Topic: Washington State

A gas station owner in King County, Washington, reports that hidden fees and carbon credits add 78 cents per gallon to the pump price. Consumers are encouraged to pay in cash or debit to help independent stations avoid high processing fees. Newt Gingrich predicted that if gasoline prices drop to $3.50, Republicans will win the midterm elections, leading to a $1.00 bet between the hosts on the outcome.

Adam Curry introduces Mimi Smith Dvorak as the guest co-host for Episode 1852, broadcasting from the Texas Hill Country. Mimi describes the current weather conditions in Washington State, noting high humidity and an incoming storm system from Hawaii. The discussion touches on the melting snow and potential flooding in the Pacific Northwest.

Journalist Brandy Cruz reports on legislative efforts in Washington State to make it illegal to record public officials or "harass" people with cameras. Additionally, a local Substack author is facing a lawsuit from a judge demanding the removal of articles under threat of $2,000 daily fines. These actions are characterized as a coordinated crackdown on independent media as the establishment loses control over the narrative.

A discussion on local governance in Washington State reveals that traditional letter-writing campaigns on physical paper are currently more effective at influencing legislators than emails or digital surveys. The hosts criticize Governor Jay Inslee's administration for pushing through a state income tax despite public opposition.

Adam Curry introduces Mimi Smith-Dvorak as the guest co-host for episode 1849 on March 8, 2026. Mimi explains her choice to use her maiden name, Smith, for professional simplicity. The hosts acknowledge the massive influx of messages and prayers from the audience following John C. Dvorak's sudden medical absence.

A news report highlights the biological disruptions caused by shifting clocks, linking the loss of sleep to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and mood disorders. Illinois is considering a bill to end the practice, while British Columbia has announced a permanent move to daylight saving time. Mimi Smith-Dvorak notes that she personally refuses to change her manual clocks, simply adjusting the math in her head for four months.

The hosts discuss the "Give John a Reason to Live" donation drive launched in the wake of Dvorak's surgery. Mimi describes the Dvorak family as "competitive intellectuals" who constantly share research from PubMed and legislative bills. She also touches on the logistics of their marriage, explaining why she lives in Washington State with her animals while John remains in San Francisco.

Washington State legislators are moving toward passing a "millionaires tax" of 9.9% on earnings over a million dollars, despite a state constitutional ban on income tax. Opponents, including Representative Jim Walsh, argue the threshold will eventually be lowered to apply to all citizens. Mimi Smith-Dvorak notes that the Washington Association of Cities is a primary lobbyist for the tax and expresses concern over the integrity of the state's mail-in voting system.

Adam Curry and Mimi Smith-Dvorak sign off, with Mimi preparing to return to the Olympic Peninsula. They acknowledge the technical support from Jay, JC, and Brendan. The episode concludes with end-of-show mixes by "Follow the Monkey" and "MVP," featuring clips of the administration's "America First" military rhetoric and a musical tribute to John C. Dvorak's recovery.

A high school girl in Washington State was reportedly charged with bullying and harassment after misgendering a biological male on an opposing softball team. The school's athletic director stated they follow state law over federal executive orders regarding gender identity in sports. The girl's family has sought legal counsel to fight the school's disciplinary actions.

The "Wenatchee," Washington State's first hybrid electric ferry, was pulled from service just two months after a two-year renovation. The vessel experienced mechanical issues while docking in Seattle. Critics point to the dangers of using large battery systems in a saltwater environment as a fundamental flaw in the conversion project.

The DOJ and Department of Education are investigating Washington state laws that allegedly coerce school districts into hiding students' gender transitions from their parents. Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized the policies as "covertly smuggling gender ideology" into classrooms. The segment introduced the term "gender expansive," which Grok AI defined as identities extending beyond the traditional male-female binary.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order restricting federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors. The legal fight involves conflicting views from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Republican state lawmakers who seek to ban puberty blockers and transition surgeries for children. The debate centers on whether such care is a constitutional right or a harmful medical practice.

The narrative of Asheville as a "climate haven" is challenged by recent storm damage. An insurance product manager provides data showing that storm damage costs are not rising when adjusted for inflation, while Washington state leaders use the events to push for new climate resilience strategies.

The concept of "information materialism" is explored, where individuals internalize beliefs so deeply that criticism of the data is perceived as a personal attack. This psychological observation is paired with reports from The Financial Times regarding the United Kingdom's coldest winter start in 30 years. Similar record-breaking cold fronts and ice storms in Washington State and the American South are cited as contradictions to global warming narratives.

Washington State lawmakers proposed $200 rebates for low-income residents funded by the Climate Commitment Act, which generated over $1 billion in revenue. The timing of the rebates, scheduled shortly before the November election, has led to accusations of political maneuvering to prevent the repeal of the act. Representative Joe Fitzgibbon defended the program, citing its role in funding salmon recovery and wildfire prevention.

Johnson & Johnson reached a $700 million settlement over allegations of misleading consumers about the safety of its talcum-based baby powder. Additionally, the company agreed to pay $150 million to Washington State to settle claims related to its role in the opioid crisis. These settlements follow the multi-billion dollar bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family's legal battles, highlighting ongoing accountability efforts within the pharmaceutical industry.

Criticism is directed at Washington State's universal mail-in ballot system and Governor Jay Inslee, characterizing the process as susceptible to fraud. The argument posits that only in-person paper ballots collected at polling places can ensure legitimate election results.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee appeared on ABC to advocate for aggressive climate action, using alarmist metaphors such as the "climate bomb" and "global boiling." Inslee emphasized the economic benefits of "clean aviation fuel" and battery manufacturing in Washington while framing the environmental crisis as a reason to vote against Republican candidates like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. The rhetoric is analyzed as a partisan tool to secure Inflation Reduction Act funding and influence the upcoming presidential election.

Two men were arrested in Washington State for vandalizing four electrical substations over the holidays, an act that left thousands without power. While initially feared to be domestic terrorism, the suspects told investigators they knocked out the power to burglarize a business and steal from a cash register. The show concludes with a list of upcoming meetups in Denver, Oklahoma City, and Toronto.