Joan Niesen

I'm not sure who follows me here, BUUUT: I'm doing some editing for Extra Points, @mattbrown.bsky.social's newsletter about college sports business and policy and wonky off-field stuff. And I get to solicit freelance pitches! If you've got a story you want to tell, email me! joan@extrapointsmb.com

Congress could soon introduce a very NCAA-friendly bill The Post obtained copies of draft legislation from two House committees that addresses the priorities the NCAA has spent years lobbying for.

New for @washingtonpost.com: I obtained copies of drafts for a college sports bill that could be introduced in the House this week.

The drafted language is very NCAA friendly, ticking through their longstanding asks + then some.

There's a hearing Thursday.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Get ready for even more mid-major conference realignment After a quiet Spring, June could be full of action. Plus a hiring announcement!

NEW EXTRA POINTS:

We have a new assignment editor (Hello Joan Niesen!) and a bunch of mid-major realignment gossip to share:

www.extrapointsmb.com/p/get-ready-...

everything I read in April and May An ode to Lorrie Moore, a lot of generational family dramas and an overall slower pace of reading, which I hope has officially ended

Fell off the newsletter wagon, getting back on, catching up on all the books I read in April and May (which really wasn't all that many):

on the other side of the fence A tornado hit St. Louis last week. You know that already. What you might not know is what it's been like here for the past week, alternately normal and horrifying.

I moved to home to St. Louis just in time for last week's tornado. So then I wrote about the tornado.

on the other side of the fence A tornado hit St. Louis last week. You know that already. What you might not know is what it's been like here for the past week, alternately normal and horrifying.

I moved to home to St. Louis just in time for last week's tornado. So then I wrote about the tornado.

go to a bookstore today It's Independent Bookstore Day, and you have no reason not to celebrate.

I forgot to post this on Saturday, which was Independent Bookstore Day, but better late than never:

I’ve been working at Wonderland Books part-time for the past few months, and I wrote about the joy and community of bookstores.

Jeff Bezos, who spiked a WaPo endorsement of Harris and mugged for pictures at Trump's inauguration, wants everyone to know he does *not* bear any responsibility for this.

Van Hollen: "This case is not only about one man, as important as that is. It is about protecting fundamental freedoms and the fundamental principle in the Constitution for due process that protects everyone who resides in America."

And Where We Had Thought To Be Alone Joan Niesen on finding Adam Wainwright and home thousands of miles away from St. Louis

Biases aside, this is so, so good from @joanniesen.bsky.social: portionunderbusch.substack.com/p/and-where-...

And Where We Had Thought To Be Alone Joan Niesen on finding Adam Wainwright and home thousands of miles away from St. Louis

I wrote a little Cardinals essay today, which is to say I wrote about Adam Wainwright, because apparently I never run out of Adam Wainwright nostalgia.

The NFL nearly broke Andrew Luck. At Stanford, he’s reinventing himself. Luck gave everything to his shortened career as a quarterback. Now he’s back in the fray as the Cardinal’s first general manager.

A profile of a reinvented Andrew Luck, Stanford football's first GM, for @washingtonpost.com and @postsports.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Working For Andrew Luck At least one ex NFL QB loves taking feedback from a subordinate.

I'll have a profile of Andrew Luck for @postsports.bsky.social tomorrow morning (online and in the Sunday print section).

But if you simply can't wait that long to read about Andrew Luck, here's a snippet of the outtakes, free to read at my newsletter: collegesportsmoney.substack.com/p/andrew-luck

never meet your heroes ... and never visit the scene of a book you love.

Today's newsletter: I wrote about visiting the house where "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" was set and listening as a great story was rendered toothless. joanniesen.substack.com/p/midnight-g...

The 51st Information with representation, by and for D.C. residents. A worker-led, independent nonprofit newsroom.

Thanks to those of you who took up our call to share The 51st. Since we asked for your help yesterday, more than 238 new people have subscribed to our free newsletter!
Lets keep growing this: 51st.news/signup

A street artist in DC is putting up these posters all over the city. I’d love to get one.

blueberry muffins with lemon curd Lemon curd is a baking secret weapon. Make a batch, keep it in your fridge, and it'll take blueberry muffins to a new level.

Newsletter! Recipe! Blueberry muffins with lemon curd!

These are not only delicious — sweet and tart and citrusy — they're also a great way to use up your sourdough discard. And if you don't have a sourdough starter, you can still make these muffins with just a quick substitution.

18 years, 4 months and 24 days worth of emails Let me tell you a story about my dad on his 70th birthday.

My dad has sent me an email every morning since I left for college. That’s over 6,000 notes, arriving like clockwork, for more than 18 years. I wrote about those emails — and about my dad — on his 70th birthday.

The scene inside the Commanders’ locker room the day their dream died After so many lively postgame celebrations during its renaissance season, Washington on Sunday had tears, appreciation and a bit of hope.

"The end of the dream sounded a lot like squeaky wheels on carpet."

The stone-cold goods from @sam4tr.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Zeno’s paradox but make it football!!!!

18 years, 4 months and 24 days worth of emails Let me tell you a story about my dad on his 70th birthday.

My dad has sent me an email every morning since I left for college. That’s over 6,000 notes, arriving like clockwork, for more than 18 years. I wrote about those emails — and about my dad — on his 70th birthday.

Instead of going outside and being affronted by scores of Cybertrucks ignoring basic traffic laws, I've decided to spend the weekend baking. Homemade garlic knots are a foolproof coping mechanism.

I'm not very techie so can't be absolutely sure, but it looks like print books are still working.

I just filled out a form at 5:50 a.m. to request my local library order a book I'd like to read. I've never felt more like I'm on track to becoming the kind of senior citizen I'd one day like to be.

everything I read in December Ann Patchett's debut novel was the highlight. Also, I figured I'd share the 10 best books I read in 2024.

My December reading roundup includes Ann Patchett's debut novel, which is just as stunning as her later work, which confirms we should all worship her brilliance even more fervently. Read the whole newsletter for more: joanniesen.substack.com/p/december-b...

changing trains on a Tuesday morning Jimmy Carter, eye contact and a chance encounter on the D.C. Metro

I wrote today about Jimmy Carter and a man who needed directions on the D.C. Metro: joanniesen.substack.com/p/jimmy-cart...

changing trains on a Tuesday morning Jimmy Carter, eye contact and a chance encounter on the D.C. Metro

I wrote today about Jimmy Carter and a man who needed directions on the D.C. Metro: joanniesen.substack.com/p/jimmy-cart...

changing trains on a Tuesday morning Jimmy Carter, eye contact and a chance encounter on the D.C. Metro

Good, good essay from @joanniesen.bsky.social (and not because of my tiny cameo): substack.com/inbox/post/1...

More snow day baking: Harriet is supervising my brioche loaves as they rise.

Snow day sourdough chocolate chip cookies (and snow, lots of it, too much of it if you ask me)