My Weekly Recommendations

Here’s what you might have missed this week:

Texting Scandal vs Hillary Clinton's email: Here's the Truth

How does today’s texting scandal compare to Hillary Clinton’s emails? Also: Are people being denied entry to the US because they were critical of the Trump administration? An abrupt about-face in Canada that dissolved the government, and details of a Supreme Court ruling on guns.

Did Biden Really Sign Those Pardons?

Donald Trump claims that because Joe Biden used an autopen when signing pardons for the members of the Jan. 6 committee, those pardons are null and void — and Trump can freely go after the committee members. So what is an autopen, and is it legal for presidents to use?

The Most Powerful Man in Media You’ve Never Heard of

The media landscape changed dramatically in the 1980s. Partisan media has always existed, particularly in the newspaper arena. But when people began to communicate via the airwaves – TV and radio – the government decided that in order to get a license to broadcast, things needed to be fair. Enter the Federal Communication Commission, or FCC, which is now being used to investigate media organizations the Trump administration doesn’t like.

Here Comes "Liberation Day"

There’s a date that Donald Trump can’t stop talking about. “April 2nd is Liberation Day for America,” Trump announced in a Truth Social post this month, identifying it as the day that the next escalation in his trade agenda — reciprocal tariffs — will go into effect. But not all Americans are happy about it.

“Like a Landlord Seeking Rent”

Within weeks of taking office, the Trump administration has effectively gutted America's soft power apparatus, creating a power vacuum that is now being filled by China. The imagery couldn't be more stark: As President Trump dismantled USAID, Chinese medical teams were checking household water conditions in African villages. These contrasting scenes tell the story of a profound geopolitical realignment unfolding before our eyes.

What I’m reading…

Going Soft

By Lily Scherlis for Harper’s Magazine

When Lily Scherlis mentions soft skills to the occasional corporate leaders she meets through her research, they look grave. They tell her how crucial soft skills are and how hard it is to find them in job candidates, as though they were an elusive species of bird being hunted to death. Yet when she asks what they are or how they’re measured, no one can quite tell her.

Altadena: Four Stories

Myriam Gurba, Moriah Ulinskas, Carolyn Castaño, Merrill Feitell for Places Journal

For three weeks in January, the Eaton Fire raced through the small community of Altadena, California, destroying more than 9,000 buildings and killing seventeen people. Afterward, Places invited four writers, all longtime local residents, to share memories, and photographs, of what burned, and what didn’t.

The Twin Bandits Who (Nearly) Outsmarted Australian Police

By Andrew Dubbins for Atavist Magazine

The police couldn’t figure out how the perpetrator ripped off two banks at the same time. Until they discovered there wasn’t just one robber but a pair of them: identical twin brothers.

The Six-Figure Nannies and Housekeepers of Palm Beach

By Emily Witt for The New Yorker

An influx of ultra-high-net-worth newcomers has increased demand for experienced—and discreet—household staff.

The Signal Betrayal: A National Security Breach That Demands Accountability

By Adam Kinzinger

Through the lens of both a former representative and former lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, Adam Kinzinger gives his thoughts on “Signalgate,” writing he has “witnessed firsthand the importance of safeguarding our national security … That is why the recent revelations regarding top-secret communications among the White House national security team are infuriating and unacceptable.”

What I’m listening to…

Eleanor Roosevelt and WWII

Here’s Where It Gets Interesting

It's the trifecta of listener-favorite subjects: an American First Lady, World War II, and a secret adventure. Shannon McKenna Schmidt joins us to share about her new book, The First Lady of World War II:, which chronicles Eleanor Roosevelt’s journey to the Pacific theater during wartime. The five-week trip took her through the South Pacific, and began as a secret when she hitched a ride on a transport airplane next to sacks of mail. Tune in to hear what happened when she touched down in Australia.

Narwhal sightings are rare. Scientists just saw them use their tusks in new ways

Short Wave

What are the narwhals up to? Generally, we don't really know! They are mysterious creatures. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce talks about new, rare drone footage scientists captured of arctic narwhals. The video sparked new ideas for how they use their tusks.

Do Voters Sometimes Support Parties They Actually Disagree With?

Not Another Politics Podcast

In elections across democracies, we assume voters cast ballots for candidates whose policies align with their interests. But what happens when that's not the case? This week, experts unpack a political puzzle from Japan: the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) keeps winning elections despite voters consistently rejecting their policies. This podcast delves into why voters might choose candidates whose platforms they fundamentally disagree with. Is it trust, competence, or something more complicated?

What I’m watching…

Saving Orphaned Otters One Step at a Time

Great Big Story

This British animal rehabilitation center rescues endangered Eurasian otters in the wild by giving them shelter and care in a safer habitat. One couple protects the ecosystem by giving these creatures a second chance.

AI Is Fueling E-Commerce Scams. Here’s How to Spot Them

Evident Media

With artificial intelligence, almost anyone can create almost anything in images and text. But that often leads to errors and distortions with real-life consequences for people relying on AI-generated products — from health cookbooks created without dietary expertise to holiday gifts that fool buyers with fake photos. Bellingcat researcher Kolina Koltai shares tips for spotting AI-generated material and shows us how AI is being used by vendors on platforms like Etsy and Amazon to dupe customers.

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Thanks for being a Governerd! I’ll see you tomorrow.