Reposted by Helen FessendenJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 09/10/2026New working paper: the Norwegian wealth tax was a huge success. The "exodus" of wealthy people never happened (less than 100 individuals left). Tax revenue increased by 71.5%. No changes in business activity or investment. www.nber.org/papers/w35854 107110174715
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Washington Sun @washingtonsun.com · 20hAt least six soldiers are planning to file for preliminary religious exemptions to avoid participating in the firing squad execution of Nidal Mikal Hasan, a nonprofit leader told The Sun. www.washingtonsun.com/defense/sold...washingtonsun.comSoldiers Are Already Looking for a Way Out of Hegseth’s Livestreamed Firing SquadAt least six soldiers are planning to file for preliminary religious exemptions, a nonprofit leader told The Sun. More are expected to follow. 1013963
Reposted by Helen FessendenPhilip Bump @pbump.com · 09/10/2026This is why Scorsese had to make "The Irishman." 1219413
Reposted by Helen FessendenRobert Faturechi @robert-faturechi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026New: A private equity executive took a top Pentagon role. Then a firm he has close ties to landed a $281 Million no-bid contract from the unit he runs. www.propublica.org/article/geor...propublica.orgThe Pentagon Gave $350 Million in Contracts to a Firm Closely Tied to a Senior Defense Department OfficialThe top Pentagon official left Alvarez & Marsal Capital after ProPublica started looking into his financial ties. The contracts with a related company are another example of firms close to the Trump a... 21253124
Reposted by Helen FessendenCat Zakrzewski @cqzakrz.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Trump bought over $1 million in SpaceX debt days before unveiling space policy www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...washingtonpost.comTrump bought over $1 million in SpaceX debt days before unveiling space policyThe purchase, revealed in his latest financial disclosure, involved a firm directly affected by his administration’s actions — and led by presidential ally Elon Musk. 012
Reposted by Helen FessendenCarl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 09/10/2026“Marathon Man” turns 50 today. 🎂 It’s true: Hoffman really did stay up all night to look "out-of-it during the dental scenes," director John Schlesinger said. It didn't work. "I had to completely reshoot.. That’s when Olivier said to me 'Why doesn’t he just try acting?'" 1842560
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 08/10/2026We’re calling bull on the idea “use it or lose it,” when it comes to muscles. It turns out your cells keep a record of every workout you’ve done, and new research suggests those gains can stick around even after months off. theconversation.com/your-cells-k... 1139
Reposted by Helen FessendenEvan Bernick, a finite mode with a smol hooman and a lorg floof @evanbernick.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Easily my favorite detail: 6460121
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 08/10/2026State supreme court races in Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Montana and elsewhere could help determine the future of abortion access and transgender rights. Here’s what’s at stake: theconversation.com/these-state-... 054
Reposted by Helen FessendenJesse Felder @jessefelder.com · 07/10/2026‘The US’s largest utility megadeal is running into fierce opposition, as concerns over electricity affordability and anti-monopoly sentiment mount before November’s midterm elections.’ www.ft.com/content/7030...ft.comLargest-ever US utility megadeal faces backlash in VirginiaRising power bills and concerns about monopoly power prompt officials to intervene in NextEra’s $67bn Dominion takeover 114549
Reposted by Helen FessendenCarl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 07/10/2026“.. A lot of people in the investment community had hoped he was the adult in the room,” said Stephen Myrow, a former Treasury official. Investors are “starting to see him as acting more and more like Trump…and that’s shaking confidence in him.” @wsj.com www.wsj.com/politics/pol... 59498138
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 07/10/2026The SEC's proposal to let companies report earnings every six months instead of quarterly has drawn record opposition – over 280,000 comments, 99% against. Investors worry less frequent reporting would hide red flags about companies.theconversation.comUS regulators want to make corporate earnings reports less frequent, but investors have doubtsNo federal rule proposal has ever generated so much opposition. 33011
Reposted by Helen FessendenCarl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 06/10/2026The NY Fed examines how tariffs affected inflation and finds that, without them, goods prices would have declined as of last February. libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/10/how-... 441182486
Reposted by Helen FessendenNick Timiraos @nicktimiraos.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Kevin Warsh wants investors to watch the economy, not the Fed. But after two of his deputies stepped in, the probability of an October rate hike fell to around 25% from 70% ahead of new data releases. Weaning the markets off Fed signals is harder than it sounds www.wsj.com/economy/cent...wsj.comWhy Weaning Markets Off Fed Speak Is Harder Than It SoundsKevin Warsh wants investors to focus on the economy and not the Fed. Last week, his top lieutenants stepped in to reset bets on an October rate increase. 6399
