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+ TIME: Justice Department Removes News Releases on Jan. 6 Prosecutions From Website: ‘Partisan Propaganda’

+ Raw Story: Grand juries are revolting against Trump’s DOJ — and judges are joining them: NYT

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+ yahoo!news: Trump’s Plan to Slap His Name on New York’s Penn Station Exposed

+ The Washington Post: Trump appointees push $250 banknote with his portrait

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+ The Washington Post: Trump’s approval plunges among his White working-class base

+ YouGov’s The Survey: Donald Trump drops to record-low for his presidential job approval

+ The Daily Beast: Pam Bondi Slapped With Scathing Ethics Complaint – A retired Florida chief justice and 120-plus lawyers want Bondi probed for “lawlessness” inside Trump’s DOJ.

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+ The Guardian (UK): The world is head­ing toward a fin­an­cial crisis – the state of US polit­ics has left us ill-pre­pared

A bona fide fin­an­cial crisis has not broken out since the US hous­ing melt­down of 2007. Even the Covid pan­demic and sub­sequent upsurge in infla­tion didn’t lead to fin­an­cial upheaval. The jit­ters pro­duced by the col­lapse of Sil­icon Val­ley Bank in 2023 were soon for­got­ten.

Given this sta­bil­ity, it might take some effort to con­vince fin­an­cial mar­kets that another big one is around the corner. But it is. Fin­an­cial mar­kets and their reg­u­lat­ing gov­ern­ments may believe they have acquired immunity, but the world is careen­ing toward a moment of fin­an­cial upheaval that could well dwarf the dam­age caused by the last one.

What’s most scary about this approach­ing moment is not the spe­cific nature of the crisis, but the incom­pet­ence with which it will be handled. accessible text

+ CNBC: Exxon warns oil inventories will hit dangerously low levels in weeks, forcing prices to shoot higher

+ Raw Story: Trump sitting on ‘ticking time bomb’ poised to send US into ‘permanent’ recession: expert

+ National Security Journal: Trump Has a Problem: America Is Running Out of Emergency Oil at Record Speed and the Strait of Hormuz Won’t Open

+ Truthout: Trump Admin Uses Iran War Oil Shock to Push Drilling in Alaskan Wilderness – The five-year plan is expected to cause 4,000 additional oil spills and the destruction of fragile ecosystems.

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+ The Guardian (UK): Former prosecutor pursued by Trump calls for crackdown on election lies: ‘Lying can be held to account’ – Andrew Weissmann argues for new law to hold political liars like US president accountable for harming democracy

Trump’s 80th Birthday features a UFC fight on The White House lawn

+ NJ.com via CNN: CNN analyst floats theory for why Trump wants to host UFC fight on White House lawn

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+ MS.Now: Trump’s White House UFC fight is darker than just mindless violence – Trump’s outrageous White House arena is far from politically neutral.

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+ USA Today: Pentagon inviting soldiers to Trump’s UFC fight, but only if they’re fit

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+ Raw Story Opinion: This putrid hell is Trump’s idea of beauty – Here is a headline I never expected to read in The New York Times: “U.F.C. Fight Venue Takes Shape on the White House Lawn.” Yes, this is what the President of the United States considers an appropriate, even dignified, way to honor America on her 250th birthday: cage matches that transform the South Lawn of the People’s House into a trailer-trash paradise.

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+ Benzinga: Trump’s 80th Birthday Becomes Political Flashpoint As ‘No Kings’ Movement Plans Nationwide Protests

Trump and his goons go to great lengths to keep the Epstein Files covered up!

+ AP News: Bondi refuses to answer lawmakers’ questions about Trump’s involvement in Epstein files release

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+ CNBC: Former Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday defended the Department of Justice’s handling of the release of files about notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in her opening statement to a House panel.

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+ Raw Story: Bondi’s scramble to blame Blanche for Epstein debacle undermined by ex-DOJ official

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+ MS.Now: Pam Bondi’s Epstein interview appears to have been an exercise in evading accountability – Bondi once made accountability her brand. Then she came to Washington and began running interference for those who might be exposed by the Epstein files.

