Helen Fessenden
@hfessenden.bsky.social
Assignment editor, Futures desk, The Washington Post
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
From less-creepy AI to smartphones that got cheaper, here is the tally of the mostly good, but occasionally crummy, year in technology for 2025.
Analysis | The best and worst technologies of 2025
Your Elon Musk-free guide to actually good things that happened in technology in 2025.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
From less-creepy AI to smartphones that got cheaper, here is the tally of the mostly good, but occasionally crummy, year in technology for 2025.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Long-strained customer services at Social Security became worse since President Trump began his second term, agency data and interviews show, as thousands of employees were fired or quit and reassignments left inexperienced staff to handle the aftermath.
How Social Security has gotten worse under Trump
Customer service has deteriorated by key measures as the agency enacted sweeping cuts in Trump’s second term, internal data and interviews show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Long-strained customer services at Social Security became worse since President Trump began his second term, agency data and interviews show, as thousands of employees were fired or quit and reassignments left inexperienced staff to handle the aftermath.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Exclusive: The Kennedy Center adopted bylaws earlier this year that limited voting to presidentially appointed trustees, a move that preceded a unanimous decision this month by board members installed by President Donald Trump to add his name to the center.
Kennedy Center changed board rules months before vote to add Trump’s name
The cultural center said only trustees appointed by the president could vote, barring other members, including Democrats who hold seats, from decisions.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Exclusive: The Kennedy Center adopted bylaws earlier this year that limited voting to presidentially appointed trustees, a move that preceded a unanimous decision this month by board members installed by President Donald Trump to add his name to the center.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Previously unseen photos obtained by The Washington Post show the White House grounds being reworked over six months as part of a far-reaching overhaul tied to plans for a new, 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
See the images here:
See the images here:
New images offer closer look at demolition for the White House ballroom
The project reflects Trump’s expansive view of presidential authority — even over the White House itself.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Previously unseen photos obtained by The Washington Post show the White House grounds being reworked over six months as part of a far-reaching overhaul tied to plans for a new, 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
See the images here:
See the images here:
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
"Voters want contradictory things: low #prices when they shop, high #wages for themselves; not many immigrants but lots of cheap labour; rising house prices when they own and lower ones when their children want to buy." www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
December 31, 2025 at 12:17 PM
"Voters want contradictory things: low #prices when they shop, high #wages for themselves; not many immigrants but lots of cheap labour; rising house prices when they own and lower ones when their children want to buy." www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
My wish for 2026 is that politicians and political analysts realize that public opinion is endogenous to elite behavior, that polling single issues tells us nothing about electorally successful strategies, that politics means shaping public opinion and that popularism is the death of progressivism.
December 31, 2025 at 8:53 AM
My wish for 2026 is that politicians and political analysts realize that public opinion is endogenous to elite behavior, that polling single issues tells us nothing about electorally successful strategies, that politics means shaping public opinion and that popularism is the death of progressivism.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Tatiana Schlossberg, the climate journalist whose terminal illness and position in the Kennedy family thrust her into the national spotlight late in life, died today at age 35.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Tatiana Schlossberg, environmental journalist and Kennedy scion, dies at 35
In November, she announced her terminal cancer diagnosis in a New Yorker essay that took aim at one of her cousins, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Tatiana Schlossberg, the climate journalist whose terminal illness and position in the Kennedy family thrust her into the national spotlight late in life, died today at age 35.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Under President Trump, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will focus on stamping out “illegal discrimination” stemming from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and “anti-American bias.”
Why Trump’s EEOC wants to talk to White men about discrimination
Armed with a quorum and GOP majority, Chair Andrea Lucas is pressing new priorities — such as dismantling DEI — that criticis say have turned the agency’s mission “on its head.”
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Under President Trump, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will focus on stamping out “illegal discrimination” stemming from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and “anti-American bias.”
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The Justice Department sued Virginia for granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, saying the policy violated federal law by favoring those students over citizens who live outside Virginia and don’t qualify for in-state benefits.
