My my. Look who’s close to the bottom (#98) of the list of companies ranked on reputation. And sibling company isn’t much better at #90.

Income inequality by state, along with reasons why and suggestions for financial coping strategies. www.moneylion.com/learn/resear...

Screenshot is from a Times newsletter summary of the (gift linked) article on the disastrous effects of the USAID pullout combined with the Strait of Hormuz chokehold. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/b...

😢 www.klcc.org/npr-news/202...

Voters who have yet to cast their ballot are encouraged to drop their ballot in an official drop box.

Trump & GOP say there’s no money for childcare, healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, lowering costs of gas & groceries BUT they will use our hard earned money to pay off Jan. 6th rioters who attacked the Capitol and line the pockets of Trump’s rich friends.

The future of chocolate is extra vulnerable to climate change. salatainstitute.harvard.edu/chocolates-c...

The war on Iran is hurting the snack industry. Noteworthy when lower income consumers can’t afford even the smallest indulgences. www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

Eye-opening and worth a read.

Quick! Read this and bookmark the links before the administration notices that NASA’s website states that climate change is both real and human-caused. science.nasa.gov/climate-chan...

From today’s daily New Yorker newsletter.

It's a ceasefire Jim. But not as we know it.

Trump keeps changing his timeline for ending the Iran war (gift—but may need acct.) wapo.st/3OY8F8Q Before extending the fragile ceasefire agreement indefinitely on April 21, Trump had repeatedly suggested that the conflict was nearing a conclusion— His timeline for the end of the war:

Vegan premium Belgian chocolate! www.confectioneryproduction.com/news/57630/v...

Ok, kinda makes sense to move the meat inspection HQ from DC to Iowa. But why put the international activities staff in Fort Collins CO, which as far as I know is not close to any port or has any special expertise in importing? www.foodandwine.com/usda-moves-f...?

Fine, fine, I'll order the toddler

Seen on a street in a Ukrainian city. Tiny genius.

Found this gift link over on the Upside Down, courtesy of the interviewer herself, Lulu Garcia-Navarro. I know some people are trashing it as more NYT whitewashing of prominent conservative voices. Still an interesting read though. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/02/m...

Some actual good news from the food industry, thanks to Gens Z and Alpha. www.foodandwine.com/gen-z-gen-al...

I believe it’s easier to be a successful mission-led chocolate company if that mission is baked in from the beginning. Tony‘s is a great example. www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

Imagine someone from, say, 2012 reading the attached. Conspiracy theories? Trump as president??? Assassination attempts, plural?!? White House spokesperson making puerile insults as official statements?!? Surely they would have assumed this was from the Onion, not the Post.

Bonbon recall mostly an issue for people who are allergic or have a sensitivity to walnuts. (Too bad—they sound delicious.) www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/04/bonb...

Meanwhile… roughly one-third of respondents – equivalent to more than 82 million Americans – said they have had to cut back on at least one daily living expense to cover their health care bills,… www.cnn.com/2026/03/12/h...

Here’s one reason I prefer Bluesky to X: it isn’t run by a white supremacist.

When self-inflicted wounds have long-term consequences. Gift link, free to share. wapo.st/4vPYT96

NY Times asked 43 “culinary professionals” to vote on their favorite chocolates bars under $25 available in the US. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

I got excited when a trade newsletter had ”Candy Crime” as its subject. But this wasn’t about fake chocolate in Reese’s PB cups or weird Peeps flavors like Hot Tamales. It concerns the KitKat heist which highlighted a big problem for the confectionery biz. www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/19/o...

Longtime fan of these PNW journalists. Both are extremely skilled at digging deep to uncover the story behind the story.

new toon! www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...

😳 www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...

In case you’re interested… www.pbump.com/projects/gol...

Strait of Hormuz closure starts to affect food security. www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

Pope Leo having his own army would be authentically medieval.

If there is a state with greater scenic beauty than Oregon, I haven’t seen it. Mountains, high desert, Pacific, Hood, Columbia, Portland — it’s just spectacular. I don’t want to spoil anything for residents, but it’s a truly underrated state. I’m lucky to have married into it.

"Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs," the Pope said.

👇👇

Chocolate in space. www.valrhona.us/news-events/...

"Once ‘Ultra MAGA’, Trump Supporters Fume About Iran on Truth Social A growing chorus of disaffected Trump supporters is sounding off in the replies to his posts on the social media platform he founded." (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/u...

www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2026...

6 Takeaways From the Story of Trump’s Decision to Go to War With Iran NYT Gift Article New details from weeks leading up to war show how Trump’s alignment with Netanyahu and lack of sustained opposition from his inner circle put the US on a course to war A must read chronology bit.ly/4e8oiEH