“I sold the French Laundry…”

Protests in Iran continue despite the crackdown by security forces that one human rights group says has killed at least 201 people. / BBC News

The midsummer polling "tick" in Democrats' favor "has duly been answered by a Republican 'tock' this autumn." / The Economist

The backstory on why Los Angeles's government is imploding after leaked audio finds council members trading racist jokes while making political sausage. / KnockLA

The meeting was secret and ugly, but probably not illegal. / The Los Angeles Times

Unrelated/related: Welcome to "words against strangers." / The Pudding

Sam Quinones traces the recent epidemic of homelessness in western states, the one marked by meth abuse and tents, to LA's Skid Row. / Los Angeles Magazine

The #MeToo movement in Hollywood moves on after the self-destruction of Time's Up. / The Hollywood Reporter

Two reporters explain why "Mexican Week"—roundly denounced and derided—is a sign of bigger problems for the Great British Baking Show. / The Washington Post, Texas Monthly, The Los Angeles Times

Diplomatic dining—food presented at state dinners—has become recognized over time as an instrument of "soft power." / WePresent

A short film summarized as "I sold the French Laundry, then it became the best restaurant in the world." / YouTube

Malcolm Harris: America has become an increasingly difficult place to be a happy child, and it's well past time to start treating that as an urgent political problem. / New York Magazine

Feeling awe may be essential to humans' wellbeing, and it makes for nicer people. But is "society is becoming less awe-friendly?" / The Guardian

See also: A lot of thoughts (and videos) about innovations in contemporary juggling. / Ironic Sans


Hi, this is Rosecrans, today's newsletter author, and yes, that Bake Off episode really was that bad.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please take a moment and find out why TMN is a reader-backed publication, and consider joining the band (if you haven't yet) by becoming a Sustaining Member or supporting via PayPal, crypto, or Venmo (open in app). Thanks! 🌶️

✔️  Got a correction or a link we should consider? Email us or just reply to this newsletter.

Your headlines are sourced and written by Andrew Womack and Rosecrans Baldwin, Monday through Saturday. View this edition and the latest headlines at TMN.