It is 2006. I am 22. The US is mired in a costly Forever War. A predictable historic market collapse looms. I do not have health insurance. It is 2026. I am 42. The US is mired in a costly Forever War. A predictable historic market collapse looms. I do not have health insurance.

Cockroaches can survive anything. Apparently, so can book critics. Six months after "leaving" The Washington Post, I’m taking stock of life as an independent journalist — with no colleagues, no IT support, and lots of books. roncharles.substack.com/p/six-months...

Six Months After the Fall

There is life after The Washington Post — but no IT support.

roncharles.substack.com

I'm late but excited by this list from @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! It includes American Made: Work Stories from the WPA, an "illuminating history of work in America ... Like Studs Terkel’s Working, American Made is a beautiful ode" to people who built America. Foreword @kimkelly.bsky.social

StoryStudio Chicago@storystudiochicago.bsky.social · last mo.

Happy July, writers! Let's read books! The @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social has your 12 must-read books for July, including exciting new novels from Chicago writers Rowan Beaird and @kathleenmrooney.bsky.social! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/07/01/1...

"I am not famous. I do not work in philanthropy. I am a woman who grew up in public housing in South Minneapolis. My net worth is negative. And yet in May of 2026, Time named me one of its 100 most influential leaders in philanthropy..."

Giving Can Be Simple (And During a Crisis, It Must Be) (SSIR)

When the village cannot wait, philanthropy must learn from community.

ssir.org

「暗躍する砂マフィア」 砂はありふれた資源だが，コンクリートの主原料であるため世界の建設業界の急成長から需要が急増している。そこに目を付けた犯罪組織による違法採掘が世界各地で問題となっている。 www.nikkei-science.com/202506_088.h...

暗躍する砂マフィア｜日経サイエンス

国際安全保障の研究者アブデラマン（Abdelkader Abderrahmane）は2人の研究助手とともにモロッコの都市ケニトラから大西洋岸にある砂の採掘現場へ調査に向かった。乾燥した平坦な土地を車で6kmほど走ると，最 … 続きを読む →

nikkei-science.com

Washington is facing a destructive fire season, with wildfires burning about 425,000 acres, according to officials.

Thousands Put Under Evacuation Orders In Spokane Area As Wildfires Spread

Washington is facing a destructive fire season, with wildfires burning about 425,000 acres, according to officials.

forbes.com

ICYMI: The New York Times reported on records we obtained that suggest TSA is sharing traveler data directly with ICE. It seems like we're already seeing the impact. Their reporting also suggests that ICE has been arresting more people at airports. americanoversight.org/ice-tsa-data...

Previously Undisclosed TSA-ICE Agreement Raises Questions About Sworn Trump Admin Testimony

Our lawsuit uncovered the agreement formalizing TSA’s role in the Trump administration's expanded immigration enforcement into domestic air travel

americanoversight.org

Ken Burns Wants You To Watch America: Birth Of A Nation Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cTi_vTwwmU&t=599s

"In the face of these conditions, our philanthropic responsibility has had to evolve, to balance mitigating immediate harm with advancing long-term mission. How to act decisively amid legal and political uncertainty? This is our new reality. Every one of us must adapt and respond."

No City Stands Alone (SSIR)

Lessons from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis on defending our neighbors and democracy

ssir.org

"Instead, Roosevelt's New Deal recognized that many Americans needed a 'hand up' to get off the ground!" - CHRIS HALEY, A Giant Listening Project, The People's Recorder #ThePeoplesRecorder #ChrisHaley

“Blurred the lines”? There’s no blur! It’s crystal clear.

Mark Jacob@markjacob.bsky.social · 2w ago

"As president, Mr. Trump has blurred the lines between his family's business ventures and his office," the New York Times reports. That's Times-ese for "Yep, he's a crook."

Have been a member of the @whca.bsky.social almost continuously since the 1990s. Our mission is to defend the First Amendment rights of White House correspondents to report on the president without fear or favor. Unfortunately last night did not advance that cause. Time to rethink the dinner.

Many stories have conveyed how crass and insulting Trump's "speech" last night was. Few have conveyed how literally insane he sounded. Long, LONG disquisition on The Ballroom, complete with "Sir" stories. Claim that 450k people came to hear him on July 4. Iran has no remaining weapons. WHCA: Why??

The moon is becoming more than a destination—it's a gateway to the solar system. NASA and private firms are accelerating lunar missions to pave the way for a permanent human presence in space. Sources: Smithsonian, Space. #Space #Science

What Lies Beyond Artemis 2? These Other Missions Are Setting Their Sights on the Moon This Year—and

Smithsonian Science report on an active news development.

smithsonianmag.com

"She was friends with Amelia Earhart!" - LIZZIE PEABODY, Right Stuff, Wrong Sex, Sidedoor #Sidedoor #NationalAmeliaEarhartDay #LizziePeabody

Glad to see WSJ with this appreciation of the great Jonathan Richman. www.wsj.com/arts-culture...

