Minor Programming Note:
I’ve abbreviated the title of this newsletter to XN (eXploring News). This was long planned but I thought it might sound cheesy AF then again shorter email subject lines so WTF IDK let’s go.
That New Tunnel Smell
Legendary tunnel con-artist Elon Musk is at it again, this time bambozzling Ontario (CA) into building a new airport tunnel. Meanwhile, Las Vegas seems keen to extend their just-bored Musk tunnels.
Speaking of new tunnels, Austin might be constructing one for it’s expanded light rail network. And up in Newburgh, a bypass tunnel for NYC’s water supply is inching closer to completion.
Seattle is considering building a tunnel to replace it’s failing West Seattle bridge.
Anti-Car Crackpots in London are trying to stop a new four lane cross river tunnel from being constructed.
CHAZ
The free people of Seattle have created an autonomous zone, devoid of uniformed cops. The cops, of course, want “their” building back—as if they own property bought and pay for by taxpayers. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts, though at least one fascist assholes’ has already pushed plans to attack the neighborhood, and right wing garbage news outlets absolutely cannot get over the idea that any community would reject racist cops and not actually require any thin blue line gaslighting.
What does this have to do with exploring? Everything. Abandoned buildings have been turned into temporary autonomous zones for decades. Ask anyone who partied at CN West, 5ptz or on the NY Dock rooftop, or have attended one of our now rarefied ‘bando parties. We have far too many cops who love to get in the way of people having a reasonably safe good time. Overdosing on laws and licking boots is most definitely not what urban exploring is about. Anyone that thinks otherwise is most definitely in the wrong hobby.
ASS: Assorted Subway Shenanigans
How did I forget to mention that NYC’s garbage R179 cars had a pull-apart failure last week? Busy busy news days y’all.
One more reason to not like cops: They still haven’t found subway operator Garrett Goble’s murderer. Goble, you’ll recall, was killed by smoke inhalation as he evacuated his train after some raving asshole set it on fire. It’s now three months later and cops seem no closer to finding the person responsible. What exactly are we paying them six billion per year for? When we actually need cops to solve serious crimes (in a transit system literally covered in cameras), they can’t do their job?
A SWARM OF SHORTIES
WAAAAH! Triggered republican babies in Idaho are throwing a tanty because someone scribbled ACAB on their courthouse. Too bad ANTIFA didn’t burn the place to the ground! Ooooo those scary scary anti-fascists! THE NERVE OF THEM STANDING UP TO RACISM AND NAZI BULLSHIT! Who do they think they are? Americans?!
Chicago residents are again protesting the demolition of the old Crawford power plant, which has been a bungled demolition job from the get go.
Yikes. A Kansas motorcycle riding woman somehow launched herself into an abandoned building, dying on impact.
Weekly reminder to stop flushing unflushables you gross ass monsters.
Minneapolis firefighters rescued a woman who fell in the old Freun Mills.
An abandoned jail in Morganton (NC), known as ‘the high-rise prison’ is going to be imploded on July 11th.
Did you know that a prototype for the ventilation system in the Holland Tunnel (NY->NJ) was built in Illinois?
Plans are being made to blow up one of Trump’s old buildings in Atlantic City. Unfortunately it is unlikely that his racist ass will be strapped to the roof upon the time of detonation.
Bando BBQ
A gross looking bando hotel in Spartanburg burned out a few rooms.
Some idiot set the old Star Pin mill in Shelton (CT) on fire, basically obliterating the place.
An ancient old schoolhouse far on the outer edge of Long Island burned to the ground last week.
What seemed like a routine bando fire for firefighters in Easton, PA turned out to be a complex situation caused by decaying containers of unknown chemicals. Don’t throw around those random jars of chemicals at 2AM you never know what might not mix and suddenly ignite with no spark at all NOT THAT I’VE EVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE OF COURSE.
A decent sized ‘bando apartment building burned to the ground in broad daylight in Oklahoma City. Looks like a fun street filled with board up crack bandos.
A two story ‘bando in beautiful downtown Inuvik burned to the ground last week. Also how the fuck do people even live that far north? Google that shit it’s wild.
I’m at the Pizza Hut, I’m at the bando Taco Bell. I’m setting dead bodies on fire at the bando Taco Bell.
International Update
There’s a ‘bando tunnel in the UK that’s slowly decaying and no one wants to pay to maintain it. In an unrelated story (?) another disused former UK rail tunnel has been cleared out in preparation for it’s conversion to a hiking path. And while we’re under the UK, Edinburgh has a left over mine under it’s feet.
Newfoundland (Canada) is plotting on maybe using it’s bandos to attract tourists. Not the worst idea I must say.
Cyclones and extreme weather have lead to at least six families in India to flee their damaged homes and take refuge in an abandoned rail tunnel. They have likely been moved to a better shelter by now.
A triggered baby real estate developer in the UK is big mad that explorers put up a youtube video about an abandoned hospital they’re “redeveloping”. Maybe next time just keep the hospital open?
And that’s a Wrap:
When was the last time you called the cops and they were at all helpful on any level? For most people the answer is never.
*Subject line of this email was borrowed from Talia Levin’s excellent twitter feed.
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You really want to sign up for the newsletter version of these updates. It comes out Mondays or Tuesdays, while we post this web version online on Thursdays or Fridays. This week I’m making a rare exception, considering how absolutely fast news is breaking.
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