Today’s Big Story

Mamdani’s Big Win

New Yorkers turn out in numbers while Republicans look for lessons in an election dominated by Democratic wins

Sure, it was a triumphant campaign built on progressive ideas and a relentless focus on affordability. He was getting the support of podcast bros and cool girls. But was it really going to translate into big votes? We got the answer yesterday when Zohran Kwame Mamdani became, at age 34, the next mayor of New York City.

Intelligencer called it astonishing and important, “an avowed socialist has never led a city so large, nor has a Muslim—nor, in almost any instance, has someone so young and so unlikely to win as the state assemblyman from Queens.” Now Mamdani is on the cusp of becoming a global icon. The international media, as much as the national press, seems to be obsessed with him, and the final days of his campaign were spent under a crush of attention rarely, if ever, witnessed in the local political realm. Even for a city like New York. Now, he must rise to the massive challenges of governing.

The young democratic socialist electrified young progressives to best scandal-plagued former N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Republicans tried to weaponize Mamdani's momentum by labeling his candidacy as proof that the Democrats are migrating further left. The president even went so far as to say he would cut more federal funding to New York should Mamdani win. But it didn’t matter and the initial numbers show the highest early voting turnout for a non-presidential election in NYC’s history.

“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” Mamdani said in his victory speech that addressed Trump personally, saying he knew he’d be watching and told him to “turn the volume up.” The mayor-elect also vowed to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, declaring “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

And it wasn’t just New York. Democrats attacked Trump’s agenda to help score victories in Virginia, where former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger quickly defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. They also prevailed in New Jersey, where Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill beat Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a race for governor considered the best Tuesday night upset opportunity for the GOP. NBC News points out that they also scored much needed victories in nearly every major state-level contest (including California’s redistricting plan), a helpful night as they tried to build on a data-based narrative that Trump and Republicans have tanked the nation’s economy and gone too far right ahead of the 2026 midterms.

A Record Shutdown

Government stalemate becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide

Well, we knew it was coming but with the government shutdown entering its 36th day, it’s now broken the record as the longest ever—while also disrupting the lives of millions of Americans with federal program cuts, flight delays and federal workers nationwide left without paychecks. President Donald Trump has refused to negotiate with Democrats over their demands to salvage expiring health insurance subsidies until they agree to reopen the government. But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, particularly after the administration restricted SNAP food aid, despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.

The Senate failed for the 14th time to advance a House-passed continuing resolution to end the stalemate on Tuesday. The vote was 54-44, with no new Democrats crossing the aisle to advance it. Despite the outcome, lawmakers from both parties have hinted at the emerging contours of a deal to end the stalemate, possibly as early as this week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he thinks “there are people who realize this has gone on long enough” and “it's time to end it.”

According to CBS News, some Republicans have said they expect Democrats to be more willing to vote to reopen the government following Tuesday’s elections. And Trump—whose first term at the White House set the previous government shutdown record—is set to meet early today for breakfast with GOP senators. But no talks have been scheduled with the Democrats.

Trader Joe's Donates 100% of Unsold Products Daily

The grocer gave away 98 million pounds of food last year

Well, here’s some good news at a time when so many are worried about food instability: Trader Joe’s donates “100% of products that go unsold but remain fit to be enjoyed” every day and from every store, according to the grocer’s website. The initiative is part of Trader Joe’s Neighborhood Shares Program. (As if we needed more reason to love this store.)

Last year, the chain’s nearly 600 stores nationwide donated 98 million pounds of leftover food. The tens of millions of pounds of products were given to more than 2,000 partners on a daily basis. According to People, the network of local organizations, including programs like City Harvest, Feeding San Diego, Extra Food and Sharing Excess, is “ever-evolving.” I wish more grocery chains were this proactive about feeding the hungry and combatting food waste.

In case you didn’t know, food waste in the U.S. is a huge problem. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 1/3 of our annual meat and produce supply is thrown away before it even hits the table. This can be due to several things, like biological damage (from animals, bacteria, and fungi), excessive ordering, and overall poor presentation. In 2010, it was estimated that around 133 billion pounds of food were taken straight to the trash can. And there’s another serious problem: Around 47 million people in our country don't have enough to eat, with one in five kids facing food insecurity. 

The Early Gifter's Advantage

Rugged, refined and ready to wrap

It might feel a touch early, but the best gifts are the ones you don't panic-buy. Huckberry's lineup this season proves that thoughtful doesn't have to mean complicated—it's packed with pieces that look great, work hard, and last well beyond the holidays. From a wood-fired pizza oven worthy of a backyard chef to the kind of slippers that make staying in feel luxurious, these are gifts that hit the sweet spot between rugged and refined. Consider this your early pass to stress-free shopping—no wrapping regret, no shipping anxiety, just solid picks that'll actually get used.

Go slow.