Reading archive 2026-03-13

AP Exclusive: Smithsonian museum will revamp its slavery exhibit after artifact loan runs out

Suspect in synagogue crash lost family in Israeli attack on Lebanon, official says: The FBI is investigating the Michigan attack as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

Why China could emerge a winner from Trump’s global energy shock: China’s evolution into an “electrostate” may help insulate it from spiking oil prices.

Economy was shakier than it appeared heading into Iran conflict: Inflation remained elevated in January, and economic growth from October through December was sharply lower than initially reported.

Can Florida save Trump’s plan to keep GOP in power?: Republicans in Florida say they may not be able to deliver the type of redistricting bonanza that would give the party breathing room in the midterms.

He’s 27. She’s 54. Somehow ‘Age of Attraction’ thinks no one can tell.: The show’s gimmick: Nobody has any idea how old the others really are! However: They all look exactly the age they are.

‘Some parents said they’d break my knees’: the teacher who exposed Putin’s primary school propaganda

Palantir CEO Makes Shocking Confession on Disrupting Democratic Power: They’re saying the quiet part out loud now. - "'This technology disrupts humanities-trained—largely Democratic—voters, and makes their economic power less. And increases the economic power of vocationally trained, working-class, often male, working-class voters,' Karp said in a CNBC interview Thursday. 'And so these disruptions are gonna disrupt every aspect of our society. And to make this work, we have to come to an agreement of what it is we’re going to do with the technology; how are we gonna explain to people who are likely gonna have less good, and less interesting jobs.'"

Why right-wing media can’t stop Candace Owens: Erika Kirk’s defense of herself gets drowned out by “Bride of Charlie” documentary - "For decades, conservative media has thrived on a business model that monetizes outrage and distrust. The more outrageous the claim, the greater the engagement. The more distrust sowed toward institutions — universities, media, elections, public health, the FBI — the more loyal the audience becomes. In December, even as Owens was deep into Charlie Kirk assassination trutherism, Erika Kirk was urging TPUSA audiences to be tolerant of disagreeable views. By the time the right decided Owens had gone too far, she had already built a fully independent operation. The movement that once shielded Owens is now discovering that monsters raised on grievance do not recognize fences. The conservative movement no longer has credible gatekeepers. Right-wing media’s fragmentation means that condemnation from established outlets often strengthens, rather than weakens, insurgent figures like Owens.

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"For all its focus on Erika Kirk, “Bride of Charlie” is not really about her. Nor is it even really about Charlie Kirk. It is about an identity crisis on the American right —  what happens when a media movement decides that the thrill of the conspiracy, the pleasure of the accusation, the dopamine of the “truth bomb” matters more than the actual truth. Right-wing media cannot stop Candace Owens because they cannot renounce the incentives that made her powerful."

Trump administration allows for Russian oil sales as energy prices soar: The move is likely to be a boon to Russia as the United States tries to stem the economic fallout from its war on Iran. - "The move will provide a huge financial boost to Russia, which experts say has already been receiving about $150 million per day from increased oil sales since the U.S. attacked Iran two weeks ago."

Reading archive 2026-03-12

Ex-DOJ prosecutor who proclaimed ‘this job sucks’ will run for Congress: Julie T. Le made headlines during DHS’s surge in Minneapolis and will launch a campaign to challenge Rep. Ilhan Omar for her seat.

Young bankers are learning the hard way that Wall Street doesn't do influencers - "'The young generation wants to be seen differently at work today, I would say, than in the past,' he said. 'Times have changed. Values have changed.' But it's no excuse — financial institutions are explicit about their expectations and enforce 'very, very clear' regulations around social media use, Argenti said. Junior employees understand the culture they are entering."

What is wisdom, and can it be taught?: Scientists are trying to name the qualities that make someone wise and figure out how to cultivate them

Pittsburgh is pivoting. It could be a lesson for Democrats.: The new mayor is putting pragmatism over ideology as the city prepares to host the NFL draft.

