Melissa Gray

GOP lawmakers raise pressure on Smithsonian over space shuttle fight Texas legislators accused the Smithsonian of potentially violating anti-lobbying laws. The Smithsonian told Congress moving the shuttle would require breaking it apart.

Again - $38 trillion in debt, but $85 million to move the space shuttle to Texas and house it there.

www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

Join me in ending hunger Donate today to end hunger. Every dollar you donate can provide at least 10 meals to families in need through the Feeding America network of food banks.

Consider donating to your local food bank right n o w.

Let me make it easy for you:

give.feedingamerica.org/a/donate Donate Today to End Hunger in America | Feeding America

Talking about the debt is not sexy, though it is now a $38 trillion and growing problem. Administrations and parties will always prioritize spending on pet projects, but I don’t see any billionaires being pressed to help the country pay this beast off.

US hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic The U.S. government's gross national debt has surpassed $38 trillion during the federal shutdown, marking a record high.

“We spent $4 trillion on interest over the last decade, but will spend $14 trillion in the next ten years. Interest costs crowd out important public and private investments in our future, harming the economy for every American.”

apnews.com/article/trum...

I’m so sorry for what your family has been through. What people don’t tell you is that you STILL have a relationship with your late parent, if you choose to. When it’s been a loving one, that love still guides you. You’ll always miss her, but she’s always with you. Hang in there.

Early use of guyliner.

She was light incarnate when she saw you in the office. She had THE BEST laugh. She loved art and books and clothes. She adored Josh and her granddaughters. And she really missed Lou Stamberg.

She always asked me about my boys.

Susan, dear Susan. What a life you lead. What gifts you gave. Susan Stamberg made it BETTER for the generation of women who came after, and this woman thanks you deeply for it all:

Your joy,

Your smarts,

Your kindness.

Now rest, sweet gal. Your work is done.

Deep cut sending Gen Z to the Google machine … well played.

Or not when you consider that album.

But wait Santiago: That’s John Reid, who’s running on the GOP ticket in Virginia for Lt. Governor.

Jay Jones is running for attorney general. His opponent is current AG Jason Miyares.

To my knowledge, Miyares has not been involved in any pro-Nazi praise.

I loved Drew Struzan’s artwork so much. Especially loved how, for THE NAME OF THE ROSE poster, he drew Sean Connery in a, “nuh-UH girl” pose.

There’s the potty-mouthed for fun, the potty-mouthed for accuracy and the potty-mouthed as indicating a decayed, deformed or depraved moral core.

Shitshow, and if used in print, AP style says you have to hide it from delicate eyes: s***show.

Which makes it look like slutshow.

This is why I’m not a fan of hiding vulgarities. As a reader, I want to know what kind of potty-mouth I’m dealing with.

Opinion: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass Tom Bowman has held his Pentagon press pass for 28 years. He says the Pentagon's new media policy makes it impossible to be a journalist, which means finding out what's really going on behind the scenes and not accepting wholesale what any government or administration says.

Tom Bowman has held his Pentagon press pass for 28 years. He says the Pentagon's new media policy makes it impossible to be a journalist, which means finding out what's really going on behind the scenes and not accepting wholesale what any government or administration says. n.pr/4q87Jwb

Trump eyes a triumphal arch to mark America’s 250th anniversary The arch would be constructed across from the Lincoln Memorial, on a small patch of federal land currently occupied by a traffic circle.

The US debt is now $37 trillion.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Some spicy takes on Mr. Bennett, btw.

Escaped to the Regency Era for the Jane Austen Society of North America’s annual convention. Learned English Country Dancing and cravat tying. Spoke to many about Mr. Darcy, Lizzie, Anne Elliot, Emma, Mrs. Jennings and fell in love with my job all over again.

This is important to keep in mind.

Opinion | The data center capital Among cemeteries, baseball fields and homes, these Northern Virginia buildings power the internet.

wapo.st/46VhHs3

Stephen Voss is an excellent photographer and photojournalist.

Feds march into downtown Chicago; top border agent says people are arrested based on ‘how they look’ Immigration agents wearing tactical gear and carrying long guns made arrests in downtown Chicago and the River North neighborhood Sunday. “This is not making anybody safer — it’s a show of intimidatio...

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

OB-GYN group calls Trump's remarks on acetaminophen 'irresponsible' The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said Monday that suggestions that Tylenol use in pregnancy causes autism are “irresponsible when considering the harmful and co...

www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...

Tylenol use is safe in pregnancy, lowest effective dose.

Don’t listen to the utter nonsense emanating from the highest office in the land today.

Speak to your medical provider.

The last few weeks, they’ve cycled through -

The Beach Boys
BB King
Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Willie Nelson (you know he’s kind of a cowboy hippie, right?)
Ray Charles
Toby Keith
Fleetwood Mac pre-Buckingham Nicks

My boys bidding me “ah haer haer haer” as they left for school today because they listened to ZZ Top was just one thing not on my bingo card…

NPR to trim $5 million this year as public radio stations struggle to pay bills NPR plans to make trims totaling more than $5 million over the course of the coming fiscal year to bring its annual budget into balance. Meanwhile, local stations are asking for more help.

NPR to trim $5 million as some public radio stations struggle to pay bills

My story for NPR

NPR cuts $5 million as public radio stations struggle to pay bills

www.npr.org/2025/09/17/n...

About sums it up.

This may explain why there’s an aggressive response to people who merely post Kirk’s own words. It threatens the existence of the alternate Kirk - the motivational speaker that had been marketed to young kids and white Christian groups through selective quotation & clips.

"You aren't in a free country if you can't feel safe to express your views, whether they be far right or far left or in the middle or pro-Trump or anti-Trump."

@timmiller.bsky.social and @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/were-in-a-...

How to get a coronavirus vaccine and who’s eligible amid limited access Here’s what to know about navigating pharmacies, doctors, insurance companies and the government when trying to get updated coronavirus vaccines.

Doctors, pharmacies and state health departments are scrambling to adapt to the confusion over the coronavirus vaccine that is no longer broadly recommended.

Here are some tips on getting your shot — and navigating the uncertainty: