Born and raised in New York City, I’ve been a devoted reader of The Times since childhood. My mornings in Brooklyn started with the print newspaper, moving from global weather reports to hard news, arts, obituaries, and sports. On the subway, tabloid newspapers filled the time before smartphones existed to distract us.
This early immersion transformed me into a news omnivore, someone who genuinely enjoys discovering intriguing details and unexpected stories within the daily journalism. I believe many of you share this same curiosity! It also made me a lifelong advocate for news, eager to share what I’ve learned—initially with family and friends, and eventually with a wider readership.
So, when the incredible opportunity arose to connect with a large and enthusiastic audience—yes, that means you!—I eagerly seized it. I’m still that same curious kid, now just operating on a much larger scale.
Here’s what you can expect: Every weekday, I’ll send you a letter detailing the latest news from around the globe, aiming to provide clear guidance through complex events. My goal is for you to finish reading feeling well-informed and confident enough to navigate your day, understanding how your life connects to the larger global and cultural narratives.
My hope is that you’ll never feel unprepared for conversations, whether it’s at the coffee shop or before a morning meeting. By starting your day with The Morning, you’ll gain insightful, even memorable, points to contribute to any discussion.
I’m no stranger to newsletters. For over ten years, I penned The Times’s “What to Cook” newsletter, which connected our recipes to the broader world in which we cook them.
While I covered dishes like chicken shawarma, I also explored the deeper realities of cooking amidst national and international turmoil—be it during a pandemic, severe weather, or other significant events. My writing also touched upon art, literature, and music, acknowledging that these cultural touchstones are integral to our conversations around the table and our shared human experience, even as we face election results, heatwaves, and global anxieties.
My connection to news is extensive; I’ve been with The Times since 2002, having worked in various capacities across the newsroom. My roles have included Culture editor, overseeing arts coverage, and even serving as the restaurant critic—a truly delightful experience! I was also the National editor during major events like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Trayvon Martin case. Since 2020, I’ve been responsible for all our culture and lifestyle news and criticism.
(If you’re curious to learn more about my personal life, habits, and interests, my editor recently put me in the hot seat for an in-depth interview.)
Throughout my journey, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the unique character and vibrant energy of The Times, as well as the insatiable curiosity of its journalists. I’ll be sharing this passion with you, introducing you to my colleagues’ groundbreaking reports, extensive investigations, and insightful critiques. I’ll also pose questions, both yours and my own, to uncover how their storytelling reveals the intricacies of human connection and vividly portrays the individuals and locations they cover.
I’ll delve into the research that captivates them, the innovative games they create, and the evolving forms of journalism they’re pioneering. I’ll also share crucial insights they’ve uncovered—truths that those in power might prefer to keep hidden.
And to be frank, you can expect some personal touches too: a few fishing tales, perhaps an anecdote about a snowy owl I spotted, or musings on repairing broken items with a bit of ingenuity and good fortune.
Ultimately, news unfolds against the backdrop of our everyday lives—from global events to the simple reality of a sputtering refrigerator needing repair. This holds true for journalists and their audience alike. So, I’ll share those everyday moments as well. We truly are all in this together.
I genuinely hope you’ll share your thoughts and feedback. You can reach me at themorning@nytimes.com; I promise to read every single letter.
Now, let’s dive into today’s updates.
Today’s Top Headlines
Updates from the Trump Administration
- The Justice Department under President Trump affirmed his lawful authority to continue lethal military strikes against individuals suspected of drug smuggling at sea.
- Citing Nigeria’s alleged failure to protect Christians, President Trump issued threats of potential military intervention and suggested cutting off aid to the West African nation.
- President Trump continues to shield the identities of some of his ballroom donors, with the White House not disclosing all benefactors.
- The Lincoln bathroom in the White House recently underwent a makeover, reportedly transformed with marble and gold finishes under the Trump administration.
Global Developments
- Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, many Jamaican communities remain isolated, and the reported death toll has reached 28.
