Start even younger if you have a family history.

I was just talking with a friend on Sunday who said it's impossible to keep billionaires out of our lives...They do ruin everything.

A call to action to fund diapers for vulnerable immigrant families. Donations can be sent to @andyengelson at Venmo or email cascadiademocratic@protonmail.org

DEADLINE EXTENDED: 17 at-risk immigrant families east of Seattle need help with diapers and wipes. Contribute to the Venmo account andyengelson or contact us by email by this Thursday, April 23. Thank you 🙏

WELL NOW, would you look at that?

A massive, 26-YEAR-LONG study of MORE THAN 2.4 MILLION people in Sweden found NO EVIDENCE to support a causal link between acetaminophen (the API in Tylenol) use during pregnancy and increased risk of autism, ADHD, OR intellectual disability in children.

Noir Lux Candle Bar on Instagram: "We’ve been quietly working on something, and it’s time for us to share… 👀✨ Noir Lux is opening a brand new pop-up space, with the generous support of @seattlerestor... 781 likes, 91 comments - noirluxcandleco on April 19, 2026: "We’ve been quietly working on something, and it’s time for us to share… 👀✨ Noir Lux is opening a brand new pop-up space, with the generous...

Noir Lux Candle Bar will open a pop-up shop this weekend in downtown Seattle in the former Husky Central storefront across from Rainier Square, with support from the Seattle Restored program.

I'd like for someone to ask him, "Do you, in fact, understand anything? Like, anything at all?"

As fuel prices soar, climate leaders urge Democrats to equate clean energy with affordability “I don’t think they’ve grasped the political opportunity yet.”

Democrats should get louder in championing clean energy’s affordability and resilience from global shocks, according to some of the party’s leading voices on the climate.

From our friends at @theguardian.com:

Red book cover "One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This"

Just finished reading this. My daughter asked me why I wanted to read something depressing when we were on vacation. Because it allowed me to pay attention.

Submissions Submissions Are Currently Open Theme: Immigration Enforcement / Immigration Enforcement Brutality Submission Deadline: May 2026 (or whenever we have enough submissions)Publication Date: Fall 2026 O…

We hope this call will reach anyone who has been #writing about #Immigration Enforcement under the #Trump administration. Not only do we want to see your work, we want to connect you with others and give a platform to your voice.

#CallForSubmissions #poetry #ICE #fdt #NoKings #booksky #published

So many good options.

But, I never get shotgun.

Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail

About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidation

Before they were arrested- Vets are demanding an end to the war on Iran at the Cannon Building in Washington, D.C.

a cartoon of winnie the pooh sitting on a tree branch ALT: a cartoon of winnie the pooh sitting on a tree branch

FlashFlood is open! We’d love to receive your subs 😊 Flashes up to 300 words, pre 2023 prev published considered, reserved spots for debut writers. You have until 23:59 on 25 April: flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/p/submission...

Seattle/King County Clinic April 23-26th at the Seattle Center. No appointments or advanced registration required. Tickets are handed out starting at 5:30AM in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (200 Thomas St) first come, first serve and admissions are limited.

Flyer with additional information can be found here: https://seattlecenter.org/skcclinic/patients/

The Seattle/King County Clinic is a volunteer-driven, free health clinic that occurs for four days each year at Seattle Center. The Clinic welcomes anyone in the region who struggles to access and/or afford healthcare. The next Clinic will be held April 23 – 26, 2026 at Seattle Center. 🧵

Happy National Library Week! This week you should:
1) Donate $ to your local Friends of the Library

2) Write to your public library director to thank them for standing up for diversity or to condemn them for caving to fascists

3) Plan a similar public comment for the next library board mtg

With enough ketamine, anyone can have grand visions.

YOUNG WRITERS' PRIZE — BSME The British Society of Magazine Editors has teamed up with award-winning journalist and BSME Columnist of the year, Caitlin Moran, to launch a bold new initiative: an annual prize to discover and support brilliant young writing talent.

If you are young and have writing ambitions do check out this ace competition, arranged by @mscaitlinmoran.bsky.social. Deadline not far off. Please share widely.

www.bsme.com/young-writer...

Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.

“Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial. Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.”

This is why we should fund science. 🧪

These letters confirm what I've only guessed at in my adjacent work. Civil servants really do want to help, but the current constraints are very real.

“Feud with the Pope” is BACK as a likely Wikipedia section heading after a 400-year gap.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During the April 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Councilmember Seal requested to add a discussion on Flock to the April 20, 2026 Regular Meeting, and the City Council concurred. DISCUSSION Since late 2025, the City Council has been discussing the Flock camera program over the course of multiple meetings including committee, work sessions, and full Council. In January, City Administration announced it would be conducting a data privacy and security assessment in response to community and Council concerns. At the April 6 work session, staff provided a preliminary assessment, an overview of the newly passed Senate Bill 6002, and a preview of next steps, outlined as follows: • Continued interpretation and implementation of SB 6002 • Renegotiation of the Flock Safety agreement • Updates to City and Department Policies • Staff training • May 4 City Council work session with the results of the 3rd party (vendors/contractors) Data Privacy and Security Assessment & Recommendations Since then, Tukwila PD has updated its Automated License Plate Reader policy (attached) to comply with SB 6002 and provided training to officers. TPD also reviewed all fixed and mobile ALPR cameras to confirm legal compliance with SB 6002. Staff is currently planning for the May 4 work session as well as working through contract updates with Flock to bring forward to the City Council. FINANCIAL IMPACT The current contract with Flock is through 2028 at a cost of $101,000 per year.

