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The Ledes

Monday, February 24, 2025

New York Times: “Pope Francis is suffering from 'initial, mild kidney failure' in addition to the serious respiratory illness that has left the 88-year-old pontiff in critical condition in a Rome hospital, the Vatican said on Sunday.

Describing a “complex” clinical picture, the Vatican said that the kidney ailment was 'at present under control,' and that there had been no repeat of the respiratory crisis that the pope had experienced on Saturday. The pope was 'alert and well oriented,' the Vatican said, and he attended Mass in his suite along with the medical staff caring for him.”

The Wires

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Public Service Announcement

Zoë Schlanger in the Atlantic: "Throw out your black plastic spatula. In a world of plastic consumer goods, avoiding the material entirely requires the fervor of a religious conversion. But getting rid of black plastic kitchen utensils is a low-stakes move, and worth it. Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. But, as Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth recently told me, black plastic is particularly crucial to avoid." This is a gift link from laura h.

Mashable: "Following the 2024 presidential election results and [Elon] Musk's support for ... Donald Trump, users have been deactivating en masse. And this time, it appears most everyone has settled on one particular X alternative: Bluesky.... Bluesky has gained more than 100,000 new sign ups per day since the U.S. election on Nov. 5. It now has over 15 million users. It's enjoyed a prolonged stay on the very top of Apple's App Store charts as well. Ready to join? Here's how to get started on Bluesky[.]"

Washington Post: "Americans can again order free rapid coronavirus tests by mail, the Biden administration announced Thursday. People can request four free at-home tests per household through covidtests.gov. They will begin shipping Monday. The move comes ahead of an expected winter wave of coronavirus cases. The September revival of the free testing program is in line with the Biden administration’s strategy to respond to the coronavirus as part of a broader public health campaign to protect Americans from respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), that surge every fall and winter. But free tests were not mailed during the summer wave, which wastewater surveillance data shows is now receding."

New York Times: “Joy Reid’s evening news show on MSNBC is being canceled, part of a far-reaching programming overhaul orchestrated by Rebecca Kutler, the network’s new president, two people familiar with the changes said. The final episode of Ms. Reid’s 7 p.m. show, 'The ReidOut,' is planned for sometime this week, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The show, which features in-depth interviews with politicians and other newsmakers, has been a fixture of MSNBC’s lineup for the past five years. MSNBC is planning to replace Ms. Reid’s program with a show led by a trio of anchors: Symone Sanders Townsend, a political commentator and former Democratic strategist; Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Alicia Menendez, the TV journalist, the people said. They currently co-host 'The Weekend,' which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings.” MB: In case you've never seen “The Weekend,” let me assure you it's pretty awful.

Y! Entertainment: "Meanwhile, [Alex] Wagner will also be removed from her 9 pm weeknight slot. Wagner has already been working as a correspondent after Rachel Maddow took over hosting duties during ... Trump’s first 100 days in office. It’s now expected that Wagner will not return as host, but is expected to stay on as a contributor. Jen Psaki, President Biden’s former White House press secretary, is a likely replacement for Wagner, though a decision has not been finalized." MB: In fairness to Psaki, she is really too boring to watch. On the other hand, she is White. ~~~

~~~ RAS: "So MSNBC is getting rid of both of their minority evening hosts. Both women of color who are not afraid to call out the truth. Outspoken minorities don't have a long shelf life in the world of our corporate news media."

New York Times: “Chuck Todd, the former 'Meet the Press' moderator and a longtime fixture of NBC’s political coverage, told colleagues on Friday that he was leaving the network. A nearly two-decade veteran of NBC, Mr. Todd said that Friday would be his last day at NBC.... Mr. Todd, 52, is the latest TV news star to step aside at a moment when salaries are being scrutinized — and slashed — by major media companies. Hoda Kotb exited NBC’s 'Today' show this month, and Neil Cavuto of Fox News and CNN’s Chris Wallace departed their cable news homes late last year.”

CNBC: “ CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees Thursday [Jan. 23] as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience.... The layoffs come as CNN is rearranging its linear TV lineup and building out digital subscription products. The cuts will help CNN lower production costs and consolidate teams, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. Certain shows that are produced in New York or Washington may move to Atlanta, where production can be done more cheaply, said the people. For the most part, the job cuts won’t affect CNN’s most recognizable names, who are under contract, said the people. CNN has about 3,500 employees worldwide.... NBC News is also planning cuts later this week, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. While the exact number couldn’t be determined, the job losses will be well under 50....”

New York Times: “The president of MSNBC, Rashida Jones, is stepping down from that position, the company said on Tuesday, a major change at the news network just days before ... Donald J. Trump takes office. Rebecca Kutler, senior vice president for content strategy at MSNBC, will succeed Ms. Jones as interim president, effective immediately. Ms. Jones will stay on in an advisory role through March.... MSNBC is among a bundle of cable channels that its parent company, Comcast, is planning to spin out later this year into a new company.” ~~~