How Neighborly Do Home Additions Have to Be?: As municipalities encourage more housing density, neighbors debate what kind of construction should be allowed.

Iran’s Islamic Republic 2.0 is coming — and it won’t be pretty: How Trump’s tactical victory could turn into a forever war. - "But the regime survives. It has taken America’s best punch, and it’s still standing. Tiers of senior military, intelligence and political leaders are dead, but they have been replaced by others. There’s no sign of a popular uprising. The cadres of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hide among piles of rubble, but they haven’t been eliminated."

Lebanon appeals to Israel’s allies to stop strikes as death toll rises: The Iran war is expanding into Lebanon, as the Israeli offensive to dismantle Hezbollah has displaced 800,000 people there, with more than 680 people killed.

The Obvious Is Taking Its Revenge on Trump: The reasons other U.S. presidents avoided war with Iran are becoming all too evident. - "Another daunting obstacle to victory is the nature of the Iranian regime, a theocracy that celebrates martyrdom and has spent its entire history preparing for what it considers an inevitable war with the United States. Every time protests fill public squares, I allow myself to believe that the terrible government in Tehran will crumble. But its willingness to kill to survive is the biggest obstacle to its toppling. And Trump intervened after the regime killed tens of thousands of its most determined foes. Calling for revolution after the revolution has been crushed is belated timing, to say the least. Perhaps the Trump administration will succeed in further weakening Iranian authoritarianism - the attacks will certainly set back the country's already struggling economy - so that after the bombs stop falling, regime opponents will rush into the streets. But, thus far, decapitating the regime has succeeded only in replacing one Ayatollah Khamenei with another. By all accounts, the son is no less fanatical than his father and believes with theological certainty that the most brutal means justify his righteous ends."

A Police Report About a House Candidate Surprised the White House: A woman’s allegations of rape against a Republican House candidate have put Trump in a bind.

Spain’s Wind-Farm Bargain: Renewable-energy projects can boost the economy of a rural town—if the community has a say in development.

A Never-Ending Conspiracy Theory in Remote Alaska: Why are some people convinced that nefarious experiments are happening at HAARP?

ROTC students at Old Dominion subdued and killed the shooter who killed 1 person, wounded 2: The FBI says ROTC students subdued and killed a gunman who yelled “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire Thursday in an Old Dominion University classroom, killing one and wounding two

Reading archive 2026-03-11

Ed Martin faces disciplinary proceedings over actions as D.C. U.S. attorney: The senior Justice Department official faces disciplinary proceedings over a letter he sent to Georgetown University’s law school about its DEI practices.

After Iran assault, Russians say U.S. can’t be trusted in Ukraine talks: As Washington focuses on its push to topple Iran’s government, delaying talks on Russia’s war in Ukraine, some in Moscow say the Kremlin must achieve its goals militarily.

Teacher’s aide pleads guilty to forcing autistic boy to eat hot sauce: “He deserved it,” she allegedly said. The case highlighted scrutiny of how the District’s schools treat students with disabilities. - "Imani K. Davis, 30, agreed Monday to plead guilty to misdemeanor assault in a deal that could leave her with a clean record. Under the agreement, a D.C. Superior Court judge could dismiss the charge if Davis stays out of trouble and completes community service before her July 22 sentencing hearing, court records show." [ed.. note: WHAT!?]

DC study suggests $10 congestion toll for downtown; Bowser, city administrator oppose plan: A 2021 study proposes charging drivers a $10 toll to enter parts of downtown Washington during peak traffic hours, but city leaders say they oppose the it.

Islamic schools excluded from Texas’s $1 billion voucher program: Advocates warn a similar effort is unfolding in Florida, threatening to shut out thousands of Muslims from benefiting from the national movement to allow public money to be spent on private schools.

Democrats ask what happened to millions earmarked for Trump’s library: ABC, Meta, Paramount and X reportedly agreed to pay at least $63 million in settlements with the president. The original fund was dissolved last year.

