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Alexander C. Kaufman

@alexckaufman.bsky.social
12K followers 1K following 1.4K posts

Correspondent @heatmap.news, covering energy, security, and climate | Contact: www.alexanderckaufman.com | kaufman.nyc | Signal: Kaufman.11

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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Emily Pontecorvo @emilypont.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This morning's dispatch from @alexckaufman.bsky.social is a meaty one, with news on the pending Section 232 polysilicon investigation decision and Oklo splitting some atoms for the first time ☢️ heatmap.news/am/trump-win...
heatmap.news
Trump May Be Forced to Resume Wind Project Permits
On Trump’s polysilicon tariffs, Oklo’s milestone, and black lung
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Can't believe I still haven't heard from any of you about this headline. Is the overlap between energy nerds and "people who were obsessed with the band Beirut in high school" really this small?
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 10/06/2026
Today in Heatmap AM: 🌞 Qcells starts producing solar cells in GA 🤑 Grid investments to top $650B globally in 2026 🇨🇦 Canada just refurbished a nuclear reactor early and under budget Read all about it from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/qcells-fa...
heatmap.news
America’s Biggest Solar Factory Is Nearly Complete
On grid investments, CANDUs, and green steel
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 05/06/2026
Close out the week with Heatmap AM: ⛏️ Trump pledges to more nearly $1B into struggling U.S. coal industry 🌊 EU steps up to monitor oceans 🏭 Italy says sì to nuclear again Plus more from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/trump-coa...
heatmap.news
Trump Bets $850 Million on a Coal Revival
On flesh-eating parasites, Italian nuclear, and China’s “wasted” renewables
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 04/06/2026
What’s happening at Heatmap this AM: 🛢️ U.S. oil stockpiles at their lowest since 2004 🚫 OK AG sues to block aluminum smelter 🤖 ERCOT proposes new rules for large load interconnection Get it all from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/oklahoma-...
heatmap.news
Spurned by Trump, Oklahoma’s AG Sues to Block America’s First Aluminum Smelter in 50 Years
On depleted U.S. oil stocks, Taiwan geothermal, and hybrid sales
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 03/06/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: 🪨 The House passes a suite of geothermal bills 🧑‍⚖️ States sue over offshore wind cancellations 🔋 Google signs a 100MW VPP deal with Voltus Read it all from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/geotherma...
heatmap.news
House Passes a Bipartisan Package of Bills to Boost Geothermal
On offshore wind's defense, Three Mile Island, and virtual power plants
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
If you want more proof that Nuyoricans are just born with an immense sense of pride, this is the book my 14-month-old just instinctively pulled from the bookshelf.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 01/06/2026
In Heatmap AM this morning: 🌬️ Chinese offshore wind giant eyes Canadian project 🌀 CA joins NY in softening CO2 rules ♻️ First U.S. nuclear recycler starts application process Start your week with @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/china-can...
heatmap.news
A Chinese Offshore Wind Giant Eyes Canada’s West Coast
On data center generators, nuclear waste recycling, and Omani H2
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Easy revenue generator for the city that would increase quality of life: ticket drivers who have driveways but decide to park in the middle of the sidewalk and force pedestrians with strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers into the street.
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
We really don't talk enough about what a high capacity factor geothermal has. Look at how much better it performs than gas or coal.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 29/05/2026
In today's Heatmap AM news roundup: 🫰 Republicans propose new fees on offshore wind 🌋 Fervo suffered a blowout at its Cape Station site 📈 Natural gas demand to remain steady in 2026, surge next year Close out the week with @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/gop-offsh...
heatmap.news
House GOP Threatens Steep New Fees on Offshore Wind Inspections
On Fervo’s blowout, nuclear investment, and Indian solar
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
It would be cool if any of the 35 texts Moscot sends me every week included a coupon code for a some discounted glasses. Instead it’s just “hey king remember when I told you yesterday that we still have those $800 frames you like? You’re gonna love this: we also have $900 sunglasses you’ll like.”
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
🫡
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Scoop in @latitudemedia.bsky.social: The electric RV maker Lightship just unveiled the PowerSled, a towable battery trailer that uses the platform designed for the camper. It's a sign of how open the market for electrifying commercial trucks remains. www.latitudemedia.com/news/this-lu...
latitudemedia.com
Lightship is making a mobile battery play
Exclusive: Can a luxury electric RV company do what the now-bankrupt Moxion couldn't?