~~~ MSNBC: “On Monday, Jan. 20, MSNBC will present wall-to-wall coverage of the inauguration of ... Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance and will kick off special programming for the first 100 days of the new Trump administration.... On the heels of her field reporting during the last 100 days of the 2024 presidential campaign, Alex Wagner will travel the country to follow the biggest stories as they develop in real-time during Trump’s first 100 days in office, reporting on the impact of his early promises and policies on the electorate for 'Trumpland: The First 100 Days.'... During the first 100 days, Rachel Maddow will bring her signature voice and distinct perspective to the anchor desk every weeknight at 9 p.m. ET, offering viewers in-depth analysis of the key issues facing the country at the outset of Trump’s second term. After April 30, 'The Rachel Maddow Show' will return to its regular schedule of Mondays at 9 p.m. ET and Wagner will return to anchoring 'Alex Wagner Tonight' Tuesday through Friday.”

Page Links

Connecticut

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Hartford Courant, November 8: "Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley conceded the race for governor to Democrat Dannel Malloy Monday afternoon."

Hartford Courant: "Official numbers released by the Secretary of the State Friday evening show that Democrat Dannel Malloy will be Connecticut's next governor. But Republican Tom Foley still wouldn't concede defeat in the state's closest gubernatorial election in half a century, and didn't rule out the possibility of a lawsuit to force a statewide recount."

New York Times: in Connecticut, both the Democratic & Republican gubernatorial candidates are mobilizing their transition team, because they both think they won.

Somebody in Connecticut can't count, so the outcome of the governor's race remains up in the air.

Hartford Courant: "The hotly contested governor's race was still too close to call Wednesday morning after results were delayed when a judge ordered a two-hour extension of voting at some sites in Bridgeport. As of 5:44 a.m. Wednesday, Republican Tom Foley was leading Democrat Dannel Malloy in unofficial results by 50 percent to 49 percent, with 90% of precincts reporting. The difference amounts to 11,083 votes."

NBC News projects that Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal will win the Senate seat in Connecticut. Hartford-Courant: "A judge has extended voting in Bridgeport by two hours [till 10:00 pm ET] after a lack of ballots created major problems as citizens were trying to vote in the hotly contested race between U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Republican challenger Dan Debicella - as well as all other races on the ballot."

The New York Times, October 31, summarizes the state's races. "Connecticut residents are choosing a new United States senator and a new governor, along with a new attorney general, comptroller and secretary of state. They will also decide whether to re-elect the state’s five members of Congress, many members of the State Legislature and the state’s treasurer. Democrats have historically fared well, but in a volatile year, with Republicans poised to make big gains nationwide because of anger over the economy, many political analysts caution that anything can happen."

New York Times: wrestling issues dominate the last two weeks of the Senate campaign.

President Obama spoke at a Democratic National Committee/Moving America Forward rally in Connecticut Saturday, October 30. The Hill Update: "President Obama deflected heckling by AIDS protesters during a Saturday rally, suggesting they take up their cause with 'the other side' that's opposed to funding."

The New York Times Editorial Board endorses Democrat Richard Blumenthal for Senate in Connecticut & Democrat Dan Malloy for Connecticut governor.

Hartford Courant, October 12: "Tuesday night's debate between U.S. Senate candidates Richard Blumenthal and Linda McMahon began with a public policy discussion about jobs and the economy but turned into a barbed exchange over character." With video clip.

