Rachel Cohen Booth
@rcobooth.bsky.social
Vox reporter - covering housing, homelessness, family policy
trying to prod productively
trying to prod productively
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ad-free podcasts, no paywalled stories or videos, and lots of other things we're cooking up for 2026
ad-free podcasts, no paywalled stories or videos, and lots of other things we're cooking up for 2026
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This holiday season, your membership goes further: when you join Vox as an annual Member, we’ll gift a complimentary membership to a reader facing financial barriers. http://www.vox.com/support-membership
November 24, 2025 at 6:46 PM
there's never been a better time to become a Vox member! Join today for $40 annual subscription and you'll help keep it free for someone else to to access who can't afford it
ad-free podcasts, no paywalled stories or videos, and lots of other things we're cooking up for 2026
ad-free podcasts, no paywalled stories or videos, and lots of other things we're cooking up for 2026
After decades of building for singles, cities are realizing the bill has come due. I wrote about the dearth of housing for families — and what it’ll take to fix it
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Cities made a bet on millennials — but forgot one key thing
Can cities learn to love kids again?
www.vox.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
After decades of building for singles, cities are realizing the bill has come due. I wrote about the dearth of housing for families — and what it’ll take to fix it
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
Excited to share that I'm writing a book: a history of the debates over funding public schools from the 1960's to now.
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Excited to share that I'm writing a book: a history of the debates over funding public schools from the 1960's to now.
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
(Yes the working title is tongue in cheek.)
Now I just need to finish writing—stay tuned!
And if you want to follow my work, you can do so here: www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
Vox is now on Patreon! 💛📣
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
November 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Vox is now on Patreon! 💛📣
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
This week on Explain It to Me: the future of housing. We talk to @ayesharascoe.bsky.social about buying a house with her bestie, @rcobooth.bsky.social about the new options out there, and @jerusalem.bsky.social on why homeownership just might be overrated. open.spotify.com/episode/1JUU...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This week on Explain It to Me: the future of housing. We talk to @ayesharascoe.bsky.social about buying a house with her bestie, @rcobooth.bsky.social about the new options out there, and @jerusalem.bsky.social on why homeownership just might be overrated. open.spotify.com/episode/1JUU...
it's clear reading this @rtraister.bsky.social piece how little the Democratic Party thinks it erred in running Joe Biden at his age
Also this memorable quote: "Many can’t imagine doing anything in which they won’t be heavily staffed and relevant all the time.”
nymag.com/intelligence...
Also this memorable quote: "Many can’t imagine doing anything in which they won’t be heavily staffed and relevant all the time.”
nymag.com/intelligence...
It’s My Party and I’ll Leave When I Want To
Talking to the gerontocracy.
nymag.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
it's clear reading this @rtraister.bsky.social piece how little the Democratic Party thinks it erred in running Joe Biden at his age
Also this memorable quote: "Many can’t imagine doing anything in which they won’t be heavily staffed and relevant all the time.”
nymag.com/intelligence...
Also this memorable quote: "Many can’t imagine doing anything in which they won’t be heavily staffed and relevant all the time.”
nymag.com/intelligence...
I love reading @sigalsamuel.bsky.social's ethical advice column. It's refreshing and I always learn something new
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
You don’t need better boundaries. You need a better framework.
“Setting boundaries” is broken — but there’s a different way to think about caring for yourself and others.
www.vox.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I love reading @sigalsamuel.bsky.social's ethical advice column. It's refreshing and I always learn something new
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
a sharp @suzmkahn.bsky.social review in @washingtonmonthly.com on After the Spike. Parenting will always have something of an "opportunity cost" but that doesn't mean there's not a lot policy can do to make it a better option
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/02/a...
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/02/a...
Running Out of People
In After the Spike, two economists make a provocative case that population decline could stall innovation and human progress.
washingtonmonthly.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
a sharp @suzmkahn.bsky.social review in @washingtonmonthly.com on After the Spike. Parenting will always have something of an "opportunity cost" but that doesn't mean there's not a lot policy can do to make it a better option
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/02/a...
