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Mike Hicks

@mulad.bsky.social
1.9K followers 485 following 19K posts

Tech guy into transpo and urbanism, politics to push the needle. Once a streets.mn person. Stuck single, trying to build a less lonely world Transit blog: hizeph400.blogspot.com I get lots of fake followers, so apologies for any errant blocks

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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 3h
One of the battery-electric trains for Metra in Chicago has been delivered, although it will be about a year before it's in service, assuming it passes testing in Pueblo, CO youtu.be/lbh8hT3Kwxg
youtu.be
Metra’s first battery-powered train arrives in Chicago for public viewing
YouTube video by FOX 32 Chicago
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Sunny Ng @sunny.ng · 12h
Unfortunately, these trains really do need to replaced. The locomotive broke down just before Centralia, WA from Seattle to Portland. They handed out snack packs to while we were waiting without power, and rest of the food. Eventually the next train rescued us and pushed us to the next station.
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Sunny Ng @sunny.ng · 14h
Talgo!
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Stacey Burns @wentrogue.bsky.social · 16h
MSP mainstream media market
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KPM @kpmcgrath.bsky.social · 17h
Every mayor in America should be asked what they are going to do to ensure civilian control of our police forces, and what they will do to officers or departments that break the law.
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Meredith Rose @mrose.ink · 18h
So, fun fact: ever since 1994, and Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" campaign stunt, Congress has had a SERIOUS problem with subject-matter expertise and institutional memory. It's why Congress has such a deep and complicated relationship with lobbyists. 1/
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Rail Passengers Association @railpassengers.org · 18h
To call the Borealis a success would be an absolute understatement.
twp.ai
www.wkow.com
Borealis train surpasses 500,000 riders since launching between St. Paul and Chicago
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Matt Keliher @mattkeliher.bsky.social · 20h
What if, and I know - Milton Friedman would hate this, but - what if all these providers and insurers that want to merge just all merged into one entity and it was called: the State of Minnesota. Then everyone simply had free-at-the-point-of-service healthcare. www.startribune.com/healthpartne...
startribune.com
Two big Minnesota health care providers to merge
Bloomington’s HealthPartners and Duluth-based Essentia want to join forces to create what would be one of Minnesota’s largest health systems. It’s the third proposed merger of major providers in the s...
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Jordan van der Hagen @thejvandy.bsky.social · 19h
Portrait of a Grain Elevator. Dunkirk, Montana
A row of metal grain silos and a central elevator marked “WESTERMARK GRAIN CORP DUNKIRK” stand beside a low building. Puddles dot the gravel lot beneath an overcast sky.Three grain silos fill the right side of a rural scene. A utility pole and railroad crossing signs stand across the gravel lot, where puddles reflect the cloudy sky.
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 19h
All of the judicial positions on my ballot are incumbents running unopposed. Are there any that people have had concerns about? (I'm in the 4th court district in MN) Judges here are well-vetted, so there's usually little point in voting against, but just in case... www.sos.mn.gov/elections-vo...
sos.mn.gov
Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State
Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State
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Dan Marshall @danmarstp.marshallwords.com · 22h
Horrific #TrafficViolence on 4th Street, which is built like a raceway through one of the densest residential neighborhoods in town. Like the one way pairs of Park/Potland in South Mpls, 4th/University are deadly by design. www.kare11.com/article/news...
Google map of 4th and 35w
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Wedge LIVE!™ @wedge.live · 21h
🚨Take the Minneapolis 2050 survey. It will inform the goals and priorities of the city's next comprehensive plan. Deadline is September 30. www.reddit.com/r/CyclingMSP...
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Mamdani was on Kimmel yesterday youtu.be/9dSLJHS2Uns
youtu.be
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on His Relationship with Trump, People in Sewers & New Public Restrooms
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
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EHB on BET @ehbforbet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Many people who were critical of MPD cost overruns were denounced as alarmist or anti-police. Now MPD has admitted to the abuse of overtime hours. I am grateful current leadership is cracking down but deeply frustrated by this betrayal of the public trust and the time it took to get answers.
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Ian @woolie.meowmeow.city · 29/09/2026
A fun quirk of American urban planning is production of 990 page documents where the observable universe is a narrow strip a hundred feet wide. The yellow areas are unmeasurable and unknowable, we can only infer their existence through the forces they exert elsewhere. berkeleyca.gov/sites/defaul...
San Pablo plan area in black outline
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Janne K. Flisrand @jannefrommpls.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
More whimsy in #Zürich, all the ground-floor windows had similar Space Invaders accents.
A light blue house with a white window. In the arched part of the window, a darker shade of the same blue-grey fills the arch. A pixelated white space invaders figure is painted on the darker blue section.
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Evan Roberts @evanrobertsnz.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Related
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Nick Benson @ottergoose.net · 28/09/2026
I’m not sure what was going on Thursday, but we had more conversations during this session than we had in the previous 7-8 combined - people are amped up. Might be elections taking place, might be no kids, who knows, but engagement is good. We’ll be back on Oct 18, 22, and 25 (Sun, Thu, Sun).
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'm curious if there are any state laws here in MN to uphold renters' rights to install blackout curtains, since places I've lived in have prohibited changing the window blinds
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evacide @evacide.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Meta Muse appears to read your Apple messages and upload them to the cloud even if you explicitly tell it not to: appleinsider.com/articles/26/...
appleinsider.com
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Not really much major here in terms of updates but the Big Sky Rail Authority continues to work away at the North Coast Hiawatha route service development plan for the FRA. www.montanakaimin.com/in_print/rai...
montanakaimin.com
Rail authority looks to revive route through Missoula
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is working to restore the North Coast Limited/Hiawatha route that once brought passenger trains from Chicago through Missoula and to Seattle.
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Oh yay 100% humidity.
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Violet Fox 🦊 @violetbfox.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
If you've got some time in the next few days, the September #Wikipedia editathon to show solidarity with the new Wikimedia union is behind its goal of editing 10,000 articles. You can help by registering, finding a relevant article, & making it a little better! 📚 meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:W...
