Amy Sundberg
@amysundberg.bsky.social
SF/F and YA writer, reporter at @theurbanist.org, publisher of Notes from the Emerald City. She/her. Send tips on Signal (amysundberg.92)
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Amy Sundberg
@amysundberg.bsky.social
· Nov 9
Signal boosting this Bluesky starter pack of Seattle News and Journalists: go.bsky.app/MdNLsYQ
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
- Mary Oliver, A Summer Day
- Mary Oliver, A Summer Day
November 28, 2025 at 6:19 AM
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
- Mary Oliver, A Summer Day
- Mary Oliver, A Summer Day
It's going to be an interesting legislative session in Olympia!
“Scott’s bill would create the “Well Washington Fund” to backfill what the federal government takes away. Absent proactive measures by the Legislature, thousands of residents will face greater food insecurity, less access to health care and higher costs for education, Scott said.”
Democratic state lawmakers are once again eyeing a statewide version of a Seattle tax on companies with large payrolls and high-paid employees. washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/11/26/w...
November 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It's going to be an interesting legislative session in Olympia!
What's this? A new Urbanist podcast? 😉
@metropolitanglide.bsky.social and I talked about this month's election. Fair warning, we could have easily talked for another hour, there was so much to cover.
@metropolitanglide.bsky.social and I talked about this month's election. Fair warning, we could have easily talked for another hour, there was so much to cover.
We're excited to announce that The Urbanist has relaunched a podcast, in partnership with KVRU 105.7 FM.
In the first episode, @metropolitanglide.bsky.social and @amysundberg.bsky.social break down this month's election results.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/27/u...
In the first episode, @metropolitanglide.bsky.social and @amysundberg.bsky.social break down this month's election results.
www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/27/u...
Urbanist Podcast Election Extravaganza: Puget Sound Progressives Prevail » The Urbanist
# The Urbanist Podcast is back after a hiatus, just in time to break down 2025 election results. In this episode, Urbanist publisher Doug Trumm and reporter Amy Sundberg discuss what happened in Seatt...
www.theurbanist.org
November 27, 2025 at 7:44 PM
What's this? A new Urbanist podcast? 😉
@metropolitanglide.bsky.social and I talked about this month's election. Fair warning, we could have easily talked for another hour, there was so much to cover.
@metropolitanglide.bsky.social and I talked about this month's election. Fair warning, we could have easily talked for another hour, there was so much to cover.
Reposted by Amy Sundberg
If you see someone living outside and it’s cold, tell them they can tell a bus driver they are going to a cold weather shelter and they should not be required to pay fare.
Here’s info from KCRHA about cold weather plans across King County. kcrha.org/news-winter-...
Here’s info from KCRHA about cold weather plans across King County. kcrha.org/news-winter-...
Winter Weather Activation Summary - KCRHA
During the winter severe weather season, our first cold weather activation typically occurs around Thanksgiving and our last one is usually toward the end of March. Once we've wrapped up the last acti...
kcrha.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
If you see someone living outside and it’s cold, tell them they can tell a bus driver they are going to a cold weather shelter and they should not be required to pay fare.
Here’s info from KCRHA about cold weather plans across King County. kcrha.org/news-winter-...
Here’s info from KCRHA about cold weather plans across King County. kcrha.org/news-winter-...
Look at this beauty!
November 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Look at this beauty!
My latest is all about what we should expect to see in terms of homelessness and public safety when Katie Wilson takes office as Seattle's mayor next year.
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness
Story by Amy Sundberg via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/26/k...
Story by Amy Sundberg via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/26/k...
Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson believes she'll be judged primarily by how she can improve outcomes on homelessness and public safety. In an interview with The Urbanist, Wilson laid out what she ai...
www.theurbanist.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
My latest is all about what we should expect to see in terms of homelessness and public safety when Katie Wilson takes office as Seattle's mayor next year.
Reposted by Amy Sundberg
Making sure that our neighbors and community can go to work or the store or just take a walk without being abducted is a huge public safety issue btw.
And it’s a community-wide public safety issue that will affect you, even if you’re not the one directly under threat from a rogue federal agency.