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+ The Daily Beast: Rogue Republican Massie Drops Melania Epstein Files Bomb – “The first lady knows that Jeffrey Epstein didn’t act alone,” Thomas Massie said as he vowed to name names from the Epstein files.

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+ Radar online: Jeffrey Epstein’s Deep Ties to Mount Sinai Hospital and Its Elite Doctors Exposed: Staff Allegedly Treated Vile Pedo Like a ‘VIP’

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+ TMZ: Nancy Mace says Epstein files cost her Donald Trump’s endorsement

Tenino’s Wolf Haven launches silent, ‘sanctuary’ viewing experience

Excerpt from The Chronicle via the NVN:

The Tenino-based Wolf Haven International has launched a contemplative experience called “Sanctuary as a Mindset,” according to a news release from the organization.

The new program lets guests observe rescued wolves, wolfdogs and coyotes, as well as endangered American red wolves and Mexican wolves, in a “quiet and relaxed sanctuary environment.”

The four-hour experience currently has limited spots open for Sept. 27.

“Our new program, Sanctuary as a Mindset, celebrates and nurtures our organization’s core values of respect, compassion, empathy and coexistence,” Sanctuary Director Pamela Maciel Cabañas said.

According to the release, the program includes an introduction to the resident animals, a walk through a restored Mima mound prairie and two hours of silent time inside the sanctuary.

Along the way, guests can visit Wolf Haven’s iconic 300-year-old “grandfather tree.”

As part of the experience, Wolf Haven invites guests to read, write, draw, craft or practice mindfulness.

Following the program, participants are invited to reflect on their experience.

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To reserve a spot for “Sanctuary as a Mindset,” or learn about other events, visit wolfhaven.org/events. 

Alaska Airlines reveals plans for high-end Seattle lounge opening in 2027

Excerpt from The Points Guy:

New details have emerged about Alaska Airlines’ plans to build a massive premium lounge in its home city.

The airline on Thursday confirmed its new, higher-end outpost is set to open late 2027 on the C Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

As TPG first reported earlier this month, this club will measure a whopping 41,000 square feet across two floors — easily Alaska’s biggest club yet.

And it should be the nicest, too.

A cut above the Alaska Lounge

This won’t be your run-of-the-mill Alaska Lounge — at least on the top floor.

The second story of this club will be a more exclusive facility catering to travelers flying on long-haul flights in lie-flat seats.

That should put this lounge more in line with a United Airlines Polaris Lounge, an American Airlines Flagship Lounge … or a Delta One Lounge, like the one that the Atlanta-based carrier opened at SeaTac last year.

Alaska’s facility will have shower suites and a la carte-style dining.

Speaking to me last month in Rome, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci told me the facility will lean heavily on the airline’s Pacific Northwest ethos.

Click here to read the full story.

Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals To Be Added to List of US Drinking Water Contaminants

From Dr. Joseph Mercola:

Story at-a-glance

Amtrak’s new Airo trains just arrived in Seattle—here’s what to expect

Excerpt from Conde’ Nast traveler via MSN:

Americans are one step closer to having modern, European-inspired trainsets on one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes.

The first Airo trainset arrived in Seattle this week for the final phase of testing on the Amtrak Cascades tracks, which runs from Vancouver through Washington and Oregon. It’s the first of eight trainsets that Amtrak plans to roll out along the route by the end of 2026.

The new trains will feature modern amenities, upgraded dining options and, perhaps most importantly, even bigger windows for taking in the views of some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. Here’s what travelers need to know about the new Airo trains before they welcome the first passengers on board later this year.

What to expect on board

Airo’s sleek coach cars feature upgraded, ergonomic seats with plenty of legroom, USB charging ports, sturdier tray tables, seatback tablet stands, and cupholders. “It’s a more open experience. It’s better lit. It’s newer materials,” Derek Maier, senior director of Amtrak’s Airo program, told the New York Times.