Reposted by Helen FessendenJason Furman @jasonfurman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026You would have no idea that we went through COVID or are going through AI from the labor market data. The employment rate has fallen from 61.0% in 2019-Q4 to 59.1% in 2026-Q3. That is a bit more than aging only would have caused and a bit less than CBO expected. 3233
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 06/10/2026The sudden proliferation of Flock cameras and abuses has led to Florida to ban their use on state highways, but that’s only a small step towards privacy protection. An economist working at the intersection of economics, politics, surveillance and civil liberties explains:theconversation.comFlorida’s limited ban on Flock cameras only scratches the surface of widespread surveillance concernsThe sudden proliferation of Flock cameras and abuses has led to a response from Florida lawmakers, but they have stopped short of regulating this technology and its uses. 043
Reposted by Helen FessendenKai Arzheimer @kai-arzheimer.com · 06/10/2026Bit of a slow news day in #Germany, eh?bbc.comFormer German spy chief arrested for espionage and treasonAugust Hanning is accused of obtaining classified information for a foreign power. 0162
Reposted by Helen FessendenBill Scher @billscher.bsky.social · 06/10/2026“The Republican Plan to Buy the Election Got Too Expensive” — my @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social latest on how Republican ad dollars aren’t going as far Democratic dollars because they’re too reliant on super PACs washingtonmonthly.com/2026/10/06/t...washingtonmonthly.comThe Republican Plan to Buy the Election Got Too ExpensiveNew data shows the GOP’s money advantage has narrowed because it relies too heavily on super PACs, which pay more for broadcast ads. 12417
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 06/10/2026White men under 30 show the highest support for white nationalism, at 13% — more than double women their age. A study of nearly 8,000 white Americans also found stronger support among those whose closest friendships are online only and not in person.theconversation.comWhite nationalism’s appeal runs deeper than partisan politicsNearly 1 in 7 white men under 30 in the US support white nationalism, and partisanship alone doesn’t explain who’s drawn to it. 21810
Reposted by Helen FessendenMichelle Singletary @michellesingletary.bsky.social · 06/10/2026It's here! Introducing: Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRKf...youtube.comIntroducing: Dollars & Sense With Michelle SingletaryYouTube video by Washington Post 2174
Reposted by Helen FessendenEric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 06/10/2026NEW FROM PP The Trump admin keeps denying immigration agents are grabbing Americans, so we tracked it 500+ Americans detained 70+ kids, some cuffed or zip-tied 60+ held after filming 36+ held for day+ w/o access to lawyer ~12 deported (yes, deported) projects.propublica.org/american-cit....projects.propublica.orgMore Than 500 U.S. Citizens Have Been Detained, Including Handcuffed or Held at Gunpoint, in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown — ProPublicaThe government doesn’t track how often immigration officers detain U.S. citizens. So ProPublica did. We’ve found more than 500 Americans who were held against their will during this Trump administrati... 20957552
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 06/10/2026Hunter-gatherer societies are often praised as being incredibly egalitarian – but the reality of inequality is more complicated. Anthropologists working with the Hadza people of Tanzania and with the Tsimane people of Bolivia’s Amazon rainforest explain:theconversation.comHunter-gatherer societies are often put on a pedestal as paragons of equality – but the reality is more complicatedHunter-gatherers do not always seek total equality, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t egalitarian. 0189
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 06/10/2026Republicans accounted for 80% of the $80 million spent on AI-generated political ads tracked by researchers this year, with deepfakes of politicians like AOC appearing in multiple spots across the country, as well as AI-generated crowds.theconversation.comWe’ve tracked $80M of spending on almost 170 AI-generated political ads this year – it’s weirdAlmost 170 ads and $80 million in spending and only 31% with a disclaimer: Here’s what researchers found when they tracked AI in this year’s campaign ads. 31815
Reposted by Helen FessendenScott Nover @scottnover.bsky.social · 05/10/2026UPDATE: After deciding this weekend to block Politico from riding on Air Force One, White House staffers called numerous outlets to ask one to fill the primary print slot for the out-of-town pool rotation. Each of those outlets declined to step in. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...washingtonpost.comWhite House blocks Politico from Air Force One trip, cannot secure replacementPresident Donald Trump will travel without a primary print pool reporter for the first time in recent memory. 42927268
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Upshot @upshot.nytimes.com · 05/10/2026Democrats Expect Record Number of Women in Party in House After Midterm Elections (Gift Article) www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/u... 05511
