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Sarah Stodola

@sstodola.bsky.social
345 followers 117 following 91 posts

Author of ‘The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit, and Peril at the Beach’ & ‘Process.’ I write about tourism and other topics. flung.substack.com Last Resort: tinyurl.com/2brtneky Process: tinyurl.com/mw5dk

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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
A wild revision of history—the $4.7B for NE Corridor rail Sean Duffy just announced as if he created it is actually the amount designated for FY2026 by Biden's 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In case Trump's game plan for “ushering in the Golden Age of American Rail” was unclear.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The first tweet and the first episode of the Real Housewives franchise came into the world on the same day (March 21, 2006). This day should be studied, it may be an inflection point for everything.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
How a row of hotels in South Beach got ruined. open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...
open.substack.com
How To Kill Three Darlings
A row of Miami Beach’s Art Deco gems fell into the wrong hands
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Revisiting the resorts of Slim Aarons open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...
open.substack.com
The Resorts of Slim Aarons, Then and Now
They've proven more enduring than I expected
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
I love the Olympics. Love it. (The way you love family, which is to say, despite all its flaws.) I’m doing quite a lot of reporting on the Winter Games starting this weekend, and first up got to interview Lindsey Vonn for this Yahoo News profile. So fun. www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ar...
yahoo.com
She's been counted out before. Now, Lindsey Vonn is chasing one last Olympic dream.
Lindsey Vonn was on the precipice of a cinematic comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics. That is, until she crashed in a World Cup downhill race on Jan. 30, just a week before the Games.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Regarding the 1.5 billion international travelers you're up against: You can't beat 'em, but don't join 'em. That's my travel advice for 2026. open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...
open.substack.com
In Praise of the Second Prettiest Places
My best travel tip going into 2026.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Is travel journalism finally taking its subject seriously? open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...
open.substack.com
Is Travel Journalism Finally Taking Its Subject Seriously?
Waking up from the dream vacation...
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
“Beginning around November 2024, the internet experienced a slop tipping point, in which the quantity of AI-generated articles being published on the web surpassed the quantity of articles written by humans.” www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
theatlantic.com
This Is Just the Internet Now
The slop is winning.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
As usual, the wording of the measures on the NYC ballot in November obscures their true intent. youtu.be/G-2pDljCfeI?...
youtu.be
Mayor Adams’ Dangerous Ballot Measures, and Why You Should Vote NO in November
YouTube video by Village Preservation
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
Trump's claiming credit, not “getting” it. Biden didn’t get credit either, although he ushered the law in. I’m not sure there’s credit to be got from achievements in government that aren’t performative (and this largely explains why our govmt functions so poorly). www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/u...
nytimes.com
​​Trump Tried to Kill the Infrastructure Law. Now He’s Getting Credit for Its Projects.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
From a lot of directions. flung.substack.com/p/the-federa...
flung.substack.com
The Federal Government Is Coming for Your Beach Vacation
The place we go to forget all of our problems is becoming one of them.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Check me out in this feature on BBC Radio 4 looking at the changing nature of the summer holiday thanks to overtourism and climate change. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Rethink - Rethink... summer holidays - BBC Sounds
In an age of climate change and over-tourism, what's the future for our summer holidays?
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
When a recent press release from the Department of Transportation landed in my inbox, I read between the childish insults and flat-out fantasies to see that something really interesting is happening... flung.substack.com/p/is-trump-a...
flung.substack.com
Is Trump All In on Biden’s Transportation Agenda?
A DOT press release shows that beyond the distracting claims and hyperbole, Trump's administration is piggy-backing on many of his predecessor's accomplishments.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 06/06/2025
Tucked inside the 1,200-page appendix to the White House’s budget request to Congress is a proposal to eliminate a grant program that provides domestic violence shelters with money to support survivors’ pets. So yeah, Republicans want to ban survivors' pets from domestic violence shelters.
motherjones.com
Republicans want to ban pets from domestic violence shelters
The budget proposal is the Trump administration's latest attack on services supporting abuse survivors.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
My college decision sure would be different if I were making it today: www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/u...
nytimes.com
Republicans Trying to Control Indiana University Meet Little Resistance
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
"There’s no precedent in the United States for this," said Matt Burris, [the] deputy city manager. My latest reporting for Bloomberg CityLab on Rancho Cucamonga's transformation thanks to high-speed rail: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga!
