The Coming Election Mayhem Donald Trump’s plans to throw the 2026 midterms into chaos are already under way.

Donald Trump is already laying the groundwork to throw the 2026 midterms into chaos. His success could have dire consequences for American democracy, @dgraham.bsky.social argues.

Who knew it would take an American pope to remind us of the value of art and good taste? | Jason Okundaye Anti-AI and pro-beauty, Leo XIV has proved an unlikely custodian of culture – and a patron of meaningful work in a world of algorithmic slop, says Guardian assistant newsletter editor Jason Okundaye

Who knew it would take an American pope to remind us of the value of art and good taste? | Jason Okundaye

The Age of De-Skilling Will AI stretch our minds—or stunt them?

“Each generation has had to learn how to work with its newly acquired cognitive prostheses, whether stylus, scroll, or smartphone,” Kwame Anthony Appiah writes—but what’s different with AI is its speed and the intimacy of the exchange with it.

Trump Told a Woman, ‘Quiet, Piggy,’ When She Asked Him About Epstein The comment continues the president’s long-standing pattern of denigrating female journalists.

Donald Trump told a journalist, “Quiet, piggy,” when she asked him about Epstein—continuing his pattern of demeaning women, @isabelfattal.bsky.social argues in The Atlantic Daily:

'Whistleblower' who provided House Democrats with Ghislaine Maxwell documents speaks out Two former employees at Federal Prison Camp Bryan said they contacted judiciary committee staff to voice their concerns about perceived misconduct and retaliation.

A “whistleblower” who came forward to House Democrats alleging Ghislaine Maxwell received preferential treatment at a federal prison camp in Texas says she was not motivated by politics.

Democrats target federal officials accused of civil rights violations in new legislation Lawmakers are launching a new effort to close a legal loophole that means federal officials, including law enforcement agents, cannot be sued for constitutional violations.

NEW: Seizing on allegations of federal law enforcement officials committing constitutional violations as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown, Democrats have launched a new effort to allow civil rights claims against rogue agents.

Checks and balances got the U.S. through Watergate. Clark Hoyt on what’s gone wrong since: theatln.tc/SOsKwl3P

Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds World’s largest scientific review warns consumption of UPFs poses seismic threat to global health and wellbeing Ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to harm in every major organ system of the human body and poses a seismic threat to global health, according to the world’s largest review. UPF is also rapidly displacing fresh food in the diets of children and adults on every continent, and is associated with an increased risk of a dozen health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression. Continue reading...

Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds

President Trump on Jamal Khashoggi, who the CIA determined was ordered to be killed by Saudi Crown Prince MBS:

"You're mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen."

Federal court blocks Texas Republicans' redrawn congressional map Republicans had enacted new district lines designed to help the party gain up to five House seats in next year's midterm elections.

NEW: A panel of federal judge bars Texas from using its redrawn congressional map, which Republicans enacted earlier this year in an effort to shore up their narrow House majority in next year's midterm elections.

One goon down.
Thousands to go.

(Look ma! No mask!)

Per CNN, Elizabeth Warren is calling on Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers after Jeffrey Epstein's emails released last week by House Dems featured Summers making sexist comments + asking for Epstein’s romantic advice.

Judge Says Justice Dept. May Have Committed Misconduct in Comey Case

Judge Says Justice Dept. May Have Committed Misconduct in Comey Case www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/u...

📢 Protect Survivors & Expose Predators: Congress Must Release the Epstein Files Now 📣 Epstein operated for decades because prosecutors, police, and federal agencies looked away. Survivors were ignored. Justice was denied. Congress must release the full files now.

open.substack.com/pub/peoplepo...

Insiders Admit ICE Barbie’s Panicked Hiring Spree Is a ‘S---show’ Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security’s ICE hiring blitz is mired in costly chaos, insiders say.

The DHS’s hiring drive has become a “s--tshow,” with waves of ICE agents arriving before badges, guns, or system access are ready for them.

Of course, this administration did that. I wonder how big the bribes...uh, I mean "DONATIONS" were to trump from American, Delta, United, Southwest, and JetBlue.

Trump administration ditches Biden plan to compensate travelers for airline delays Under the Biden-era plan, passengers would have received reimbursements based on how long the delays went on with up to $775 for nine-hour delays.

The Trump administration has officially withdrawn a proposal that would have compensated airline passengers for significant delays caused by issues within a carrier's control.

MAGA Beauty Queen Humiliated by Judge Over Botched Probe The scathing ruling was yet another blow for Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump’s handpicked prosecutor Lindsey Halligan.

A federal judge has slammed the Trump Justice Department for a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Acting FEMA head resigns David Richardson led the Federal Emergency Management Agency for roughly six months, during a turbulent chapter.

JUST IN: The acting administrator of FEMA resigns after roughly six months leading the agency, two administration officials confirm to NBC News.

The industry spokesman is saying that maybe the China problem has been sorted out. But that his company still has problems exporting to some other market unnamed?

Problem solved?

And I'm sure everyone else is observing the hypocrisy of staunch capitalists turning into Welfare Queens

again

NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.

Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.

I was impressed w/the thoughtful design of this meta-analysis of teacher professional development intervention effects on student achievement. Overall effect was pretty small (Hedges g = .09); the moderators suggest the effect was present only in optimal conditions. #PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky

Next absurdity: Past or future collaboration with Chinese students and scientists would disqualify American researchers from access to funding. 🧪
#academicsky
#psychscisky

US Economic Outlook Clouded By Shutdown Data Gap — A government shutdown has halted key economic data releases, creating a blind spot for policymakers, investors and businesses assessing growth and inflation. The missing indicators raise uncertainty for Fed decisions and market…

Trump Buys Another $82 Million of Corporate and Municipal Bonds President Donald Trump has continued his purchases of municipal and corporate debt this fall, including bonds of companies affected by his administration’s policies.

President Donald Trump has continued his purchases of municipal and corporate debt this fall, including bonds of companies affected by his administration’s policies

Anything goes now.

A Washington resident has been hospitalized with bird flu, according to the Washington State Health Department, and they’re infected with a strain of the virus that hasn’t been seen in humans before. https://cnn.it/4oIRswI

This is one of the worst ideas ever. There's no way to keep internet voting secure. Blockchain won't work, although that's what the billionaires who stand a profit by internet voting will tell you. It will let them rig elections without restraint. And they'll profit at the same time.

Trump’s Company Quietly Sought Record Number of Foreigners The Trump Organization has requested a record 184 foreign workers in 2025 for Mar-a-Lago and other sites.

Trump’s company quietly sought nearly 200 foreign workers this year for Mar-a-Lago and other businesses despite his hardline stance on immigration.