Reading archive 2025-12-11

Hundreds quarantined as South Carolina measles outbreak accelerates: A state epidemiologist said the spike in cases came in the wake of Thanksgiving travel and a lack of vaccinations. At least 16 cases were traced to a church.

Democrats face a mess in Texas: A late shuffle in the primary race could cost the party a Senate seat.

Tim Walz is crumbling, along with his 2028 hopes: The Minnesota governor tries to answer for social services fraud on his watch.

How antisemitism is entering mainstream culture: Celebrities demanding the release of a convicted Palestinian terrorist signals a deep problem.

Republicans will regret ceding this issue to the left: New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani explained due process in a video. Kristi Noem didn’t like that.

Why these red state Republicans are resisting Trump’s efforts to expand GOP power: Republicans hold a 40-10 advantage in the state Senate but may still reject Trump’s pressure. ‘Hoosiers are very independent.’

Lawmakers launch bipartisan, last-minute bids to force vote on ACA subsidies: Either of the efforts would need the support of nearly all House Democrats to succeed.

Military admits ‘mistake’ in viral arrest of U.S. civilian in Japan: Kareem El, a civilian from Washington, D.C., visiting Okinawa, was held by U.S. military police for declining to provide identification.

D.C.’s Anita Bonds won’t run again, further shaking up 2026 elections: D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (D-At Large), 80, says it’s time for “new energy” as the 2026 election cycle promises to bring change to the city’s leadership.

Why a Democratic upset in Miami should worry Trump: How a Democrat won the mayor’s race for the first time since 1997.

Texas midterms point to ideological corners, not swing-state issues: Next year’s contests seem destined to produce a congressional delegation of staunch conservatives and liberals, as determined by primary voters.

At the first stop on his affordability tour, Trump mocks affordability: What was supposed to be a speaking tour to connect with Americans struggling with higher prices and stagnant wages was instead a greatest-hits campaign speech. - "'Let me tell you, Black people love Trump,' he said, and then added: 'They know a scam better than anybody.'"

Trump order to keep Michigan power plant open costs taxpayers $113m: Critics say JH Campbell coal-fired plant in western Michigan is expensive and emits high levels of toxic pollution

A Kansas town chose cruelty. Now it mourns as the mayor faces voter fraud charge and deportation.

‘Deeply demoralizing’: how Trump derailed coal country’s clean-energy revival - "The cuts have deepened existing mistrust in government, known colloquially as Appalachian fatalism, yet many of those interviewed by the Guardian blame Washington politics generally rather than Trump.

"'This party has taken away that funding from Appalachia illegally: that’s the stone-cold fact. But by the time those facts reach communities on the ground, it’s just so muddy. I think some are asking questions about why training is being shut down and why they didn’t get their Snap [food assistance] benefits, but where they’ll find the answers is the big issue,' said Hannah." [ed. note: they'll blame everyone but themselves]

Church displays Nativity scene with baby Jesus in zip ties, ICE agents

Reagan judges surface as unfiltered assessors of Trump

Reading archive 2024-10-28

How would Trump and Harris supporters handle defeat? Here’s what they say.: We asked dozens of backers of each candidate how they would feel and what they would do if the election didn’t go their way. The contrasts were illuminating.

For The Post, more outrage from readers who say they’ve canceled: After Friday’s announcement that The Washington Post was no longer going to endorse a presidential candidate, subscribers and journalists are responding with anger and dismay.

The pop star endorsement that could really swing the election? Bad Bunny.: The Puerto Rican superstar has a huge voice and a ton of influence — especially among Latinos and young voters.

Trump nearly took over the D.C. police force. City leaders pushed back.: D.C. leaders fear a second Trump administration would bring renewed threats to the city’s independence.

How America’s youngest voters feel about casting their first ballots: Teens say activities and classes they’re taking have influenced how they will cast their first ever vote.

Trump rally speakers lob racist insults, call Puerto Rico ‘island of garbage’: Later, Trump took the stage at Madison Square Garden and called the GOP “the party of inclusion.” His campaign issued a statement disavowing the “garbage” comment.

Chinese hackers said to have collected audio of American calls: The hackers are said to be part of a Chinese government-affiliated group that American researchers have dubbed Salt Typhoon.

Some billionaires, CEOs hedge bets as Trump vows retribution: With the race tight, some business elites are toning down past criticism of the former president.

On a Deep South housing board, a clash over seats reserved for minorities: Alabama’s real estate appraisal panel has emerged as a key battleground in a growing fight over the racial makeup of public boards and commissions.

Ukraine boosting its defense industries, with a little help from friends: With Europe unable to supply all the weapons and ammunition Ukraine needs, the E.U. is investing in the country’s rapidly expanding arms industry.

How Soviet farm planning gave Ukrainian troops vital battlefield real estate: On the Ukrainian steppe, where it is nearly impossible to hide from drone surveillance, windbreaks are fought over by Russian and Ukrainian troops.

New housing construction slowed as campaigns focus on affordability: Fresh data from the Census Bureau underscores the difficulty in finding federal solutions to housing problems at the local level. - "Trump’s plan doesn’t tackle new construction. Instead, the focus is on freeing up existing homes that he claims are occupied by undocumented immigrants, whom he wants to deport by the millions. Economists have widely debunked this claim, saying other forces play a much bigger role in driving up prices and that undocumented immigrants are more likely to live in lower-income rental units than owner-occupied houses. They also note that new immigrants make up about a third of the construction workforce, which would be a crucial part of the push to build new homes and fix years-long shortages."

This town has no cell service, so the ‘electrosensitive’ have made it home: A few dozen people, in and around Green Bank, W.Va., have retreated from the signals of modern life, and found each other.

'What Did It Achieve?': Documentary Examines Largest Immigration Raid In U.S. History [ed. note: from 2018, about 2008] - '"The demographic impact was huge. The town lost almost half of its population after the raid. It was also devastating economically. The plant that was the main economic motor of the town went bankrupt and later reopened under a foreign owner. Many workers didn't get paid for months and eventually lost their jobs. A lot of local businesses closed down. The whole county, not only the towns, suffered, immigrants and nonimmigrants alike.

"'I think this documentary can really shed light on the efficiency of these worksite enforcement operations when we think about are they really efficient? This raid in 2008 cost over $5 million that came out of taxpayer pockets, and what did it achieve? Those jobs did not go back to Americans. They went to Somali refugees.'"

Reading archive 2024-08-13 pt 1

Opinion What deporting 15 million people would look like: Democrats need to warn Hispanics what a vote for Trump really means. - "Other Trump voters appear willing to disregard the human costs of an unforgiving immigration policy. 'Terrible for those who came after. Congratulations to me,' Santiago Ferran Barnet, a Cuban immigrant, told the Miami Herald during a Trump rally. Other Trump supporters share this moral meanness and lack of empathy. 'Putting them in a camp and deporting them? It sounds great to me,' said Anais Refujol, a Trump voter from California, when asked about detention centers for recent Venezuelan immigrants. Ironically, Refujol herself earned citizenship after arriving as a refugee in 2004 — from Venezuela."

The lice will always win: We’ve been losing the war against lice since the dawn of humanity. Should we change how we think about them?

Blue crab invasion upends Italy’s culinary traditions and ecology: The blue crabs crossed the Atlantic as stowaways, and with no natural predators they’re overtaking Italy’s marine ecosystem.

Russians evacuated from Kursk as Putin grapples with Ukrainian incursion: The acting governor of the Kursk region said the situation is “complicated,” with Ukraine’s forces now in control of more than two dozen Russian villages.

The one thing you should look for on clothing labels when you go shopping

Why does it feel like everyone has an autoimmune disease?: Autoimmune diseases are rising worldwide, and it’s not purely explained by genetics.

The skate park was thriving. Then a right-wing YouTuber bought it.: Tim Pool’s purchase of an improvised skate park has riled skateboarders in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle.

Gold bar scams net millions in Montgomery County: ‘Money to be had here.’: Local and federal law enforcement officials warn residents to be on guard.

A youth sports giant took over city land. Neighbors are fighting back.: Local advocates have called Surf Cup Sports’ 120-acre complex “an environmental travesty” and accuse the city of San Diego of looking the other way.

A trio of silly, false claims that JD Vance makes about Kamala Harris: No, she doesn’t want to ban red meat or gas stoves or believe that people shouldn’t have children because of climate change.

Ex-police chief who led raid on Kansas newspaper faces felony charge: Gideon Cody allegedly tampered with an investigation into a raid of the Marion County Record and its publisher’s home, worrying press freedom advocates.

Musk’s chat with Trump was a peek inside the right-wing bubble: For more than two hours, the ideological allies struggled to be the most prominent voice in their conversation.