Pentagon bars press photographers over ‘unflattering’ Hegseth photos: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s staff took issue with images taken in a rare briefing last week and decided to shut out photographers from two subsequent news conferences.

The Federal Real Estate Maintenance Backlog Is Over $50 Billion: A new report showcases the US federal government’s efforts to climb out of a real estate hole decades in the making.

Inside the Plan to Demolish and Rebuild a Swath of Trump’s Washington

Reading archive 2026-03-10

Stay Classy

A veteran thought her son was enlisting in peacetime. Now the U.S. is at war.: A Texas mother is proud her child is following in her footsteps. But as President Donald Trump attacks Iran, she worries about what he could face as a soldier. - "'At least he’s joining up at peacetime,' she’d thought. But now American bombs were exploding across Iran, and the president she’d voted for was refusing to rule out troops on the ground, and a guest was stepping through her black double doors with a case of Mountain Dew."

Whistleblower claims ex-DOGE member says he took Social Security data to new job: The Social Security inspector general’s office is investigating allegations that the former DOGE engineer took sensitive data on a thumb drive in a major potential security breach, said people familiar with the process. - "'This is absolutely the worst-case scenario,' Borges told The Post. 'There could be one or a million copies of it, and we will never know now.'"

On the Bright Side: Blue Whales Spotted in New England Waters

How to ditch forever chemicals without getting cold and wet: The first people to climb Everest didn’t need outdoor gear made with “forever chemicals” to stay warm and dry. You don’t either.

There’s going to be an IndyCar race in downtown Washington. Here’s what we know.: Drivers are expected to zoom past downtown landmarks at speeds as high as 185 mph during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Former D.C. police officer accused in multiple sexual assault cases: Police say Timothy Valentin, 30, met D.C.-area women on dating apps, then drugged and assaulted them.

Reading archive 2026-03-09

As D.C.’s mayor race heats up, stark contrasts emerge in the two front-runners: With a Democratic primary in June, Kenyan R. McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George remain the leading contenders in the race to succeed D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser.

Israeli officials are growing concerned: A bombing campaign nearing its military goals in Iran leaves the hardest questions unanswered. - "A second concern expressed by the Israeli official was maintaining good relations with the United States at a time when Americans in both political parties are voicing growing concern about the alliance. 'We won’t drag the U.S. into an endless war,' the official said. 'Israel is a reliable ally,' not a burden, he argued."

There are two winners in Iran. Neither one is America.: Oil disruption benefits Russia, as does less U.S. aid for Ukraine. And Iran distracts from China. - "While Trump has been bombing various countries, imposing tariffs, discouraging foreign students from coming to America and cutting research funding, China has been making massive investments designed to dominate the industries of the future. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute reports that China now leads the United States in research on 66 of 74 frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, superconductors, quantum computing and optical communications. China is already manufacturing roughly 70 percent of the world’s electric vehicles, 80 percent of smartphones, 80 percent of lithium-ion batteries and 90 percent of drones. Last year, roughly half of all vehicles sold in China were EVs or hybrids. The comparable figure for the U.S. is 22 percent — and it is likely to decline after Congress repealed the EV tax credit."

D.C.’s most apolitical official is on the hot seat — with $180M on the line: The brewing conflict in D.C. government stems from a vote by Republicans in Congress to block a city tax policy and the revenue it raised.

Reasons you should get a colonoscopy earlier than recommended: The official recommendation is to start colorectal cancer screening at age 45, but should you go earlier if you’re concerned? An oncologist explains.

Gen Z Lives in the Archive: Is cultural time actually continuous? - "In Plato’s dialogue, 'Ion,' he describes how inspiration works: the first poet was inspired directly by the muse, like an iron filling attached to a lodestone. The subsequent generations of poets are like iron fillings attached to that first filling. The force of inspiration is still present, but it is exerted indirectly and weakens with every generation. Thus, the influence of the original impetus wanes until, presumably, we culturally reset and reconnect to the magnetic source directly. Gen Z finds itself in a state in which the fillings have all been scattered on the ground, perhaps experiencing some ambient attraction from the lodestone, but unable to really connect with it. 

