Jen Howard
@jenhoward.bsky.social
Writer, editor, journalist. Book and nature lover. Author, CLUTTER: AN UNTIDY HISTORY. Words in WaPo, TLS, NYT, LARB, CHE, EdSurge, etc. She/her.
Newsletter: https://jenniferhoward.substack.com/
Newsletter: https://jenniferhoward.substack.com/
Mark's right—this is a good read. And will remind anyone who worked in publishing in 80s and 90s, especially in a junior/early career role, of what conditions were like.
My editor at WaPo, Nora Krug, has a fine piece about her brief correspondence with DFW, charming but also "ugh." www.washingtonpost.com/books/2026/0...
Column | David Foster Wallace, my fateful correspondent
On the 30th anniversary of “Infinite Jest,” a former assistant to his editor looks back on a complicated mind and relationship.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Mark's right—this is a good read. And will remind anyone who worked in publishing in 80s and 90s, especially in a junior/early career role, of what conditions were like.
Virginia-affiliated humanists! Virginia Humanities is offering $15K four-month public humanities fellowships. Deadline to apply is March 31. www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/...
Apply - Scholarship Lifecycle Manager
www.grantinterface.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Virginia-affiliated humanists! Virginia Humanities is offering $15K four-month public humanities fellowships. Deadline to apply is March 31. www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/...
Reposted by Jen Howard
We won’t stop. Science will prevail. 🔬✊
Today we won.
A U.S. District Court ruled that the administration violated federal law when it secretly convened a group of climate contrarians to produce a thoroughly debunked report to overturn the Endangerment Finding.
The science still matters. We won't stop.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/c...
A U.S. District Court ruled that the administration violated federal law when it secretly convened a group of climate contrarians to produce a thoroughly debunked report to overturn the Endangerment Finding.
The science still matters. We won't stop.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/c...
A Secret Panel to Question Climate Science Was Unlawful, Judge Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:23 PM
We won’t stop. Science will prevail. 🔬✊
Reposted by Jen Howard
Once again: they cannot simply announce this in a press conference. They would need to change the laws, which the majority of parents in Florida oppose.
February 1, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Once again: they cannot simply announce this in a press conference. They would need to change the laws, which the majority of parents in Florida oppose.
Reposted by Jen Howard
Setting aside elementary curriculum & instruction for the moment, we've known for decades much of what it takes to encourage reading in and out of school by secondary students regardless of gender, and instead of doing this, we've plied them with edtech, apps, test prep, and devices they carry 24/7.
Why Boys Are Behind in Reading at Every Age
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Setting aside elementary curriculum & instruction for the moment, we've known for decades much of what it takes to encourage reading in and out of school by secondary students regardless of gender, and instead of doing this, we've plied them with edtech, apps, test prep, and devices they carry 24/7.
Reposted by Jen Howard
My hot take about the “students cannot read whole novels / watch whole films / etc.” is that they can learn to do it. None of us are born with attention spans suited for long media. It is a learned skill and can be developed with practice.
January 31, 2026 at 3:28 PM
My hot take about the “students cannot read whole novels / watch whole films / etc.” is that they can learn to do it. None of us are born with attention spans suited for long media. It is a learned skill and can be developed with practice.
Reposted by Jen Howard
Once again here to tap the mic and say Texas is a gerrymandered, voter repressed state, not a "red" state. And every one of you celebrating the (significant) win in Tarrant County better not be the same people in my mentions saying to throw the whole South away. There are good people fighting.
February 1, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Once again here to tap the mic and say Texas is a gerrymandered, voter repressed state, not a "red" state. And every one of you celebrating the (significant) win in Tarrant County better not be the same people in my mentions saying to throw the whole South away. There are good people fighting.
Reposted by Jen Howard
Turns out that you can simply chose not to sell your warehouse and prevent it from becoming a detention center
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Jim Pattison won't sell U.S. warehouse proposed as new ICE facility | CBC News
Jim Pattison Developments has announced it will not sell an industrial building in Ashland, Va., that was set to be turned into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility.
www.cbc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Turns out that you can simply chose not to sell your warehouse and prevent it from becoming a detention center
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jen Howard
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is amazing, but y'all should know that it employs about 200 people to make those resources happen. Serving detailed biodiversity information takes significant resources, on the order of tens of millions of dollars per year.
January 27, 2026 at 8:34 PM
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is amazing, but y'all should know that it employs about 200 people to make those resources happen. Serving detailed biodiversity information takes significant resources, on the order of tens of millions of dollars per year.
The thaw will come.
January 30, 2026 at 2:46 PM
The thaw will come.
Reposted by Jen Howard
NEW: I reviewed nearly 1,400 screenings at over 300 movie theaters in the united states, and I am here to report that I successfully found two (2) sold out Melania screenings. Read on at @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/we-fou...
We Found Two Theaters With Sold-Out ‘Melania’ Opening Day Screenings
A WIRED analysis of nearly 1,400 Friday showtimes of Melania found only two with no tickets available. Both are before 3 pm.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:32 PM
NEW: I reviewed nearly 1,400 screenings at over 300 movie theaters in the united states, and I am here to report that I successfully found two (2) sold out Melania screenings. Read on at @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/we-fou...
Reposted by Jen Howard
US & UK seem to be competing in some sort of perverse self-immolation olympics.
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts.
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Major cuts will hit UK science facilities and government research grants for physics and astronomy over the next four years, Research Professional News can reveal.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
UK physics research and science facilities face ‘substantial’ cuts - Research Professional News
Exclusive: Science and Technology Facilities Council seeks £162m cost savings, with existing projects facing axe
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:52 PM
US & UK seem to be competing in some sort of perverse self-immolation olympics.
