transit Nov. 14, 2018

Tales From the Impending L-Train Apocalypse

By Aude White @charlottemayhem Based on interviews by Rachel Bashein and Emma Whitford

Illustration: Aude White

*This article appears in the November 12, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!

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Tales From the Impending L-Train Apocalypse

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THE FEED

11:51 a.m.

politics

Pence Not Holding Grudge Against Trump Over Whole Riot Thing

By Benjamin Hart

The man who defined vice-presidential loyalty couldn’t stay mad for long.

11:43 a.m.

power

Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother Is Suing the Three Men Who Killed Her Son

By Amanda Arnold

In a federal lawsuit, Wanda Cooper-Jones also accuses police and prosecutors of trying to “cover up” Arbery’s murder.

10:53 a.m.

conservatism

Trump’s Reconquest of the GOP May Have an Upside for Democracy

By Eric Levitz

Averting minority rule requires radicalizing Senate Democrats. The GOP renewing its vows of fealty to Trump facilitates that task.

Most Popular

10:00 a.m.

vulture sports

Tiger Woods Hospitalized After Rollover Car Crash in L.A.

By Justin Curto

He is recovering from a surgery on his right leg and ankle, according to a statement.

8:52 a.m.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be authorized in the U.S. as soon as this weekend

A Food and Drug Administration review released Wednesday of the single-shot coronavirus vaccine made by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson found it was safe and effective and completely prevented hospitalizations and deaths in a large clinical trial.

… The review, though positive, was more nuanced than regulators’ assessments of the first two coronavirus vaccines, reflecting a pandemic that has entered a more complicated phase as variants capable of slipping by some aspects of immunity have emerged. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was more than 85 percent effective at preventing severe illness, including in a region dominated by a concerning variant, but only 66 percent protective overall when moderate cases were included.

The FDA scientists found that the “known benefits” of the vaccine included reducing the risk of symptomatic and severe cases of covid-19 at least two weeks after vaccination. The review found vaccine efficacy against severe covid-19 “was similarly high across the United States, South Africa, and Brazil.”

“We know this vaccine prevents 85 percent of the severe disease. … It was 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and deaths, and that’s really what’s important,” said Nancy M. Bennett, a professor of medicine and public health sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Those facts are the most important thing to recognize.”

FDA review confirms safety and efficacy of single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, especially against severe cases

—Washington Post

8:00 a.m.

media

Why Did First Look Let Go of Laura Poitras?

By Sarah Jones and Peter Sterne

A co-founder turns critic.

7:57 a.m.

Imagine a future in which we don’t run out of masks (or toilet paper)

President Biden on Wednesday will formally order a 100-day government review of potential vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for critical items, including computer chips, medical gear, electric-vehicle batteries and specialized minerals.

The directive comes as U.S. automakers are grappling with a severe shortage of semiconductors, essential ingredients in the high-tech entertainment and navigation systems that fill modern passenger vehicles.

Biden’s executive order, which he is scheduled to sign this afternoon, also is aimed at avoiding a repeat of the shortages of personal protective gear such as masks and gloves experienced last year during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re going to get out of the business of reacting to supply chain crises as they arise,” said one administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to brief reporters.

Biden to order sweeping review of U.S. supply chain weak spots

—Washington Post

7:00 a.m.

covid-19

9 Reasons to Believe the Worst of the Pandemic Is Over

By Chas Danner

The good news is really starting to roll in. (Though there are also a few reasons for caution.)

12:52 a.m.

insurrection

Former NYPD Officer Charged With Assaulting an Officer at the Capitol Riot

By Matt Stieb

Thomas Webster, who reportedly once guarded New York City Hall, has been accused of beating a D.C. officer with a flagpole at the insurrection.

2/23/2021

police brutality

Rochester Police Officers Will Not Be Charged in Killing of Daniel Prude

By Matt Stieb

A grand jury determined that the officers who put Prude in the chokehold that led to his death last March will not face charges.

2/23/2021

texas

How Is Ted Cruz Trying to Defend His Cancún Vacation Now?

By Matt Stieb

The senator has blamed his daughters, the media, and his neighbors for his decision to ditch Texas for warm weather during last week’s freeze.

2/23/2021

biden cabinet

Bernie Sanders Casts First Democratic Vote Against a Biden Cabinet Nominee

By Ed Kilgore

Tom Vilsack was overwhelmingly confirmed anyway, and Democratic unity remains impressive.

2/23/2021

extremism

Conspiracy Theorist Ron Johnson the New Model for Swing State GOP Senators

By Ed Kilgore

Senators from battleground states used to be mostly moderates. Johnson has gone sharply the other way, making wild claims about the Capitol riot.

2/23/2021

capitol riot

Key Moments from the Senate’s First Hearing on the Capitol Riot

By Nia Prater

Security officials who were in charge on January 6 claimed in Senate testimony that they had insufficient intelligence on the potential threat.

2/23/2021

congestion pricing

Secretary Pete Is Already Coming Through for New York City on Congestion Pricing

By Alissa Walker

Federal approval is finally coming for the MTA-funding traffic-reducing program.

2/23/2021

Tiger Woods injured in car crash

Tiger’s manager Mark Steinberg to Golf Digest: “Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support.”

—@mrewanmurray

2/23/2021

2020 elections

Straight-Ticket Voting Took Another Big Leap in 2020

By Ed Kilgore

The days of congressional candidates running far ahead of the national ticket are all but over.

2/23/2021

wall street

Oatly Is Going Public

By Eve Peyser

Five years after taking over every fancy coffee shop, the oat-milk company could be worth billions on the Stock Exchange.

2/23/2021

Ron Johnson is just asking questions at the Capitol-riot hearing

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who has suggested this wasn’t an armed insurrection, now begins his questioning by digging into whether the Capitol siege was the work of “provocateurs.”

—@AaronBlake

2/23/2021

books

Hillary Clinton Retiring to Mystery Books, Co-Writing With Louise Penny

By Justin Curto

State of Terror is out October 12.

2/23/2021

the national interest

The Future of Conservatism Is Flight 93 Elections Forever

By Jonathan Chait

Michael Anton sees the January 6 riot as the start of a new revolutionary spirit on the right.

2/23/2021

news wars

The News Is Coming Back to Australian Facebook

By Benjamin Hart

The social-media giant is restoring order for users after winning some concessions from the government.

2/23/2021

labor fights

After the Strike

By Alexandria Misch

Fear and tension inside the Hunts Point Produce Market.

All

2/23/2021

Congress is so unpopular that hitting a 35 percent approval rating is good news

Thirty-five percent of Americans currently approve of the way Congress is handling its job, a 10-percentage-point increase since January and the highest Gallup has measured in nearly 12 years.

The current results are from a Feb. 3-18 Gallup poll. Americans have generally given Congress relatively low ratings historically, with an average 30% job approval rating since Gallup first measured it in 1974. Since 2005, Congress’ ratings have rarely met the historical norm, averaging 21%.

Congress did register ratings of 30% or higher twice last spring, after passage of the $2 trillion CARES Act addressed the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Congress’ approval rating also rose significantly after lawmakers passed a second major COVID-19 relief bill in late December, improving from 15% approval earlier that month to 25% in January. The Biden administration and Congress have made additional COVID relief a top priority.

The latest survey was conducted as the Senate tried former President Donald Trump on an impeachment charge.

Congressional Job Approval Highest in Nearly 12 Years

—Gallup

2/23/2021

games