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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels

@craignickels.bsky.social
654 followers 631 following 316 posts

Strategy and analytics for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and various other Gannett newsrooms. Ex-Boston Globe. Former blue-check. A good man in a storm.

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Reposted by Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels
pixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social · 20h
Sad news everyone. Our beloved friend the computer has now become a hated enemy
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The streetlights rode our bicycles.
We are Gen X

Our parents were cigarettes.

We used to play until the streets ran us over.

The streetlights rode our bicycles.

Everything was brown.

There was too much hose stuff in the last one so no hose stuff this time.

Seatbelts?

We went to the arcade to play with sparklers and neglect.

Puppet cartoon breakfast cereal potato guns.

That white cloth towel hand-dry roll thing from the bathroom.
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Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Happy Stanislav Petrov Day He passed in 2017. As Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, “He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, and the entire human race.” If you don't know his story, please take 3 minutes now to learn it. @gchalliance.bsky.social @docsforclimate.bsky.social
sammatey.substack.com
Happy Stanislav Petrov Day
Take five minutes to not destroy civilization
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is extraordinarily well written.
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da share z0ne @dasharez0ne.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
NOW!!!! - dashare.zone ADMIN
A SKELELELTON DRIVEN THERE CAR AND TRYEN TO SHOP AT A FUCKEN STORE AND THEY WONT LET EM!!! THERE LOCKEN ALL THERE SHIT UP STOP ADDING LEVELS TO MY LIFE!!!! DO NOT MAKE ME FIND A GUY WHERE I FEEL GUILTEY ABOUT MAKIN HIM UNLOCK ALL MY SHIT!!!!!!!!! AND TA TEXT SAYS I HATE STORE'S UNLOCK MY ALLERGY PILL'S unlock my monster pop unlock my sock's unlock my lotio unlock lonfey detergenet unlock ibuproffin unlock my tooth paste unlock my deodorant UNLOCK MY DEODOTANT IMMEDIATELY !!!! NOW NOW NOW WHAT THE FUCK - DASHARE.ZONE ADMIN
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weeder @weeder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
God, grant me the courage to change the things I can and incredible new powers to change the things I can't.
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Who else remembers drinking lead paint from the hose?
We are Gen X. 

We drank lead paint from the hose.

Streetlights were our bike helmet.

We didn't have Twitter. Our parents yelled at us through the window. 

Sugar was our hose water.

Dinner from a can was our dinner from a can.

We stayed out until the streetlights drank the hose.

Seatbelts?

All of our cartoons were guns.

Pop Rocks were lead paint chips.
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Reposted by Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels
Curt Hogg @cyrthogg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
oh no @jrradcliffe.bsky.social
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Daniel Gilmore @gilmored85.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
This is actually a pretty perfect encapsulation of one of the more real & immediate threats of things like AI (& broader media manipulation) in our social media era. Its not necessarily that someone like a Sue will become unable to distinguish btwn real & false things, but rather
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Discontinued FoOoOods! 👻🎃 @discontinuedfoods.bsky.social · 11/09/2024
Star-Spangled Ice Cream (2003-2009): A line of jingoistic-themed ice cream flavors, launched to "provide a conservative alternative" to Ben and Jerry's. Flavors included "I Hate the French Vanilla", "Iraqi Road", "Nutty Environmentalist" and "RushMallow".
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Discontinued FoOoOods! 👻🎃 @discontinuedfoods.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Stauffer's Berenstain Bears Picture Cookies (1987-circa 1996) : A line of crispy buttery vanilla cookies in geometric shapes with images and names of various characters from the Berenstain Bears universe stamped on each one. Here's a wholesome 🧵 !
 A stack of yellow boxes with the Berenstain Bears logo and an image of the 4 smiling faces of the Bear family. Below that is a lineup of cookies with sketched faces of the main 4 plus Big Paw, Gran, and more
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JR Radcliffe @jrradcliffe.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Can I interest you in a Thomas Pannone perfect game (after he fell behind 3-0 on the 27th batter no less)?
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Jon Green @modestholdings.com · 06/09/2026
I guess it's Enterprise Reporting Appreciation Nite. The Reg went deep and delivered. It's good newspapering. www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/p...
desmoinesregister.com
Lenders, farmers accuse Lt. Gov candidate Derek Wulf of theft, fraud
"That's not your typical farmer," said Chad Zoske, an Eldora contract grower who accused Wulf of failing to pay $60,000 and ignoring him for months.
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Anil Dash @anildash.com · 02/09/2026
I'll add some nuance here — most local pushback against data centers is actually quite fluent, and not grounded in the more wild-eyed rhetoric you see on social media. Very often, the core premise is a simple, correct one: you can't trust what Big Tech says in its promises to a local community.
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shardcore @shardcore.org · 31/08/2026
morning
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Charismatic Frontman @westerberghs89.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🎶do you remember🎶
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Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard @niemanfoundation.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Cloudflare says bots now make up more than half of all web traffic. Starting September 15, it will block multi-purpose crawlers unless site owners opt out.
niemanlab.org
Search traffic has declined so much that some publishers are considering opting out of Google entirely
Back in 2024, Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, coined the term "Google Zero," which he defined as "that moment when Google Search simply stops sending traffic outside of its search engine to third-party websites." It increasingly feels as if that moment has arrived, an…
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Reposted by Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels
David_j_roth @davidjroth.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"Lake America" instantly just absolutely clogged with algae. Six uniformed National Guard guys standing on a beach dumping windex into it. It smells like a turtle tank.
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gamera obscura @ohrobin.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
was trying to google “what are british barristers’ wigs made of” and for some reason google got “what are” and wanted to autocomplete it to “what are grits.” so, ok, fine, perpetually malfunctioning lie machine, what ARE grits? i see.