DOJ sues Virginia over in-state tuition for undocumented students
Virginia is the seventh state sued by the Trump administration over similar policies. It’s not clear how the state, which is transitioning to a Democratic governorship, will respond.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The Justice Department sued Virginia for granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, saying the policy violated federal law by favoring those students over citizens who live outside Virginia and don’t qualify for in-state benefits.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The rent strike is part of a strategy that housing activists have started to replicate in midsize cities across the country.
In Kansas City, Missouri, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town. However, there are risks.
In Kansas City, Missouri, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town. However, there are risks.
Rent strikes are getting results in the Midwest. But there are risks.
In Kansas City, Missouri, where housing costs are rising at twice the national average, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town in what is poised to become a national mov...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The rent strike is part of a strategy that housing activists have started to replicate in midsize cities across the country.
In Kansas City, Missouri, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town. However, there are risks.
In Kansas City, Missouri, a successful rent strike at one building inspired another across town. However, there are risks.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Breaking news: Tatiana Schlossberg, environmental journalist and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, died of cancer. She was 35.
Tatiana Schlossberg, journalist and granddaughter of JFK, dies at 35
In November, she announced her terminal cancer diagnosis in a New Yorker essay that took aim at one of her cousins, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Breaking news: Tatiana Schlossberg, environmental journalist and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, died of cancer. She was 35.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Megan Cornish, a mental health professional, decided to run a test on her LinkedIn: She recast her profile to seem more like a guy.
Within a week, her impressions quadrupled. Here’s why: https://wapo.st/49vW83M
Within a week, her impressions quadrupled. Here’s why: https://wapo.st/49vW83M
December 30, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Megan Cornish, a mental health professional, decided to run a test on her LinkedIn: She recast her profile to seem more like a guy.
Within a week, her impressions quadrupled. Here’s why: https://wapo.st/49vW83M
Within a week, her impressions quadrupled. Here’s why: https://wapo.st/49vW83M
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
New research found that wolves in the Midwest and Canada not only keep deer populations in check, but they also alter deer behavior in ways that help prevent car crashes and save human lives.
The hidden way the big, bad wolf protects us
A new line of research has revealed a surprising finding about how the presence of wolves helps keep people safe.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:30 PM
New research found that wolves in the Midwest and Canada not only keep deer populations in check, but they also alter deer behavior in ways that help prevent car crashes and save human lives.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
our data story visualizing the rabbit hole people can fall into with chatGPT is on the cover of today’s @washingtonpost.com @kevinschaul.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
our data story visualizing the rabbit hole people can fall into with chatGPT is on the cover of today’s @washingtonpost.com @kevinschaul.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Brigitte Bardot has been fined for racism multiple times, she called muslim immigrants "filthy", she openly supported the far right like few other celebrities in Europe. She was not "controversial," she was a hateful homophobe, racist and bigot.
December 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Brigitte Bardot has been fined for racism multiple times, she called muslim immigrants "filthy", she openly supported the far right like few other celebrities in Europe. She was not "controversial," she was a hateful homophobe, racist and bigot.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Column: Who will President Trump choose to succeed Jerome H. Powell as the chair of the Federal Reserve? Powell has stressed the importance of the Fed’s independence. But in truth, it is not clear that it was ever as insulated from politics as it claims to be.
Column | Is the Federal Reserve truly independent?
Who will President Donald Trump choose as the chair of the Federal Reserve?
www.washingtonpost.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Column: Who will President Trump choose to succeed Jerome H. Powell as the chair of the Federal Reserve? Powell has stressed the importance of the Fed’s independence. But in truth, it is not clear that it was ever as insulated from politics as it claims to be.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Actual 2025 tariff rates are, to date, far less than statutory rates, but the costs of the tariffs are mostly borne by the US – estimated tariff pass-through to US prices in 2025 is 94%. Tariffs on imports act like a 1 to 2pp tax on US manufacturing. brentneiman.com/research/GN2...
