Saturday, January 10, 2026
Midpoint Meadows neighborhood development in Madison Wisconsin (January 2026 construction site visit)
Photos and video by Retiring Guy
Plat and headline: Finance & Commerce, 6/1/2024
Related post:
September 2025 site visit
September 2025 site visit
Excavation continues at mammoth Hill Valley subdivision in Madison Wisconsin (2026 construction site visit)
Photos and video by Retiring Guy
Headline: Wisconsin State Journal, 11/25/2025
Chris Rickert reports:
The Hill Valley subdivision on Madison’s Far West Side is just getting underway, with developer Veridian Homes ready to build its first home and six lots already sold.
Now if only someone with a 1981 DeLorean would buy one.
If “Hill Valley” rings a bell for people of a certain age, that’s the point. That’s the name of the city Marty McFly and his family called home in “Back to the Future,” and the film is the theme Veridian has chosen to go with as it builds out the 200-acre residential development with 750 home sites.
Of the approximately 40 streets that are to crisscross the project, about 15 of them are obvious references to the 1985 classic. People are also reading…
Ballroom vanity project: Will Scharf, top White House aide and chair of National Capital Planning Commission, sez he is ready, willing and able to rubberstamp the project
Rendering: Washington Post, 1/8/2026
Headline: Los Angeles, Times, 1/8/2026
Darlene Superville reports:
Will Scharf, a top White House aide whom Trump tapped to head the commission, opened the meeting by noting “passionate comments on both sides” of the ballroom project but adding that public comment wouldn’t be part of Thursday’s session.
“I view today’s presentation really as the start of a process as the ballroom moves through the overall NCPC process,” Scharf said, adding that his objective is for the commission to play a “productive role” as ballroom construction moves ahead. [emphasis added]
Related posts:
January 2026
Dear AP headline writer. Trump White House vanity project ballroom is not under construction. What's being done is demolition and site preparation. Best, Retiring Guy. (1/8)
Ballroom asbestos blitz. (1/7)
December 2025
Trump unprecedented destruction. (12/30)
And the lawsuits just keep on comin'! (12/24)
New photos show ongoing demolition and site preparation at site of latest Trump vanity project. (12/10)
Quote from Shalom Baranes, Trump's new White House ballroom architect: "My work would be impossible without my fellow immigrants". (12/7)
White House ballroom price tag: $200 million. $300 million. $350 million. Do I hear $400 million? (12/7)
White House Ballroom correction: This is not construction; its demolition and site preparation. (12/4)
November 2025
White House Ballroom oversight gaps emerge: Let us count the ways (Part 1: National Capital Planning Commission). (11/18)
Welcome to the most muddled lede of the year (so far)
Screengrab: New York Times, 1/5/2026
Dictionary definition: Merriam-Webster
Talmon Joseph Smith reports:
The American labor market has entered 2026 in respectable shape, continuing to muddle through challenges even as it loses strength.
Welcome to Hollywood: Retread capital of the world
Headline: New York Times, 1/8/2025
Colum Marsh reports:
It’s perhaps this record that appealed to Lucasfilm and Disney executives, who are eager to win back some good will for “Star Wars” after the widely perceived failure of the franchise’s recent installments, including “The Rise of Skywalker” and the spinoff “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” As much as “Deadpool & Wolverine” was felt to have righted Marvel’s ship amid a phase of superhero fatigue, there’s hope that the Levy touch can make “Star Wars” relevant again.
Related posts that seem to confirm Sarandos's point:
2025
After the Hunt: Daring to be ambiguous and making a movie that few people want to see and most people don't like when they do. (10/20)
Former multiplex at Hilldale Shopping Center being repurposed for restaurant and retail space. (5/1)
2023
2022
Say your final goodbyes to Market Square Theater, say hello to proposed 6-story housing project. (8/8)
2021
According to Merriam-Webster, the first-known use of ‘perv’ occurred in 1948, 23 years before Elon Musk was born
Headline: New York Times, 1/9/2026
The altered pictures were part of a recent flood of Grok-generated images that sexualize women and children on X, Mr. Musk’s social media platform. In response to user requests, the chatbot has manipulated photos of people to dress them in skimpy garments, remove their clothes altogether or pose their bodies in suggestive ways.