Does Donald Trump understand how the ocean works?: Once again Monday night, he claimed that rising sea levels would create “more oceanfront property.”

Former Colorado official found guilty for role in election equipment tampering: Tina Peters, a former county clerk, was accused of helping copy election information after Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.

Why newsrooms haven’t published leaked Trump campaign documents: The Trump campaign said the documents from a mysterious source came from an Iranian hack. The FBI is now investigating. - "In 2016, Trump relished Russian hacks of Democratic campaign emails, once asking the country to find more of Hillary Clinton’s emails with the phrase, 'Russia, if you’re listening.' 

"But in the aftermath of its own possible hack, the Trump campaign told reporters that to publish the material would be assisting a foreign state actor in undermining democracy. 'Any media or news outlet reprinting documents or internal communications are doing the bidding of America’s enemies and doing exactly what they want,' Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesman, said in a statement."

Opinion Hot tip: Both parties should stop bribing voters with tax cuts: Exempting tips from taxes is a terrible idea, regardless of which party is proposing it.

How Kate Cox Became a Reluctant Face of the Abortion-Rights Movement - "Trisomy 18 is almost always a fatal condition. In rare cases, babies with milder forms of the disease can survive for years, even into adolescence. But Cox’s doctor told her that there were so many malformations to her daughter’s brain, spine, and neural tube that the baby would probably die in utero. If not, she would be placed directly into hospice care after being born, where doctors did not expect her to survive more than a few days. 'Every single case of Trisomy 18 I’ve seen has demised—if not in utero, then within hours to days after birth,' says Dr. Damla Karsan, Cox’s Ob-Gyn. 'Even if they do survive, the standard of care is comfort care, do not resuscitate.'

...

"'Kate was the first time since Roe was overturned that a woman who was currently pregnant, needing an abortion under the health exemption, went to a court to get a court order for an abortion,' Northup says. Her situation, Northup says, exposes how some medical exceptions to abortion bans are written in a way that makes them nearly impossible to apply. 'What Kate Cox’s case shows is that this argument of the states that they have exceptions to their blanket abortion bans for the health of the woman is false. They don’t have exceptions, and they won’t allow exceptions to be applied.'"

Reading archive 2024-04-17

Sasha Velour sashays into the culture wars: The champion drag queen — prepping a stage show and starring in a TV series — confronts the people who want to ban her - "The protests she encountered while filming the show felt 'like drag, in its own way,' she would say later. 'They dress up, they put on their red hats,' and put on 'demented, wrong drag, where it’s like you’re performing something, and there’s no acknowledgment that it’s a performance. And it’s really designed to make people feel unsafe and weak and small' — unlike real drag, which, at its best, makes the crowd (and the performer) feel joyful and empowered."

Biden’s handling of Gaza shakes his support in the Black community: Some Black activists want voters to reject Biden over his Gaza policy. Others see Trump as a far bigger threat. - "Biden is handling the Gaza war as best he can, they add. 'You can’t solve the problem of the Middle East as a purist or idealist,' said Marshall Mitchell, a pastor at Salem Baptist Church of Abington, a Black church in Montgomery County, Pa. 'They don’t understand the power of quiet diplomacy. And they’re going to force a hand, and then you won’t be able to turn Pennsylvania back.'

...

"In contrast, Rahima Abdullah, 67, a lifelong Philadelphia resident, said the events of the past six months have not deterred her desire to vote for Biden. Voting 'uncommitted' or staying home 'is a vote for Trump,' she added."

Ark. governor’s office might’ve broken law in buying $19K lectern, audit finds

Trump rails against wind energy in fundraising pitch to oil executives: At a Mar-a-Lago dinner, Donald Trump doubles down on promises to derail a key form of clean energy that competes with fossil fuels

Fact-checking Donald Trump's claim that wind turbines kill whales - "Many other areas with high numbers of wind farms have not seen an increase in whale mortality. 

"For example, the UK is home to the world's four largest wind farms, but no humpback whale strandings there have been conclusively linked to the impact of those farms."

Opinion  This defiant Ukrainian general has no smile — and surprising remarks on Trump

THE SURVIVOR SPECIES: Having lost many of their cattle, traditional herders are trying out a milk-producing animal that is more resilient to climate change - "The global camel population has doubled over the last 20 years, something the U.N. agency for agriculture and investment attributes partly to the animal’s suitability amid climate change. In times of hardship, camels produce more milk than cows."