And it’s a community-wide public safety issue that will affect you, even if you’re not the one directly under threat from a rogue federal agency.
November 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Making sure that our neighbors and community can go to work or the store or just take a walk without being abducted is a huge public safety issue btw.
And it’s a community-wide public safety issue that will affect you, even if you’re not the one directly under threat from a rogue federal agency.
And it’s a community-wide public safety issue that will affect you, even if you’re not the one directly under threat from a rogue federal agency.
Always good to be reminded that corporations don't care and have no shame.
🚨 BREAKING: Days after Exxon asked SCOTUS to give corporations a First Amendment right to hide pollution, RealPage is now arguing that AI companies have a First Amendment right to help landlords collude to raise rents.
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Always good to be reminded that corporations don't care and have no shame.
I really love pie. Tomorrow I'm picking up a fancy pie that has the most delicious crust, and I'm so excited, it's going to be all I can do not to eat it until Thursday. 🤣
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I really love pie. Tomorrow I'm picking up a fancy pie that has the most delicious crust, and I'm so excited, it's going to be all I can do not to eat it until Thursday. 🤣
It’s been a hard month for license plate readers in Washington State.
notesfromtheemeraldcity.com/its-been-a-h...
notesfromtheemeraldcity.com/its-been-a-h...
It’s been a hard month for license plate readers in Washington State - Notes from the Emerald City
Seattle News: Katie Wilson will be Seattle’s next mayor, and Seattle’s 2026 budget has been adopted! Whew, what a month. I wrote my take on the budget last week, a few days before its final passage. Y...
notesfromtheemeraldcity.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
It’s been a hard month for license plate readers in Washington State.
notesfromtheemeraldcity.com/its-been-a-h...
notesfromtheemeraldcity.com/its-been-a-h...
I love my heat pump so much! I am much less cold in the wintertime now.
"Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps collectively saved US households between $5.6 to $8.8 billion in 2023 alone."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
"80% of users are satisfied with their heat pumps, and nearly 95% of EV owners are likely to consider purchasing another EV for their next vehicle."
New Brattle Report Finds Beneficial Electrification Delivers Billions in Savings to US Households Along with Significant Emissions Reductions - Brattle
Harnessing the benefits of electric technology over the last decade saved US households between $5.6 to $8.8 billion in 2023 alone and prevented more than
www.brattle.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I love my heat pump so much! I am much less cold in the wintertime now.
Nala's groomer texted this morning asking why I hadn't made another appt. She called Nala an angel when I shared the news of her death.
She made Nala's last year so much better. Nala was mostly blind with dementia and was scared to get her face trimmed but her new groomer was so kind and patient.
She made Nala's last year so much better. Nala was mostly blind with dementia and was scared to get her face trimmed but her new groomer was so kind and patient.
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Nala's groomer texted this morning asking why I hadn't made another appt. She called Nala an angel when I shared the news of her death.
She made Nala's last year so much better. Nala was mostly blind with dementia and was scared to get her face trimmed but her new groomer was so kind and patient.
She made Nala's last year so much better. Nala was mostly blind with dementia and was scared to get her face trimmed but her new groomer was so kind and patient.
Wow again. Ruha Benjamin wrote Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code.
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
These Mamdani transition committees are seriously impressive. Hiring @ruha9.bsky.social for the technology committee is very smart. And so many more. www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday the creation of 17 transition advisory committees made up of more than 400 people.
www.cbsnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Wow again. Ruha Benjamin wrote Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code.
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
From the blurb: "From everyday apps to complex algorithms, Ruha Benjamin cuts through tech-industry hype to understand how emerging technologies can reinforce White supremacy and deepen social inequity."
Wow. Vitale wrote The End of Policing, advocating for community-based solutions for safety instead of policing.
I'm excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Mamdani Transition Team to work on community safety issues. A New Era for NYC.
November 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Wow. Vitale wrote The End of Policing, advocating for community-based solutions for safety instead of policing.
King County Executive-elect Zahilay says he intends to submit 3 nominees for his open council seat that will act as caretakers and not run for the seat next year. He says the appointment should take place by 12/9.
(He's being sworn in as Executive tomorrow.)
(He's being sworn in as Executive tomorrow.)