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/02/a...
this part from new Q&A between @ericlevitz.bsky.social and Simon Bazelon really jumped out at me www.vox.com/politics/466...
October 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
this part from new Q&A between @ericlevitz.bsky.social and Simon Bazelon really jumped out at me www.vox.com/politics/466...
Spencer Cox has earned a national reputation as a pro-housing politician. It seems like if Utah will be able to fund this involuntary treatment campus (big if, very unclear) it will be paid for by in no small part by moving funds from existing shelters + permanent housing programs
exceptional reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social + Jason DeParle on the new homeless policy shifts in Salt Lake City — which the Cicero Institute casts as “a harbinger of the future.”
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
October 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Spencer Cox has earned a national reputation as a pro-housing politician. It seems like if Utah will be able to fund this involuntary treatment campus (big if, very unclear) it will be paid for by in no small part by moving funds from existing shelters + permanent housing programs
exceptional reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social + Jason DeParle on the new homeless policy shifts in Salt Lake City — which the Cicero Institute casts as “a harbinger of the future.”
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
October 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
exceptional reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social + Jason DeParle on the new homeless policy shifts in Salt Lake City — which the Cicero Institute casts as “a harbinger of the future.”
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
"There have been some notable Southern success stories, especially in fourth grade. ... Eighth grade results have been less impressive for these Southern exemplars, though." www.chalkbeat.org/2025/10/28/l... from @mattbarnum.bsky.social in his debut Ideas piece for @chalkbeat.org.
Has there been a ‘Southern surge’ in student learning?
Not exactly — but there have been some Southern success stories.
www.chalkbeat.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
"There have been some notable Southern success stories, especially in fourth grade. ... Eighth grade results have been less impressive for these Southern exemplars, though." www.chalkbeat.org/2025/10/28/l... from @mattbarnum.bsky.social in his debut Ideas piece for @chalkbeat.org.
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
“The pandemic made child care more salient — the glaring absence of it became everyone’s problem — but the urgency faded as offices reopened with blunt return-to-work mandates that assumed child care access had simply sorted itself out.”
Child care tends to get high marks in polls — but it rarely tops voters’ lists of priorities. Even among younger voters, it tends to sits well below health care, housing, and inflation
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
October 28, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“The pandemic made child care more salient — the glaring absence of it became everyone’s problem — but the urgency faded as offices reopened with blunt return-to-work mandates that assumed child care access had simply sorted itself out.”
Child care tends to get high marks in polls — but it rarely tops voters’ lists of priorities. Even among younger voters, it tends to sits well below health care, housing, and inflation
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Child care tends to get high marks in polls — but it rarely tops voters’ lists of priorities. Even among younger voters, it tends to sits well below health care, housing, and inflation
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
I wrote about what it might take to change that
www.vox.com/politics/466... (gift link)
New >> I wrote about @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's mayoral bid centered on universal child care — and how he’s both framing the issue the way pollsters would advise, and diverging from their playbook
www.vox.com/politics/466...
www.vox.com/politics/466...
Zohran Mamdani’s child care gamble
Can the NYC mayoral race prove it’s a winning issue?
www.vox.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
New >> I wrote about @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's mayoral bid centered on universal child care — and how he’s both framing the issue the way pollsters would advise, and diverging from their playbook
www.vox.com/politics/466...
www.vox.com/politics/466...
found this very moving and clarifying from @irincarmon.bsky.social www.thecut.com/article/make...
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
found this very moving and clarifying from @irincarmon.bsky.social www.thecut.com/article/make...
really interesting @chabeli.bsky.social piece on the push (and struggle) to get caregivers spotlighted in Hollywood
19thnews.org/2025/10/holl...
19thnews.org/2025/10/holl...
Can Hollywood do for paid leave what Congress hasn’t?
TV once made designated drivers mainstream, and 'Will & Grace' changed hearts on marriage equality. Now an effort is underway to get caregiving on screens — and perhaps influence paid family leave pol...
19thnews.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:37 PM
really interesting @chabeli.bsky.social piece on the push (and struggle) to get caregivers spotlighted in Hollywood
19thnews.org/2025/10/holl...