meta.wikimedia.org
Event:WikiProject Organized Labour Month Online Campaign - Meta-Wiki
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amityf @amityf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Yo!
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Bob @actualbob.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
📱 | Saint Paul, Minnesota (2026) Union Depot #cityscape #photography
An interior view of a historic transit terminal concourse with polished, reflective marble floors and marble columns. Double glass-and-wood doors with green trim lead outdoors. Hanging black directional signs above the doorways indicate exits toward "SIBLEY ST." on the left and "4TH STREET / METRO Green Line" on the right. Green metal radiator covers are set against the marble walls between the doorways.
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Tony @tkmedia.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Madness Honda City
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Eric the Red @realeric4real.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Retvrn
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Eric the Red @realeric4real.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Retvrn
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Brian Danger Hicks @ckape.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Government announces a crash program to isolate American railroads from rising oil prices …by building the ACE 3000. www.trainweb.org/tusp/ult.html
Artist's conception of the ACE 3000, a steam locomotive built into a body similar to a full-width diesel locomotive.
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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 25/09/2026
I have blamed The agents That hacked Your website And which You probably Reasonably thought I controlled Forgive me I am rich And unaccustomed To taking responsibility
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The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
No lies detected, but suspending the gas tax is a bad idea.
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🚲 🥜scoops 🥜🚲 @scoopsstp.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Fund our schools, the kids deserve it, vote affirmatively yes
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Wandered out on the Gold Line
A seemingly giant pylon designating 3M Global Headquarters, with their main gray-green building in the background
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Josh Martin @joshmartinmpls.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Just last night I remembered another reason why you all need to make sure you get out to vote this year. In 2024, Wisconsin beat us in voter turnout and that is *unacceptable*. We can't let that happen again. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
mprnews.org
Wisconsin squeaks past Minnesota for the top spot in voter turnout
The Minnesota Secretary of State confirms Wisconsin narrowly surpassed Minnesota with voter turnout in the 2024 election.
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Poorly Drawn Lines @poorlydrawnlines.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Extra dramatic
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Bob Dole's Communist Doppelganger @zeltar.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Manicules: The Hands of Pointing
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is at The Main Cinema and at Landmark Lagoon Cinema here. You may need to shield the eyes of any Hallmark movie fans
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John Madden @mathletesfoot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
im dyin lmao
coffee cup mesh in blender with ~2 million polys, it's solic black from vertices
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Jason Rabinowitz @airlineflyer.net · 26/09/2026
Is this the worst departure line I’ve ever seen at JFK? I’m counting about *50* aircraft waiting to depart. Partially due to the very strong wind tonight, but also this LATAM 767 that apparently found itself on a closed taxiway and had to be removed somehow.
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ACARS Drama @acarsdrama.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Air to Ground Message: HI WHAT HAPPENED AT JFK HEARD DISABLED PLANE WE ARE NOSEY Area: Philadelphia, PA, USA Type: Bombardier CRJ900 A: #aea150d8e26 F: #f6cfaf26b4f
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Fun with flip dots youtu.be/aZzOWnEWgww
youtu.be
Fluid Simulation on Flipdots
YouTube video by mitxela
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 25/09/2026
Governors need to get serious about disciplining utilities. Or claiming some of their planning powers for the state. Or making them publicly owned. Enough of this shit.
canarymedia.com
US utilities get failing grade on clean energy transition
Too many utilities are keeping coal plants open, planning new gas plants, and building less renewable energy, the Sierra Club’s latest "Dirty Truth…
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Getting my suit let out at the tailor to fit a CamelBak for the next job interview
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Mike Hicks @mulad.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A simple robot hand that doesn't rely on mimicing human joints youtu.be/ktNcPPTPsQE
youtu.be
The Cartesian Hand: In-Hand Manipulation with All-Linear Fingers
YouTube video by General Robotics Lab
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Ars Technica @arstechnica.com · 25/09/2026
Some nearby residents worry that the fine, a drop in the bucket for a company with several billion dollars in capital, will do little to deter similar behavior in the future.
arstechnica.com
New Jersey fines data center $1.1M after drone pics expose 62 gas generators
Million-dollar fines won’t end billionaires’ data center pollution, neighbors fear.
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Nolan Hicks @ndhapple.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Come help us design, build and buy the trains and buses that move millions! We’re hiring for the special projects team in the rolling stock program. We’re looking for a fast and strategic thinker, problem solver and consensus builder who’ll assist w/‘hot potatoes’ — careers.mta.org/jobs/1827678...
Uncle Sam WANTS YOU for the MTA
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Erin Fogg says Free Link @criminalerin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I'm just doing the carceral math here and tbh it really does seem like who cops should arrest is the like 100 people who want to literally kill us all after extracting our surplus value by crushing us in machines and injecting our fluids into their eyes instead of literally everyone but those people
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Erin Fogg says Free Link @criminalerin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What good are like a million American cops if they can't arrest one fuckin guy who murdered tens of thousands of just children never mind the rest of their families
It's the cartoon of the girl originally saying "waow" but thinking "based based based" to someone saying minors are taking HRT but is now saying "waow" and thinking "arrest him" over and over to UN delegates walking out of Bibi's UN speech yesterday
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Chris Steller @chrissteller.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Hennepin Avenue
Old stone buildings flank a more distant glass tower
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every usps @everylot-usps.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
CPU HYVEE STORE #1177: 1920 GRANT ST NW, FARIBAULT MN 55021-4831
Street View image of post office
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