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 28/05/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: ⛏️ America’s rare earth miners feud 🤖 PA and NJ release AI standards ⚛️ Last Energy passes key regulatory hurdle Plus more from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/us-rare-e...
heatmap.news
America’s Rare Earths Champions Against China Are Fighting Each Other
On Last Energy’s milestone, California CCS, and RFK Jr. vs. microplastics
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Very curious to see how these numbers changed in 2025 and 2026.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 26/05/2026
Catch up with Heatmap AM: 📉 Oil prices slide as Iran peace talks continue 🛢️ 50,000 Californians evacuate after chemical leak 💸 World’s largest miner abandons billions in green projects Read all about it with @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/oil-price...
heatmap.news
Oil Prices Slide Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes
On a California chem leak, solar manufacturing, and BHP’s climate retreat
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Daring headline pun + photo combination here
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Leana Hosea @leanahosea.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Satellite data shows oil spills from shipping happen far more often than reported, revealing high-density 'slick belts' that correspond with shipping lanes. Most spills are not investigated. The cost of cleaning up oil pollution is often paid by coastal communities. share.google/zjELnkfcKMpZ...
share.google
Only 0.5% of 90,000 oil slicks reported over five-year period, analysis finds
Pollution incidents reported between 2014 and 2019 were compared against scientific study that used satellite imagery to count slicks
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 22/05/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: 🪣 Bureau of Reclamation promises $52 million for Hoover Dam upgrades 👀 Exxon is reportedly eyeing Venezuela reentry 🚀 SpaceX wary of AI backlash Close out the week with @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/trump-hyd...
heatmap.news
Trump Is Pumping Money into Hydropower
On Exxon’s Venezuela flipflop, SpaceX’s fears, and a nuclear deal spree
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 21/05/2026
What’s new in Heatmap AM: 🚢 Two oil tankers get through the Strait of Hormuz 🚅 Federal government puts up $8B for Penn Station ☀️ Solar panel manufacturing in the U.S. grew 1,600% in five years Plus more from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/oil-price...
heatmap.news
Oil Prices Drop After Two China-Bound Tankers Cross the Strait of Hormuz
On Penn Station, Boston Metal, and a fixing solar panels
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 20/05/2026
In the latest Heatmap AM: 🪫 U.S. clean energy investment declined for the second quarter in a row ❓ Interior Secretary questions authenticity of data center opposition ☀️ Tesla to build a solar factory in Houston Get more from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/kevin-ole...
heatmap.news
Trump’s Interior Chief Accuses Data Center Protesters of Falling for Propaganda
On Tesla’s solar factory, Bolivia’s protests, and China’s hydrogen motorcycle
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
It’s 2005. I’m on Long Island getting my hair cut by a Russian-speaking Uzbek Jew named Alex. It’s 2017. I’m in Queens getting my hair cut by a Russian-speaking orthodox Christian named Alex. It’s 2026. I’m in Brooklyn getting my hair cut by a Russian-speaking ethnic Tajik Uzbek Muslim named Alex.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Michael Crossland @michaelcrossland.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The CEO of Drax is making plans to meet with campaigners in the US amid claims the company's actions are negatively impacting the health of residents in a Mississippi town, The Yorkshire Post has been told. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/we-...
yorkshirepost.co.uk
‘We hope this visit is not a photo opportunity’: US campaigners on potential Drax CEO meeting
The CEO of Drax is making plans to meet with campaigners in the US amid claims the company's actions are negatively impacting the health of residents in a Mississippi town, The Yorkshire Post has been...
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 19/05/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: 💰 Congress proposes a $130 per year fee on EVs 🚰 EPA starts walking back PFAS protections 🔋 Ford Energy inks a deal with EDF Plus more from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/ev-highwa...
heatmap.news
Congress Proposes a $130 a Year Fee on Electric Vehicles
On forever chemicals, Indian and Swedish nuclear, and Ford’s battery business
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
The world’s largest sand battery got through Finland’s harshest winter in years. 2,000 tonnes of sand, heated to 500-600°C by cheap power, feeding district heating in Pornainen. And it worked. Result from one install: oil down 100%, emissions down 70%. Industrial process heat is the real prize.
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Southampton coming through on nature-based CDR.
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Scoop: Amazon-backed reactor startup X-energy just won NRC approval of the environmental review for its debut plant in Texas. It's a historic moment for the NRC, and the next-gen nuclear industry in the U.S. www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuc...
canarymedia.com
X-energy gets federal environmental approval for Texas nuclear…
It’s a milestone for the Amazon-backed firm, which still needs safety approvals from the NRC before it can begin building its 80-MW gas-cooled reactors.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 18/05/2026
In the latest Heatmap AM: 🤝 NextEra to acquire Dominion in $400 megamerger 📉 Trump policies could add $120 million to Thacker Pass cost 🛢️ Summer puts new strain on Strait of Hormuz shipments Read all about it from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/dominion-...
heatmap.news
Dominion and NextEra Weigh a $400 Billion Megamerger
On Thacker Pass, the Bonneville Power Administration, and Azerbaijan’s offshore wind
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
This is a tragedy, and reminds me of a problem faced in journalism where fewer and fewer reporters actually physically go places far from home to observe things.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Tor "SolarFred" Valenza @torsolarfred.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Hybrid tidal-photovoltaic system for modular renewables deployment in estuarine channels #energysky -- via pv magazine global:
pv-magazine.com
Hybrid tidal-photovoltaic system for modular renewables deployment in estuarine channels
Researchers in Brazil have developed and simulated a hybrid tidal–PV floating farm concept for estuarine channels, analyzing wake effects, turbine spacing and hybrid energy trade-offs. Results show that integrating PV with hydrokinetic turbines improves overall energy yield by offsetting wake-related losses and optimizing modular farm configurations.
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
In the state-run newspaper Gramna, Cuba's president has accused the U.S. of enforcing a "genocidal energy blockade" as fuel oil and diesel run dry nearly five months after the Caribbean nation received its last large delivery of crude.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Emily Pontecorvo @emilypont.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
CHPE is coming. ⚡ (From Heatmap AM by @alexckaufman.bsky.social ) heatmap.news/am/fervo-ipo...
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 13/05/2026
NEW in Heatmap AM: 🇰🇷 South Korea firm signs deal with U.S. utility on nuclear buildout 💨 EPA proposes loosening air permit rules for data centers 🔌 Transformer backlog reaches up to 4 years Catch up on the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/south-kor...
heatmap.news
South Korea Is Coming to America’s Nuclear Rescue
On the transformer shortage, sodium batteries, and a space grid
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 13/05/2026
Geothermal darling Fervo is now officially FRVO. @alexckaufman.bsky.social caught up with SVP of strategy Sarah Jewett after the company’s big IPO to talk about how the company got here and where it goes now: heatmap.news/energy/fervo...
heatmap.news
Fervo’s Hot Rocks Are Now a Hot Stock
Talking with SVP of strategy Sarah Jewett about the competition, expansion plans, and how to get more Americans informed and onboard.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 11/05/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: 🚢 Qatari gas tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz ⚡ A New England electric utility is betting against data centers ⚛️ Japan sends U.S. large shipment of rare nuclear fuel Jumpstart your week with the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/qatari-ta...
heatmap.news
A Qatari Gas Tanker Passed the Strait of Hormuz
On New England data centers, ITER’s appetite, and Chinese solar
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
bendwalsh.bsky.social @bendwalsh.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
so the top secret UFO files are... like just photos of places people said they saw a UFO with a UFO drawn into the photo?
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 08/05/2026
In Friday’s Heatmap AM: 🌬️ Trump redoubles efforts to take down onshore wind industry ⏳ World’s largest carbon removal plant hits delay 🇨🇦 Trump’s mineral sanctions on Cuba force out Canadian miner Cap off your week with the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/trump-win...
heatmap.news
Blowback Is Building Against Trump’s Cash-For-Quitting Offshore Wind Scheme
On DAC delays, Cuba’s minerals, and Volkswagen’s margins
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 07/05/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: ⚡️U.S. electricity prices rose 7% year over year ❌Record number of data centers cancelled amid community opposition 🇨🇳China installs “world’s largest single-unit floating wind turbine platform” Digest the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social:
heatmap.news
U.S. Electricity Prices Keep Rising
On data center cancellations, TVA nuclear, and British fusion
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
John Smillie @johnsmillie42.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Full points awarded to Belgium for keeping their nuclear reactors and to @alexckaufman.bsky.social or whoever else at Heatmap for the waffle themed subject line
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 24/04/2026
In Friday’s Heatmap AM: ⚛️ U.S. has two new nuclear reactors being constructed 🌊 Interior Department launches new offshore drilling agency 🌬️ New Jersey waves white flag on offshore wind… for now Ring in the weekend with @alexckaufman.bsky.social’s latest: heatmap.news/am/terrapowe...
heatmap.news
The U.S. Finally Has Two New Nuclear Projects Underway
On offshore mining, New Jersey’s offshore wind, and China’s oil breakthrough
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 20/04/2026
TODAY in Heatmap AM: 🛢️ Oil prices jump as Iran War ceasefire crumbles 🔖 Trump’s billion dollar deal with TotalEnergies “worthless” to taxpayers, document shows 💊 Eli Lilly joins nuclear energy rush Start your week with the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/scotus-st...
heatmap.news
Trump’s $1 Billion TotalEnergies Deal Is ‘Worthless’
On Eli Lilly’s nuclear, Sunrise Wind, and Brazil’s minerals
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 17/04/2026
In Heatmap AM today: 🌬️ SunZia, the largest U.S. renewable project ever, comes online 🛶 Senate votes to open Minnesota Boundary Waters to mining ↩️ Energy Department brings back DAC, funding two hubs Cap off your week with the low-down from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/sunzia-wi...
heatmap.news
The Nation’s Biggest Renewables Project Ever Comes Online
On Minnesota mining, DAC being back, and desalination dividends
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 17/04/2026
Chicago startup making moves to deploy a new type of fuel in existing nuclear reactors in Canada, India, Korea, Romania, and China. It will extend the life of fuel bundles, decreasing refueling outages and improving opex. Awesome stuff!
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Just Kevin @kevinleecaster.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Sunrise Wind is the 2nd offshore wind farm to power New York, after South Fork Wind. The state’s 3rd, Empire Wind 1, is also expected to enter the turbine installation stage soon, as the construction vessel, Maersk Viridis, is currently en route to the US. www.offshorewind.biz/2026/04/17/f...
offshorewind.biz
First Turbine Up at New York's Second Offshore Wind Farm
The first wind turbine has been installed at the Sunrise Wind project site offshore New York, Ørsted confirmed to offshoreWIND.biz on 17 April.
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Alexander C. Kaufman @alexckaufman.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
SCOOP for @heatmap.news: The democratic world's leading effort to commercialize thorium energy just took a big step forward. Clean Core Thorium Energy has inked a deal with the Canadian National Labs to produce its first commercial products. heatmap.news/energy/clean...
heatmap.news
This American Nuclear Startup Aims to Supply India’s Reactor Boom
Chicago-based Clean Core is set to announce a pilot deal to manufacture thorium-based fuel.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
The nonprofit that runs the successful, Pulitzer-winning Baltimore Banner is going to take over the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Of all the possible outcomes here, this is likely the best we could have hoped for. apnews.com/article/pitt...
apnews.com
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announces it has found a buyer to keep the newspaper open
Owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said they have found a buyer who had agreed to keep the newspaper open, less than a month before it was due to shut down.
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Damon Beres @damonberes.com · 14/04/2026
My god www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
In the days of tavern dining, proprietors would have wanted customers to fill up on as much bread as possible, so that they would consume less of the more expensive ingredients to which they were entitled. À la carte restaurants perhaps felt themselves grandfathered into what had become a mark of hospitality. Chefs I consult attest to free bread’s ability—a finite ability—to make kitchens run more smoothly (by slowing down orders). It also makes customers less whiny: Restaurants give you free bread “just so that you have something to do with your hands and your mouth,” Richard Horner, a New Orleans chef and restaurateur, tells me.

Horner lays bare the strategic timing of this generosity. Ideally, free bread should not hit the table until after customers have ordered their meal, “because then they order from a position of maximum hungriness,” he says. Plus, the delay builds anticipation: “Will there be bread? I see other people with bread. We haven’t got bread yet.” And then, once the bread is bestowed: “Oh! There is bread! What a fun surprise.”

Horner’s demonic calculation for how many slices or rolls each table’s basket should contain is [Number of diners] + 1. Unevenly divisible bread creates “a tension that I really enjoy.”
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Reposted by Alexander C. Kaufman
Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 13/04/2026
In today’s Heatmap AM: 🚢 Trump threatens to blockade the Strait of Hormuz 🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary could disrupt nuclear project 🧊 Argentina modifies glacier protection law to promote mining Start your week with the latest from @alexckaufman.bsky.social: heatmap.news/am/trump-hor...
heatmap.news
Trump Threatens His Own Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
On Hungary’s political earthquake, mining in Argentina, and the Sam Altman attack
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