Dick Blumenthal goes after Linda McMahon's WWE record:

... Related AP story.

Hartford Courant: "U.S. Senate candidates Richard Blumenthal and Linda McMahon faced one another directly Monday night and sparred over their records and their ideas on how to restart the economy." There are a lot of clips of the debate on the linked page, each preceded by a 30-sec. ad. New York Times: "Richard Blumenthal and Linda E. McMahon questioned each other’s truthfulness and qualifications to serve in the United States Senate Monday in a televised debate marked by tart exchanges and obvious iciness between them."

A nice Politico headline: "Linda McMahon's WWE Teamed with Porn Show." "World Wrestling Entertainment, the company where Connecticut Republican Senate hopeful Linda McMahon served as CEO for years, once teamed up with the ‘Girls Gone Wild’ enterprise for a pay-per-view event featuring the raunchy, partly-nude show and some of the WWE’s wrestling personalities.

New York Times, September 16: "President Obama ... revived his attack on a Supreme Court decision allowing corporations to spend unlimited sums to influence elections.... Mr. Obama made his comments at a fundraiser in Stamford, Conn., for Richard Blumenthal.... Mr. Blumenthal, once far ahead in polls, is now in a close race with Linda McMahon, a Republican and former World Wrestling Entertainment executive... [who] has spent freely from her personal fortune."

President Obama spoke at a fundraiser for Connecticut AG & Senate nominee Dick Blumenthal:

Danbury News-Times, August 27: "Two weeks to the day after a former wrestler died at the age of 29, another one of GOP Senate nominee Linda McMahon's former stars -- who the company acknowledges it sent to rehab for substance abuse last year -- was found dead Friday.... Led by former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn., who lost the GOP primary to McMahon earlier this month, McMahon's political foes have accused her company of disregarding the welfare of her wrestlers, pointing to the 2007 suicide of WWE star Chris Benoit and murder of his wife and son and the 2005 heart failure of Eddie Guerrero Llanes."

Disturbing view reveals snippets of how Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon "earned" the millions she is spending on her campaign:

Connecticut Mirror, August 17: "Richard Blumenthal distanced himself Monday from the Obama administration and the state's Democratic congressional delegation with a forceful denunciation of Washington in a speech to the Connecticut AFL-CIO in Hartford ... but his anti-Washington theme drew little applause from a labor audience that had warmly greeted the man Blumenthal hopes to succeed, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd."

Raymond Hernandez of the New York Times on the upcoming Connecticut Senate race, which promises to be nasty.

Hartford Courant: Linda Moran won the Republican Senate primary in Connecticut." ...

... Hartford Courant: "In a major come-from-behind upset, Democrat Dannel Malloy won the [Connecticut] gubernatorial primary Tuesday night as Greenwich cable TV entrepreneur Ned Lamont conceded the race in a speech in Bridgeport. On the Republican side, Greenwich multi-millionaire Tom Foley was ahead in the early results in the GOP primary."

The Hartford Courant's "Connecticut Politics" page has a number of stories about today's (Tuesday's) primary elections.

New York Times: As [Ned] Lamont gears up for the Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday , progressives are grumbling that he has talked too much about tax breaks and streamlining red tape, and not enough about issues dear to labor unions and government watchdogs.

Quinnipiac: "The Democratic primary for governor in Connecticut is going down to the wire with businessman Ned Lamont at 45 percent and former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy at 42 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of Democratic likely primary voters released today. This compares to a 45 - 40 percent Lamont lead August 5. Today, 12 percent remain undecided and 30 percent of those who choose a candidate say they might change their mind."

Just a Kick in the Nuts. The trophy for Tasteless Ad of the Week has to go to Connecticut's sometimes Senate candidate Peter Schiff, who depicts rival & billionaire former World Wrestling CEO Linda McMahon kicking "a Republican" where it hurts:

Raymond Hernandez of the New York Times Is Still Stalking Blumenthal, June 17: "Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut sat down with a reporter for a local news outlet this week in an effort to move beyond an issue that has bedeviled his Senate campaign: his claims about his military service during the Vietnam War. But the interview...raised more questions about that chapter in his life, as Mr. Blumenthal offered a version of events that was sometimes at odds with historians’ accounts of the period."