G.R.I.T.S. most commonly refers to the famous American Christian hip-hop duo
GRITS (Grammatical Revolution In the Spirit), but it can also mean the popular cultural slang "Girls Raised in the South" or the Georgia Immunization Registry.
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James Hell Brooks @kleinman.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We were on the verge of breaking up Ticketmaster, every music fan's dream for the last 4 decades, until Trump intervened www.wsj.com/business/med...
wsj.com
The Trump Intervention That Got the DOJ Off Live Nation’s Back
Antitrust case started out aiming to force the concert giant to sell Ticketmaster. After two White House meetings, a deal kept the company intact.
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Curt Hogg @cyrthogg.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This was fun. Before they play in the Little League Classic, I asked the Brewers about their Little League highlights and lowlight. From giving up two tanks to 12 year old Bryce Harper to a baseball-induced root canal, here are the stories: www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
jsonline.com
These were the Brewers' Little League highlights (and lowlights)
Take a trip down memory lane with the Brewers as they play in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 23.
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
💯💯💯
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Curt Hogg @cyrthogg.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Just talked with Brandon Woodruff, who in a twist didn’t need surgery and will start throwing progression Wed. As he exhausted his options pre-surgery, 4-week scan showed unexpected healing, so he went to Dr. Meister, who said surgery was not recommended. “I’m thankful,” he said.
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dan mentos @danmentos.com · 19/08/2026
wife: what's wrong? me: I just got diagnosed with dyslexia wife: wtf me: no actually this is bad
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Discontinued FoOoOods! 👻🎃 @discontinuedfoods.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Bambeanos (1973-1977): A line of roasted, flavored soybeans, sold in cannisters like peanuts, marketed as a lower-fat snack option. Available in salted, onion, barbecue, and garlic. A cheese flavor was added to the lineup in 1976. However, this snack was also at the center of a major lawsuit...a 🧵
A black and white ad for Bambeanos. The copy reads "Less fat for le$$" above an image of a cannister that reads "Salted Snack Bambeanos" and a pile of soybeans. A coupon offers 20 cents off now, and 50 cents back later
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Aram Zucker-Scharff @chronotope.aramzs.xyz · 13/08/2026
I really wanted to address this take by @mtsw.bsky.social and they have fairly closed it off, but I am going to use a screenshot because I think this is a really good topic to discuss and as someone for whom this is my entire job and has been for over a decade now I actually agree and disagree... 🧵
everyone  — consumers, publishers, writers — would wind up better off if web browser ad-blockers didn't exist and the rationalizations for using one are mostly clever justifications for what's just selfish behavior with obvious negative social consequences.

> Counterpoint - I like using the Internet to read articles and the ad blocker is the thing which makes that possible.

> Would the writers and publishers be better off if I didn't visit their website?

i mean if they are financially supported by advertising and you are a free-rider who views their content without seeing any advertisements, yes they are almost tautologically better off if you never visit their website
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Chris Thorburn @cbthorburn.bsky.social · 29/09/2023
Editor: You get those photos of Elliott Gould and Grover? Photographer: Sure did boss, real fuckin sexy just like you asked. Editor: what
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Milwaukee Record @milwaukeerecord.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Bad shirts.
milwaukeerecord.com
11 of the worst shirts I saw for sale at Wisconsin State Fair yesterday
NOT counting designs with political messaging or expressions about needing coffee.
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Ramin Nasibov @nasibov.me · 12/08/2026
If you missed the solar eclipse, this is what it looked like:
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Ya know, this Wis Gov race might come down to the…sigh…the…crucial WOW counties.
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Dan Shafer @danshafer.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
What’s happening in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary is not your typical lazy leftist vs. establishment narrative. Perhaps it is pointing toward something new. www.therecombobulationarea.com/p/wisconsins...
therecombobulationarea.com
Wisconsin's Democratic primary is not your typical proxy fight
Francesca Hong is not a typical democratic socialist candidate and David Crowley is not a typical "establishment" candidate. That's what makes Wisconsin's Democratic primary so fascinating.
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Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
For Friday's newsletter, I suggested a productive way to address the AI elephant in the room. Subscribe here for our twice-a-week newsletter: www.lni.media
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
@tomdaykin.bsky.social and @kristinbrey.bsky.social do a great job on this. www.jsonline.com/videos/money...
jsonline.com
Land and Space: Converting downtown offices into apartments
Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin and co-host Kristin Brey discuss the conversion of downtown office buildings into apartments.
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Need a quick catch-up on the WisGov race?
jsonline.com
Still undecided about Wisconsin governor race? Here's a guide to help
If you're just tuning into the Wisconsin primary for governor, here's a refresher on the remaining candidates and our past coverage, all in one place.
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Amanda Mull @amandamull.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
They’re calling it the most theater kid story of all time
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Interesting thread. Agree 💯 that “rural” is not a monolith.
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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 17/07/2026
ICE officer who shot Colombian man in Maine has history of threatening behavior and mental illness, family and court documents say.
bit.ly
AP Exclusive: ICE officer in Maine shooting has history of violent behavior, family and records say
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood, according to close relatives who spoke to The Associated Press.
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Rob Sheridan @rob-sheridan.com · 09/07/2026
This post went viral recently on IG/FB because it was blowing Gen Z minds that this is how jobs used to work. And this is precisely how we were able to have such helpful store weirdos: Being a vacuum cleaner weirdo at Sears was a legit lifelong career!
Facebook post by Mike Callahan: "When I worked at Sears in the early 90's, the people there built entire lives off those jobs. The guy running appliances had three kids, coached little league every weekend, and retired after 32 years with a pension. One of the women in customer service bought her first house working full-time there, and the older guy in hardware took the same vacation to the Ozarks every summer because he could actually afford to unplug for a
week. The managers knew everybody by name, the Christmas bonuses actually meant something, and the store was packed every holiday season because business was booming. Nobody thought they were "stuck" working retail - it was honest
work that paid enough to live with dignity. Somewhere along the way, corporations started making record profits while the people keeping
the place running could barely afford rent. When exactly did a steady fuil-time job stop being
enough to build a normal life?"
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old roadside pics @roadside.xor.blue · 08/07/2026
overall above, pirate's cove adventure golf route 13, wisconsin dells, wisconsin, 1988
overall above, pirate's cove adventure golf route 13, wisconsin dells, wisconsin, 1988
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Craig "Craig Nickels" Nickels @craignickels.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
I wasn’t invited.
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JR Radcliffe @jrradcliffe.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
(The 🧵 returns) The Brewers now have as many wins (56) as the 2002 team. ASG tie at Miller Park. Sexson and José Hernández (when 188 strikeouts was a lot). Grisly Geoff Jenkins injury. Glendon Rusch HR in home opener. Álex Sánchez. Rubén Quevedo. Paul Bako? Ben Diggins? Here's to you, 2002.
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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 01/07/2026
The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states have reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers over allegations of that the companies illegally colluded in a multiyear scheme to raises prices.
bit.ly
Egg producers will pay $3.3M and donate 53 million eggs to settle price fixing claims
The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states have reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers over allegations of that the companies illegally colluded in a multiyear scheme to raises prices.
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JR Radcliffe @jrradcliffe.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Good morning. The Braves have lost four straight, and the Brewers have won four straight. Ergo, the Brewers now have a 1 1/2 game lead over Atlanta for the No. 2 playoff spot (and first-round bye). 1 1/2 games behind the Dodgers for the best record in baseball. And tied in the loss column.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 25/06/2026
Leaders around the world are banking on tech advances to solve climate change. One leading idea involves capturing carbon pollution from the air and then burying it underground forever. It sounds practical. Here’s why there's no conceivable way it can work: (THREAD)
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Bucky Underbelly (Robb) @buckyunderbelly.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Anniversary gifts by year: 25 - Silver 50 - Gold 60 - Diamond 250 - Algae
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Jeff Ash @jeffash26.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
This is a tremendous read with some spectacularly detailed reporting.
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Mr Fengi @mrfengi.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
*thom yorke but somehow a wisconsin accent* Shawano Police
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Tomb Heintjes @hogansalley.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
ACK! Bill the Cat (Berke Breathed’s wry commentary on the merchandising juggernaut that was Garfield) first appeared in "Bloom County" on June 13, 1982.
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Ryan Mac 🙃 @rmac.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I've reported on Musk for around 8 years. I've co-authored a book on him. I don't think folks understand the rate of his wealth accumulation. Shortly after he helped elect Donald Trump in Nov 2024, his net worth was around $350 billion. That net worth has nearly tripled in less than two years.
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erika @yeeeerika.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
cracking open a cold one with the boys
a variety of flavor ice
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