Helen Fessenden
@hfessenden.bsky.social
Assignment editor, Futures desk, The Washington Post
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
New from us:
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
New from us:
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States' peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday.
Story below, we'll also publish full text.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Having your private information exposed is terrifying and can create financial havoc in your life.
Here are some of the actions you should take if you get one of those “notice of data security incident” letters:
Here are some of the actions you should take if you get one of those “notice of data security incident” letters:
Column | Take these 4 steps now before your next data-breach notice
There are so many ways for scammers to circumvent security measures that you need to regularly check your accounts.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Having your private information exposed is terrifying and can create financial havoc in your life.
Here are some of the actions you should take if you get one of those “notice of data security incident” letters:
Here are some of the actions you should take if you get one of those “notice of data security incident” letters:
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
People ask what it’s like to work inside the media meltdown. It used to be like musical chairs. Now it’s the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan.
November 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
People ask what it’s like to work inside the media meltdown. It used to be like musical chairs. Now it’s the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Are ChatGPT and other AI tools the most transformative technology in generations, or an overhyped time bomb that could trigger economic disaster?
Here are four reasons AI may live up to investors’ soaring expectations — and four reasons it might not:
Here are four reasons AI may live up to investors’ soaring expectations — and four reasons it might not:
Analysis | Are we in an AI bubble? Eight charts will help you decide.
Soaring investment in artificial intelligence has triggered warnings about a risky financial bubble. These charts show reasons to be calm — or concerned.
wapo.st
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Are ChatGPT and other AI tools the most transformative technology in generations, or an overhyped time bomb that could trigger economic disaster?
Here are four reasons AI may live up to investors’ soaring expectations — and four reasons it might not:
Here are four reasons AI may live up to investors’ soaring expectations — and four reasons it might not:
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
This is achingly beautiful and almost too painful to read in places (but you still should). The cruelty of cancer, the longing to be with your children — and the twist of fate, being RFK Jr’s cousin as he unwinds U.S. health research.
A Battle with My Blood
When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.
www.newyorker.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This is achingly beautiful and almost too painful to read in places (but you still should). The cruelty of cancer, the longing to be with your children — and the twist of fate, being RFK Jr’s cousin as he unwinds U.S. health research.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Chart of the decade, from a new blockbuster reportage on how billionaires took over American politics www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Chart of the decade, from a new blockbuster reportage on how billionaires took over American politics www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The U.S. Border Patrol made over 250 arrests and clashed with protesters in Charlotte, North Carolina, during their weeklong operation that began on Nov. 15.
Federal officials have offered few details about those arrested, or when and where agents will show up next. https://wapo.st/47YGYn3
Federal officials have offered few details about those arrested, or when and where agents will show up next. https://wapo.st/47YGYn3
November 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The U.S. Border Patrol made over 250 arrests and clashed with protesters in Charlotte, North Carolina, during their weeklong operation that began on Nov. 15.
Federal officials have offered few details about those arrested, or when and where agents will show up next. https://wapo.st/47YGYn3
Federal officials have offered few details about those arrested, or when and where agents will show up next. https://wapo.st/47YGYn3
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
"She’s not trying to rebuild her reputation as a journalist—she’s building a different kind of brand entirely, one where being interesting matters more than being ethical, where attention is the only currency that still spends."
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media
Olivia Nuzzi’s comeback isn’t a personal scandal story—it’s proof that today’s media rewards access, personality, and controversy more than ethics.
www.mediaite.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"She’s not trying to rebuild her reputation as a journalist—she’s building a different kind of brand entirely, one where being interesting matters more than being ethical, where attention is the only currency that still spends."
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
The best thing I have read about her. www.mediaite.com/opinion/the-...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
In the past decade, billionaires have been more empowered than ever before to spend money to influence American elections.
Here are the billionaires who make up the top 20 political spenders:
Here are the billionaires who make up the top 20 political spenders:
The top 20 billionaires influencing American politics
The group has spent nearly $5 billion on elections since 2015.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
In the past decade, billionaires have been more empowered than ever before to spend money to influence American elections.
Here are the billionaires who make up the top 20 political spenders:
Here are the billionaires who make up the top 20 political spenders:
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a more stringent policy on hate symbols, prohibiting “divisive or hate symbols or flags.”
