As we close out 2019, I want to thank you for joining me in this effort to read and appreciate the news beyond the major headlines. We all know it’s important to be engaged, informed citizens. It’s my firm belief that it’s just as important to make time each week to dig into a story or two purely for narrative enjoyment, regardless of how relevant the story subject may be to our everyday lives. In that vein, I hope you’ve found The News Gal to be a worthy addition to your inbox — and that you’ll share it with family and friends this holiday season.
No newsletter next week, as this time of year is quiet on the storytelling front. I’ll be back with a fresh round of stories for you Jan. 5.
Cheers!
An ER doctor’s diary from a single overnight shift is a powerful report from the front lines of our healthcare system. (New York Times, ~14 min.)
A doozy of an investigation into the online murder-for-hire industry, with all the paying customers, unwitting victims, and bad guys you can handle. Consider yourself warned. (Harper’s Magazine, ~34 min.)
What it’s like to practice school shooter drills, in kids’ own words. A must-read. (The Trace, ~16 min.)
How Hallmark took over cable — and Christmas. (New Yorker, ~22 min.)
The myth of the reasonable Republican in the age of Trump. As we head into the Senate impeachment trial, this piece nails it. (GQ, ~10 min.)
According to this veteran's obituary (penned by his adoring younger brother), Bill lived three lives — before, during, and after Vietnam. One for the ages. (The Dickinson Press, ~5 min.)
An aging 70-something weaves his own physical trials and tribulations into a delightful review of a new book called The Body. I loved every minute of this one. (First Things, ~16 min.)
Why free shipping is a scam and how we’ve all fallen for it. (The Atlantic, ~7 min.)
Ten years after her death, a thoughtful look back at Clueless’s Brittany Murphy, and appreciation for the career that could (would?) have been. (Flood Magazine, ~8 min.)
The best Bernie Sanders profile I’ve read all year — and I’ve read them all. (BuzzFeed News, ~35 min.)
The most relevant Elizabeth Warren interview I’ve read this year. And I’ve read them all. (Rolling Stone, ~26 min.)
In case you missed the story of the stray dog who wandered into his forever home — it’s obviously perfect. (Washington Post, ~3 min.)
If you know someone who’d like this, send it their way. You can find the online, shareable version (and subscribe) here. You can follow me on Twitter here, on Facebook here, on Pocket here, and on LinkedIn here. Questions, comments, concerns, and story tips are always welcome — just hit reply.