Reposted by Helen FessendenBen Mullin @benmullin.bsky.social · 05/10/2026news: CNN C.E.O. Mark Thompson says he will be staying on under David Ellison. "They both understand and will fully support the principle and practice of the kind of independent news that CNN has always stood for." www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/b...nytimes.comCNN C.E.O. Mark Thompson Says He Will Stay On Under New Owner Skydance (Gift Article)Mark Thompson told the network’s employees that he had faith that David Ellison, the chief executive of Skydance, would support “independent news that CNN has always stood for.” 13305
Reposted by Helen FessendenMr. Dan Zak @mrdanzak.com · 04/10/2026A Haitian man legally immigrated to Ohio, then was given an ankle monitor bc Trump withdrew his status. He threw himself in front of truck. The trucker, who voted for Trump, is haunted. “Pierre was doing what he was supposed to do. We did not do right by him.” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...theatlantic.comA Reckoning in SpringfieldA truck driver out on his route confronts what the country has become. 37353461838
Reposted by Helen FessendenDavid Karol @davidkarol.bsky.social · 04/10/2026In this polarized era, it’s hard to expect most voters to care more about candidates’ ages than their party affiliations. But for all the “gerontocracy” complaints, it turns out that even in primaries, age isn’t their chief focus. Watch what voters do, more than what they say. 061
Reposted by Helen FessendenKaren Tumulty @ktumulty.bsky.social · 04/10/2026A @washingtonpost.com story you really need to read today. From Naftali Bendavid. How Democrats plan to reverse the changes the Trump has made to the power of the presidency. — www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...washingtonpost.comTrump’s opponents are planning efforts to reverse his changes to presidencyAs the midterms approach, some of the president’s foes are working to ensure his aggressive approach to executive power doesn’t outlast him. 084
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 04/10/2026The fruitful creative partnership between singer Nina Simone and poet Langston Hughes that helped shape Simone’s sound is getting new attention.theconversation.comNina Simone, Langston Hughes and their forgotten creative collaborationA new book details the fruitful creative partnership between the singer and poet that helped shape Simone’s sound. 1376
Reposted by Helen FessendenDrew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 04/10/2026Incredible piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/m...nytimes.comDying Patients Are Inundated by Misinformation. My Dad Was One of Them.Cancer patients are being persuaded to spend tens of thousands on unproven treatments by alternative-medicine clinics. 86923
Reposted by Helen FessendenDan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 04/10/2026New: Trump’s abrupt announcement to send $90 payments to seniors by dipping into a Medicare fund has rattled Capitol Hill. One GOP aide told WaPo that lawmakers had planned to use the money to offset funding for community health centers, diabetes programs and other initiatives.washingtonpost.comTrump announces plan to send $90 payments to millions of seniorsThe White House said the one-time payments would be drawn from a fund set up to improve Medicare. 3941533630
Reposted by Helen FessendenFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 02/10/2026The US Department of Justice will not reopen its criminal probe of Jay Powell over the Federal Reserve’s $2.5bn renovation project, after an investigation by the central bank’s watchdog cleared the former chair of criminal wrongdoing. ft.trib.al/X3hfP3B 13811
Reposted by Helen FessendenJustin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I'm not sure who saw this coming, but so far nearly all the jobs created during the second Trump administration have gone to women. 1381210288
Reposted by Helen FessendenDan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The U.S. military is planning for a possible surge of thousands of naval forces to the Middle East in coming weeks, as President Donald Trump considers renewing strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, U.S. officials said Thursday. wapo.st/4hUh6xrwapo.stPentagon prepares for potential surge of naval forces in Middle EastThe U.S. military may soon have three aircraft carriers in the region as the Trump administration figures out its next steps in the months-long war with Iran. 86238
Reposted by Helen FessendenAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 01/10/2026Trump campaigns for Ken Paxton in Texas: "He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, I'll be honest. Is he here, by the way? Oh, there he is. I didn't even know if he was here! I don't care." 5634514988
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 01/10/2026For more than 60 years, Head Start has provided free preschool and other services to low-income children. Now the Trump administration is proposing major changes to how the program works. theconversation.com/why-trumps-p...theconversation.comWhy Trump’s plan to cut Head Start regulations could undermine services for the country’s poorest familiesThere is research showing that there are numerous benefits for a low-income child to attend a Head Start program, though these effects are less clear as the child ages. 41919
