Et tu, Equus?
The coronavirus's psychological grip on the US is said to have weakened thanks to pandemic fatigue, warmer weather, and the surge in vaccinations. / The Washington Post
What to make of the AstraZeneca vaccine data—and the surrounding controversy. / STAT
New analysis finds that fear-mongering articles connecting vaccines and death have been among the most highly engaged with content online this year. / NPR
Georgia Republicans on Thursday passed a sweeping law to restrict voting access in the state. / The Washington Post
"An underfunded and overworked IRS has enabled a handful of plutocratic tax cheats to live large at the expense of everyone else." / The New Republic
The University of Southern California will pay more than $1.1 billion to the former patients of a campus gynecologist accused of preying on hundreds of patients, setting a record for collegiate sex abuse payouts. / The Los Angeles Times
The Suez Canal may be blocked for weeks. Children offer advice on how to unstick it. / BBC News, Slate
The National Academies of Sciences releases a report on how the US could create a plan to block the sun if global warming becomes a threat to human existence. / Gizmodo
Related: A comic strip about a bee's vendetta with the sun. / Whatever Forever
Japan is no stranger to conspiracy theories, but QAnon never caught on among connoisseurs. "It's too naïve for our readership." / The New York Times
Elif Batuman: In making pain beautiful, does fiction perhaps depoliticize us? / The Morning News
A cooperative of 30 avant-garde musicians built their own streaming platform "from the fringes of improvised music." / Pitchfork
"Attention, Texas brigade! Forward! The eyes of General Lee are upon you!" Tracing the Texas fight song back to Robert E. Lee. / Alberto A. Martinez
Park Ranger Mariah Reading paints landscapes on garbage found in the national parks. / Atlas Obscura
Authentic streetwear and its associated street cultures still exist, but they're not on the backs of billionaires. / Die, Workwear!
The West coast enters alligator lizard mating season, which means a whole lot of head-clomping. / National History Museums
New Mexico's "Equus Experience" claims to offer life-changing "attunement" through horses that impart secret knowledge (but you can't ride them). / The New York Times
It's the final Friday in the Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes®, which means we know who's entering the Zombie Round! / The Tournament of Books
And now a brief chat with a new Sustaining Member, Jane W.!
Hi, Jane! You told us you're a ToB fan. How did it start? I don't remember when or where I first heard of the Tournament of Books. I followed one and then got caught up in the Super Rooster. This year I sent the information to my daughter. We have become obsessed with it this year. We've made our choices, and as soon as it is published in the morning we jump on the phone and discuss the decision. She's in Indiana and I'm in Arizona. She read all the books but I didn't have time. We both think it would be great for a book club to do as a reading list and then follow up with the tournament.
That's a great idea! They could use a prior year, since many book clubs use the library as a source for books. We've also promoted it with the teachers in the family. Can't you imagine a group of college students arguing for their favorite team (book)? I'm competitive but also a book nerd, so this tournament hits the spot.
We love to hear it. How would you describe yourself as a reader? I love to read a wide variety of genres and belong to four book clubs and an informal gathering of friends whom read. I also read and discuss books with my grandchild. The Tournament of Books has brought a lot of pleasure into my life.
SO MANY THANKS TO JANE AND ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS, Rooster heads or not. To keep TMN going, join them by becoming a Sustaining Member or making a one-time donation today.
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Since 1999, your Headlines are sourced and written by Andrew Womack and Rosecrans Baldwin, and arrive in your inbox, Monday through Saturday. View this edition and the latest Headlines at TMN.