19thnews.org/2025/10/holl...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
The buzziest political word of the year is “affordability” — it’s the mantra that Democrats across the country have raced to claim as their own ever since the mantra carried Zohran Mamdani to victory in New York City’s mayoral primary.
But can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
But can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
The buzzy word that Democrats have pinned their hopes on
Can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
www.vox.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The buzziest political word of the year is “affordability” — it’s the mantra that Democrats across the country have raced to claim as their own ever since the mantra carried Zohran Mamdani to victory in New York City’s mayoral primary.
But can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
But can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
There's already some coverage:
@rcobooth.bsky.social wrote in @vox.com this morning describing our theory, and placing the Framework in this current political moment, while debating whether affordability can overcome just being another buzzword /7: www.vox.com/politics/465...
@rcobooth.bsky.social wrote in @vox.com this morning describing our theory, and placing the Framework in this current political moment, while debating whether affordability can overcome just being another buzzword /7: www.vox.com/politics/465...
The buzzy word that Democrats have pinned their hopes on
Can “affordability” be more than just a campaign pitch?
www.vox.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
There's already some coverage:
@rcobooth.bsky.social wrote in @vox.com this morning describing our theory, and placing the Framework in this current political moment, while debating whether affordability can overcome just being another buzzword /7: www.vox.com/politics/465...
@rcobooth.bsky.social wrote in @vox.com this morning describing our theory, and placing the Framework in this current political moment, while debating whether affordability can overcome just being another buzzword /7: www.vox.com/politics/465...
new! I wrote about the hottest word in Democratic politics — AFFORDABILITY.
Can leaders agree on what's underpinning costs being so high? Can they agree on solutions?
www.vox.com/politics/465...
Can leaders agree on what's underpinning costs being so high? Can they agree on solutions?
www.vox.com/politics/465...
The buzzy word that Democrats have pinned their hopes on
Can “affordable” be more than just a campaign pitch?
www.vox.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
new! I wrote about the hottest word in Democratic politics — AFFORDABILITY.
Can leaders agree on what's underpinning costs being so high? Can they agree on solutions?
www.vox.com/politics/465...
Can leaders agree on what's underpinning costs being so high? Can they agree on solutions?
www.vox.com/politics/465...
Reposted by Rachel Cohen Booth
The first look at the scale of Disney backlash after it suspended Kimmel. Wow>>
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Customers Ditched Disney+, Hulu After Kimmel Suspension
Cancellation rates for both Disney’s streaming services doubled in September from a month earlier.
www.wsj.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The first look at the scale of Disney backlash after it suspended Kimmel. Wow>>
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Teens who reported frequent body dissatisfaction after viewing posts on Instagram…saw about 3 times more body-focused/ED-adjacent content than other teens,” the authors wrote
www.reuters.com/business/ins...
www.reuters.com/business/ins...
October 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“Teens who reported frequent body dissatisfaction after viewing posts on Instagram…saw about 3 times more body-focused/ED-adjacent content than other teens,” the authors wrote
www.reuters.com/business/ins...
www.reuters.com/business/ins...
good piece on a topic that is definitely unnerving to read about
New: The leaked Young Republicans chat, and the bizarre conspiracy theories about Jews being involved in Charlie Kirk's murder, have spurred a public debate on the right.
Should they do more to condemn antisemitism in their own ranks — or not?
Gift link here: www.vox.com/politics/465...
Should they do more to condemn antisemitism in their own ranks — or not?
Gift link here: www.vox.com/politics/465...
October 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM
good piece on a topic that is definitely unnerving to read about
a round up of my recent reporting (and some thoughts on being in the second trimester 🙂)
rcobooth.substack.com/p/trumps-ivf...
rcobooth.substack.com/p/trumps-ivf...
Trump's IVF announcement, vacant homes, YIGBY
Tariffs and housing, back rent debt, and two-parent Black families
rcobooth.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
a round up of my recent reporting (and some thoughts on being in the second trimester 🙂)
rcobooth.substack.com/p/trumps-ivf...
rcobooth.substack.com/p/trumps-ivf...