The subjects of these images — including the mother of one of Mr. Musk’s children — have decried the pictures, and some have appealed to Mr. Musk to ban the technology or remove the photos. Others have threatened legal action.
Other coinages from the same year include:
- chili dog
- defund
- gimmickry
- oddball
- package deal
- privatize
- sweetheart deal
- under-the-table
Related posts:
2025
The chickens Donald Trump and Elon Musk cut loose with their DOGE recklessness come home to roost. (12/11)
Gotta admit that Elon Musk made the right call here (Wisconsin embarrassment Sean Duffy edition). (10/24)
Donald Trump shops for marble at Arc Stone & Tile. He shops for peace prizes here.
Headline: New York Times, 1/10/2026
Jonathan Wolfe reports on Donald trump's obsessive search for relevancy:
In an interview on Fox News on Thursday, Mr. Trump said that “it would be a great honor” to accept the award from Ms. Machado, adding that it was “a major embarrassment to Norway” that he did not win the prize.
Related post:
Sleepy Don goes marble shopping. (1/4/2026)
GET ME REWRITE: Trump tariffs, trade war, and nativism trash U.S. economy in 2025
Headline and graph: NBC News, 1/9/2026
The U.S. economy added just 50,000 jobs in December, capping off the worst year for hiring since 2020, when the Covid pandemic brought the global economy to a standstill.
Save for 2020, last year ranks as the poorest year for job creation since 2009 and the global financial crisis.
Just 584,000 jobs were created in 2025, far below the more than 2 million added in each of the prior two years, and the more than 4 million hires in 2022, the height of the post-pandemic recovery.
Last year, the labor market added jobs at an average pace of 48,000 jobs per month, after revisions.
Related posts:
December 2025
Donald Trump dreams of pencils. (12/11)
November 2025
Tariffs imposed by the blundering Donald Trump put American businesses in survival mode. (8/24)CES 2026: Ambient Dreamie Smart Alarm Clock
Screengrab and headline: CNN, 1/9/2026
Rikka Altland reports:
In 2026, we’re done using smartphone alarms to wake up in the morning. Calling the new Dreamie from Ambient just a nightstand clock is selling the bedside companion a bit short, as it does more than just setting alarms. The integrated lamp can be used on its own or with the sunrise simulation features for waking up each morning, with an onboard white noise machine to help you fall asleep at night.
In a hands-on demo, both Chelsea Stone and I were impressed by the overall charm and polish of the Dreamie to life. I particularly appreciated that all the customization can be done right on the device, as there’s no companion app to download. We also both loved the design, which features a touchscreen display on the front and pairs with a physical volume knob and touch panel on the back for controlling the lamp without interacting with a screen.
From our short time testing it out at CES, the Dreamie feels like a promising way to ditch your smartphone alarm from your morning routine.
Related posts:
January 2026
Dreo 765S TurboCool Misting Fan. (1/10)
Lockin V7 Max True AI Smart Lock. (1/10)
Restful Atmos Bedside Lamp. (1/9)
LG W6 Wallpaper TV. (1/8)
SwitchBot Onero H1 robot. (1/6)
Govee Ceiling Light Ultra. (1/6)
Lego smart bricks. (1/6)
Vex robot companion for pets. (1/5)
December 2025
Timekettle W4 AI interpreter earbuds. (12/30)
Dnxyx Z1 knee exoskeleton. (12/30)
Descent S1 Buoy. (12/30)
Birdfy Bath Pro. (12/30)
August-November 2025
H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum. (11/12)
AC Future AI Transformer Homes. (11/8)
Honda Acura RSX electric vehicle. (8/11)
Sony Bravia 10. (8/11)
Back pages:
CES 2025 (series)
CES 2026: Roborock RockMow X1 LiDAR
Screengrab and headline: CNN, 1/9/2026
Chelsea Stone reports:
The brand behind our favorite robot vacuum and robot mop is officially coming for your yard. Roborock debuted the two-legged, jumping Saros Rover to much fanfare at CES this year, but it was its new line of robot lawn mowers that stuck with me as a streamlined addition to the category. The flagship RockMow X1 LiDAR is the clear leader of the pack, thanks to Sentisphere LiDAR Environmental Perception technology, which it uses to construct a 3D model of your yard for real-time navigation. Meanwhile, AI allows it to identify and react to obstacles like garden gnomes and hoses, plus four-wheel drive and dynamic suspension keep things rolling along over any terrain. Combine all that with myriad safety and security features (humans and animals in its path prompt a swift U-turn, for instance), impressive durability and — oh yeah, grass cutting! — and a pristine lawn with zero effort will finally be within reach later this year.
Expected availability: "Sometime in 2026."
Which is probably around the same time we'll learn how much it costs.
Related posts:
January 2026
Dreo 765S TurboCool Misting Fan. (1/10)
Lockin V7 Max True AI Smart Lock. (1/10)
Restful Atmos Bedside Lamp. (1/9)
LG W6 Wallpaper TV. (1/8)
SwitchBot Onero H1 robot. (1/6)
Govee Ceiling Light Ultra. (1/6)
Lego smart bricks. (1/6)
Vex robot companion for pets. (1/5)
December 2025
Timekettle W4 AI interpreter earbuds. (12/30)
Dnxyx Z1 knee exoskeleton. (12/30)
Descent S1 Buoy. (12/30)
Birdfy Bath Pro. (12/30)
August-November 2025
H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum. (11/12)
AC Future AI Transformer Homes. (11/8)
Honda Acura RSX electric vehicle. (8/11)
Sony Bravia 10. (8/11)
Back pages:
CES 2025 (series)
CES 2026: Dreo 765S TurboCool Misting Fan
Screengrab and headline: CNN, 1/9/2026
Chelsea Stone reports:
Dreo makes our favorite space heater, favorite humidifier and one of our favorite cooling fans, and the brand continues to impress at CES. This year, I was blown away (pun intended) by the new Dreo 765S TurboCool Misting Fan, which combines powerful tower fan capabilities with a cooling mist that’s suited to indoor use. The key is ultrafine mist particles that evaporate before creating wetness on surfaces; after holding my hand and my phone directly in the mist’s stream, I was amazed that they were both left completely dry, so I’m confident that furniture and pets will be safe from dampness. Dreo is also launching a smaller tabletop version that I’d love to have in my AC-less home office come summer and an outdoor model that will be a game changer for backyard hangs in hot weather. Expect the entire series to launch in April before the mercury rises.
Expected release in March 2026. To be "price competitively" at $100-$150.
Related posts:
January 2026
Lockin V7 Max True AI Smart Lock. (1/10)
Restful Atmos Bedside Lamp. (1/9)
LG W6 Wallpaper TV. (1/8)
SwitchBot Onero H1 robot. (1/6)
Govee Ceiling Light Ultra. (1/6)
Lego smart bricks. (1/6)
Vex robot companion for pets. (1/5)
December 2025
Timekettle W4 AI interpreter earbuds. (12/30)
Dnxyx Z1 knee exoskeleton. (12/30)
Descent S1 Buoy. (12/30)
Birdfy Bath Pro. (12/30)
August-November 2025
H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum. (11/12)
AC Future AI Transformer Homes. (11/8)
Honda Acura RSX electric vehicle. (8/11)
Sony Bravia 10. (8/11)
Back pages:
CES 2025 (series)
CES 2026: Lockin V7 Max True AI Smart Lock
Screengrab and headline: CNN, 1/9/2026
Chelsea Stone reports:
A smart lock’s biggest downside is that if it loses power, you could get locked out. But that’s never going to be an issue with Lockin’s latest, the V7 Max AI Smart Lock. The lock is powered by wireless optical charging via a technology called AuraCharge; a separate device is plugged in within 13 feet of the lock and automatically beams power to the lock’s receptor. It’s seemingly a step up from other smart locks, which rely on solar power and, thus, must be situated in sunlight or on batteries that need to be manually changed as they run out. Not to mention, it features a bunch of other high-tech bells and whistles — biometric security, video doorbell functionality, dual touch screens — and it looks pretty sleek (a former chief designer from Apple is behind the design). Look out for these smarts to hit doorsteps starting in early 2026
Expect "premium pricing" ($1,000+) when product launches in mid-2026.
Related posts:
January 2026
Restful Atmos Bedside Lamp. (1/9)
LG W6 Wallpaper TV. (1/8)
SwitchBot Onero H1 robot. (1/6)
Govee Ceiling Light Ultra. (1/6)
Lego smart bricks. (1/6)
Vex robot companion for pets. (1/5)
December 2025
Timekettle W4 AI interpreter earbuds. (12/30)
Dnxyx Z1 knee exoskeleton. (12/30)
Descent S1 Buoy. (12/30)
Birdfy Bath Pro. (12/30)
August-November 2025
H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum. (11/12)
AC Future AI Transformer Homes. (11/8)
Honda Acura RSX electric vehicle. (8/11)
Sony Bravia 10. (8/11)
Back pages:
CES 2025 (series)
MISCREANT PREACHERS: Kidnapping and child sex crimes in the Name of the Lord (#226 in a series)
Mugshot and headline: KSN, 1/7/2026
Bobbie Pottorff reports:
According to court records, a young girl told police she was walking to a friend’s house in the area of 7th and Moffet, when a man in a black SUV offered her a ride. The girl said when she refused, the man showed her a handgun and forced her into his vehicle. The incident reportedly happened last November.
The girl told police the man drove her to Schifferdecker Park where he sexually assaulted her and recorded video of the incident. The girl then says she faked a medical issue and the suspect dropped her off near 7th and Connor.
Investigators say the girl later identified the man as Joshua Price, using social media sites SnapChat and Facebook. From there, investigators say they found information in their system from Price, reporting his vehicle stolen.