As Brightline advances its $12 billion plan to link Southern California and Las Vegas with bullet trains, this LA suburb sees a shot at urban reinvention.
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Nicole Flatow @nicflatow.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
How delightful for Rancho Cucamonga that they are taking up the chance to rebuild themselves for transit as the western terminus of the bullet train to Las Vegas. Great story by @sstodola.bsky.social ‬ www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
I'm seeing some themes in the Trump Administration's dealings with Amtrak.
flung.substack.com
Something Is Going on at Amtrak
On the prospect of privatization and crony capitalism
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Space tourism works just like all other tourism... open.substack.com/pub/flung/p/...
open.substack.com
Space Tourism: Katy Perry Did It for the Gram
What a short, strange press trip it's been.
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Auburn Scallon @wsauburn.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
This piece is filled with so much care in policy-making. e.g. Collection trucks small enough to pass through ancient, narrow streets arrive before most are awake—except on glass collection day. They arrive later to avoid waking residents with the inevitable clatter of glass dumped from bins.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Learn household recycling in Italy and you'll understand why rates in the US are so low... grist.org/looking-forw...
grist.org
How Italy got its citizens — and me — to adopt a rigorous recycling scheme
Italy has become a global leader in recycling, in part by relying on households to do a lot of the work.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
After that 11-minute space travel junket I’m no longer convinced that the world’s problems would be solved if only women ruled it.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
I think this far into the game, it’s fair to say I will never know how to spell “bureau.”
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Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 16/04/2025
I’m about to board my flight to El Salvador, where I hope to meet with senior government officials to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. I also hope to see Kilmar and check on his condition — and remind him that we won’t stop fighting until he’s home.
youtube.com
Headed to El Salvador to meet with government officials and discuss return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
YouTube video by Senator Chris Van Hollen
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
It's got everything: tragedy, glamour, gaslighting, and even a few billionaires on the next island over. flung.substack.com/p/what-is-a-...
flung.substack.com
What Is a Billionaire's Triangle?
Hint: It both doesn't exist and is taking over South Florida's shoreline.
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Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
A high-speed train from London to Milan is now in the works, as Europe continues its project to make rail the preferred mode of transportation over air travel. www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
standard.co.uk
London to Paris and Milan? New plans for long-distance trains from St Pancras
The announcement is the latest to boost hopes of a major breakthrough in cross-Channel rail travel
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
This is astonishingly instructive. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Rise and Fall of Elon Musk
His belief that liberal democracy has failed and that technologists should lead can be traced to the unusual life of his grandfather.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
He likes tariffs because he can impose them unilaterally.
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Clare Flynn @clarefly.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
I'm supporting today's day of action by @societyofauthors.bsky.social #DotheWriteThing
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
We didn't always love the beach. This painting helped change that. flung.substack.com/p/we-love-th...
flung.substack.com
We love the beach today because of this early 19th century painting
And you can view it this spring at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Why would anyone want to be represented by a law firm that won't even represent itself? www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...
nytimes.com
Major Law Firm Makes Deal to Avoid Punitive Executive Order, Trump Says
The president said the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom had agreed to provide $100 million in pro bono work on issues that he supports.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
These are the NYC mayoral candidates who showed up to a forum on preservation and housing issues last night. In case you're wondering who's actually interested in making the city better. (Brad Lander left halfway through. So half credit.)
NYC mayoral candidates discuss preservation.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
If you've used Delta's Digital ID to go through airport security, I'd love to speak with you briefly about your experience for a story. Comment here or DM me.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
50 days into the new administration, I’m looking at what’s becoming of all the travel improvements that were underway in this country. (Note: It’s not all bad even though it’s not great!) flung.substack.com/p/the-trump-... [behind paywall]
flung.substack.com
The Trump Administration Is Not Trying To Ease Your Travel Headaches
Last fall, I launched a series of posts here on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL), and the ways in which the massive $1.2 trillion...
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
A discounted @washingtonpost.com subscription that only enables access to the news side of the operation.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
This is excellent, a series of on-camera interviews with fired inspectors general. Anything that helps ordinary people understand how the federal government works in reality and in practice is so valuable right now. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Trump Purged These Watchdogs From Government
President Trump promised to investigate waste and fraud in the government, but he’s fired the watchdogs who did exactly that.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Recommended question for Dem pollsters: Does the unsolicited onslaught of emails and texts messages resulting from that one donation you made five years ago make you more or less likely to donate money again in the future?
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
A note to the press that you don't have to only cover Andrew Cuomo. There are nine other NYC mayoral candidates besides him and and Eric Adams and if equal ink got spilled on them you maybe wouldn't be turning a disgraced bully into the most likely future mayor.
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Chloe Olewitz @colewitz.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
If you "love to travel" you should be reading @sstodola.bsky.social. It's not our fault we're being duped left and right but it is our responsibility to educate ourselves... flung.substack.com/p/on-overtou...
flung.substack.com
On overtourism and preventing it, attracting tourism and changing it
A roundup of my recent work: on White Lotus for Grist, Ghent vs. overtourism for CityLab, and redefining the beach of paradise for the NY Times
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Emily Wood @ebwood.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Mark Rothko, Untitled (Yellow and Blue), 1954, private collection
Abstract painting with a band blue sandwiched between two bands of golden yellow, the top one thick and the bottom one much thinner. The borders between the colors are rough.
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Adam Kinzinger @adamkinzinger.substack.com · 28/02/2025
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Kara Swisher @karaswisher.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Here is a 2018 conversation between Jeff Bezos and German publisher Matthias Döpfner at a Business Insider event. Presumably, he is as crimson as a Washington State cherry today:
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Approaching overtourism from a different angle, I looked at the situation in Ghent, Belgium, where the city is trying to stop overtourism before it becomes a problem, while still fostering an environment that attracts visitors. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
As Visitors Discover Ghent, the City Is Trying to Prevent a Tourism Takeover
The Belgian city is increasingly popular with day trippers — and wary of the effect that too many tourists can have on the local housing market and quality of life.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
The image of the perfect beach we all have in mind was largely manufactured. For the @nytimes.com I wrote about the resorts that are embracing natural "beachscapes" instead and changing our idea of what a vacation should look like. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/t...
nytimes.com
The Classic Resort Beach is Being Rethought
White sand, coconut palms, a gently sloping strand? That idea of tropical paradise is often manufactured. Resorts around the world are now embracing beaches in their more natural states.
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Grist @grist.org · 19/02/2025
Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it? As Season 3 of the popular series shows the beauty of Koh Samui, the Thai island is already dealing with the challenges of overtourism. grist.org/arts-culture... #WhiteLotus #Climate #TV #Max #Thailand
grist.org
Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it?
As Season 3 of the popular series shows the beauty of Koh Samui, the Thai island is already dealing with the challenges of overtourism.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Season 3 of White Lotus premiered 25 years almost to the day after The Beach came out, both set in Thailand. For @gristnews.bsky.social I looked into whether the country is better prepared to handle the resulting influx of tourists this time around. grist.org/arts-culture...
grist.org
Thanks to HBO, everyone wants a White Lotus getaway. Can Thailand handle it?
As Season 3 of the popular series shows the beauty of Koh Samui, the Thai island is already dealing with the challenges of overtourism.
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Sarah Stodola @sstodola.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Someday they'll study how in this culture the organizing principle was bluejeans.
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Grist @grist.org · 13/02/2025
NEW: Explore our interactive map of federal infrastructure and climate projects aimed at reshaping communities. However, Trump's funding freeze threatens the future of many of these initiatives. Search by zip code: grist.org/accountabili...
grist.org
Where did billions in climate and infrastructure funding go? Search our map by ZIP code.
From clean energy projects to bridges, this interactive tool shows what projects lawmakers announced in your neighborhood.
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