today in tabs: how close are we to a gold white house
ALSO: an AI novel tops the charts in Japan, MAGA can't love in DC, eBay is getting in the influencer game big time, and more
Happy Saturday, November 1st – bunny bunny rabbit rabbit! So sorry for my delay with this send – I sprained my ankle on Thursday and spent all of yesterday pretending I was fine and doing all the Halloween things veryyyyyy slowly. Hope everyone had a safe and spooky time!
Just a reminder: every Tuesday and Friday, I’ll be in your inbox with the latest in politics, tech & social media, culture, and other relevant topics – and I’ll share some notes and tips on what I’m keeping my eye on.
I’M LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO DO MINI INTERVIEWS FOR OPEN TABS :) Tips, thoughts, concerns, good jokes, bad jokes, tea, etc?
And finally, if you enjoy this newsletter and want to share it with your network (and/or your chronically online friends), that would be so appreciated 🙏
White House fires arts commission expected to review Trump construction projects
The commission, which was established by Congress more than a century ago and traditionally includes a mix of architects and urban planners, is charged with providing advice to the president, Congress and local government officials on design matters related to construction projects in the capital region. (WaPo, 10/28)
DOJ indicts Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh over ICE protests
The indictment, which was filed Oct. 23, alleges that Abughazaleh “physically hindered and impeded” an agent who was “forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators.” Abughazaleh was charged alongside five other people, including two other political candidates. (NBC News, 10/29)
MAGA singles are looking for love in Washington. It’s a challenge.
“They’re kind of like the villagers to Frankenstein,” says Susan Trombetti, CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, who describes the environment as “political polarization on steroids.” (WaPo, 10/28)
Lucy’s note: good
AI Novel Tops Japan’s Biggest Fiction Website, Sparking Literary Uproar
Kakuyomu, known for hosting a wide array of genres including fantasy, science fiction, romance, and fanfiction, allows aspiring writers to publish serialized stories for free. Many of the more popular novels go on to be published in print. The platform’s rankings are driven by metrics such as page views, favorites, and engagement, making them a key pathway for authors to gain visibility and even monetize through incentives like ad revenue. (Decrypt, 10/29)
Misinformation online driving some women to quit hormonal birth control
As part of NPR’s Population Shift series, we’ve been spending this week looking at how families make decisions about if and when to have children - decisions made possible in part because of hormonal birth control. Now there’s a growing social media trend that shows women quitting their hormonal birth control, even though they’re not ready to become parents. Doctors are worried that some women are making decisions based on inaccurate medical information they see online. (NPR, 10/30)
Lucy’s note: a reminder (that we all need sometimes these days!!) to consult your real, human doctor before making any big medical choices
Grammarly is changing its name to Superhuman
Grammarly is adopting its new name from AI email app Superhuman Mail, which Grammarly acquired in June, following its December 2024 acquisition of Coda, a collaborative workspace app. They all now live under the Superhuman banner. Even the Grammarly logo has been replaced to reflect the company’s new identity as a productivity AI brand. (The Verge, 10/29)
‘You’re waiting for something to happen — wanting it to.’ Why these travelers pay big money for terrifying trips
The community sentiment comes up a lot within this subculture. Paranormal travel is about more than revisiting haunted sites or chasing fresh evidence for participants; it’s about finding their spooky nerd tribe, and having a third space where they can trade stories, discuss ideas and share the thrill of the unknown. (CNN, 10/30)
‘American Horror Story’ Plots 2026 Return With Ariana Grande Joining Franchise Regulars
Grande is the only AHS newcomer in the cast, though she’s worked with Murphy before: She had a role on Fox’s Scream Queens in 2015. When American Horror Story returns (and assuming it makes the October 2026 date announced Friday), it will have been three years since the most recent season debuted. (The Hollywood Reporter, 10/31 – free version)
Emma Chamberlain partners with Ebay on exclusive wardrobe auction
Proceeds from “From the Collection: Emma Chamberlain” will benefit Save the Children, supporting the organization’s work to provide children around the world with access to health, education, and protection. All bidding starts at just $0.99. “I’ve always loved pre-loved fashion, it’s been a significant part of developing my style since the very beginning. The eclectic nature of shopping pre-loved has inspired me to think for myself and find pieces that are truly me,” said Chamberlain. (Fashion Network, 10/30)
Egypt’s $1 billion museum is finally opening
Billed as the world’s largest museum dedicated to one civilization, the facility covers the equivalent of about 80 football fields. According to CBS News, it took workers seven months just to excavate and remove sand to prepare the site. (Morning Brew, 11/1)
Lucy’s note: once again, I’m just always stanning Morning Brew for the breadth of their content (inspo!)
Extra Credit 🤓
Some newsletters I thought were excellent recently:
“Why Do So Many Women Love True Crime?” from
and- by
My friends and I had Locket a while back, might have to try again!
“101 Things I Learned Listening to Every Number One Hit: Part 1” from
byThis was really, really cool
This week’s Polymarket trend that I’m watching is…
That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Tuesday!