TheNewsGal, Edition No. 90
What a week! These are the standouts.
All the things
Are your houseplants actually good for the planet? The explosion in plant demand has led to a massive industry whose environmental effects can be tricky to nail down. And just when I’ve figured out how to keep them alive ... (Audrey, Carleton, Vox, ~12 min.)
Knives Outback: A man is presumed murdered. In this Ausralian town of 12, everyone is a possible suspect. This story is something else. (Mitch Moxley, Truly Adventurous, ~33 min.)
A Stranded Interpreter, and the Soldiers Who Would Not Let Go: Many Afghans who helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan are now in danger. One spoke to us about his battle to get his family out alive as he hid in Kabul. A sliver of silver lining amidst unspeakable tragedy. (Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, ~8 min.)
What It Takes to Advocate for Twice-Exceptional Kids in School: I think about the many invisible struggles, the empty places I have had to fill for my kids. The bridges I’ve had to build. Excellent. (Katie Rose Pryal, Catapult, ~12 min.)
Jonah Hill Is SuperGood: The actor opens up about how nice it is when your happiness finally catches up with your success. What a funny guy. (Adam McKay, GQ, ~24 min.)
The Epic Family Feud Behind an Iconic American Weight-Loss Camp for Kids: For five decades, as the children at Camp Shane shed pounds, made friends, and found romance, a fierce succession drama was playing out. This story is nuts. (David Gauvey Herbert, Bloomberg, ~36 min.)
He Was the “Perfect Villain” for Voting Conspiracists: Eric Coomer had an election-security job at Dominion Voting Systems. He also had posted anti-Trump messages on Facebook. What happened next ruined his life. Poor bastard. (Susan Dominus, New York Times Magazine, ~39 min.)
The farmers market is moving online: How the pandemic brought rampant growth for local food distribution platforms. I both love this and hate this. Thoughts? (Alex Marvar, The Verge, ~7 min.)
J.F.K. and the Radcliffe Girl: For the first time ever, one of the former president’s lovers tells her story. Couldn’t put this down. (Diana de Vegh, Air Mail, ~26 min.)
Monica Lewinsky and Impeachment Star Beanie Feldstein: “We’re a ‘We’ Now.” Lewinsky and Feldstein, who will portray her onscreen in the next installment of American Crime Story, open up about collaborating and the weirdness of giving notes about yourself — to yourself. Can’t wait. (Lacey Rose, Hollywood Reporter, ~10 min.)
My family fought alongside the Taliban. But I’m afraid for my friends. Talk about walking a fine line. (Obaidullah Baheer, 1843 Magazine, ~7 min.)
Her Name Is Not Honey Boo Boo: Alana Thompson is no longer the rambunctious child beauty queen the world knew as Honey Boo Boo. And she’d like you to use her real name. This isn’t what I expected … which I suppose is the point. (Rainesford Stauffer, Teen Vogue, ~11 min.)
The Well Fixer’s Warning: The lesson that California never learns. JEEZUZ. (Mark Araz, The Atlantic, ~12 min.)
“I Did Not Know It Was a Man”: The Surreal Story of How a Deadly Crash Upended South Dakota Politics. As Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg goes to trial, he has refused calls to step down over a fatal car accident that has confounded residents, split Republicans, and left a grieving family divided in its pursuit of justice. Politics, sheesh. (Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, ~24 min.)
An Oral History of Bringing All the Bags Inside In One Trip By Carrying Like Six Bags On Each Arm Instead of Making a Second Trip Out. BAHAHAHAHA. (Daniel Lavery, The Chatner, ~12 min.)
If you read one thing this week
The wildfire was everywhere. Could a school bus driver and 22 kids find a way out? On Nov. 8, 2018, the deadliest wildfire in California history was tearing toward Paradise, with children at Ponderosa Elementary in its path. Holy schnikees. (Lizzie Johnson, Washington Post, ~19 min.)