.

The public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities.

Seattle downtown retail struggles, but upsides abound | Jon Talton The Ross Dress for Less closing is a blow to downtown Seattle retail, and adds to Third Avenue's woes. But it isn't all so bleak, columnist Jon Talton writes.

My new column:

www.seattletimes.com/business/sea...

The really striking thing about the human development index is the domination of the rankings by European countries.

www.economist.com/graphic-deta...

Watching Bari Weiss Murder Investigative Journalism at CBS Notes from someone who's withstood White House demands to stop an explosive story—and who once even had a 60 Minutes piece spiked

As it happens, I have experience with high-level government demands to stop an explosive, accurate story from running, and I also have experience with 60 Minutes spiking a story I was involved in, so I have thoughts about the travesty at CBS. If you want some journalism anecdotes, here are a lot:

Should have kept and modernized it:

Douglas DC-3 Commercial Transport

#OnThisDay in 1949, a Seattle Air Charter passenger plane crashed upon takeoff from Boeing Field, killing 14. historylink.org/File/3700

But today, no modern First Avenue streetcar:

Phinney's private streetcar and Woodland Park gate at Fremont N and 50th, Seattle, ca. 1890

#OnThisDay in 1899, the City of Seattle purchased Woodland Park. historylink.org/File/3529

Bellingham, ca. 1905

#OnThisDay in 1903, Whatcom and Fairhaven merged to form Bellingham. historylink.org/File/5431

Moore Theatre, Seattle, 1910s

#OnThisDay in 1907, Seattle's Moore Theatre opened. historylink.org/File/3851

What a disgrace. Volodymyr Zelensky is a heroic defender of democracy. The Trump regime is a poisonous blight on our nation’s history.

Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

Buckle up for uncertainty in Seattle and beyond in 2026 In 2026, the president will continue to cause uncertainty both nationally and internationally, Jon Talton writes, while Seattle will bring in a new mayor with a different agenda from her predecessor's...

My new column:

www.seattletimes.com/business/buc...

I’m writing a novel about my time as a paramedic called “Unknown Trouble.” Now, if only I can find a publisher!

U.S. military spending is set to hit a record $1 trillion.

Roughly half of defense spending goes to private contractors that routinely price-gouge the government.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed EIGHT straight audits.

This is the military industrial complex on steroids.

Behind WA flooding, the inescapable specter of climate change | Jon Talton The atmospheric river that's flooded parts of Western Washington is part of a broader danger. It's not alarmist to consider the role of climate change.

My new column

www.seattletimes.com/business/beh...

“The National Center for Atmospheric Research is toast,
It’s payback which the ‘king’ will loudly boast,
He hates climate science,
It’s not part of his alliance,
The environment is his personal whipping post.”

Limerick Project Day 333

Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia magnifica), front

One year ago today, the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced the eradication of the invasive Northern Giant Hornet. www.historylink.org/File/21035

"Mr. President, your boasts about the economy being the greatest ever aren't going over well. People, including some of your own supporters, think you are out of touch."
"Really?"
"Really"
"I know what: Let's do a primetime broadcast. This time they'll get the message."

I saw more people in downtown Seattle today than I’ve seen in years.

Attacks on higher education risk social, economic benefits | Jon Talton An attack by the White House on universities and colleges is a time to assess their value to Seattle, Washington and society, in terms economic and beyond, Jon Talton writes.

My new column:

www.seattletimes.com/business/att...

#OnThisDay in 1930, Seattle's Denny Regrade was completed, 32 years after work began. historylink.org/File/711

Mount Rainier

#OnThisDay in 1946, a Curtis Commando R5C transport plane crashed into Mount Rainier, killing 32 U.S. Marines. historylink.org/File/7820

Nisqually Chief Leschi (1808-1858), black and white photo of painting, ca. 1850

#OnThisDay in 2004, a special state historical court cleared Nisqually Chief Leschi (1808-1858) of murder charges. historylink.org/File/7257

Seattle Sounders FC

Nine years ago today, the Seattle Sounders completed a dramatic come-from-behind season by beating Toronto FC to win their first Major League Soccer championship. historylink.org/File/20303