Reposted by Jen Howard
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., rolls out his demand for supporting a DHS appropriations bill: fire Stephen Miller
January 28, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., rolls out his demand for supporting a DHS appropriations bill: fire Stephen Miller
Reposted by Jen Howard
Any day could be the day
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Any day could be the day
Many great items (including this AMA with Michael) now up for bidding in the Publishing for Minnesota auction! 📚 #BookSky #PublishingForMinnesota
I'm participating in the Publishing for Minnesota auction. Proceeds from the auction will support organizations providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.
www.32auctions.com/organization...
www.32auctions.com/organization...
January 28, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Many great items (including this AMA with Michael) now up for bidding in the Publishing for Minnesota auction! 📚 #BookSky #PublishingForMinnesota
Reposted by Jen Howard
Hey cuties. Everything sucks ass. Get some valentines and send them to your friends.
I'm sad. You're sad. They're probably sad.
Send them a valentine.
It keeps Skype a Scientist running, which hey, is very good too.
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
I'm sad. You're sad. They're probably sad.
Send them a valentine.
It keeps Skype a Scientist running, which hey, is very good too.
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
January 28, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Hey cuties. Everything sucks ass. Get some valentines and send them to your friends.
I'm sad. You're sad. They're probably sad.
Send them a valentine.
It keeps Skype a Scientist running, which hey, is very good too.
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
I'm sad. You're sad. They're probably sad.
Send them a valentine.
It keeps Skype a Scientist running, which hey, is very good too.
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
Once again appreciating the Inky. This story focuses on efforts in PA and Philly while also describing responses and reactions across the country. TBH a better analysis than I’ve seen from WP and NYT.
A chorus of Democrats and activists said ICE needs to be controlled, and local leaders said they are laying out plans in case a surge of immigration enforcement comes to Philadelphia.
ICE tactics in Minneapolis set off political firestorm from Philadelphia City Hall to Washington
www.inquirer.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Once again appreciating the Inky. This story focuses on efforts in PA and Philly while also describing responses and reactions across the country. TBH a better analysis than I’ve seen from WP and NYT.
Reposted by Jen Howard
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following? n.pr/4a1T7qW
As the U.S. bids adieu to the World Health Organization, California says hello
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following?
n.pr
January 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, California is the first state to participate in the agency's disease monitoring network. Are others following? n.pr/4a1T7qW
Reposted by Jen Howard
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
Reposted by Jen Howard
My city councilman is currently handling an international diplomatic incident single-handed
This morning ICE attempted to enter into the Ecuadorian consulate on Central Ave but were barred from entering. I spoke with Ambassador Yanez this afternoon and they want to make sure the Ecuadorian community knows it’s still safe to come to the consulate.
January 28, 2026 at 1:37 AM
My city councilman is currently handling an international diplomatic incident single-handed
I'm old enough to remember Walter Cronkite anchoring the evening news on CBS. "Think like a startup"? lmao
January 28, 2026 at 1:49 AM
I'm old enough to remember Walter Cronkite anchoring the evening news on CBS. "Think like a startup"? lmao
Reposted by Jen Howard
Toby Price, a Hinds County assistant principal who was fired in 2022 for reading the children’s book “I Need a New Butt” to second-graders, was wrongfully fired and must be reinstated, the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled.
buff.ly/kgZDscK
buff.ly/kgZDscK
Educator Fired for Reading ‘I Need a New Butt!’ Must Be Reinstated, Mississippi Court Rules
Toby Price, a Mississippi educator who was fired for reading “I Need a New Butt!” to children, must be reinstated, the state appeals court ruled.
www.mississippifreepress.org
January 27, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Toby Price, a Hinds County assistant principal who was fired in 2022 for reading the children’s book “I Need a New Butt” to second-graders, was wrongfully fired and must be reinstated, the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled.
buff.ly/kgZDscK
buff.ly/kgZDscK
Take a moment to look away from the horrors and read a delightful story about a woman who's devoted her life to helping rehab injured/sick bats. By @jasonnark.bsky.social for @inquirer.com. share.inquirer.com/tqq9Iq [gift link] #bats 🦇 #conservation #GreenSky
Yes, there are bats in her Berks County home — and she’s trying to save them all
"No bats, no tequila. No margaritas."
share.inquirer.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Take a moment to look away from the horrors and read a delightful story about a woman who's devoted her life to helping rehab injured/sick bats. By @jasonnark.bsky.social for @inquirer.com. share.inquirer.com/tqq9Iq [gift link] #bats 🦇 #conservation #GreenSky
Reposted by Jen Howard
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
"Within about a year [Anthropic] had spent tens of millions of dollars to acquire and slice the spines off millions of books, before scanning their pages to feed more knowledge into the AI models behind products such as its popular chatbot Claude." wapo.st/4rjXAMQ [gift link] #ProjectPanama
Inside a tech company’s secretive plan to destroy millions of books
Court filings reveal how AI companies raced to obtain more books to feed chatbots, including by buying, scanning and disposing of millions of titles.
wapo.st
January 27, 2026 at 7:39 PM
"Within about a year [Anthropic] had spent tens of millions of dollars to acquire and slice the spines off millions of books, before scanning their pages to feed more knowledge into the AI models behind products such as its popular chatbot Claude." wapo.st/4rjXAMQ [gift link] #ProjectPanama