... Public safety and public trust are not competing priorities—they must exist together. As Chief of Police, I am committed to using modern tools responsibly while maintaining strict safeguards that protect privacy, civil liberties, and lawful accountability. That means transparency in how this technology is used, and firm boundaries on what it can and cannot be used for. Why Tukwila Uses Flock Camera Technology Tukwila’s Flock Camera program exists for one purpose: to support legitimate criminal investigations and improve public safety outcomes. This technology helps us locate leads more efficiently in cases involving: • Stolen vehicles • Missing or endangered persons • Felony and gross misdemeanor criminal investigations • Vehicles connected to known threats or active investigations The City’s Flock Cameras are not used to monitor lawful activity, track individuals, or conduct generalized surveillance. The Cameras are investigative tools designed to provide objective data and information, limited to license plate number, vehicle type, and location to assist with police investigations. How Tukwila Protects Your Privacy There have been reports in other jurisdictions about improper settings, confusion around sharing options, or inconsistent oversight. Tukwila’s program is structured with safeguards that are intentional and built around accountability to prevent unauthorized access to the system or its data. TPD does not operate our Flock Camera system as an “open-access” sharing environment. We do not allow broad, uncontrolled access to our data. Any sharing configuration is managed deliberately, and we maintain local control over how our system is used. Our safeguards include both policy controls and system-level protections. This is consistent with Washington’s legal framework and the values of our community.

Legal Compliance and Guardrails Tukwila’s Flock Camera program is operated in alignment with Washington State law, Tukwila Ordinance, CJIS Compliance, and Tukwila Police Department policy, including protections that limit misuse of data for impermissible purposes. With the passage of SB 6002, Washington State has approved ALPR systems as an effective public safety tool appropriate for use in Washington State. Additionally, the state has exempted ALPR data from public disclosure requests and has created very strict guidelines for ALPR data collection, access, and use. There are severe criminal penalties for any person who willfully and intentionally queries, accesses, or uses an automated license plate reader system for a purpose not specifically authorized under the new legislation. No Immigration Enforcement Use Let me be clear: the Tukwila Police Department does not use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement nor do we allow any other agency to use Flock Camera data for immigration enforcement. Furthermore, TPD’s Flock Camera data has never been shared with federal agencies for the purpose of immigration enforcement. I have spoken with the Director of DHS here in Tukwila, responsible for immigration enforcement in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. I asked him specifically about the use of Flock here in Washington. He stated that his agency does not have access to nor use Flock data for immigration enforcement. Data Retention and Auditing ALPR data is not held indefinitely. Flock Camera footage is retained for only 21 days in accordance with policy and law, and then automatically purged. Just as important: the system is subject to auditing and oversight. We review Flock Camera access, share settings, and usage to ensure compliance, confirm proper access, and validate that the system continues operating within the bounds of our community expectations and all applicable laws. ...

We will continue to review best practices, ensure our policies remain current, and make improvements where needed—whether that involves additional safeguards, tighter procedures, or revised retention standards. I welcome continued dialogue. If you have questions about the Flock Camera program or ALPR use generally in Tukwila, or would like more information about our policies and oversight process, I encourage you to contact me at your earliest convenience. Respectfully, Eric Drever Chief of Police City of Tukwila

⚠️ #Flock cameras are on the City of #Tukwila agenda on Mon April 20 @ 7PM!

Public comments can be made in person (most impactful), via phone or online via Teams:

🗓️ www.tukwilawa.gov/event/city-c...

Agenda bill:

📄 records.tukwilawa.gov/WebLink/Elec...

#deflock #surveillance #alpr

Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.

"Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial: Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later."

Chicago Books to Women in Prison Chicago Books to Women in Prison is an all-volunteer organization that sends free books to women and trans people in prison nationwide.

YALL.

There is a charitable organization in Chicago that donates books to women’s prisons. My boyfriend introduced me to it!!!

Yall support!! This is AMAZING. Women’s prisons do NOT get anywhere near the donations men’s do. That’s why my own organization exists.

LINK HERE: www.cbwp.org

Book cover for Wren's Aria by Helen Whistberry showing a bright-eyed brown wren perched among bright red poppies and green grass with beak open in song.

TODAY IS THE DAY!

My latest book, Wren's Aria, is out in the world!

A charming animal fantasy wherein open hearts and loyal companions triumph over tyranny and needless cruelty. Includes 52 original illustrations and cover art by me!

Full blurb and buying links in comments below

#WrensAria #sff

She loved Powell's so much that she wants to move to Portland after college. 🤣 She restricted herself to 5 books, mostly Manga.

a sign that says sorry we 're closed hangs on a glass door Alt: a sign that says sorry we're open hangs on a glass door

Kaleidotrope is now open to fiction and poetry submissions.

We're hiring a contract LGBTQ+ reporter The 19th is seeking a full-time contract reporter to report, write and produce coverage of LGBTQ+ issues, focusing on the intersections with politics and elections.

My team at @19thnews.org is hiring a contract LGBTQ+ reporter to join us for 6 months this year!
💻 Remote (US only)
💰$50/hour
📆 32 hours a week

Apply by May 1!

19thnews.org/2026/04/cont...

We have our first participant from Yukon! 🥳

Still looking for at least one #author from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, New Brunswick and Newfoundland to join us. If you know anyone, please spread the word and let them know! Sign up info at: FictionFest.ca

#CanCon #CanLit #Writing

Going there today! My daughter has never been, and this is what she wanted to do for spring break.

I'm taking my daughter there for her first visit today!