Many of you don't know that when I left TV news, I took a job shooting videos for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. It gave me the chance to build my independent media work in my personal time, which was not an option as a TV reporter given my contract in corporate news. When I was hired, I was encouraged to keep my social media presence. Recently, my bosses informed me that I was to stop all videos related to Covid safety, vaccines and mandates that “undermine” DNR's policies, as DNR is one of many state agencies with a vaccine mandate, though ours was enacted by Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and separate from Gov. Inslee's order. My independent work was done on personal time with personal equipment and I never discussed my position at DNR. I also informed my bosses that I had a First Amendment right to continue, and that the policy of a state agency committed to science should align with robust discussion that includes a variety of viewpoints. They disagreed. I refused to comply and was terminated last week.
I am truly grateful for the many wildland fire fighters whose stories I’ve had the honor of telling, as well as the fuels crews fixing the forest health crisis driving historic fires. We nearly evacuated twice this year, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the work of DNR staff across the state saved our home and thousands of others.
While there are many unknowns for our family, not the least of which is finding a new health insurance plan (any suggestions?), we are absolutely unwavering that it was the right decision. How could I continue covering censorship and allow myself to be censored on one of the most important topics of my lifetime? There are a great many people taking grave risks right now - many of them you've seen in my videos - and those of us who stand up for free speech and informed choice right now will hopefully pave the way someday for others to do so without losing their jobs. I got into journalism to follow the truth wherever it leads, and I will continue. I am planning to record a video to discuss this publicly on YouTube. Would you please let me know what questions you'd like me to answer in it? In sum, our family is incredibly grateful for your support here. I have absolutely no regrets. I said once that free speech is the hill I would die on - but just to be clear, as I've said before, I did not commit suicide. 😉 Be brave. We are in this together.
It’s almost Spring and love is in the air. OK, maybe not love. But, we hope whatever is in the air, produces some cute kids in 5 months. Goat breeding season is here! Our mini Nubian, Sundae, is in heat so we moved Tod, our buck, into the lady goat pasture. Peter is sitting this one out. However it has turned out to be a lot more complicated than I had predicted. Who knew female goats have preferences and need some time to warm up?! So high maintenance! I’ll have an update soon but Operation Valentine’s Day may need a new mission plan.
There was a manhunt for an attempted murder suspect around the farm last weekend. I was out feeding the chickens, bringing animals in for the night, when I noticed a helicopter hovering above my head and sheriff vehicles driving down the road. At the same time a friend sent me an alert from the Sheriff’s Office saying to stay indoors because they were combing our neighborhood for 2 people in connection with a shooting. The teenage suspect had fled the scene with a friend and ended up two doors down from us. It was a 16-year old who got into some kind of domestic dispute with his mother‘s boyfriend or husband and shot him in the face. That man is in critical condition now and the 16-year old is in jail. Terrible story and a reminder you can move out to the country expecting peace and quiet - but anything can happen, anywhere. Stay safe everyone!
We are a brand new rodeo family and had never heard of mutton bustin’ until a few months ago. Kids aged 6 or younger try to ride a sheep as a precursor to bull riding. Most kids fall off within a second or two. The kid at the end of this video is going pro, mark my words. He is 6 and his parents tell me he already wants to ride bulls.
Not long now, and it will be YOU TOO. Don't go thinking your "I'm a US citizen" blanket will cover you. How many times has that ALREADY FAILED? Visit your local airport for a flight and find out. + post 9/11, + COVID rules, + your data privacy is violated daily, + cameras & data violations have made a digital twin of you.
ICE says its officers can forcibly enter homes during immigration operations without judicial warrants: 2025 memo
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-policy-officers-enter-homes-immigration-without-judicial-warrant-rcna255305
Dominic Michael Tripi: Is He a Journalist? Or Something Else? An Investigation | @GetIndieNews - YouTube
