Yes, it’s still somehow free to subscribe to this nearly daily newsletter! Greg Mitchell is the author of fourteen books and director of four films for PBS since 2022. In a previous life, he was a longtime editor at the legendary Crawdaddy.
Stephen notes that because of the Iran war even condom prices are up, so to speak…surging…
Meanwhile, we learn that the F.B.I. began an investigation last month into a Times reporter, Elizabeth Williamson, after she wrote about how Kash Patel used bureau personnel to provide his girlfriend with security and transportation. (Read the original story.) Nevertheless, the White House Correspondents Dinner still had not been canceled this weekend, with Trump lording over it, and Bari Weiss inviting as CBS guests Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth. No, they are not bringing back Stephen Colbert as host.
Abroad, at an independence day ceremony, the government honored a rabbi who has called to “flatten” the Gaza Strip. And this from Will Christou of The Guardian:
Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was found dead after hours of searching under rubble. She was killed in an Israeli strike, after the Israeli army fired at ambulances trying to reach her, delaying her rescue. She is the fourth journalist killed by Israel while in the field since.
Lot of people laughing, ruefully, over photo posted by White House showing Trump and the gang hosting a winning tennis team from Georgia—who somehow are somewhere in the picture behind the he-man.
Charlie Kirk still must be regarded as a saint, or else. Latest from NY Times:
A controversy over free speech was not how Utah Valley University had hoped to end an academic year that traumatized the campus, and shocked the nation, when the conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated there in SeptemberBut that is exactly what happened when it invited Sharon McMahon, a best-selling author of inspirational nonfiction, to be its keynote commencement speaker.
After Mr. Kirk’s assassination, she had lamented his death, but also said some of his rhetoric was bigoted. Many of Mr. Kirk’s legions of fans, their grief and anger all too raw, accused the university of callous indifference. Then Utah Valley decided to cancel the speech, citing safety concerns.
Music Pick
Noah Kahan has gone from internet Vermont cult fave to star and now this week has hit NPR’s tiny desk, enjoy:
From Tunes to Toons
Barry Blitt:
Bramhall:
Anderson:
Truant:
Photo Finish
Beauty and the Beast: Rare look at Peregrine Falcon hanging out with a black vulture overlooking the Hudson. One of them is the fastest creature on earth. The other cleans up nice.
Great collection. I especially love the photo - right place, right time.
great photo