‘Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers’ Turns 50

The seminal pop-punk album, full of romantic innocence and disarming humor, foreshadowed the rise of new wave.

wsj.com

I loved the first two in this trilogy so I’m excited to see this review!

Ron Charles@roncharles.bsky.social · 2w ago

Few writers are as funny, ambitious, and unpredictable as Colson Whitehead. His new novel, "Cool Machine," brings the Harlem Trilogy to a deeply satisfying close. Here's my review. roncharles.substack.com/p/colson-whi...

I thought H.R. 7661 — the national book-banning bill — would quietly die in Congress. I was wrong. roncharles.substack.com/p/the-book-b...

The Book Banning Bill That Won’t Die

What looked like political theater is becoming a genuine threat to the freedom to read.

roncharles.substack.com

Have you seen "The Odyssey" yet? Did you see it in IMAX 70mm? 🎥 🎞️ Our own Emily Macune explains why demand is so high for the premium format.

What's the big deal with IMAX 70mm? 🎥 🎞️

YouTube video by Marketplace APM

youtube.com

In about 40 minutes!! 🔗 twitter.com/i/status/207958...

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Justice Department targeting Minnesota’s laws that prohibit law enforcement from assisting ICE agents.

Federal judge throws out Justice Department’s lawsuit targeting Minnesota immigration laws

The lawsuit preceded Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

startribune.com

With Fulbright Portugal support, I visited central Portugal and hear one town's experience integrating foreign migrants into their plans for climate resiliency, reducing wildfire risk, and rural revitalization. Also, goats! 🐐 Read my piece in the @ssir.org summer issue! ssir.org/articles/ent...

This is the first article in a new series, produced in partnership with and sponsored by the Minnesota-based McKnight Foundation, sharing lessons from the community response to Operation Metro Surge. Follow along for more articles in the series here:

When Minnesota’s Civic Gyms Stayed Open (SSIR)

In late 2025 and early 2026, federal immigration enforcement descended on Minnesota in what became the largest operation of its kind in United States history. Operation Metro Surge upended daily life,...

ssir.org

Looking to meet fellow readers or discover a new genre? This summer, find your next favorite book at a DC Public Library book club. Browse upcoming book clubs and find one that's right for you. 📚 https://bit.ly/4v9Q1K5

Montana mechanic freed after 100+ days jailed on immigration charges When news spread, some critiqued his approach to entering the US. Why didn’t he “come here the legal way?” one wrote. “The man actually works,” another wrote. “Give him US citizenship, now.” montanafreepress.org/2026/05/14/r...

Montana judge rules to release Froid mechanic after 109 days in detention

Judge sides with Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented immigrant from rural Montana, calling Trump administration’s interpretation of the longstanding immigration law “erroneous”

montanafreepress.org

This article is one of the most popular this week!

Stanford Social Innovation Review@ssir.org · 4w ago

"Fundão’s narrow streets feel ancient. For decades, this small city of 27,000 people in central Portugal has experienced a gradual decline. Since 1960, its population has nearly halved as residents left for larger cities in search of work, a pattern reflecting broader national trends."

“The movie industry … has always resuscitated itself. It’s like a vampire, always seeking new blood.” - @manohladargis.bsky.social Wait, Moviegoing Isn’t Dead? Our Critic Explains. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/i...

Wait, Moviegoing Isn’t Dead? Our Critic Explains.

The Times’s chief film critic, Manohla Dargis, discusses what is driving the youthquake in moviegoing, and what she thinks it portends for the film industry.

nytimes.com

In an unusual step, Fundão went further, entering into a bilateral agreement with Lampedusa, a major arrival point for migrants to Europe. As the mayor put it, anyone who comes to Fundão becomes a Fundanense—a local ssir.org/articles/ent...

Climate Help From Overseas (SSIR)

The agricultural city of Fundão, Portugal, is integrating foreign migrants to help with fire mitigation, climate resiliency, and rural revitalization.

ssir.org

Hi! WIRED health reporter here. Looking to speak with people who got sick with cyclosporiasis and are willing to share the gruesome details. emily_mullin@wired.com

"Fundão’s narrow streets feel ancient. For decades, this small city of 27,000 people in central Portugal has experienced a gradual decline. Since 1960, its population has nearly halved as residents left for larger cities in search of work, a pattern reflecting broader national trends."

Climate Help From Overseas (SSIR)

The agricultural city of Fundão, Portugal, is integrating foreign migrants to help with fire mitigation, climate resiliency, and rural revitalization.

ssir.org