Without stating your age, post your favorite film released the year you turned 18.

They also looked horrible yesterday at Wrigley, albeit on TV for me. Today they actually resembled a MLB team, at least, even though they lost again.

“Hotel California” as covered by The Gipsy Kings.

(chef's kiss)

Whistleblower says Trump officials thought USAID did 'just abortions,' asked for 'Barney-style' slides before gutting agency, per new book Read an exclusive excerpt from Nicholas Enrich's "Into the Wood Chipper"

NEW—I got an exclusive excerpt from a USAID whistleblower's new book that made me gasp multiple times. It details Trump's dismantling of the humanitarian aid agency & his team/DOGE's shocking ignorance to public health.

'Into the Wood Chipper' by Nicholas Enrich is out tomorrow. Read excerpt here:

Former Staffers Call on Eric Swalwell to Quit Campaign and Resign from House In a signed letter, they called on law enforcement officials to “open a full and thorough investigation” of the California representative.

Breaking News: More than 50 former staffers called on Rep. Eric Swalwell of California to resign from his position in Congress and to drop out of the governor’s race amid sexual misconduct allegations.

As is STAGES St. Louis co-founder Jack Lane. Details here from @stlpublicradio.bsky.social’s @jeremydgoodwin.bsky.social: www.stlpr.org/arts/2026-04...

New Evidence Further Implicates U.S. Missiles in Strikes That Killed 21 Civilians in Iran

Pete Hegseth's Defense Dept appears to be caught in a lie.

It involves deaths of 21 people (including at least 5 children), injuring 110 in Lamerd, Iran with sports hall and school.

By a U.S. missile (PrSM) never before used in combat.

NYT sources include: 3 US officials!

1/

BREAKING: in March 2026, *every single one* of the 1,341 refugees admitted in the United States were white South Africans:

In FY 2026, the U.S. has admitted a total of 4,496 white South Africans, three Afghans (back in November), and nobody else.

www.rpc.state.gov/documents/Re...

It still doesn’t sound good to me, but I’d try it.

What kind of sauce and cheese?

Victim in ICE Shooting Suffered at Least Six Wounds, His Lawyer Says

ICE agents shot another driver -- on Tues.

He had just asked to call his wife.

They shot him six times. One bullet his jaw.

Now he can't speak and has been mostly unconscious.

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/u...

NEW: The U.S. Postal Service says it plans to suspend its employer contributions to its pension plan starting Friday to help stabilize the cash-strapped mailing agency. USPS says this will free up $2.5 billion this fiscal year with no “immediate detrimental impact” to current or future retirees

States are struggling to meet their clean energy goals. Blame data centers Nevada's largest utility says it will need three times the electricity required to power Las Vegas just to handle proposed data centers -- and it probably can't do that without fossil fuels.

Nevada's largest utility says it will need three times the electricity required to power Las Vegas just to handle proposed data centers — and it probably can't do that without fossil fuels.
https://to.pbs.org/4c0Eh6n

Illinois deja vu? Appellate arguments for ex-Speaker Michael Madigan to focus on line between politics and bribery. On Thursday, attorneys for imprisoned former House Speaker Michael Madigan are expected to ask the appeals court for a reversal of his February 2025 conviction and 7 1/2-year sentence.

Only in Illinois alert: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, pardoned by President Trump for an array of corruption convictions, has been paid $130k by ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore to lobby Trump for a pardon in her conviction of bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/09/a...

U.S. to lead ceasefire talks between Lebanon and Israel in D.C. as Lebanon emerges as potential spoiler to Iran deal The U.S. is convening hastily arranged diplomatic talks next week in Washington, D.C., aimed at crafting a ceasefire in Lebanon​.

Wow

Ceasefire agreement did include Lebanon.

Trump: "agreed that included Lebanon."

Mediators: "believed the ceasefire to include Lebanon."

Pakistan announced it included Lebanon.

"However, the US position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr. Trump."

CBS News:

710,000 fewer babies were born last year in U.S. compared with two decades ago The U.S. fertility rate continued its slide to historic levels, due to plunging teen pregnancies and far more women delaying motherhood into their 30s and 40s.

The U.S. fertility rate continued its slide to historic levels, due to plunging teen pregnancies and far more women delaying motherhood into their 30s and 40s. n.pr/48ppzU9

NEW: The U.S. Postal Service is proposing to raise the price of a first-class “forever” stamp to 82 cents starting July 12. USPS says the 5% increase and other postage price hikes are needed to stabilize the cash-strapped mailing agency

‘60 Minutes’ to Midnight As the future of the CBS News program’s top producer hangs in the balance, Bari Weiss has also privately raised The Free Press during discussions about the show, Status has learned.

“60 Minutes” staffer to Weiss: “Go focus on the ‘Evening News.’ Your changes haven’t exactly landed w/viewers. If that becomes a success, I’d be a lot more open to your ideas about changing the longest-running, most successful, most-watched news program in history.” www.status.news/p/60-minutes...

DOJ says Pam Bondi won't testify next week in House Epstein probe The Justice Department has told the House Oversight Committee that now-former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not appear before the committee next week to

DOJ says Pam Bondi won't testify next week in House Epstein probe

It is hard to capture what a sweeping strategic defeat the war in Iran has been for the United States. I’m going to thread here some of the posts today that try to capture those effects. Here’s the first:

Election results: One week after Festus leaders approved a deeply controversial $6 billion data center plan in Jefferson County, voters removed all four incumbent city council members up for re-election.

Ah, the beauty of baseball.

St. Louis voters decide to keep 1% earnings tax for another 5 years People who live or work in St. Louis pay the 1% tax, which makes up more than a third of the city’s general revenue fund.

Election results: Voters in St. Louis have retained a 1% tax that makes up more than a third of the city’s general revenue fund.

St. Louis kicks dozens of people out of their apartment complex with little notice More than 60 people have been kicked out of Concord Apartments with little to no notice, and many have nowhere to go.

More than 60 people have been kicked out of the Concord apartment complex in St. Louis’ Marine Villa neighborhood after police raided the property late last week — and advocacy groups are criticizing the city for not supporting vulnerable residents.

I needed this today.

Congressional Democrats raise alarm over Trump's comments on Iran Dozens of Congressional Democrats raised alarm Tuesday over President Trump's rhetoric about Iran. Most Republican lawmakers have been silent.

More than three dozen Democrats are calling for Trump to be removed from office after the president warned "a whole civilization would die" if Iran didn't comply with his demands.

New roundup from me: