Karen Grigsby Bates
@kgbates.bsky.social
Writer. Thinker. NPR journalist for 20+ years. Author (“Basic Black,” “Plain Brown Wrapper,” “Chosen People”). Passionate reader. Takes no tea for the fever.
WashPost says Ted Cruz may be emerging as a serious contender for the ‘28 GOP presidential nomination. He’d be challenging JD Vance. Quite a choice for a republicans to face between two roundly disliked men…
December 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM
WashPost says Ted Cruz may be emerging as a serious contender for the ‘28 GOP presidential nomination. He’d be challenging JD Vance. Quite a choice for a republicans to face between two roundly disliked men…
I did not realize until recently that Andrew Tate is biracial. (Black American dad, white English mom.) Considering his ideology and behavior, doubting he’s had many invitations to anyone’s cookout. “All skinfolk ain’t kinfolk.”
December 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I did not realize until recently that Andrew Tate is biracial. (Black American dad, white English mom.) Considering his ideology and behavior, doubting he’s had many invitations to anyone’s cookout. “All skinfolk ain’t kinfolk.”
I figured this would happen, but I’m a little taken aback at the speed with which it happened. Don’t know why, considering the fate of the East Wing.
Workers began adding President Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center on Friday, despite no action by Congress to legally rename it. It comes a day after Trump’s board of loyalists moved to rename the performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center. nyti.ms/4pa6FpX
December 19, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I figured this would happen, but I’m a little taken aback at the speed with which it happened. Don’t know why, considering the fate of the East Wing.
I figured Donald Trump would throw his name up on the Kennedy Center’s facade before any official approval was made. I figured right.
apple.news/AIJKSQZ0rR92...
apple.news/AIJKSQZ0rR92...
Workers Add Trump's Name to the Kennedy Center Facade — The Hollywood Reporter
The board of the Kennedy Center voted to change the name to the Trump Kennedy Center Thursday.
apple.news
December 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I figured Donald Trump would throw his name up on the Kennedy Center’s facade before any official approval was made. I figured right.
apple.news/AIJKSQZ0rR92...
apple.news/AIJKSQZ0rR92...
Reposted by Karen Grigsby Bates
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
Watching Trump’s address to the nation. A word salad of delusions. Will be interesting to see what analysts say afterward.
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Watching Trump’s address to the nation. A word salad of delusions. Will be interesting to see what analysts say afterward.
Netflix announced it’s buying Warner Bros (w HBO, Discovery, etc); guessing the massive consolidation when it goes through will result in way higher prices. Sigh.
December 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Netflix announced it’s buying Warner Bros (w HBO, Discovery, etc); guessing the massive consolidation when it goes through will result in way higher prices. Sigh.
Reposted by Karen Grigsby Bates
The hepatitis B vaccine had been recommended for all newborns since 1991.
From 1990-2019, acute hepatitis B infections reported among children and teens fell 99 percent. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/w...
From 1990-2019, acute hepatitis B infections reported among children and teens fell 99 percent. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/w...
Breaking: After contentious debates and three failed attempts at a vote, a federal vaccine committee decided on Friday to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns be immunized at birth against hepatitis B.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...
An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The hepatitis B vaccine had been recommended for all newborns since 1991.
From 1990-2019, acute hepatitis B infections reported among children and teens fell 99 percent. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/w...
From 1990-2019, acute hepatitis B infections reported among children and teens fell 99 percent. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/w...
Reposted by Karen Grigsby Bates
I was a voracious reader before Covid, and transitioned into listening during. Now I listen to about two books a week, read one.
How about you?
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
How about you?
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I was a voracious reader before Covid, and transitioned into listening during. Now I listen to about two books a week, read one.
How about you?
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
How about you?
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
@kyradavis.bsky.social my pleasure! Maybe a book chat somewhere about how you decided to delve into this LA history that natives (if they’re old enough…) know, but most modern Angelenos have no idea existed?
November 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
@kyradavis.bsky.social my pleasure! Maybe a book chat somewhere about how you decided to delve into this LA history that natives (if they’re old enough…) know, but most modern Angelenos have no idea existed?
I just finished “The Great Mann” by @kyradavis.bsky.social.
It’s historical fiction, a wonderful reworking of The Great Gatsby. But all of Davis’ main characters are black; instead of Long Island’s North Shore, this book takes place in Los Angeles’ elite Sugar Hill neighborhood. Worth the time!
It’s historical fiction, a wonderful reworking of The Great Gatsby. But all of Davis’ main characters are black; instead of Long Island’s North Shore, this book takes place in Los Angeles’ elite Sugar Hill neighborhood. Worth the time!
November 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I just finished “The Great Mann” by @kyradavis.bsky.social.
It’s historical fiction, a wonderful reworking of The Great Gatsby. But all of Davis’ main characters are black; instead of Long Island’s North Shore, this book takes place in Los Angeles’ elite Sugar Hill neighborhood. Worth the time!
It’s historical fiction, a wonderful reworking of The Great Gatsby. But all of Davis’ main characters are black; instead of Long Island’s North Shore, this book takes place in Los Angeles’ elite Sugar Hill neighborhood. Worth the time!
Wordsworth had it right: the world, indeed, is too much with us.
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Wordsworth had it right: the world, indeed, is too much with us.
Trump takes time to dress down ABC correspondent Mary Bruce for having the temerity to ask about the assassination of Jamal Kashoggi and the Epstein files. In other words, for doing her job.
November 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Trump takes time to dress down ABC correspondent Mary Bruce for having the temerity to ask about the assassination of Jamal Kashoggi and the Epstein files. In other words, for doing her job.
Nauseating to see Trump’s florid welcome for a head of state that the CIA concluded approved of the murder of one of his journalist critics. MBS never should have been allowed to cross the White House’s threshold. A shameful decision on the Trump administration’s part.
The arrival, filled with more pomp than any world leader thus far in Trump’s second term, was a measure of the U.S. president’s affection for the Saudi prince and his rehabilitation following the killing.
Read more here:
Read more here:
Saudi crown prince meets Trump in White House, shedding pariah status
The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
wapo.st
November 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Nauseating to see Trump’s florid welcome for a head of state that the CIA concluded approved of the murder of one of his journalist critics. MBS never should have been allowed to cross the White House’s threshold. A shameful decision on the Trump administration’s part.
?????? What just happened?
Trump Administration Live Updates: President, in Reversal, Urges House to Approve Releasing Epstein Files www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Trump Administration Live Updates: President, in Reversal, Urges House to Approve Releasing Epstein Files www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Trump Administration Live Updates: President, in Reversal, Urges House to Approve Releasing Epstein Files
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:05 AM
?????? What just happened?
Trump Administration Live Updates: President, in Reversal, Urges House to Approve Releasing Epstein Files www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Trump Administration Live Updates: President, in Reversal, Urges House to Approve Releasing Epstein Files www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
“Americans deserve better than JD Vance.”
PA Gov Josh Shapiro
PA Gov Josh Shapiro
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
“Americans deserve better than JD Vance.”
PA Gov Josh Shapiro
PA Gov Josh Shapiro
Mamdani’s acceptance speech is a real barn-burner. Inclusive. Poetic in places. A little Kennedyesque—JFK, not RFK Jr.
November 5, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Mamdani’s acceptance speech is a real barn-burner. Inclusive. Poetic in places. A little Kennedyesque—JFK, not RFK Jr.
“I wish Andrew Cuomo the best—in his private life.” Zohran Mamdani, on election night.
November 5, 2025 at 4:23 AM
“I wish Andrew Cuomo the best—in his private life.” Zohran Mamdani, on election night.
Listening to Mamdami’s acceptance speech, and wondering how freaked out the city’s uber-wealthy must be…
November 5, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Listening to Mamdami’s acceptance speech, and wondering how freaked out the city’s uber-wealthy must be…
“I know these are tough times. I know everyone didn’t vote for me. But I’m working for all of you. When we do better, we do better.” Mikie Sherrill in her acceptance speech.
November 5, 2025 at 3:16 AM
“I know these are tough times. I know everyone didn’t vote for me. But I’m working for all of you. When we do better, we do better.” Mikie Sherrill in her acceptance speech.
Fox News predicts Mikie Sherrill is new Jersey’s next governor.
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Fox News predicts Mikie Sherrill is new Jersey’s next governor.
Does anybody know if Michelle Obama still believes “when they go low, we go high?”
Curious…
Curious…
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Does anybody know if Michelle Obama still believes “when they go low, we go high?”
Curious…
Curious…
Watching Marjorie Taylor Greene visit with the ladies of @theviewabc.bsky.social. They’re having a remarkably frank, nuanced discussion about the current political climate, both parties’ failures and the need for more temperate dialogue. Glad it’s happening but it’s surprising.
November 4, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Watching Marjorie Taylor Greene visit with the ladies of @theviewabc.bsky.social. They’re having a remarkably frank, nuanced discussion about the current political climate, both parties’ failures and the need for more temperate dialogue. Glad it’s happening but it’s surprising.