Reposted by Helen FessendenMike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT @mikezaccardi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Corporate profits now represent 14.9% of GDP, the highest share on record going back to 1947 Citadel Rubner 20327125
Reposted by Helen FessendenJeff Stein @jeffstein.bsky.social · 01/10/2026News - Trump is set to attend another dinner at his resort for the biggest buyers of his meme coin You can probably get in to see the president for $1 million Trump has pocketed $635 million Investors down +$4 billion on Trump crypto www.washingtonsun.com/whitehouse/t...washingtonsun.comWant Dinner With the President? Buy His Meme Coin.The $Trump meme coin is offering buyers a new "exclusive" opportunity to meet the president. 915464
Reposted by Helen FessendenRyan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 01/10/2026Decades After Watergate, Justice Department Reviews Whether Nixon Got a Raw Dealwsj.comExclusive | Decades After Watergate, Justice Department Reviews Whether Nixon Got a Raw DealA revisionist historian went to the DOJ headquarters to present his case that the former president and his associates weren’t treated fairly. 3611032
Reposted by Helen FessendenCatherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Judge Strikes Down Latest Version Of $100,000 H-1B Immigration Fee www.forbes.com/sites/stuart...forbes.comJudge Strikes Down Latest Version Of $100,000 H-1B Immigration FeeA federal judge has struck down the $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa holders and invalidated the Sept. proclamation that renewed it. 220951
Reposted by Helen FessendenThe Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 01/10/2026Coffee wakes you up with its caffeine, and does a bunch of other weird things to your body while it’s at it. Celebrate #InternationalCoffeeDay with this story from our sister edition in Austrailia:theconversation.com7 of the weirdest things coffee does to your bodyCoffee doesn’t just make you feel more alert. Here’s what else happens when you drink a cuppa. 0179
Reposted by Helen FessendenNick Miroff @nickmiroff.bsky.social · 01/10/2026NEW: Trump says the steep drop in violent crime is the result of his immigration crackdown. But a comparison of FBI data and ICE stats doesn’t show that. More @theatlantic.com with Jack Rodriquez-Vars www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...theatlantic.comThe Problem With Trump’s Crime ClaimsThe president says that his immigration crackdown is behind falling crime rates. The numbers don’t back that up. 0135
Reposted by Helen FessendenStanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 01/10/2026A town in Germany has banned the laying of Stolpersteine, the "stumbling stones" remembering victims of the Holocaust. A couple of years I interviewed Gunter Demnig, the artist who came up with the scheme, and met the family behind one of the over-100,000 stones. www.economist.com/europe/2023/...economist.comStolpersteine grieve for victims of the Nazis, one at a timeGunter Demnig’s paving stones spark countless acts of remembrance 13714
Reposted by Helen FessendenJustin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I can't think of a more effective way to ensure that Jay Powell stays on the Fed, and I want to thank the President for his creative efforts to retain him. 2030647
Reposted by Helen FessendenSemafor @semafor.com · 30/09/2026Visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year. “We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.” www.semafor.com/article/09/2... 62631521121
Reposted by Helen FessendenJeff Stein @jeffstein.bsky.social · 30/09/2026New - Senate Republicans prepare to kick debt ceiling until after Trump's term, depriving Dems of potential point of leverage in divided government, should midterms not go GOP's way www.washingtonsun.com/congress/sen...washingtonsun.comSenate Republicans Are Preparing to Extend the Debt Ceiling Until 2029Senate leaders are looking to remove a key point of leverage for Democrats in case of a divided government. 32010
Reposted by Helen FessendenPhilip Bump @pbump.com · 30/09/2026In re: the Hegseth presentation today. bsky.app/profile/pbum... 18712
Reposted by Helen FessendenPOLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 30/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: The EU and Canada will use a landmark summit next month to announce an expansive new partnership, ranging from breaking down digital trade barriers to joint support for Ukraine and investing in fighting wildfires.politico.euEU and Canada to announce sweeping new partnership pactFrom critical raw materials to fighting wildfires, a document obtained by POLITICO reveals a wide-ranging expansion in relations. 313242
Reposted by Helen FessendenOliver Darcy @oliverdarcy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Scoop: Comcast executives are weighing RETAINING their 12 local owned-and-operated stations, wary of a fight with Donald Trump's FCC if they attempt to spin them off with NBCUniversal. Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/comcast-nb...status.newsComcast’s Carr CalculationWhile the company announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal, Status has learned executives are weighing whether to hang on to their local television stations rather than risk a fight with Trump’s FCC. 34512