They’ll also have more capacity on board, Amtrak says. The new Airo trains will seat around 300 passengers, roughly 50% more than the current aging equipment on the line. That should help with growing ridership. More than 950,000 people traveled on the Cascades service in 2025, a 1.4% increase over the previous year.

There’s also an upgraded business class with both single and double seats, and an updated cafe car that will provide “more contemporary” and self-service food options.

The trainsets were built domestically by Siemens, the same manufacturer as Amtrak’s new Acela trains, which debuted in the Northeast in 2025.

Meet  LD 2 Legislative candidate William Dehnel (D-Yelm)

Candidate Dehnel will be at the Yelm Community Center this Saturday, 10am-1pm, for the LD2 Town Hall

Rep. Andrew Barkis is not running unopposed! 

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For Yelm Community Blog readers by William Dehnel:

About William Dehnel from his campaign:  

Transit Worker. Union Shop Steward. Father & Grandfather. Running for WA State House, LD 2 to fight for working families in southern Pierce & Thurston County. Fully funding schools, fixing roads, and making Olympia work for us.

Endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council

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Learn more: www.ElectWilliamDehnel.org

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Blogger Klein is a donor and endorser of William Dehnel’s campaign.

How to Watch May’s Rare Blue Micromoon and When It Will Peak

In the early hours of Sunday, May 31, a rare blue microcmoon will adorn the night sky and reach its peak of fullness

From USA Today:

Before May comes to a close, the lunar cycle is ending the month on an interesting note!

In the early hours of Sunday, May 31, a rare blue micromoon will adorn the night sky and reach its peak of fullness.

No, the moon isn’t turning blue — this occurs when the second full moon of a calendar month coincides with a “micromoon,” which is when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth.

According to Time and Date, a blue moon happens because the moon’s 29.5-day lunar cycle doesn’t perfectly align with our calendar, occasionally allowing two full moons to fit into a single month.

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Once in a blue moon,” it’s specifically referring to the rarity of the occasion.

This particular full moon follows May’s Flower Moon on May 1, making the upcoming full moon a rare celestial event.

Work starts on new roundabout on SR 507 at 208th Street near Spanaway

Long-term closure of 208th Street begins June 3

SPANAWAY – The effort to build a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 507 and 208th Street South near Spanaway kicks off Wednesday, May 27 with daytime construction work.

Travelers will see one-way alternating traffic on SR 507 at the 208th Street South intersection in south Pierce County.

Flagging with one-way alternating traffic

• 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 through Friday, May 29
• 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2

Wednesday, June 3

• In the early morning hours, Wednesday, June 3, crews will close 208th Street South between SR 507 and 1st Avenue East for up to four months during construction.
• A temporary speed limit reduction on SR 507 from 55 mph to 25 mph will be in place between milepost 42.4 and milepost 42.5. The speed limit is enforceable as soon as the signs are uncovered.
• Lanes will shift and crews will place temporary traffic signals at the intersection. The traffic signals will be in place around the clock during roundabout construction.

Crews will primarily work during daytime hours, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, until roundabout construction is finished in late fall.

What to expect
Construction crews will reduce travel lanes to place construction signs and prepare the project area by clearing brush and placing silt fencing. As work progresses, travelers will see shifted lanes and one-way alternating traffic with temporary traffic signals. Current construction schedules will be shared on the project webpage.

Heads up, phones down in work zones
WSDOT encourages drivers to avoid distractions. Traffic fines double in work zones.

People can reduce delays by planning trips in advance. Pierce County travelers are encouraged to sign up for email updates. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT app and real-time map.

Hyperlinks within the release

• Close 208th Street South: wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-04/SR-507-graphic-for-208th-St-closure.png

• Roundabout: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/traffic-safety-methods/roundabouts

• Project webpage: wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-702-harts-lake-road-sr-507-208th-street-roundabouts

• Email updates: public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOT/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOT_31

• WSDOT app: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/mobile-app-and-social-media

• Real-time map: com/Travel/Real-time/Map/?layers=traffic-flow%2Calert&base=wsdot&extent=-122.70281129387533%2C46.986505771908%2C-122.17821412590729%2C47.1266103090767&fromLink=true