Long time, no talk! Just a few months ago, I delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy named Riley and have been home with him since. It’s been an incredibly special time to watch our happy, giggly baby grow and thrive — and discover his hands and toes! Now, I’m happy to be back with all of you and dive back into all the chaos of the Washington, D.C., political scene.
A few more photos of baby Riley
– Cate Martel |
I left you all for five months — FIVE MONTHS — and what in the world have I returned to?: |
Twitter no longer exists (“X” does not roll off the tongue), former President Trump has been indicted four times and AI is taking over the world. And what the heck is a Barbenheimer?!
You can’t even imagine the FOMO I had while reading that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg may *literally* meet for a cage fight. Can you think of any fodder that is more perfectly designed for me? I owe a huge thank you to Liz Crisp for taking the reins while I’ve been out. She did an amazing job at keeping you informed and entertained. I had a lot of fun following along from afar! |
By my calculation, a swarm of locusts is scheduled for tomorrow, and frogs will be falling from the sky on Wednesday: |
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A magnitude 5.1 hurricane hit Southern California on Sunday while the first tropical storm in more than 80 years made landfall in the state. More on the earthquake, via NewsNation local affiliate KTLA ^ Including some wild Ring camera footage of the earthquake shaking a restaurant. |
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➤ WHY HURRICANES ARE EXTREMELY RARE IN CALIFORNIA: |
The New York Times’s Livia Albeck-Ripka explains: “Such events are extremely unusual in the region because the dry air, cool water and wind conditions off California’s coast tend to break up hurricanes … But in the case of Hilary, slightly warmer waters caused by El Niño are helping to weaken the storm more slowly, while pressure systems are pushing the storm north toward land.”
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Photos of the storm and damage in California: From The Weather Channel
Check out Coachella Valley: The Weather Channel posted footage of knee-deep flood water in Coachella Valley. “This is the desert,” The Weather Channel noted. Watch That was a close one: KTLA posted video of cars almost colliding during the slippery conditions. Watch
I mean, this is true: @kcrwkramer pointed out that “it takes a tropical storm and an earthquake to turn LA freeways green.” Screenshot of the traffic map
Footage of the earthquake rattling a store: From NBC Los Angeles’s Alex Rozier
The bread situation: @MikeSington posted on X, “As Los Angeles residents prepare for Hurricane Hilary, they’re clearing the shelves. All the bread is sold out at this Trader Joe’s, except the white bread…Angelenos don’t eat that.” Photo |
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OK, but what if we nixed the podiums and gave everyone 100 water balloons …?: |
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GOP presidential hopefuls will face off Wednesday for the first debate of the 2024 campaign cycle. How many candidates have qualified so far?: The total number is still unclear. At least seven candidates have qualified, according to The New York Times. But there are still a few unknowns. What is necessary to qualify?: The Republican National Committee set criteria, which include polling and fundraising requirements. What is the deadline for candidates to qualify?: Today.
The obvious question — will Trump participate?: No, Trump plans to skip the debate and will reportedly participate in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. |
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➤ TIDBIT THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD — I’D LOVE TO SEE THE FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED BY DOGS: |
You know how debate hosts play a sound to signal to candidates that their allotted speaking time has elapsed? Well, Fox News is changing its sound this year because “the doorbell-like chime it used in the last debates after it sent some dogs into barking fits.” (The New York Times) |
➤ ANOTHER TIDBIT — HOW TRUMP’S ABSENCE IS VIEWED BY A FOX NEWS HOST: |
“By skipping the debates … Donald Trump may actually be helping Joe Biden, because he’s giving Joe Biden an excuse for not debating Donald Trump,” “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy said Monday. Doocy’s full reasoning |
➤ ‘CANDIDATES FACE TRICKY BALANCING ACT ON TRUMP AT FIRST GOP DEBATE’: |
➤ ‘NEW POLL — TRUMP HAS A PRETTY COMFY LEAD IN IOWA: |
Former President Trump has a 23-point lead over GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Iowa, according to a new NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released Monday. (The Hill)
The gist: 42 percent of likely Republican Iowa caucus goers support Trump, 19 percent support DeSantis and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) came in third place with 9 percent. The full poll data |
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Biden is on his way to Maui: |
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden are flying to Maui, Hawaii, today to survey the damage from the recent wildfires.
An action item: Biden plans to appoint a federal coordinator to oversee recover efforts.
What Biden will do during his visit: An aerial tour of the damage, a briefing from officials on the ground and meet with first responders. Biden will also deliver remarks.
What we know about Biden’s visit, via The Hill’s Brett Samuels |
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This is both relatable and hilarious: |
A pinch of salt, a dash of political nudging: |
D.C.-based celebrity chef José Andrés posted a video of presidential candidate concession speeches throughout history, ending with footage of former President Trump. “If you support Trump, watch this video please….and think…,” Andrés captioned. Watch ^ Keep in mind: Andrés is a frequent Trump critic. |
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Reno, Nev., and is traveling to Hawaii today. Vice President Harris is in Los Angeles. -
10 a.m.: Biden received his daily briefing.
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11:40 a.m.: Biden and first lady Jill Biden left Nevada en route to Maui, Hawaii.
- 5:10 p.m.: The Bidens arrive in Maui.
- 11:25 p.m.: The Bidens leave Hawaii and return to Reno, Nev.
- September 5: The Senate returns. Senate calendar
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September 12: The House returns. House calendar
All times Eastern. |
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3:30 p.m.: White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One. Livestream
- Aug. 23: The first GOP presidential debate of the 2024 campaign cycle.
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Today is National Sweet Tea Day!: |
Did you know, the first recipe that resembles modern-day sweet tea was printed in a cookbook in 1879 by a woman named Marion Cabell Tyree. Although she used green tea instead of black, she is to thank for the tasty and refreshing beverage! What’s your favorite sweet tea recipe?
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