In which the popularity of "mourning bequeathments" and the death of the Prince Consort lead to an explosion of morbid family handicrafts, and John gives away the same piano twice. Certificate #50902.
Headlines From The Times - Trump’s Beautiful Bill, California’s Quake Risk, and AI’s Next Frontier
Trump’s sweeping 1,000-page bill proposes permanent tax breaks, deep cuts to social programs, and new financial benefits for newborns. In California, $33 million in federal earthquake retrofit funding just vanished, jeopardizing safety upgrades to vulnerable buildings. And OpenAI just made a $6.5 billion deal, teaming up with former Apple design chief to build what they’re calling the future of computing.
Bay Curious - How Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs Became Iconic Bay Area Street Food
If you've ever walked around Pier 39 in San Francisco or made a late-night exit from a concert at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, you're probably familiar with the bacon wrapped hot dog. But who are the vendors behind these savory snacks? And what's with the bacon and onions? Bay Curious listener Olivia Godfrey wanted to find out more.
Additional Resources:
- How Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs Became One of the Bay Area’s Most Popular Street Foods
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This story was reported by Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.
Curious City - Car towed? Listen to this on your way down to Chicago’s Central Auto Pound
If you’ve had your car towed in Chicago, there’s a decent chance you had to journey down to Lower Lower Wacker Drive — likely not in the best of moods — to open your wallet and recollect your vehicle.
“It's supposed to be a happy process,” said Michael Lacoco, the deputy commissioner of the city’s bureau of traffic services.
In our last episode, we answered some of your many questions about Lower Wacker Drive, a.k.a. Chicago’s basement. Today, we try to demystify a notorious Chicago landmark within: the Central Auto Pound.
Lacoco is a 33-year veteran of this department, the perfect person to help us on this journey. He explains why you shouldn’t try to steal your own car from the lot, why that white inventory number they draw on your window is so hard to wash off, and what you can do if you think you were wrongfully towed.
WSJ What’s News - Two Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot Dead in Washington D.C.
A.M. Edition for May 22. A man shouting “Free Palestine” fired shots near a Jewish museum in the U.S. capital, with President Donald Trump suggesting the killings were driven by antisemitism. Plus, WSJ’s Quentin Webb says it's a new, golden era for crypto as Bitcoin jumps to a fresh, record high. And Oasis fans look set to outspend Swifties as the British band’s summer reunion tour gears up. Azhar Sukri hosts.
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The Daily - A Conversation With Vice President Vance
Vice President JD Vance met with the new pope a few days ago. He then sat down with The Times to talk about faith, immigration, the law and the partisan temptation to go too far.
Ross Douthat, an opinion columnist and the host of the new podcast “Interesting Times,” discusses their conversation.
Guest: Ross Douthat, an Opinion columnist and the host of the “Interesting Times” podcast.
Background reading:
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: The New York Times
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The Intelligence from The Economist - Suspicious mines: Putin-proofing the Baltics
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia know their borders may be the next front for Russian aggression. They do not want to deploy mines and razor wire—but they must. Our correspondent visits the American city of Baltimore to investigate a national drop in violent crime (9:46). And a sweeping new biography of Mark Twain, who created a uniquely American style of fiction (17:19).
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Start Here - Air Force Done: Trump Admin Accepts Qatar Plane
The Trump administration formally accepts a plane from the Qatari government. The Justice Department walks back police reform agreements. And prisoners are still on the loose from a New Orleans jail.
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Opening Arguments - Can a Priest Rat You Out?
T3BE70 - As is typical for Wednesdays these days, we've got some Lydia and Thomas nonsense to kick off the show, but Heather swiftly swoops in to save us from ourselves, reveal the answer to last week's T3BE69 (nice), and set up the question for T3BE70.
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The Daily Detail - The Daily Detail for 5.22.25
Alabama
- Lt Governor Will Ainsworth will not run for Governor in 2026
- Governor Kay Ivey appoints Judge Bill Lewis to Alabama Supreme Court
- Tuesday night's severe weather causes widespread damage in north Alabama
- Coosa Riverkeeper to sue Alabama Power over coal ash pond in Gadsden
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville encourages passage of Big Beautiful Budget Bill
- New Gulf Shores International Airport at Jack Edwards Field opens on Wednesday
National
- FBI issues new scam alert for iPhone and Android users
- Texas Attorney General to investigate U.S. Masters Swimming
- U.S. Senate approves the "No Tax on Tips Act"
- Fewer Americans say their financial situation is getting worse