Colleen Mondor
@chasingray.bsky.social
Aviation journalist, especially on Alaska. Never met a federal database I didn't love. "Probable Cause" newsletter is here: https://colleenmondor.substack.com/
Pinned
#35: I Can't Make the FAA Sexy
I’m smart. I’m a good writer. I can do a lot of things but making the Federal Aviation Administration sexy is not one of them.
colleenmondor.substack.com
I can do a lot of things, but making the FAA sexy is not one of them.
Here's some thoughts on what it's like writing on commercial aviation safety & ATC & the FAA in 2025.
colleenmondor.substack.com/p/35-i-cant-...
Here's some thoughts on what it's like writing on commercial aviation safety & ATC & the FAA in 2025.
colleenmondor.substack.com/p/35-i-cant-...
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Seth Kantner is my favorite Alaska writer, and his piece on the flooding in NW Alaska and along the Kobuk River is so moving
Life and death on the coast
What the flooding in Northwest Alaska took and left behind.
www.adn.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Seth Kantner is my favorite Alaska writer, and his piece on the flooding in NW Alaska and along the Kobuk River is so moving
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Moldovan authorities said Russian drones had entered the country's airspace and posed a threat to aviation, the third such incident in nine days.
November 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Moldovan authorities said Russian drones had entered the country's airspace and posed a threat to aviation, the third such incident in nine days.
Sigh.
That is not how this works.
That is not how this works.
Trump, with no authority to do so, demands the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela be closed as he threatens to bomb and invade the country.
November 29, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Sigh.
That is not how this works.
That is not how this works.
I look forward to Garrett’s list every year. If you are book buying this holiday, for yourself or others, be sure to check it out.
I hope if you're shopping today, you stop by a local indie bookstore. Here's my list of my favorite 25 books from this past year, some old, some new, fiction, history, and current events — something for almost anyone on your list (and, of course, yourself!): www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/my-favorit...
My favorite books of 2025
25 books that changed the way I look at the world this year
www.doomsdayscenario.co
November 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I look forward to Garrett’s list every year. If you are book buying this holiday, for yourself or others, be sure to check it out.
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Disaster response officials are suspending most recovery work in Western Alaska villages inundated by last month’s catastrophic storm as winter complicates relief efforts.
Western Alaska storm recovery crews suspend most work in damaged villages as winter descends
Officials this week transitioned to a focus on long-term recovery and next year’s push to finish cleanup and repair.
www.adn.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Disaster response officials are suspending most recovery work in Western Alaska villages inundated by last month’s catastrophic storm as winter complicates relief efforts.
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
The Stones release the “Let it Bleed” LP today in ‘69
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The Stones release the “Let it Bleed” LP today in ‘69
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Definitely have to share one of the most iconic Thanksgiving Day reenactments today. Grab those cardigans and highballs and enjoy! 🦃 🍁 🪶🔥🍽️
Addams Family Values: Thanksgiving play (HD CLIP)
YouTube video by Binge Society
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Definitely have to share one of the most iconic Thanksgiving Day reenactments today. Grab those cardigans and highballs and enjoy! 🦃 🍁 🪶🔥🍽️
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Nearly 300 people turn out for 12th annual race that’s a tradition for some, a new way for others to burn calories before the feast ahead.
www.juneauindependent.com/post/25-in-2...
www.juneauindependent.com/post/25-in-2...
25° in ’25: Turkey Trot participants thankful for sunny, windless start to chilly holiday
Nearly 300 people turn out for 12th annual race that’s a tradition for some, a new way for others to burn calories before the feast ahead.
www.juneauindependent.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Nearly 300 people turn out for 12th annual race that’s a tradition for some, a new way for others to burn calories before the feast ahead.
www.juneauindependent.com/post/25-in-2...
www.juneauindependent.com/post/25-in-2...
For sophisticated kids and younger teen readers, this book is pure dynamite. Gorgeously illustrated as well. (No sexual content - but some violence.)