The change came hours after The Post reported that the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive.”
The change came hours after The Post reported that the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive.”
In reversal, Coast Guard again classifies swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The new order came hours after The Post reported the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive” under guidelines set for release next month.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a more stringent policy on hate symbols, prohibiting “divisive or hate symbols or flags.”
The change came hours after The Post reported that the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive.”
The change came hours after The Post reported that the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive.”
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Democrats, who once thought they would come up short in a gerrymandering war, are on track to net an estimated five seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
And while that could shift, they may still end up with an advantage.
And while that could shift, they may still end up with an advantage.
In surprise shift, Democrats are ahead in redistricting fight
After early redistricting wins, Trump faces setbacks over maps for Texas, Indiana and other Republican-led states, frustrating his allies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Democrats, who once thought they would come up short in a gerrymandering war, are on track to net an estimated five seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
And while that could shift, they may still end up with an advantage.
And while that could shift, they may still end up with an advantage.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot ranks him as world history’s greatest human
Users on X shared examples of the “truth-seeking” AI chatbot praising its owner as “strikingly handsome,” a “genius,” and fitter than LeBron James.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Coast Guard "will no longer classify the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II, as a hate symbol," per new policy taking effect next month wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Coast Guard "will no longer classify the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II, as a hate symbol," per new policy taking effect next month wapo.st/3Mbd9a6
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Wild to think that just a few months ago this administration was cracking down on universities for not doing enough to root out antisemitism www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Wild to think that just a few months ago this administration was cracking down on universities for not doing enough to root out antisemitism www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Actually not a fluff piece, but a great read:
I love your sweater. Is it made from gay sheep wool?
Grindr partnered with Rainbow Wool and designer Michael Schmidt to create a fashion show featuring clothing made entirely from the wool of gay sheep. Wait, what?
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Actually not a fluff piece, but a great read:
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Story today from the great @lenasun.bsky.social, who tracked down shocked CDC scientists who said they didn’t know the website was changing.
She also summarizes RFK Jr’s efforts to resurrect false claims on autism this year.
She also summarizes RFK Jr’s efforts to resurrect false claims on autism this year.
Under RFK Jr., CDC promotes false vaccines-autism link it once discredited
The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Story today from the great @lenasun.bsky.social, who tracked down shocked CDC scientists who said they didn’t know the website was changing.
She also summarizes RFK Jr’s efforts to resurrect false claims on autism this year.
She also summarizes RFK Jr’s efforts to resurrect false claims on autism this year.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
NEW: As Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick drives billions of dollars in foreign payments to help build AI data centers in the US, his sons help run a company earning tens of millions in fees helping finance AI data centers. A NYT investigation. (Free link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Family Affair: Commerce Secretary’s Sons Cash In on A.I. Frenzy
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
NEW: As Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick drives billions of dollars in foreign payments to help build AI data centers in the US, his sons help run a company earning tens of millions in fees helping finance AI data centers. A NYT investigation. (Free link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The media business is in trouble, but Nuzzi is not some digital media hacker. She is a throwback. Mailer stabbed his wife and went on TV. Talese wrote about his massage parlor hand jobs. Didion described the world as a personal crisis. The performers have always had their place.
The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media
The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media
Olivia Nuzzi’s comeback isn’t a personal scandal story—it’s proof that today’s media rewards access, personality, and controversy more than ethics.
The post The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media first appeared on Mediaite.
dlvr.it
November 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM
The media business is in trouble, but Nuzzi is not some digital media hacker. She is a throwback. Mailer stabbed his wife and went on TV. Talese wrote about his massage parlor hand jobs. Didion described the world as a personal crisis. The performers have always had their place.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Breaking news: The Social Security Administration has abandoned plans to block thousands of older Americans from qualifying for disability benefits after an uproar, according to people familiar with the decision.
Social Security scraps plan to limit disability benefits after uproar
The policy would have fundamentally altered who qualifies for the two federal disability programs by eliminating or limiting a person’s age as a factor to consider.
wapo.st
November 19, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Breaking news: The Social Security Administration has abandoned plans to block thousands of older Americans from qualifying for disability benefits after an uproar, according to people familiar with the decision.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Trump’s briefing today
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Trump’s briefing today
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...