November 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
King County Executive-elect Zahilay says he intends to submit 3 nominees for his open council seat that will act as caretakers and not run for the seat next year. He says the appointment should take place by 12/9.
(He's being sworn in as Executive tomorrow.)
(He's being sworn in as Executive tomorrow.)
The Guardian interviewed some AI workers (people who rate and test AI responses), and they had some interesting things to say.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meet the AI workers who tell their friends and family to stay away from AI
When the people making AI seem trustworthy are the ones who trust it the least, it shows that incentives for speed are overtaking safety, experts say
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The Guardian interviewed some AI workers (people who rate and test AI responses), and they had some interesting things to say.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
The news just gets weirder and weirder.
Reporter: Are you affirming that you think the president is a fascist?
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
Mamdani: I've spoken about --
Trump: Just say yes, it's easier than explaining.
November 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The news just gets weirder and weirder.
Welp, I guess the deconstruction of the CDC is mostly complete. Didn't even take a year.
In agreement with my friend @kkjetelina.bsky.social who writes today: "I suggest the general public avoid the CDC website."
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/cdc-false-...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/cdc-false-...
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Welp, I guess the deconstruction of the CDC is mostly complete. Didn't even take a year.
Reposted by Amy Sundberg
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Some highlights of this piece:
"This active role beyond the borders is part of the quiet transformation of its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, into something more akin to a domestic intelligence operation." 1/3
"This active role beyond the borders is part of the quiet transformation of its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, into something more akin to a domestic intelligence operation." 1/3
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with ‘suspicious’ travel patterns
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Some highlights of this piece:
"This active role beyond the borders is part of the quiet transformation of its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, into something more akin to a domestic intelligence operation." 1/3
"This active role beyond the borders is part of the quiet transformation of its parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, into something more akin to a domestic intelligence operation." 1/3
In AI policy land, word on the street is Trump is working on an executive order that would instruct the DOJ to sue states with AI regulation laws on the books and also potentially withhold fed $ for broadband from states with AI regulation laws.
I look forward to such suits failing miserably.
I look forward to such suits failing miserably.
White House drafts order directing Justice Department to sue states that pass AI regulations
The draft order comes after Republicans in Congress failed to pass a federal ban on state AI regulation, as more lawmakers raise concerns about the technology.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
In AI policy land, word on the street is Trump is working on an executive order that would instruct the DOJ to sue states with AI regulation laws on the books and also potentially withhold fed $ for broadband from states with AI regulation laws.
I look forward to such suits failing miserably.
I look forward to such suits failing miserably.
This is regarding Seattle Public Schools and tonight's board discussion on the district's new AI policy.
She thinks all of this is informed by tech companies who have an interest in the profits to be made here.
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
This is regarding Seattle Public Schools and tonight's board discussion on the district's new AI policy.
My latest on how the 2026 Seattle budget (final Council vote on Friday) is not setting Katie Wilson up for success, between its accounting tricks, one-time funding, and CM provisos. Also some details about the federal Continuum of Care changes, which I know many of you have been concerned about.
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/19/k...
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/19/k...
Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes » The Urbanist
# Katie Wilson may have won the mayoral election, but her challenges are just beginning. Outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell is leaving a budget mess behind him.
www.theurbanist.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
My latest on how the 2026 Seattle budget (final Council vote on Friday) is not setting Katie Wilson up for success, between its accounting tricks, one-time funding, and CM provisos. Also some details about the federal Continuum of Care changes, which I know many of you have been concerned about.
Reposted by Amy Sundberg
I won't start ranting about it because I just get myself worked up, but quickly: I literally can not think of an investment of public funds that has a higher return than *cleaning the indoor air in schools*. It's so easy, so cheap, & has such HUGE payoff. Criminal that we basically don't do it.
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I won't start ranting about it because I just get myself worked up, but quickly: I literally can not think of an investment of public funds that has a higher return than *cleaning the indoor air in schools*. It's so easy, so cheap, & has such HUGE payoff. Criminal that we basically don't do it.
An interesting wrinkle.
Hey @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social now’s your chance to get some really amazing King County folks to come over to the City!
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 AM
An interesting wrinkle.