- In England, authorities reported at least 10 injuries from a train stabbing incident, leading to the arrest of two men by police.
- The Ukrainian military has implemented a unique point-scoring system to reward drone operators who successfully hit enemy targets, highlighting the transformative role of drone warfare in the conflict.
New York City Marathon Highlights
- Approximately 55,000 athletes are participating in today’s New York City Marathon, the world’s largest road race, with ideal weather conditions reported.
- Reflecting on the 1983 New York City Marathon, a memorable late-race turn of events saw one runner claim victory while another collapsed, an unforgettable moment in race history.
- Test your historical knowledge with this week’s Flashback quiz: Can you correctly pair celebrity runners with their respective marathon finish times?
Additional Major News
- The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their second consecutive World Series title by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling Game 7.
- New regulations in California enable insurance companies to increase rates for homeowners while still opting out of high-wildfire-risk areas.
- Zohran Mamdani, the leading Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, is seeing a generational divide in support among Chinese American families, with older parents less enthusiastic than their children.
A Deeper Dive: An Extraordinary Legal Battle
MaryBeth Lewis, a woman with an extraordinary love for children, welcomed her 13th child at the age of 62. Undeterred by medical challenges, miscarriages, or societal scrutiny, she was determined to have at least one more.
She actually ended up with twins. To achieve this, Lewis controversially sidestepped legal boundaries after her husband refused to consent to a surrogate pregnancy. She then arranged for donor sperm, donor eggs, and a surrogate mother, repeatedly forging her husband’s signature in the process.
These deceptive actions, among others, led to Lewis, now 68, facing up to 30 criminal charges and a potential lengthy prison sentence. She lost her employment, was banned from her children’s school, and experienced significant weight loss due to stress. She has also spent over $500,000 defending her freedom and seeking custody of the twins, whom she considers her 14th and 15th children.
While admitting she “felt bad” about her actions, Lewis dismissed the criminal charges as “bullcrap.” Her unwavering resolve to grow her family culminated in a remarkable legal battle, detailed in this week’s Times Magazine.
The Sunday Debate: Controversial Candidate
In Maine, progressive Senate candidate Graham Platner revealed he unknowingly received an obscure Nazi tattoo. This raises the question: should such an incident disqualify a political candidate?
Yes. Some argue yes, citing Platner’s tattoo and previous statements as evidence of poor judgment, suggesting the public deserves better representation.
No. Others contend no, asserting that new candidates often come with past issues. They highlight Platner’s appeal to voters precisely because he doesn’t fit the mold of a typical establishment politician.
From the Opinion Desk
Mary McCord and Andrew Weissmann argue that the Supreme Court’s grant of immunity to former President Trump, which could allow him to weaponize the Justice Department against political adversaries, should be revoked.
Corinne Low suggests that rather than solely needing remote or flexible work, women primarily require clear boundaries to protect their time outside of standard work hours from job demands.
Also, find columns by Ross Douthat offering his perspective on the Democratic Party, and Maureen Dowd exploring the topic of male friendship.
Engaging Morning Reads
- Heidi Klum’s Halloween: The supermodel embodied Medusa at her famously elaborate party.
- “Please look after this bear”: The beloved Paddington Bear is set to charm audiences on London’s West End with a new musical adaptation.
- Rare bird: Bird enthusiasts converged on New York to witness a common cuckoo, an infrequent visitor to the U.S.
- A crisis of care: Immigrant caregivers for older adults in many developed nations, particularly in Italy, are facing significant mental health challenges.
- Hip-hop: Marcyliena Morgan, through her initiative to establish a hip-hop music and culture archive at Harvard, elevated rap to the status of serious academic study alongside classical music. She recently passed away at 75.
Sports Highlights
- M.L.B.: The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their second consecutive World Series title, the first team to do so in 25 years, with an 11th-inning win against the Toronto Blue Jays. Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series MVP.
