Live look at reporters every time they think there might be a break in the news cycle:

Takeaways from the last day of U.S. Figure Skating Championships: Ice dance and men’s face a very similar problem. The top spot is practically set before competition. Silver and Bronze are often toss ups. That is how it could go with the selection committee.

Takeaways from day 3: Amber! Alysa! It’s clear who the top three women’s skaters are in the U.S. Alysa Liu’s outfit was amazing, and it fit the program so well. I’m excited to see how she continues to develop it during the Olympics and Worlds.

It is always wonderful watching Amber Glenn land that triple axel. For those who don’t follow skating, an axel always has an extra half rotation because the jump starts with a front entrance. So that means she rotates 3.5 times.

I miss the days of a long spiral moment in a figure skating program.

In case anyone wonders, a figure skating short program would make a lot of people out of breath. As we go into the freeskate, just remember this is a lot of endurance, power hard work made to look pretty and graceful.

My takeaways from day 2 of the skating championships: We’re lucky Ilia Malinin skates for the U.S. Jason Brown wasn’t perfect, but he is far more consistent on an international stage than the other men competing for spots. It’s a toss up for the third spot. The freeskate will be interesting.

Ilia Malinin is skating on new boots, two weeks old. That is unheard of.

Crazier things have happened, but I think if Jason Brown doesn’t make the Olympic team, there will be a riot in the figure skating world.

HERE WE GO

Jacob Sanchez is only 18, so he’s definitely on my list to watch as he continues in this sport. And the shoutout to using a sport psychologist!

I think my second pick for the third spot would be Andrew Torgashev, but he has had serious consistency issues. But so have all the men vying for this spot.

This is the best I’ve seen Tomoki Hiwatashi, and what a time to bring it.

Petition to stop asking Maxim Naumov about his parents’s death. We all know it’s affecting him. We all know he’s skating for them. But we don’t need to torture him and make him relive it for our entertainment.

Personally, I would love to see Maxim Naumov make the Olympic team. I was so moved watching him skate after the deaths of his parents. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he has the consistency for the team.

A message to all adults: if you watch figure skating, like the current national championships right now, or the Olympics, and think I’d love to learn, you can! The adult skating community grows every day, and you’re not too old to learn. (Or return to the ice)

Embedded microphones in the ice is my nightmare.

I love a Les Mis moment. On ice, off ice.

Another U.S. figure skating championship, another season of me asking my coach to let me do a cartwheel in my program.

I give extra points for men who go all in with their outfits. And I deduct points for who go boring.

On to men’s skating. Of course the story here is Ilia Malinin’s dominance. But the other story is not who will take the first two Olympic team spots, but who will take the third. A good @washingtonpost.com story on that: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...

I have only been closely following ice dance (and skating in general) closely the past couple of years, but I am enjoying the fact that there are less love stories and more upbeat, fun music programs.

Another day, another issue with @peacock and the US skating championships. This time switching broadcasts halfway through the rhythm dance.

Ice dancing is not my discipline, but one of the differences between ice dance and pairs is that lifts don’t go above the head. (There are also no jumps or throws in ice dance.)

On to ice dance. This is probably one of the more controversial of disciplines. The return of the Shibutanis, talk of favoritism and issues of abuse to name a few controversies from the past couple of years.

This is a good time to say that if anyone knows a good angle between the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard and figure skating, I’m all ears. Help me write about figure skating as a defense reporter.

Some thoughts on the U.S. figure skating championships from last night: When Amber Glenn is on, she’s on. The problem is she’s not always on. And I totally get that. Her short program is one of my favorites, and I would love to see it on an Olympic stage.

Amber Glenn actually looks like she’s having fun and loving the program. Wow, does that just elevate the program to a whole new level. Similar to Alysa Liu’s long program.

One of my favorite programs this season is Amber Glenn’s. I love the music choice. It builds as the program does. It’s fun to watch.

I don’t love Isabeau Levito’s program, but she does it well. I also love the detail of the neck of her dress designed to look like a necklace.

I honestly can’t tell if there’s a message being sent by Alysa Liu being on the ice before Isabeau Levito. Amber Glenn as the defending champ makes sense as the last skater.

I want to like Sarah Everhardt’s program, but I don’t know if it was the best choice with Jason Brown bringing back his version.

I love Elyse Lin-Gracey’s dress so much. And that Ina Bauer moment!

Fun fact: in ice skating, all jumps basically take off forward. Even when we’re entering jump backward (as you do for everything but axel), you tend to turn on the ice right as you’re jumping into the air.

Honestly, I love everything about Starr Andrews. Her music. Her dress. Her program. I’m so excited to see her in pairs next season.

Josephine Lee brought energy and fun with her program! But she also shows how there is a difference between the skaters who have been on this ice before and those at their first U.S. championships, at least in terms of relaxation and confidence.

Josephine Lee’s dress needs its own moment.

Sonja Hilmer is on the ice now. I’ve been looking forward to her short all season. Especially her step sequence. Theatre in a program.

Another beautiful dress, this time from Logan Higase-Chen. She flies through her double axel.

My coach is always on me about performing with my face. At the least, smiling. And she’s right (as always). You can tell when you connect to a program because the skater is.

Katie Shen’s dress literally sparkles. A pretty double axel and triple loop, as well.

And a cartwheel! I like the elements of the short program, but I don’t think Erica Machida brought the right energy to the music.

Ok this is really cool. Erica Machida learned their triple jumps at 21. For those not into figure skating, that’s an old age. Gives hope to adult skaters like me.

Ooo we have a Chappell Roan medley as a song choice. Also a skater who uses they/them pronouns!

First skater: 17-year-old Annabel Wallace. It’s her first senior championships. Her dress works so well with her music.

Onto the women’s short program. Bear with me because I am very excited about these skaters. Of course, all eyes are on current U.S. champ Amber Glenn and world champ Alysa Liu. Isabeau Levito is also a favorite for the Olympic team.

Chan and Howe didn’t put up a great skate, but I love their outfits. One of my favorites so far.

Now here’s where it’ll get interesting. Last four. Will Shin/Nagy hold onto first or score above any of the last couples?

It’s only 6:35 p.m., but we’re on to group 3.

Moulin Rouge’s Roxanne (movie and musical) continues to be a popular song choice. Audrey Shin’s dress matches the music so well.