today in tabs: 'more americans like corn than caviar'

ALSO: Instagram's kinda terrifying new Maps feature, no more AI therapists in Illinois, the power of female friendship™️ transcends species, and more

Aug 08, 2025

Happy Friday, August 8th.

WELCOME :)

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.

Want to do a super fun, super cool rapid interview for this newsletter like the one below??? Reply to this email or hit the button below. Tips, thoughts, concerns, good jokes, bad jokes, ☕️, 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 🙏

I am SO thrilled about this week’s ‘Got A Text’ interview with 🥁🥁🥁…

Hunter Schwarz

! You probably know him from

Yello by Hunter Schwarz

, his newsletter on politics, civics, and design, or

Whig by Hunter Schwarz

, his new (absolutely brilliantly titled) newsletter on politics and pop culture. Every single time I read something from him, I learn something new. I hope you enjoy!

Texas election map fight swells into national political warfare

Democrats face significant hurdles in carving out more blue seats but have promised to try, arguing that Texas Republicans have forced their hand. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) — who is facing a primary challenge — said this week that “the gloves are off” and that she supports changing or disbanding the independent commission that draws congressional districts in her state. (WaPo, 8/6)

JD Vance’s team had water level of Ohio river raised for family’s boating trip

One source with knowledge of the matter who communicated with the Guardian anonymously alleged that the outflow request for the Caesar Creek Lake was not just to support the vice-president’s Secret Service detail, but also to create “ideal kayaking conditions”. The Guardian could not independently confirm this specific claim. (The Guardian, 8/6)

Duffy to announce nuclear reactor on the moon

NASA has discussed building a reactor on the lunar surface, but this would set a more definitive timeline — according to documents obtained by POLITICO — and come just as the agency faces a massive budget cut. (Politico, 8/4)

Lucy’s note: Pair this story with the one above… I’m so tired of living through times when everything is an Onion headline 🫠

Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move

The map, confusingly, combines two forms of location sharing: First, it includes locations you have actively tagged in recent Instagram stories or posts. Second, the app nudges you to opt in to a new form of passive location sharing — letting friends see wherever you last opened the app, even just to scroll through it. (WaPo, 8/7)

Lucy’s note: I would highly recommend turning this feature off!!!

France’s Prime Minister wants support for his budget cuts, so he explained them on YouTube

In that environment, Bayrou is determining whether the message is more important than the messenger. Can a creator-style political appeal work even when it’s presented by a boomer like Bayrou? (Tubefilter, 8/6)

OpenAI stops ChatGPT from telling people to break up with partners

OpenAI, ChatGPT’s developer, said the chatbot would stop giving definitive answers to personal challenges and would instead help people to mull over problems such as potential breakups. (The Guardian, 8/5)

Illinois is the first state to ban AI therapists

This makes Illinois the first state to regulate the use of AI in mental health services. The law highlights that only licensed professionals are allowed to offer counseling services in the state and forbids AI chatbots or tools from acting as a stand-alone therapist. (Engadget, 8/5)

Lucy’s note: Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois is on a roll these days!

MLB’s first female umpire set to debut

Jen Pawol, a minor-league umpire since 2016, is set to make her major-league debut on Saturday, making her the first female umpire in regular-season MLB history. Pawol is being called up for the Miami Marlins-Atlanta Braves doubleheader on Saturday, when she will work the bases for those two games. (The Athletic, 8/6)

Uber’s Festering Sexual Assault Problem

Uber’s decisions about safety came as it prioritized growing its user base, avoiding costly lawsuits and protecting its business model, which classifies drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, the records show. (NYT gift link, 8/6)

M&M’s Maker Turns to Gene Editing in Bid to Secure Cocoa Supply

The maker of Dove chocolate and M&M’s is entering into a licensing agreement with Pairwise, an agricultural gene editing firm, in order to accelerate the development of plants with desirable traits, according to a statement. (Bloomberg, 8/6 – free version)

Gorillas seek out old female friends even after years apart

The relationships built up between female mountain gorillas are more important than previously understood, new research from Rwanda suggests. It shows that when one of these social great apes moves into a new group, she will seek out and join another female she already knows. (BBC, 8/5)