Explore as @chasingray.bsky.social reviews THE FOREST OF A THOUSAND EYES by Frances Hardinge: “All in all, Hardinge proves that her words continue to pack a punch.”
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge: Review by Colleen Mondor
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes, Frances Hardinge (Amulet 978-1-419-77778-3, $19.99, 128pp, hc) August 2025. Cover by Emily Gravett. Author Frances Hardinge and illustrator Emily Gravett follow up …
locusmag.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
For sophisticated kids and younger teen readers, this book is pure dynamite. Gorgeously illustrated as well. (No sexual content - but some violence.)
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Russia's Baikonur launch pad has suffered damage (possibly major) after a Soyuz launch today-- putting in doubt Russia's ability to do manned launches to the ISS. Roscosmos says there's some damage, inspections ongoing.
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Russia's Baikonur launch pad has suffered damage (possibly major) after a Soyuz launch today-- putting in doubt Russia's ability to do manned launches to the ISS. Roscosmos says there's some damage, inspections ongoing.
FWIW, I did put together a book proposal on the saga of Ravn. It touched on 30 years of accidents, mergers, political influence, the USPS, the FAA, the NTSB, a major reality tv show and then cutting up the pieces in bankruptcy (with Covid $$).
Response was, no national readership so that was that.
Response was, no national readership so that was that.
I’ve been expecting this for some time.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
Godspeed to New Pacific, aka Northern Pacific, which finally ran out of reinventions.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
FWIW, I did put together a book proposal on the saga of Ravn. It touched on 30 years of accidents, mergers, political influence, the USPS, the FAA, the NTSB, a major reality tv show and then cutting up the pieces in bankruptcy (with Covid $$).
Response was, no national readership so that was that.
Response was, no national readership so that was that.
This is a really great thread on book publishing today.
I'm not the only author I know who has a huge surfeit of ideas for books that we would love to write and send out into the world if only we had the time to write them.
November 27, 2025 at 6:46 PM
This is a really great thread on book publishing today.
As New Pacific shuts down, It is worth reading what I wrote 5 years ago about the twisty path that led to its formation. FLOAT bought Ravn in 2020, became Northern Pacific, faced a lawsuit from the railroad, rebranded as New Pacific & now are, finally, out of business. www.adn.com/opinions/202...
Who is FLOAT, the new owner of Ravn Air’s assets? It’s complicated.
This is not a charter or commuter operation; it is a company that hires a charter and commuter operation to do the job it can not do.
www.adn.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:27 PM
As New Pacific shuts down, It is worth reading what I wrote 5 years ago about the twisty path that led to its formation. FLOAT bought Ravn in 2020, became Northern Pacific, faced a lawsuit from the railroad, rebranded as New Pacific & now are, finally, out of business. www.adn.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
I’ve been expecting this for some time.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
Godspeed to New Pacific, aka Northern Pacific, which finally ran out of reinventions.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I’ve been expecting this for some time.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
I’ve been expecting this for some time.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
Godspeed to New Pacific, aka Northern Pacific, which finally ran out of reinventions.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
The airline has been a charter only operator since the spring of 2024, after calming it quits on short lived commercial service.
2/3rds of its 3-strong B757 fleet made the trek to the boneyard today.
November 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I’ve been expecting this for some time.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
What’s missing here is New Pacific’s origin in the ashes of Ravn Alaska, the air carrier group that went bankrupt in 2020.
More from me soon on the sordid history of Ravn’s demise, it’s controversial sale and who got a lot of Covid $$ in the process.
That's it in a nutshell.
I have said for years that they’re all up to the same tricks. You didn’t want to hear it. Now it comes out a member of the sainted Beltway press bugged the once and future President of the United States to help a political opponent she was screwing.
November 27, 2025 at 4:57 AM
That's it in a nutshell.
