AP: California voters approve new US House map designed to boost Democrats in 2026, aiming to blunt GOP changes elsewhere

If you’ve been a big fan of our reporting lately and were looking for a way to say thanks, our annual tip jar drive is here!

I dug through the paperwork for all 18 LLCs that Jordon Hudson has registered with Massachusetts since she started dating Bill Belichick. They tell the story a young woman with big plans for her and her boyfriend. Gift link!

Found this video while explaining the Portland Frogs to someone. Enjoy!

If you're a Maron/WTF fan, this piece by @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social is a fantastic read - defector.com/there-will-n...

I haven’t listened to the final WTF yet but I’m gonna reshare this today! With a gift link for all you WTFers, WTFnicks, WTFedelics…

OK. I’m calling my shot. The last WTF guest is gonna be Marc’s dad. Maybe mom too but definitely dad. It’s not in the garage because they recorded it in New Mexico. Am I deleting this like a coward if I’m wrong? Absolutely! (I have no clue how pro pickers do this because now I wanna puke.)

Remember those court records that Miami Dophins receiver Tyreek Hill wanted sealed? They are now unsealed and up at @defector.com. The paywall is also down:

Treasury Department has plans to mint dollar coin featuring Donald Trump's likeness: defector.com/treasury-dep...

Read this. so good

For @flaminghydra.com I rewatched All the President's Men and considered what it means in a day and age where your paranoia is increasingly justified:

Defector, along with five other news outlets, is going to court for documents in the Tyreek Hill case. This blog (paywall down) explains why:

Well, this is quite the honor. Courtney’s Story has been selected by Apple News as part of its 10 years, 100 unforgettable stories series. If you use the app, scroll down today to A Decade of Apple lNews. That will take you to the sports selections, including this one from @defector.com

If you just want some straight-up happiness right now, I cannot recommend this podcast enough! (Though I’m biased and I’m on it.)

The official charity of the Savannah Bananas has a hard time explaining how its money is spent: defector.com/the-official...

First blog back from book leave is on why there hasn't been more follow-reporting on the latest domestic violence allegations against Tyreek Hill. It's a gift link but I'm also gonna talk on here about how your subscriptions and/or contributions make this possible! defector.com/why-there-ha...

Heyyy! I’m back at Defector after book leave and just in time to say that I’m on a podcast! @alexlaughs.bsky.social had me on the latest episode of Try Hard. I learned to ride a bike. If you ever wished I did more fun things, wow, today is for you!

This essay on Mark Maron and WTF from @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social is just wonderful. Whether you are or were a fan of Maron's. Superb writing about the show and how one figures out who they are and how to live with it...and become a better person. (Listening to the McKellen ep now...)

FLAMING HYDRA ON APPLE! @mariabustillos.com, @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social, and guest cartoonist, zinester, teacher Carmen Johns immerse us in the KPop Demon Hunters movie. And soundtrack! LOADED WITH SPOILERS podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

I’ll be back from book leave in a few weeks but I took a mini-break from keyboard pounding to yak about the movie and soundtrack of the summer with @mariabustillos.com and cartoonist Carmen Johns. It was so much fun! Listen wherever you get podcasts!!

I am briefly back because I wrote for @flaminghydra.com about reading George Orwell and the strange sensation of learning there used to be a lot of tipping in England and France. flaminghydra.com/issue-368/

Hi! I’m about to go pretty silent on here as I’m going on book leave from Defector to, ya know, write a damn book! If you truly need proof of life, I probably will be posting cat photos to my Instagram stories. Otherwise, unless I publish something, I’ll see ya in September!

Wrote about the the eeriness of living in LA amidst the ongoing ICE raids and the Saturday protest at Dodger Stadium, which was both against the raids and demanding the Dodgers do more. Gift link (but please contribute or subscribe to help keep us doing blogs like these!):

Well this happened!! I’m on WTF today, not as a guest (that’s Cristin Milioti), but reading my Defector piece about the pod. It’s just a clip; the whole thing is on Friday’s bonus pod for Full Maron subscribers. I can’t thank @producermcd.bsky.social and @marcmaron.bsky.social enough for this!

Fan of the match at ACFC, when given the mic, said, “Football is immigrants” to big applause.

At the Angel City FC game, where the supporters section is (purposely) very quiet and there’s no missing the “Immigrant City FC” sign.

LAPD just tear gassed hundreds of protesters.

Spent some time at the LA No Kings protests downtown and in Hollywood and the vibes at both were giant party — even the cars weren’t complaining and honking in solidarity. Here’s photo of the balloon led people through downtown:

The last few days have been overwhelming, so I’m going to do what I hate doing and give a blanket THANK YOU!!! for all the kind words everyone has sent me about the WTF piece. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to everyone directly, but I’ll try to!!!

Well well well if that isn’t @defector.com on The Tonight Show!

Whoa!! Thank you!!

Wrote about why there will never be another podcast quite like "WTF with Marc Maron." Gift link so everyone can read it!

UPDATE: David Huerta was just released from custody!

Law enforcement is violently targeting press at protests around Los Angeles, from easily recognizable "mainstream" outlets to freelancers and independents. ALL press have explicit legal protections in California. #JournalismIsNotACrime. This evidence thread may get graphic. 🧵👇

I’ve listened since 2010, and I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s been a long run, a great run, and best to leave on top and on your terms. But also, as Marc would say: Dammit! I liked that place!

Despite the online outrage, the California state track meet was mostly just a track meet. Gift link so everyone can read it:

Here's my writeup of the Jane Doe v. Zion Williamson lawsuit. It includes a full copy of the lawsuit and the statement from Williamson's lawyer. It's as gift link, so everyone can read it: defector.com/zion-william...

John Laurinaitis says he will testify against Vince McMahon: defector.com/john-laurina...

Wesley Lowery rose to prominence as a reporter and media thinker. Women in journalism say he engaged in sexual harassment and assault. www.cjr.org/feature-2/we...

Wrote about how journalism’s slop crisis started long before that AI-generated summer insert. Sadly this isn’t a new thing! (Gift link so everyone can read it)

A blog about my new cats? A blog about my new cats! With a gift link!! Come for the words, stay for the extra cat photos.

I’m working today so I finally got a chance to blog about Timothée Chalamet, sports bro (gift link):

The lasting impact of working with @kalynkahler.bsky.social is I currently have Eurovision playing on my TV!

I watched the nearly three-and-a-half hours long DOGE hearing about fencing. Here’s a summary of what they actually did, which isn’t much! Gift link so everyone can read it:

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Wrote about K-pop, screaming your lungs out at a concert, lightsticks, and fighting for democracy over @flaminghydra.com! (Yes, those are all related just go with me on this!)

The University of Kentucky responded to my FOIA request in regards to a Title IX/report of sexual assault involving Buffalo Bills draft pick Max Hairston. Here’s their reply:

A few months before Florida won the men’s basketball national title, UF closed an investigation into head coach Todd Golden. It’s not an accident that we know so little about what happened. Gift link so everyone can read it: defector.com/florida-buil...

Two relevant pieces from the great @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social defector.com/womens-sport... and defector.com/title-ix-is-...