Secret Russian foreign policy document urges action to weaken the U.S. - "The academic, Vladimir Zharikhin, called for Russia to 'continue to facilitate the coming to power of isolationist right-wing forces in America,' 'enable the destabilization of Latin American countries and the rise to power of extremist forces on the far left and far right there,' as well as facilitate 'the restoration of European countries’ sovereignty by supporting parties dissatisfied with economic pressure from the U.S.' 

"Other points in the policy proposal, which was also provided to The Post, suggested that Moscow stoke conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan to bring Russia and China closer together, as well as 'to escalate the situation in the Middle East around Israel, Iran and Syria to distract the U.S. with the problems of this region.'"

A Md. boy’s burns required 20 surgeries. Now his mother is headed to prison.: In Montgomery County, authorities said Kimberly Tyler set her 8-year-old son on fire after he spilled cereal, then ignored his grievous injuries for two weeks

'Voted off the island': Inside Bill Belichick's failed job hunt

Internet data centers are fueling drive to old power source: Coal

Reading archive 2024-03-26

As coal companies point fingers, Wyoming County residents say they’re being poisoned by a contaminated creek: A year ago, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection ordered a coal mining company to stop polluted water from flooding into the Indian Creek area. But people nearby say as contaminants spread, their health and safety problems have worsened. - "As the coal industry has inevitably declined, courts have allowed bankrupt coal companies to evade restoring the lands they’ve damaged. Groups that promote clean water have also warned that state officials were failing to plan ahead by conserving funds for abandoned mine cleanups."

Why the Supreme Court abortion pill case is so fraught for the right

NBC facing on-air ‘insurrection’ over hiring of Ronna McDaniel: Rachel Maddow, other MSNBC hosts raised on-air objections Monday, saying the former RNC chair’s past support of election-fraud claims should disqualify her as a paid pundit

How to keep your kidneys working well: Hydration and exercise are just two of the keys to reducing the risk of kidney disease

Young people are getting Botox to prevent wrinkles. Does it work? Many dermatologists and plastic surgeons say preventative Botox can temporarily stop wrinkles from forming. But there are no high-quality clinical trials on the treatment.

‘The Truth vs. Alex Jones’: How Sandy Hook lies got peddled for profit: A new HBO documentary about the right-wing conspiracy theorist behind Infowars explores the mainstreaming of ‘grift’ in a post-truth era

She recalled attacker’s hand gesture. Police say it helped solve 2 sex assaults.: The woman’s description of the man who tried to sexually assault her sounded familiar to a Northern Virginia Community College detective, who helped investigators identify a suspect in that and another case, police say.

Qatari royal invested about $50 million in pro-Trump network Newsmax: Before and after the investment, senior newsroom leaders urged Newsmax staff to soften coverage of Qatar, current and former employees said

This $20 fix will improve your shower and cut your water bill

People Hate the Idea of Car-Free Cities—Until They Live in One: Removing cars from urban areas means lower carbon emissions, less air pollution, and fewer road traffic accidents. So why are residents so resistant?

Reading archive 2023-08-13

DC residents express concern over rise in crime: Residents voiced their concerns during a public safety meeting hosted by Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.

Wolves, once confined to fairy tales, are back in Germany, stirring debate

In Tuberville’s state, one base feels the effect of his military holds: At Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal, the freeze on promotions has had a rippling effect up and down the chain of command

Trump swoops into Iowa fair, defying customs and clashing with DeSantis: Pork chops, protesters of the Florida governor and a swift visit by the former president were at the center of a high-drama day

To save the planet, Homegrown National Park wants you to garden

See where Sen. Tommy Tuberville is blocking 301 military promotions

‘Unluckiest generation’ falters in boomer-dominated market for homes The median age of a first-time home buyer climbs to 36, as high interest rates and asking prices further erode spending power

Police defend raid on Kansas newspaper amid backlash over ‘brazen violation of press freedom’

West Virginia’s Unprecedented Proposed Cuts Become Clear: The flagship university is recommending eliminating 9 percent of its majors, all the foreign language programs and 7 percent of full-time faculty members.

Major cuts in faculty, academic programs could hit West Virginia University as financial concerns loom

Reading archive 2023-01-04

The inevitable, grotesque effort to blame vaccines for Damar Hamlin’s collapse

Trump urges support for McCarthy, warns GOP about embarrassment

As some float bipartisan pick for speaker, Ohio and Pennsylvania actually do it

A tiny paper broke the George Santos scandal but no one paid attention

Tinder in the trenches: How war has changed love and sex in Ukraine

A ‘hate castle’ or welcome neighbor? VDare divides a West Virginia town.: In Berkeley Springs, the purchase of an iconic castle by VDare, which some consider a hate group, has led to angst and ugliness

Opinion  Why everyone is going to need a heat pump

Reading archive 2021-10-27

Mastodon's Founder Says Trump's New Social Network Is Just Mastodon: 'Truth Social', which will launch officially later in the year, is seemingly using Mastodon's codebase without credit.

Pushing election lies, TPUSA audience member asks Charlie Kirk when they can “use the guns” and “kill these people”

Inside Nick Rolovich's downfall at Washington State over the COVID-19 vaccine

Opinion: Manchin warns that Biden’s agenda would create an ‘entitlement society.’ But his state leads the way. - "Not surprising from a senator who hails from a state that presents itself as fiercely self-reliant. But in fact, West Virginians are not only older, sicker and poorer than most of the nation; they are, by some measures, more reliant on the federal government than any other state."

Top U.S. general calls China’s hypersonic weapon test very close to a ‘Sputnik moment’

In Poland’s politics, a ‘social civil war’ brewed as Facebook rewarded online anger: An independent data analysis of major political parties in Poland that was conducted for The Post showed that after 2018, negative messages were more likely to receive a high number of shares.

Frances Haugen took thousands of Facebook documents: This is how she did it: The company’s documents were available on its internal social network, which resembles the Facebook used by billions

Carl Nassib confirms he has a boyfriend: The Las Vegas Raiders lineman opened up about his beau on a teammate’s podcast.

Reading archive 2021-02-01

So You Want To Eat Snow. Is It Safe? We Asked Scientists

Nitrogen in the snow

Wisconsin pharmacist who destroyed more than 500 vaccine doses believes Earth is flat, FBI says

Elon Musk grills Robinhood CEO over GameStop trading freeze: ‘The people demand answers’

One of Trump’s new lawyers declined to charge Bill Cosby. The other maintains Jeffrey Epstein was murdered.

Deshaun Watson is taking a stand against disingenuous NFL owners. It could change the league.

As he tackles extremism, Lloyd Austin draws on military’s experience dealing with 1995 racially motivated murders

Harris TV interview in West Virginia provokes flare-up with Manchin

Reading archive 2020-11-30

These brutal police dog attacks were captured on video. Now some cities are curtailing K-9 use.

What it’s like to teach children about the election, and its results, in deep-red Trump country

Farming on Mars will be a lot harder than ‘The Martian’ made it seem

Trump lashes out as former top DHS official reasserts that election was ‘secure’

No game days. No bars. The pandemic is forcing some men to realize they need deeper friendships.

How Democrats should wage war on coming GOP obstructionism - "So when Republicans start talking about deficits, it should be greeted with derision, contempt and outrage — not over their hypocrisy, but because of what they’re trying to do to the country. Every Republican who says a word about deficits should be hit with 'Why are you trying to undermine the economy? Why don’t you want people to have jobs? How many Americans’ livelihoods are you willing to destroy just to knock down Biden’s approval ratings a few points? Is this what you were elected to do? How dare you?'"

J.D. Vance, the False Prophet of Blue America: The bestselling author of "Hillbilly Elegy" has emerged as the liberal media's favorite white trash–splainer. But he is offering all the wrong lessons.

In neighboring Georgia counties, election revealed a growing divide that mirrors the nation: President-elect Joe Biden won Newton County, Ga., by 11 points. President Trump won neighboring Jasper by 53.

Metro Proposes Cutting Weekend Trains, Closing 19 Stations And Slashing Bus Service

Indifferent Justice, Part I: The Perfect Victim

Reading archive 2019-12-31

Iraq’s Shiites helped boost the political elite in Baghdad. Now they want to bring it down.

Prison guard trainees were photographed giving a Nazi salute. The entire class was fired.

Reading archive 2019-06-03

Killing wolves was supposed to solve a problem but created one that will last forever

The birthplace of American slavery debated abolishing it after Nat Turner’s bloody revolt

Reading archive 2018-08-24

One hates Trump. The other loves him. Two West Virginians wait for the president to come to town.

Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, who allegedly helped arrange hush-money reimbursement to Cohen, receives immunity