- College football: In a critical College Football Playoff elimination game, No. 18 Oklahoma triumphed over No. 14 Tennessee with a 33-27 victory, thanks to strong defensive play and clutch kicking.
Book of the Week
This week, we feature “Book of Lives” by Margaret Atwood. Subtitled “A Memoir of Sorts,” Atwood’s latest is far from a conventional autobiography. While it traces her journey from girlhood through her university years and early publications, the narrative is anything but dull, despite her playful self-assessment: “I wrote a book, I wrote a second book, I wrote another book, I wrote another book. Dead boring.” Instead, Atwood enriches her memoir with a wealth of details, engaging digressions, photographs, poetic excerpts, and settled scores, transforming it into a vibrant, unfiltered celebration of her life. She invites readers past any velvet ropes, openly connecting her memories to the literary works they inspired, asserting that “wrong turnings, crinolines, abandoned plots, nylons with seams, canoes, lost loves”—indeed, “it’s all material.”
More Literary Insights
- Discover additional insights into the creation of “Book of Lives.”
- The Book Review Book Club’s selection for this month is Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet.”
The Week’s Featured Interview
Our featured interview this week is with actress Jennifer Lawrence, discussing her upcoming film, “Die My Love,” set for release on November 7.
Question: Your public image has sometimes been characterized as overly boisterous. Reflecting on your rise to fame, how do you feel about how you were perceived?
Lawrence: ‘Now in my thirties and a mother, I recognize how incredibly young I was back then. A 23-year-old feels like a child to me now. While I cringe at some past interviews, I understand it. I was young, nervous, defensive, and awkward. I recall being nominated for “Silver Linings Playbook” and someone remarking, “Everyone loves you! How does that feel?” My thought was, “It feels precarious. It’s going to come crashing down—that’s just how things work.” Then I famously tripped while accepting my Oscar, and the following year, waving to fans, I stumbled over a cone. I remember thinking, “That’s it. No one will believe I fell two years in a row.”’
Question: After your Oscar trip, many suggested it was staged. What was your take on that?
Lawrence: ‘I didn’t stage it. But it seemed everyone believed that incident meant everything I did was fake, a mere act. That’s how it felt to me—like I had been exposed as a fraud.’
Question: You once mentioned feeling as though others were tired of you, and that you were tired of yourself. What did you mean by “getting sick of yourself”?
Lawrence: ‘I was simply exhausted by the whole process. Interviews are genuinely frightening. I’m incredibly blessed and grateful, but it’s terrifying. You finish an interview or prepare for a film release, and you’re essentially offering yourself up to be scrutinized. I grew weary of being quoted and hearing endless discussions about those quotes; I was tired of perceiving myself in that way. I needed a break, and frankly, people probably needed a break from me too. It was a mutual parting of ways.’
For the full conversation, delve into the complete interview.
From The New York Times Magazine
Explore this week’s full issue of the magazine.
The Morning’s Top Picks
- Stream: Dive into thrilling action movies featuring convicted swordsmen and corrupt law enforcement.
- Learn: Discover how to obtain helpful medical advice from ChatGPT, though always remember it’s not a substitute for a doctor’s consultation.
- Give: Explore thoughtful gift ideas that are budget-friendly, costing less than ten dollars.
This Week’s Meal Plan
After an exciting Halloween weekend, Emily Weinstein’s ‘Five Weeknight Dishes’ newsletter recommends Genevieve Ko’s new turkey chili recipe. This quick and easy dish is rich in protein and fiber, ready in under thirty minutes.
Ready to Play?
- Challenge yourself with today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s winning pangrams included manhandle and manhandled.
- Test your historical knowledge with this week’s Flashback quiz. Can you arrange eight key events, such as “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the Great Fire of London, in chronological sequence?
- Also available are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections, and Strands.
Thank you for starting your morning with me and The Times. I look forward to connecting with you again tomorrow. — Sam
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