New Britain (Connecticut) Herald, June 9: "Richard Hine, state assistant attorney general and New Britain resident, told the New Britain Herald Tuesday that [AG Richard] Blumenthal had lied about his service in Vietnam at least five times. Hine has worked for Blumenthal for more than 20 years but said he felt he had to come forward after Blumenthal’s recent actions."

It's a rare moment when the Constant Weader agrees with Rich Lowry of the National Review, but his smackdown of Connecticut Senate candidate Linda McMahon is one. I'm supposed to ask Lowry if I can publish this excerpt of his commentary. I didn't:

She apparently had no idea what unbelievable dreck her husband, the creative genius of the family, was staging every week. Linda herself appeared in some of the skits, although — in her defense — in a relatively restrained role that only saw her kick men in the groin once or twice.

New Haven Independent: Blumenthal again says he's sorry:

Hartford Courant: "After nearly a week of criticism following revelations that he misrepresented his military record and five days after a press conference in which he expressed regret for his misstatements, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal apologized."

Hartford Courant: "Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination Saturday by more than a 2 to 1 ratio over challenger Ned Lamont - setting the stage for a hotly contested primary in August."

Hartford Courant: "State Republicans today endorsed Thomas Foley, a Greenwich multimillionaire businessman who served as President George W. Bush's ambassador to Ireland and now describes himself as a political 'outsider,' as their candidate for governor -- but now the nomination hinges on a three-way GOP primary on Aug. 10."

Hartford Courant: "With several references to his problems of the past week, Richard Blumenthal accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate on Friday night." New York Times story here.

Hartford Courant: "Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment who has never held public office before, has seized the Republican convention's U.S. Senate endorsement from Rob Simmons, the party establishment's one-time favorite."

Paul Horvath, writing on the Crimson Swim blog, reports that, contra the New York Times story which said, “Records at the college show that he was never on the team,” Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal was on the Harvard swim team. He wasn't captain, as two published profiles had reported. Crimson Swim says they contacted the Times shortly after the online story went up, but the Times declined to alter its story. More from the Hartford Courant. The photo below comes via the Facebook page of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy, a conservative think tank:

"The Yankee Institute found a photo of Blumenthal, a freshman, in the swimming section of the 1964 Harvard yearbook. 'Bob Padway on the block with teammate Dick Blumenthal waiting, in the 400 yard freestyle relay against Princeton.'”

Raymond Hernandez of the New York Times turns up another instance in which Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal apparently claims service in Vietnam. The Milford (Connecticut) Mirror cites Blumenthal saying at a May 2007 Memorial Day event, "In Vietnam, we had to endure taunts and insults, and no one said, "Welcome home." I say welcome home.'”

An interesting update to the Blumenthal story: if you watch the entire video originally submitted as "evidence" that Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal lied about serving in Vietnam, you'll hear him correctly describe his service at the beginning of the speech:

We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam. -- Connecticut Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal....

... Right. We learned that you didn't serve in Vietnam.
-- Constant Weader

Raymond Hernandez of the New York Times: Connecticut Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal, currently the state's AG, who has been considered a shoo-in for the Senate seat, has repeatedy said outright or implied he was a Vietnam war veteran. He "never served in Vietnam. He obtained at least five military deferments...& took repeated steps that enabled him to avoid going to war.... In 1970, with his last deferment in jeopardy, he landed a coveted spot in the Marine Reserve, which virtually guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam." CW: the lying little shit should resign his position as AG & drop out of the race. There is never an excuse for lying about military service. Ever....

... Fox 61 News: a Republican rival of Blumenthal's, wrestling mogul Linda McMahon, tipped off the New York Times. Blumenthal held a press conference this afternoon. He said he "misspoke" & meant to say he served during, not in, Vietnam. New York Times story on the presser, with background:

... New Haven Register Update: Blumenthal spokesperson calls the Times story an "outrageous distortion."

... Update: BUT here's Exhibit A, Mr. Attorney General:

... Another Update: AND here's Exhibit B, in which Blumenthal says, during a debate, that he did not serve in Vietnam. Greg Sargent received the video from the DSCC:

... Update: here's Blumenthal's statement at his press conference: