DTM (@thedtm.bsky.social)

nytimes.com28 Miles and Counting: NASA’s Perseverance Rover Sets a Mars Driving Record (Gift Article)Advances in self-driving technology have made it easier to traverse distant worlds.

I remember sitting in a small office on State Farm Blvd in July 1997. I'd just started working for an e-commerce start-up writing product descriptions and my computer had an internet connection and so I watched the Mars Pathfinder landing. It all seemed so amazing. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/12/s...

DTM reposted

Hannah Davis-Reid

@hannahdavisreid.bsky.social

The Charlottesville Police Department has deployed surveillance camera technology across the city, including Axon technologies and camera trailers at encampments before the city cleared the area. Learn more here: www.vpm.org/news/2026-10...

vpm.orgCharlottesville eyes post-Flock surveillance needs - VPMCouncilor Lloyd Snook says local opinions on surveillance divide sharply.

@cvilletomorrow.bsky.social

lol...was think about how annoyong those are yesterday!

The Onion@theonion.com

Years Of Learning To Love Self Undone By Single Glimpse Of Body In Self-Checkout Camera https://theonion.com/years-of-learning-to-love-self-undone-by-single-glimpse-of-body-in-self-checkout-camera/

DTM reposted

Charlottesville Tomorrow

Gordonsville Town Council voted 3-2 to terminate the Gordonsville Department of Public Safety's 287(g) agreement.

cvilletomorrow.orgAfter residents speak out, Gordonsville votes to end ICE contract"We are getting a lot of material benefits from the agreement, but they're at the cost of some really profound human rights," one resident said.

rocktownnow.comHarrisonburg-based Jack Brown’s acquired by national restaurant brand owner - Rocktown NowJack Browns was founded by two childhood friends, Aaron Ludwig and Mike Saban.

Private equity firm gobbles up Jack Brown’s, which built its brand on its customer loyalty program. rocktownnow.com/news/218812-...

dailyprogress.comPlea deal in Charlottesville murder case would cap killer's sentence at 10 yearsA lack of witnesses willing to come forward means Charlottesville prosecutors have been forced to "compromise" on a sentence in a 2025 murder case.

Despite a guilty plea, evidence it was premeditated, and the presence of multiple witnesses, a plea deal gives the shooter only 10 years for murder. Why? Because no one in the parking lot was willing to testify. dailyprogress.com/news/local/c...

As a cost cutting measure, C-ville Weekly announced in this fundraising email that they are removing the horoscope section of the paper.

instagram.comJOE B on Instagram: "Co-owner of @mariebettecafe, Jason Becton highlights Black-owned local businesses, the midterm elections, and sticky buns! MarieBette is a Charlottesville staple, supporting thei...532 likes, 17 comments - joeblanchetfitness on October 16, 2026: "Co-owner of @mariebettecafe, Jason Becton highlights Black-owned local businesses, the midterm elections, and sticky buns! MarieBette...

“It’s nice to feel like I’m one of the really great Black businesses here in town. There aren’t very many, but the ones that are here are really good.” - Jason Becton www.instagram.com/reels/DekSaa...

Holy shit. I’ve never seen this NYT poll tracker, which comes up with an average of all polls, have trump’s approval rating so low.

nytimes.comMeta Ordered to Pay $25 Billion for Deceiving Users on Privacy (Gift Article)The penalty, one of the largest levied against the tech giant, stemmed from a lawsuit by New Mexico claiming the social media company had misled users about their data privacy.

I wonder what New Mexico is going to do with $25 billion. I’m guessing it won’t be a name change. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/21/t...

dailyprogress.comCharlottesville's new gay bar has no cover — and no real estateWant to get into Charlottesville's new gay bar? First, you'll have to DM a smoking sardine on Instagram for directions.

Honestly, while this is a welcome development, Charlottesville has never been the same for me after Club 216 closed. It’s not mentioned in the article, but Club 216 was an after hours bar/club. Other bars closing was just the begining of your night! dailyprogress.com/news/local/b...

washingtonpost.comU.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddlingTheir discreet efforts have reached governors, election stewards and lawmakers from both parties who are increasingly alarmed that the administration may interfere in the midterms.

