u/TVDinner360

Congrats to the journalists at The Olympian, Tacoma News Tribune, Bellingham Herald and Tri-City Herald for winning their contract fight! Here’s the recent message they sent the contributors to their recent GoFundMe:

We did it! After more than a year of grueling bargaining with McClatchy Media, we are happy to share that the union members of five newspapers in Idaho and Washington have voted to ratify a new three-year contract. We secured guaranteed raises and some of the strongest protections against artificial intelligence in the news industry. Our biggest wins include:

-Guaranteed raises of 7.2% to 15.5% over the next three years, including immediate raises of 3% to 11.1%
-$52,000 minimum salary for current employees
-Ban on AI being used to replace staff, decrease pay or reduce working hours
-Ban on forcing reporters to do their work using AI
-Ban on publishing deepfakes, impersonating union members without our consent or creating fake AI journalists
-Ban on mandatory production quotas in performance reviews
-Minimum annual training budget ($4,000 in Idaho, $7,500 in Washington)
-Improved just cause and discipline protections

As we wrap up this journey, we wanted to send a final thank you to all of you. The news industry across the United States continues to be deeply harmed by private equity companies who care more about their bottom line than quality journalism. If it was up to them, they'd be happy to let our historic newspapers devolve into AI clickbait if it meant cutting costs. But our new contract shows that solidarity works. It wasn’t just the unity of our members that made a difference. We couldn’t have done this without our communities and those who care about the longevity of journalism.

You helped us raise more than $15,000 so we could go on strike in May. Whether it was donating money, raising awareness or emailing company executives, your support allowed us to fight harder than we ever could have alone. Our newspapers have been bringing vital information to our cities for more than a hundred years. We hope every time you see an in-depth article or video by one of us, you’ll feel pride in knowing you played a role in making sure these are the kinds of quality stories that continue to be told. So thank you again, and here’s to a hundred more.

Sincerely,
The union members of the Idaho Statesman, The Olympian, The Tacoma News Tribune, Tri-City Herald and Bellingham Herald

Hey all, I just received an email alert from Thurston County Public Health that the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch appears to be in Ward Lake. You can sign up to get these and other important algae alerts at their website: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/public-health-and-social-services/environmental-health/water/water-recreation

The text of the email:

6/17/2026

Possible Parasites in Ward Lake

OLYMPIA – Thurston County Public Health and Social Services advises members of the community that the parasite that causes swimmer’s itch appears to be present in Ward Lake. A report was received from an individual who swam at Ward Lake and appears to have swimmer’s itch. Additionally, swimmers at any freshwater lake need to be aware that this parasite may be present and there are ways to avoid being infected by it.

Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). If the parasite comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and rash.

Swimmer’s itch generally resolves on its own without lasting health effects, although it can cause discomfort. Common symptoms include tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Individuals are advised to avoid scratching the affected area, as this may lead to secondary infection. In cases of severe itching, a healthcare provider may recommend prescription-strength creams or lotions to alleviate symptoms.

Law 1: whatever you need from the pannier is at the bottom

Law 2: the day you have the important meeting with the boss is the day you forget to pack your work shoes

Law 3: it’s a good idea to make friends with your coworker who has spare shoes in her cubicle and wears the same size

Law 4: the day you decide it’s spring-like enough to not wear the balaclava is the day there’s a freak hail storm and you get the singular experience of hail balls melting into your scalp after they’ve fallen into the holes of your helmet

Law 5: you will get a flat tire on the day you absolutely, cannot be late for work

Law 6: it’ll be the rear tire

Law 7: you’ll have the spare tube for your other bike that doesn’t fit the rim for this bike

Law 8: the bus stop is a 30-minute walk, and you’ll ruin your rim if you don’t take the 30-pound panniers off the rear rack, so you’ll need to carry those. That won’t be awkward while you’re walking your bike.

Law 9: don’t explain to your coworkers why you have backup underpants and socks in your desk drawer (and now shoes), and ffs keep them hidden in a brown paper bag

Law 10: very few waterproof mascaras really are waterproof

These are a few of the immutable laws of bike commuting I’ve learned after 37 years of doing it. What are a few of yours?

ETA: yes, I have forgotten my pants. More than once.

This is a very men’s hockey-oriented profile of him from during the Olympics when he was coaching the women’s Team USA, but by all accounts he sounds amazing. Please try to overlook the Hughes focus of it all.

Dear Hockey Gods: can we have him, please?

Confidential to Mr. Wroblewski: Seattle is wonderful. You’d love it. Look! We’re even learned how to spell your name!

Hi gang! I used to rely on Hella Phat vegan soup base, but it looks like they’ve gone out of business? I’m super sad. It was a no-salt, noosh-based powder that was easy to use to make rice, soups, and other things tastier on a work night. You could buy a big container of it from their website and it’d last a long time.

Can anyone suggest something similar? Maybe homemade? Thanks so much!

For the record, I was vegetarian forever, but I’m a pretty new vegan. I’ve learned a ton from you all. Thanks for sharing your wisdom! Who knew veganism had so much *blending?* 🤣