Trombone Shorty.....Daaaaaaaaaaamn! www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K0Q...
House Of The Rising Sun (Live At New Orleans Jazz Fest) featuring Celisse and Trombone Shorty
YouTube video by Mumford & Sons
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Trombone Shorty.....Daaaaaaaaaaamn! www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K0Q...
If you are of a certain age, this is pure oxygen. (And I love seeing Wolfgang Van Halen in there!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLh...
All-Star Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne | 2024 Induction Ceremony
YouTube video by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:05 AM
If you are of a certain age, this is pure oxygen. (And I love seeing Wolfgang Van Halen in there!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLh...
Good, timely, book recs here. www.sciencenews.org/article/favo...
These are Science News’ favorite books of 2025
Books about AI, Mars and infectious disease were among our top reads this year.
www.sciencenews.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Good, timely, book recs here. www.sciencenews.org/article/favo...
Jesus -- this is so true.
yep. also really can't overstate how much nuzzi is very much the product of an environment that rewards amoral ambition and frowns on people who sincerely believe anything
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Jesus -- this is so true.
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
I think that @asherelbein.bsky.social is basically right in this whole thread but it’s not just DC, it’s not just political journalism, it’s not just journalism, the problem is that we live in a society that prizes grift and vice and cares for nothing. It’s the whole thing bsky.app/profile/ashe...
Speaking as a journalist, it has long been clear — and more so all the time — that something is *rotting* in the world of New York and Washington political reporting. Actively, visibly suppurating. Oozing with maggots. Even as many of the people in that world have denied it.
November 27, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I think that @asherelbein.bsky.social is basically right in this whole thread but it’s not just DC, it’s not just political journalism, it’s not just journalism, the problem is that we live in a society that prizes grift and vice and cares for nothing. It’s the whole thing bsky.app/profile/ashe...
A big part of how I get through every day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cma_...
The Killers & Bruce Springsteen: Encore At The Garden
YouTube video by TheKillersMusic
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 AM
A big part of how I get through every day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cma_...
This whole thread, 100%.
The reason that we reporters are focused so intensely on the L'affair Nuzzi is that, as Olivia notes, it is a basically apocalyptic scandal in the most literal sense of that term: a dropping of masks. It's acting as confirmation of every hideous story anybody's ever told about political journalists
this was bad before, but these are the most troubling and serious allegations you can make about a journalist. if they’re true, i genuinely can’t think of a worse scandal in the history of political journalism. devastating to our industry, to public trust as a whole, and to everyone in its orbit
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 AM
This whole thread, 100%.
Reposted by Colleen Mondor
Also these are people at the heights of the industry, and both Nuzzi and Lizza were almost instantly rehabilitated by top media companies after a first round of scandals that should have made them radioactive. Now lo and behold, much bigger shoes to drop, and we probably haven't seen the last of it.
The reason that we reporters are focused so intensely on the L'affair Nuzzi is that, as Olivia notes, it is a basically apocalyptic scandal in the most literal sense of that term: a dropping of masks. It's acting as confirmation of every hideous story anybody's ever told about political journalists
this was bad before, but these are the most troubling and serious allegations you can make about a journalist. if they’re true, i genuinely can’t think of a worse scandal in the history of political journalism. devastating to our industry, to public trust as a whole, and to everyone in its orbit
November 27, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Also these are people at the heights of the industry, and both Nuzzi and Lizza were almost instantly rehabilitated by top media companies after a first round of scandals that should have made them radioactive. Now lo and behold, much bigger shoes to drop, and we probably haven't seen the last of it.
Some cool merch at K2 Aviation - designed and printed in Alaska. Through the 30th, there's 20% with code BLACKFRIDAY. k2-aviation.square.site
k2-aviation.square.site
November 27, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Some cool merch at K2 Aviation - designed and printed in Alaska. Through the 30th, there's 20% with code BLACKFRIDAY. k2-aviation.square.site