PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
|
Listen To This Story
 |
Millions of Soon-To-Be Uninsured Americans Searching for Health ‘Plan B’ (Maria)
The author writes, “Marketplace plans from the Affordable Care Act no longer feel very affordable to many people because Congress did not extend a package of enhanced subsidies that are expiring this month. An estimated 4.8 million are expected to go without coverage. But even without a health plan, people will still need medical care. Many have been searching for a ‘plan B’ to maintain their health.”
Trump Administration Sets Goal to Denaturalize Thousands of US Citizens in 2026 (Sean)
The author writes, “The Trump administration has reportedly set a goal of yanking citizenship away from over a thousand naturalized Americans in fiscal year 2026, in yet another escalation in the administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown. New guidance issued on Tuesday directs the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices to ‘supply Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases per month’ next year, according to The New York Times. Denaturalization is extremely rare. Per the Times, Justice Department figures say that only about 120 denaturalization cases had been filed since 2017, in sharp contrast to the potentially thousands of cases the administration is seeking to file in just one year.”
The Largest and Bloodiest US Battlefield in 2025? Somalia (Dana)
From Forever Wars: “At least 87 drone strikes, raids and other U.S. military engagements have hit Somalia this year, by far the most ever. And it’s likely an undercount.”
Hundreds of Sea Turtles Are Freezing in Cape Cod (Laura)
From Inside Climate News: “After being lured to the Gulf of Maine’s warming waters to feed, young sea turtles are trapped and cold-stunned as temperatures drop. A major rescue and rehabilitation response is underway to save them.”
Local News Starts Becoming Local Infrastructure (DonkeyHotey)
From Nieman Lab: “AI has the potential to change the fundamentals of local news. In 2026, the news organizations that thrive will stop thinking of themselves as publishers and start operating as community information utilities. They won’t just report on the school board meeting. They will show you when it happens, let you search past decisions, and connect you with neighbors who care about the same issues.”
California Becomes First State to Sell Its Own Insulin (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “The new CalRx insulin will hit the market in January at $55 a month, part of a broader state effort to rein in drug costs.”
