Ansel Herz

Zohran on CBS: " I think what we can see is that a democratic socialist politics is one that should be judged on its delivery, like any ideology ...  I think that this is a politics that can flourish anywhere because, frankly, there is only one majority in this country — that's the working class and it's time we have a politics that puts them at the heart of what it is that we're pursuing and not as part of the appendix."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a decree to establish a Universal Health Service, saying the objective is for any citizen to be able to attend any health institution and be guaranteed full and free coverage throughout the national system.

There are corrections and there are CORRECTIONS.

"The top 1 percent of American households, which have a minimum net worth of $11.1 million, now collectively own about $25.6 trillion worth of stocks and mutual funds, the same amount as the remaining 99% of the country," per the Federal Reserve

I am leaving the Washington Post to join a new journalistic venture backed by Politico founder Robert Allbritton that will be both the hometown publication the D.C. region sorely needs and a scrappy and fearless national news organization. I hope you'll join us.

After 15 years covering the Washington State Legislature, I was just denied a press pass. Why? Because I have taken the public position that girls should not be forced to compete against boys. I am one of the longest-serving political reporters in the state. I have never acted unprofessionally at the statehouse. I ask serious, well-informed questions and provide coverage for many Washingtonians who feel unrepresented in mainstream news coverage. To make matters worse, legacy media representatives with the Capitol Correspondents Association conspired with Democrats in the House to weaponize an outdated policy to keep me (and other new media professionals) out. Let me be clear: Legacy news reporters took the side of politicians over the public. Rather than help expand political coverage for all by welcoming independent media into the fold, they pushed for LESS press freedom, not more. They played gatekeeper. Not only to help their struggling outlets survive by keeping out the competition, but to help the Democratic Party in power keep out critical voices. Yes, independent media in Washington state is overwhelmingly conservative. There is a reason for that. There is a reason more reporters are leaving legacy newsrooms to do what I did in 2021. Too many local newsrooms cover stories from a progressive worldview. They increasingly shut out 40% of the state and parrot the views of the party in power. Offering my informed opinion on policies should not preclude me, or others, from having access to the spaces we need to be in to do our jobs for the citizens who depend on us. To shut us out is to shut them out. I have advocated for a simple policy to govern press passes in Olympia – one based on decorum. If reporters can abide by reasonable decorum rules, they should be allowed a press pass. Podcasters. Bloggers. Columnists. YouTubers. Everyone. I invite my friends (and enemies) in legacy news to show a united front and stand up for press freedom, as I have done consistently for years – even when it meant criticizing my own side. If the goal is to hold elected leaders accountable, expanding old rules to welcome in more voices and more perspectives is the answer. If the goal is to shut out anyone who might challenge Democratic leaders, then I guess the policy should stay the same.

an important journalism lesson i've learned is that officials who hate you will still talk to you if you've got the goods. the access journalism game really isn't necessary

Can anyone pin-point the exact moment where everything in society just got substantially worse?