"Can this state of affairs create vital popular music? It appears not. The results seem to be avant garde Adderall brain slurry—100 Gecs and nettspend and hyperpop—for a tiny, cultured minority. The masses just keep listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. And for those of you who want to object by saying, 'No, no, you have to hear my cousin’s noise rock project. It’s really going somewhere, doing something new,' I say, 'That’s exactly what I’m talking about.'"

After a decade of missteps, Corpus Christi careens toward water catastrophe: City officials expect to reach a “water emergency” within months and run out of water next year. That would halt jet fuel deliveries to Texas airports, hike gas prices and trigger a local economic disaster without precedent, former officials say. - "The region’s largest industrial users, which collectively consume the majority of the region’s water, remain exempt from emergency curtailment. These multi-billion-dollar refineries, petrochemical plants and liquified natural gas facilities are built to run at a steady rate and can’t simply throttle down production in accordance with water availability. They consume large volumes of water primarily in cooling towers to prevent excessive heating and explosions.

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"'It’s a surprise to me that none of those refineries and industries down there have their own desal plants,' said [former assistant energy secretary with the Obama administration Charles] McConnell, who worked 31 years for the chemical manufacturer Praxair in Houston. 'They’re using municipal water, for Christ’s sake!'

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"A facility of that scale, he knew, would require railcars full of pretreatment chemicals, create a mountain of sludge waste every day and consume a tremendous amount of electricity. But he didn’t see serious plans for any of that, he said. 

"He dug deeper into the desalination boom and quickly saw what was going on: Politicians and businessmen had oversold their water supply, he said, and were scrambling for more as shortages approached. But none of them had any idea what they were doing, Serna remembered thinking as he reviewed the applications. 

"'I’ve been trying since 2020 to let them know how catastrophic this is going to be,' he said in an interview at his home. 'They’ve acted with a profound ignorance.'"

Losing the War on Truth: Iran and what to make of it

‘Nazi heaven’: Inside Miami campus Republicans’ racist group chat - "The conversations included some of the campus’ top conservative leaders: the county GOP secretary, FIU’s Turning Point USA chapter president and the former College Republicans recruitment chair."

Reading archive 2026-03-08

Texas primaries raise GOP alarm about Latino voters: Strong Democratic turnout last week in heavily Latino parts of Texas has some Republicans fearing they will struggle to maintain the coalition Trump built in 2024.

The dumbest way to lower beef prices: Breaking up meatpacking companies would make steak even more expensive. - "The biggest driver of rising prices is that the U.S. has its smallest herd of cattle in 75 years while demand for red meat continues to rise. Importing more beef from other countries would help lower prices for consumers, but politically influential ranchers don’t want that."

Trump team bashed Europe for a year. Now he wants support in war on Iran.: European leaders are ramping up their response to the crisis spreading outside Iran but remain wary of a conflict that could have untold ramifications.

Reading archive 2026-03-07

The Gulf Countries Can’t Take Much More: Iran is exposing their vulnerabilities.

Something New Is Happening in Lebanon: For the first time, the country’s government is directly confronting a weakened Hezbollah.

America’s and Israel’s Goals Are Already Colliding: Trump and Netanyahu seem to have very different ideas about how the war should end.

‘We Need to Do McCarthyism to the Tenth Power’: Conservative influencers are pushing for a return to the dark days of 1950s inquisitions. - "Some of the tactics that the McCarthy revivalists propose are more aggressive than anything McCarthy pursued. 'McCarthy, for all of his obvious flaws, was still predicated on the use of the judicial system,' David Austin Walsh, a historian at the University of Virginia, told me. Should this new McCarthyism veer into proposing or doing anything violent, Walsh added, it 'isn't even really McCarthyism anymore-it's just fascism.'"