Watch highlights from the fifteenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Jenna Ortega, with The 1975 as the musical guest, including the Oscars Red Carpet cold open.
Launch
Offering asides, recommended links, blogworthy quotations, and more, In Brief is the Northwest Progressive Institute's microblog of world, national, and local politics.
Welcome to In Brief, the Northwest Progressive Institute's microblog. In Brief provides a continuously curated collection of asides, recommended links, quotations, audio and video clips, still images, and transcribed dialogue. Click on a thumbnail to open an item.
Watch highlights from the fifteenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Jenna Ortega, with The 1975 as the musical guest, including the Oscars Red Carpet cold open.
Launch“Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse is a function of the Fed rate spike, and will surely trigger calls for its well-heeled tech and venture capital clients to get a bailout,” David Dayen writes.
LaunchRead this Washington Post article about IRS preparations for “a normal tax season,” made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed into law solely with Democratic votes.
LaunchWatch highlights from the fourteenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Travis Kelce, with Kelsea Ballerini as the musical guest, including the Fox Dominion cold open.
LaunchWatch highlights from the thirteenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Woody Harrelson, with Jack White as the musical guest, including the Trump train visit cold open.
LaunchA must-read from Politico: “A first-ever oral history of how top U.S. and Western officials saw the warning signs of a European land war, their frantic attempts to stop it — and the moment Putin actually crossed the border.”
Launch“It has been widely forgotten, but soon after taking office Ronald Reagan proposed major cuts to Social Security. But he backed down in the face of a political backlash, leading analysts at the Cato Institute to call for a ‘Leninist’ strategy — their word — creating a coalition ready to exploit a future crisis if and when one arrived,” Paul Krugman writes.
LaunchKING5’s Leah Pezzetti: “There are many factors that can add to a vibrant sunset, and winter lends itself to these conditions. Here’s a look at the science behind the perfect sunset.”
LaunchHere’s a roundup of some of the best comments on President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address from former and current Republicans who decided to share their thoughts on the speech.
LaunchWatch highlights from the tenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Michael B. Jordan, with Lil Baby as the musical guest, including the classified press conference cold open.
LaunchWatch the speaking program of the January 26th, 2023 rally to support our state’s capital gains tax on the wealthy organized by Invest in Washington Now.
Launch“When it comes to keeping kids from reading much, if at all, DeSantis’ policy is a smashing success,” writes Amanda Marcotte. “He’s established the idea that no student should ever be allowed to just grab a book and read on their own.”
LaunchWatch highlights from the ninth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Aubrey Plaza, with Sam Smith (and Kim Petras) as musical guests, including the Fox playoffs cold open.
Launch“We don’t deserve to be shoved back into poorly ventilated workplaces while our politicians and press assure us that only crazy people would demand to breathe clean air,” writes Julia Doubleday.
LaunchVia Oregon Public Broadcasting: “Attendees asked about her thoughts on issues ranging from homelessness to wind-powered energy to abortion. District residents submitted their questions in writing, which a moderator seated on a dais read aloud.”
Launch“After the chaos of the first week of the 118th Congress, many Americans wondered: If it took them 15 ballots just to choose a speaker, how could Republicans possibly govern? Now we know. They are going to govern by fantasy and legislate on the basis of fiction,” Dana Milbank writes.
LaunchThe White House has accepted Kevin McCarthy’s invitation to schedule the State of the Union for February 7th. The speech is expected to occur at 6 PM Pacific Time.
LaunchPew’s Stateline: “With their eyes on the 2024 presidential election, state lawmakers around the country are preparing to reshape voting rules in what election experts expect will be another busy legislative season.”
LaunchIzzie Ramirez of Vox on how the cult of consumerism ushered in an era of badly made products.
Launch“Kevin McCarthy is kicking his bid for the speaker’s gavel into a historic third day after Republicans adjourned Wednesday without a single defector reversing course,” Politico reports.
LaunchRecently elected Republicans are ready to fire up the base with anger over billions spent to protect allies overseas.
Launch