Just insane.

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com

A small group of U.S. national security officials has been discreetly advising state and congressional lawmakers on how to prepare for the possibility that the Trump administration will attempt to interfere in the midterms, according to people involved.

charlottesvilledtm.comFree Bridge choke pointThe crossing has a long and interesting history, and was in the news quite a bit this year. Meanwhile, traffic congestion across it and activity around it continues to grow. So, what’s the plan?

New story! Free Bridge was in the news a lot this year for what happened under it. But what’s been happening across it and around it has a long and interesting history and has concerned regional planners for years. So, what’s the plan? www.charlottesvilledtm.com/p/free-bridg...

Most French thing ever.

Christopher Webb@cwebbonline.com

Everything is fine 😳

dailyprogress.comNew sports bar opens in old South Street BreweryWith 20 TVs behind its 50-foot-long bar, South Street Tavern in downtown Charlottesville is ready to accommodate anyone's sports taste.

Fitzroy owners Richard Ridge and Ryan Rooney have opened South Street Tavern in the former South Street Brewery space at 106 South Street. “...people were telling us that they would love to have a sports bar downtown," Ridge says. dailyprogress.com/life-enterta...

thedailybeast.comJaw-Dropping Scale of Trump’s Reflecting Pool Fiasco ExposedAn inspection has uncovered at least 85 failures in Trump’s $14.7 Reflecting Pool.

I don’t know what worse. The idiotic renovation project or having to keep reading about the idiotic renovation project.

The Daily Beast@thedailybeast.bsky.social

The full scale of Trump’s $14.7 million Reflecting Pool fiasco has been exposed.

slate.comWelcome to Slate‘s 30th Anniversary CelebrationTake a trip back in time to commemorate our 30 years on the internet.

It's amazing how great this 1996 homepage for Slate still looks. They put it up to celebrate their 30th year. slate.com/30th

These surveys allow you to see the planned alternatives for roadway projects on the Route 29 corridor between Hydraulic Road and Woodbrook Road and the Route 29/250 Bypass interchange with Route 29 Business and weigh in on them. www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/cul...

theonion.comDOJ To Bring Back Firing Squad As Means Of EntertainmentWASHINGTON—In an effort to provide some joy to the nation and boost overall well-being, Justice Department officials announced plans Monday to bring back firing squads as a means of entertainment. “Fo...

So many faces yapping at us all the time. It's really an insane situation.

DTM reposted

Ben Collins

@bencollins.bsky.social

Six months ago:

This is kind of the problem. Otherwise supportive liberal smarties thinking about what an "interesting" thing Ossoff is doing.

Bill McKibben@billmckibben.bsky.social

Figuring out why Ossoff is so effective is an interesting task. I think he's mastering a kind of stern dignity that is uniquely compelling in contrast to the clownish cruelty of the other side. I think the other person who's kind of hit on the same thing is AOC, though in a different register

nytimes.comHow to Destroy a Reputation in Hollywood, as Told in 5 Women’s Lawsuits (Gift Article)Five women have said they were the targets of malicious public relations campaigns that were spearheaded by three influential players.

NYT has recordings here of a dude who weaponizes the internet to destroy someone’s reputation with lies and he calls the process “an exquisite thing.” Pure evil! www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/n...

myemail.constantcontact.comThree Individuals Charged with Failure to ReportEmail from County of Albemarle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Media Contacts: Jim Hingeley Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Email: jhingeley@albemarle.org Phone: 434-972-407

BREAKING: County police arrest three school administrators for failure to comply with Virginia’s mandatory child-abuse reporting law. myemail.constantcontact.com/Three-Indivi...

instagram.comJefferson School African American Heritage Center on Instagram: "Sculptor Dana King @danakingart360 speaking with @hereandnowradio about the design chosen by the people for Market Street Park."41 likes, 2 comments - cvillejeffschool on October 6, 2026: "Sculptor Dana King @danakingart360 speaking with @hereandnowradio about the design chosen by the people for Market Street Park.".

“It’s a symbol of strength and resilience and power and persistence…and it connects us to our ancestors. We offer it as a sign of hope for the City of Charlottesville.” — Sculptor Dana King www.instagram.com/reels/DeKYIo...

bit.lyChrista Pike is conscious and speaking after Tennessee failed execution, her attorneys sayAttorneys for Christa Pike, a Tennessee inmate who survived Tennessee’s attempt to execute her, say she is awake and speaking as she receives treatment at a hospital.

this is just an incredible situation

The Associated Press@apnews.com

BREAKING: Christa Pike is conscious and speaking at a hospital nearly a week after Tennessee's failed execution, her attorneys say.

instagram.comGovernor Wes Moore on Instagram: "We’re seeing RECORD LOW homicide rates in Baltimore because of the strong partnerships between state and local government, law enforcement agencies, and community lea...26K likes, 978 comments - govwesmoore on September 30, 2026: "We’re seeing RECORD LOW homicide rates in Baltimore because of the strong partnerships between state and local government, law enforcement...

As opposed to the police congratulating themselves for arresting shooters and posting their mugshots and talking about their commitment to community safety. www.instagram.com/reels/Dd7LEY...

Of course, it would be nice if something were built on the site, but the building has actually been unoccupied for over 26 years. Meanwhile, five different owners have made a combined $20 million selling it. The Dewberry sale should add to that total. That’s pretty weird.

29News - Charlottesville@29news.bsky.social

Charlottesville says Dewberry Hotel property now under contract | https://www.29news.com/2026/09/28/charlottesville-says-dewberry-hotel-property-now-under-contract/

Correction: education software company Boxer Learning moved out of the building in the Spring of 2003. So, 23 years.

washingtonpost.comFormer DHS secretary Kristi L. Noem files for divorceThe former DHS secretary cited “irreconcilable differences” in filing for divorce from her husband.

Noem's time as DHS secretary was one of the weirdest government appointments. It's kind of unbelievable when you think back on it, like some kind of absurdist theater.

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com

Former Homeland Security secretary Kristi L. Noem filed for divorce from her husband, according to court records, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Noem and Bryon Noem married in 1992 and had three children together, according to the filing.

nyti.msOpinion | The Four TV Shows That Explain AmericaFour TV shows, now acknowledged as the medium’s high point, each cannily predicted the ways in which America would start to crack apart.

We so enjoyed them, and all the while they were delivering bad news. “...if I had my druthers they'd be considered cautionary tales, not aspirational. I don’t know….maybe we’ve had enough anti-hero for a while, seeing the country and the shapes it’s in.” — Vince Gilligan in a recent NYT interview.

New York Times Opinion@nytopinion.nytimes.com

“‘The Sopranos,’ ‘The Wire,’ ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad,’ besides being among the best shows the medium has ever produced, together served as a televisual Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” Stephen Marche writes.

Sean Tubbs asks how would you know what the CRHA is up to without his newsletter? Well, it's no Sean, but this AI-powered website appears to be after his job! “Citizen Portal…turns hours of public meetings into minutes of clear, neutral insight.” communityengagement.substack.com/p/week-ahead...

Some familiar restaurants taking it on this chin here! www.reddit.com/r/Charlottes...

cvillerightnow.comDewberry hotel property under contract, Charlottesville says - Cville Right NowCity Communications Director Afton Scheider confirmed the City sent a reminder to Dewberry Capital/Deerfield Square Associates II, LLC Sept. 23.

City says the long-abandoned hotel project that has been an eyesore on the Downtown Mall for over 18 years is under contract, but provided no details about the sale. cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-...

Whata ya know!

Enjoy! www.instagram.com/reel/DdoequG...

instagram.comEntertainment Weekly on Instagram: "George Santos is off to a rough start on 'Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.' 😬 In EW’s exclusive sneak peek of the season 5 premiere, the disgraced former pol...5,692 likes, 519 comments - entertainmentweekly on September 23, 2026: "George Santos is off to a rough start on 'Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.' 😬 In EW’s exclusive sneak peek of the season ...

c-ville.comBAR pulls review of Downtown Mall outdoor cafe counter - C-VILLE WeeklyThe appointed body with power to approve the design of buildings and streetscapes in certain parts of Charlottesville had been expected to weigh in September 15 on a service counter that Sal’s Caffe I...

“At the very beginning of the BAR’s September 16 meeting, Chair James Zehmer announced the group needed to go into closed session…” This made me laugh. Serious stuff! c-ville.com/bar-pulls-re...

nyti.msBilly Bush Joins Fox News a Decade After ‘Access Hollywood’ Tape ScandalHe lost his job as a “Today” show anchor in 2016 after footage surfaced of Donald J. Trump joking with him about sexual assault. He will be a Fox contributor.

23 Sept

This made me laugh. My new default setting.

The New York Times@nytimes.com

Billy Bush, whose TV career unraveled a decade ago with the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape, is joining Fox News as a contributor.

niemanlab.orgDavid Ellison will get control of CNN after all (and don’t pretend an “independent editorial board” will mean otherwise)In exchange for dropping their lawsuit against Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, state AGs have negotiated "independent" oversight of CNN. You shouldn't expect much oversight.

Good-bye, CNN. www.niemanlab.org/2026/09/davi...

37th annual African-American Heritage and Multicultural Festival in Staunton’s this weekend. At one time, Black people were only allowed to use Gypsy Hill Park once a year and the city built a separate park rather than integrate. Great history of all this here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5DM...

nytimes.comTrump Live Updates: White House TV Pool Suspends Trump Coverage After CNN Ban (Gift Article)CNN, MS NOW and Politico said they would sue to regain access to the White House. They argued in a joint statement that President Trump’s decision to block them violates the First Amendment.

Yes, First Amendment and all that, but I have to admit… suspending coverage of trump didn’t hit me like bad news. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09...

nyti.msOne Person Shot During Encounter With ICE in AustinThe shooting in the Texas capital is the latest by federal immigration agents as the Trump administration intensifies its deportation effort.

This is terrible, of course, and an all too frequent news story, but I worry it takes the focus off the reality that over 700 people have been fatally shot by police so far this year.

The New York Times@nytimes.com

Breaking News: An ICE agent shot and injured a man in Austin, Texas, the latest violent episode amid the Trump administration’s push to increase deportations.

19 Sept

Sounds reasonable.

Starfire’s Deranged Neocon Foreign Policy Podcast@irhottakes.bsky.social

It’s very simple. A reality TV host became dictator because he turned down a role for Sharknado 4 and that’s why the king of outer space, who cheats at Diablo, got to kill Africa. Now the economy is controlled by a sex cult that has something to do with Harry Potter fanfic because of robots.

washingtonpost.comHe interviewed Tom Cruise for GQ. We interviewed him about how it went.Cruise’s on-camera interview was pitched as his first deep chat in years. It was … really something.

18 Sept

Really unwatchable interview. Cruise is a profoundly uninteresting person.

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com

Tom Cruise's rare interview with Zach Baron, GQ’s longtime go-to for celebrity interviews, was marked by evasive answers and oddball moments, sparking interest because of Cruise's reclusive nature. We asked Baron about his sit-down with the superstar:

nytimes.comThe Restaurant List 2026 (Gift Article)Our 50 favorite places in America right now.

17 Sept

None in Virginia. But two in DC: Rye Bunny and Albi www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

16 Sept

Fans get so mad when their teams leave runners in scoring position (RISP), and announcers point it out as some fatal flaw of the team, but when you watch a lot of different teams play your realize RISP don’t score the vast majority of the time. What does this say about us as humans?

15 Sept

Over on my Facebook version of this post, some people are still posting comments about how much better things were years ago. That’s okay. There is no happiness without some delusions. ;)

DTM@thedtm.bsky.social

Sometimes a truth bomb will drop on reddit.

15 Sept

Sometimes a truth bomb will drop on reddit.

12 Sept

Our response to 9/11 was so disgraceful that it makes it hard to endure these remembrances.

Robert Reich@rbreich.bsky.social

In the 25 years since 9/11, the United States has spent $8 trillion+ on wars that have taken millions of lives in the name of fighting "terror." Can you imagine if we had instead invested those funds here on climate, health care, housing, and education?

10 Sept

What’s worse? Trump trying to bribe Americans or making a promise he knows he can’t keep?

The Bulwark@thebulwark.com

Trump: "If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate...I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000."