The Probable Cause Statement says police then subpoenaed Price’s phone records and tracked his movements and said it matched the time and location the girl reported the alleged attack.
Price is a pastor with Lost Souls Ministry in Oswego, Kansas. Lost Souls Ministry also operates a church in Joplin.
Other miscreant preachers (which cover a multitude of sins):
January 2026
Jordan Henderson. (1/9)
Bruce Neal. (1/8)
Donnie McClurkin. (1/7)
December 2025 (15)
Enrique Molina. (12/30)
John Paul. (12/19)
Joseph Lyle Campbell. (12/18)
James Watford. (12/17)
Kenneth Edwards Jr. (12/16)
Doug Overmyer. (12/13)
Milton Martin III. (12/11)
Joseph Herzing. (12/10)
Michael McMullen. (12/9)
Robert Sullivan. (12/8)
Danny Varnadore. (12/7)
Roger Scalice. (12/6)
Carter August Thomas. (12/4)
James Stockton. (12/3)
Michael Martin. (12/2)
Mark Vega. (11/28)
Stephen Santeli Castro. (11/26)Jesus Gabriel Saldana. (11/25)
Kenneth McFarland. (11/24)
Yersson Solarte. (11/23)
Jason Allen. (11/21)
Glenn Rosenbaum. (11/17)
Adolfo Castillo. (11/16)
Donald Aaron Axtell. (11/15)
Quintilo Segrero. (11/14)
Matthew McGinley. (11/11)
Eli Regalado. (11/7)
Andrew Ervin. (11/6)
Elmer Baca Flores. (11/4)
Michael and Vickie Hall. (11/2)
Jason Andrew Swick. (11/1)
October 2025 (15)
Joshua David Kemper. (10/31)
Lindsey Whiteside. (10/25)
Robert L Carter. (10/23)
Daniel Kellan Mayfield. (10/22)
Xamie Reyes. (10/20)
Luis Sosa. (10/19)
Silas Shelton. (10/17)
Mark Francis Ford. (10/16)
Michael Ritchason. (10/11)
Adrian David. (10/9)
Gary Thomas Keesee. (10/8)
Virgil Mozee. (10/7)
Kevin Curtis Jones. (10/4)
Robert Morris. (10/3)
Ryan McElrath. (10/2)
September 2025 (10)
Jon Paul Sheptock. (9/27)
Macario Garcia. (9/26)
Matthew Stephen Masiewicz. (9/25)
Nathan Wayne Walker. (9/21)
John McKinzie. (9/20)
Isaac Tilden. (9/19)
Diego Fuller. (9/17)
Walter Sevillano. (9/13)
Bernadel Semexant (9/12)
Aaron Williams, Jr. (9/11)
August 2025 (7)
Neal Creecy. (8/22)
Shelton Burkart. (8/15)
Jacob Ryan Barnett. (8/9)
Thomas Pinkerton. (8/8)
Kendrick Oakley. (8/7)
Clemente Olvera Guerrero. (8/5)
Nelson David Ochoa Vasquez. (8/2)
July 2025 (11)
Brett Jarad Monroe. (7/31)
Stanley David Jay. (7/30)
William Jones. (7/26)
Eli Regalado. (7/23)
Kenneth Flowers. (7/18)
John Gibson. (7/15)
Jonathan Nguyen-Young. (7/12)
Nelson Alexander Chay. (7/9)
Devin Cyrus Carroll. (7/8)
Francier Obando Pinillo. (7/5)
Roy Andrews. (7/3)
June 2025 (11)
Clarence Barry Hungerford. (6/30)
Christopher Cassell. (6/27)
Justin Rhodes. (6/26)
Edward Gabrielli. (6/25)
Parrish Terry. (6/24)
Albert Benjamin Wharton. (6/18)
Dominic Foor. (6/14)
Ryan McElrath. (6/10)
Jim Mustain. (6/7)
Nelson Alexander Chay. (6/4)
Nathan Roach. (6/3)
May 2025 (11)
Mitchell Summerfield. (5/31)
Daniel Lamppin. (5/30)
Alan Buresh. (5/29)
Myron Chorbajian. (5/28)
Shaun Donald Hertlein. (5/20)
Christopher Whitehead. (5/16)
Daniel Champ. (5/13)
Paul Dyal. (5/11)
Yersson David Solarte Basto. (5/10)
Leo Parker. (5/8)
Aaron Luke Bradley. (5/7)
April 2025 (7)
Gregory Jones. (4/30)
James Vincent Henry. (4/28)
Brad Swink. (4/12)
Jaime Arriaga. (4/10)
William Galbreath. (4/9)
Darren Day. (4/8)
Elmer Baca-Flores. (4/6)
March 2025 (17)
Matthew Lee Richards. (3/30)
Joshua Lucero. (3/26)
Jeffrey Summers. (3/24)
Sergio Guardia. (3/22)
Marvin Upton. (3/21)
Rodger Strong. (3/20)
Britt Taylor. (3/19)
Christopher Willett. (3/16)
Daniel Menelaou. (3/15)
Robert Morris. (3/14)
Jose Saez Jr. (3/12)
Stricjavvar Strickland. (3/11)
Terrance Owens Elliott. (3/10)
Waymon Jordan. (3/8)
Stephen Hutto. (3/5)
Charles Brinson. (3/4)
Michael Eguino. (3/1)
February 2025 (9)
Jesse Santos. (2/26)
Richard Lee Sentell. (2/22)
Ruel Barbee. (2/16)
Ashley James Crouse. (2/15)
Lee B. Patrick. (2/14)
Charles Thessing. (2/12)
Timothy Nall. (2/7)
Dwight Suttles. (2/6)
Jimmie Whaley Jr. (2/5)
January 2025 (14)
Adrian Daugherty. (1/29)
John Fiedler. (1/26)
James McMillan. (1/25)
Jeffrey Merrow. (1/18)
Johel LaFaurie. (1/17)
Jeff Taylor. (1/16)
Dallas Majewski. (1/15)
Bruce Hollen. (1/14)
Francier Obando Pinillo. (1/13)
Michael Ronald Goble. (1/11)
Timothy Nall. (1/9)
Kevin Robert McDonald. (1/5)
Arturo Laguna Camas. (1/4)
Lindsey Whiteside. (1/3)
December 2024 (14)
Edward Monk. (12/23)
Joshua Lough. (12/22)
Ignazio Medina. (12/20)
Anthony Odiong. (12/19)
James Gorman Houston III. (12/18)
Richard Broom McGee. (12/17)
Danny Duane Pitts. (12/12)
Vincent Bishop. (12/9)
Arturo Alarcon. (12/8)
Hunter Eubanks. (12/7)
Daniel Kellan Mayfield. (12/6)
Roy Shoop. (12/5)
Zachary Joseph Radcliff. (12/3)
Rodney Martin Locklear. (12/2)
November 2024 (19)
James McMillan. (11/30)
Stephen Melton. (11/29)
Charles Sulivant. (11/24)
Geoffrey Carter. (11/22)
John Radcliff. (11/21)
Garrett Harmon. (11/20)
Aleta Grace Pearson. (11/17)
Edward R. Monk. (11/16)
Victor Hernandez-Pineda. (11/15)
George Bell. (11/14)
Jose Mora. (11/13)
William Pounds. (11/12)
Edward-Richard Hines. (11/11)
Charles Randall. (11/9)
Jackson Gatlin. (11/7)
Harold Norman Cole, Jr. (11/5)
Gateway Church quartet. (11/4)
Thomas Moriarty. (11/3)
Charles Goff. (11/1)
October 2024 (25)
Stephen Johnson. (10/27)
Josh Howerton. (10/26)
Craig Stone. (10/26/2024)
Steven Lawson. (10/25).
Scott Crenshaw. (10/25)
Byron Copeland. (10/25)
Josiah Anthony. (10/25)
Ronald Goines. (10/24)
Tony Cammarota. (10/24)
Robert Morris. (10/24)
Luke Cunningham. (10/24)
Mike Buster. (10/23)
Tony Evans. (10/23)
Terren Dames. (10/23)
James Randolph. (10/23)
Zachary Joseph Radcliff. (10/22)
Timothy Charles Rupard. (10/21)
Matt Queen. (10/18)
James Vincent Henry. (10/17)
Pheguel Pierre Louis. (10/16)
Roy Shoop. (10/12)
Matthew Lynn Dedmon. (10/8)
John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (10/5)
Rodney Martin Locklear. (10/3)
Gabriel Mills. (10/3)
September 2024 (16)
Marvin Scales. (9/27)
John Raymond. (9/27)
Roby Cruz-Hernandez. (9/26)
Juan Barrios. (9/23)
Demiro Johnson. (9/22)
Glen Dean McCoy. (9/22)
James Swanson. (9/21)
William Dunfee. (9/21)
Steven Lawson. (9/20)
Andrew Lovisone. (9/19)
Jeffrey Duane Smith, (9/19)
Rocky Goodwin. (9/19)
William Johnson. (9/17)
Tim Ballard. (9/13)
Apollo Carreon Quiboloy. (9/13)