December 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Actual 2025 tariff rates are, to date, far less than statutory rates, but the costs of the tariffs are mostly borne by the US – estimated tariff pass-through to US prices in 2025 is 94%. Tariffs on imports act like a 1 to 2pp tax on US manufacturing. brentneiman.com/research/GN2...
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
After the holiday shopping season, experts are inspecting spending data to extract any insights into whether consumers will continue to hold up the economy in 2026.
The consensus? There really isn’t one.
The consensus? There really isn’t one.
Consumers keep contradicting themselves. What does that mean for 2026?
For retail experts and economists, the takeaway on the holiday season varies widely, depending on the product category, brand and who’s buying.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM
After the holiday shopping season, experts are inspecting spending data to extract any insights into whether consumers will continue to hold up the economy in 2026.
The consensus? There really isn’t one.
The consensus? There really isn’t one.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
The Trump administration is widening efforts to screen visa applicants for online speech considered “anti-American” as the government moves to restrict legal migration.
Trump officials move to screen visa applicants’ posts for ‘anti-American’ speech
The administration’s efforts to curtail legal migration have accelerated in a way that immigrant rights advocates say is chilling public discourse.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The Trump administration is widening efforts to screen visa applicants for online speech considered “anti-American” as the government moves to restrict legal migration.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
For decades, autism has been described as a spectrum. Now, advances in science are revealing discreet biological subtypes.
The discoveries could one day lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
The discoveries could one day lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
New science points to 4 distinct types of autism
Scientists are redefining autism as a complex condition with multiple forms, challenging traditional notions.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
For decades, autism has been described as a spectrum. Now, advances in science are revealing discreet biological subtypes.
The discoveries could one day lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
The discoveries could one day lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Are your kids glued to their screens? For just under $8,000, your teenager can live in a college dorm for four weeks with no tech access.
The first week is rough, but eventually the kids relearn how to spend time offline, said the camp’s executive director.
The first week is rough, but eventually the kids relearn how to spend time offline, said the camp’s executive director.
Frazzled parents turn to screen-time coaches, $8,000 detox camps to rein in kids’ tech
Parents trying to raise their kids in a tech-saturated world are getting overwhelmed with the amount of work and fighting it takes to protect kids, which can be a full-time job.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Are your kids glued to their screens? For just under $8,000, your teenager can live in a college dorm for four weeks with no tech access.
The first week is rough, but eventually the kids relearn how to spend time offline, said the camp’s executive director.
The first week is rough, but eventually the kids relearn how to spend time offline, said the camp’s executive director.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith addressed accusations against her in a fiery farewell speech after two federal draft reports alleged she incentivized false crime statistics.
To ‘haters,’ outgoing D.C. police chief says: ‘F you. ... I forgive you.’
“How dare you, how dare you, how dare you attack my integrity, attack my character,” D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith addressed accusations against her in a fiery farewell speech after two federal draft reports alleged she incentivized false crime statistics.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
Since taking office, President Trump has suffered multiple losses in his efforts to strip security clearances from political opponents and prestigious Washington law firms. The issue could become one of the next Supreme Court fights over presidential power.
Trump suffers several defeats in effort to punish opposing lawyers
Courts have ruled against Trump’s efforts to take security clearances away from opposing lawyers. The latest loss comes in a case involving lawyer Mark Zaid.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Since taking office, President Trump has suffered multiple losses in his efforts to strip security clearances from political opponents and prestigious Washington law firms. The issue could become one of the next Supreme Court fights over presidential power.
Reposted by Helen Fessenden
New, from me: Time for something fun - I wrote about themes and fashions of the Knives Out Universe (KOU). 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/exploring-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/exploring-...
Exploring the Knives Out Universe
Are they just entertaining murder mysteries or something more?
donmoynihan.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
New, from me: Time for something fun - I wrote about themes and fashions of the Knives Out Universe (KOU). 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/exploring-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/exploring-...