Cindy Boren

Gram. You know.

Well, I’ll still be here and on X and the Gran.

Thanks for the kind words, Des. You’ve been a treasured colleague.

It’s my turn to announce my upcoming Washington Post departure. I’ve loved (almost) every minute of it and will remain on social media (say hi now and then, will ya) as I watch sports and go scorched earth on my memoir.

Four men court controversy with audacious plan to scale Everest in one week The use of xenon gas may help cut the usual trip time from weeks to days. But not all members of the climbing community approve of the potentially speedy climb.

Climbing Everest in one week? It could happen thanks to xenon gas.

We've heard concerning things about the Social Security Administration lately, so I decided to check for myself.

SSA says Wednesday is the best day to call, so I called then.

Their system told me there would be a two-hour wait time, told me to call back, and then just hung up.

Commanders free agency: Tracking all of Washington’s signings The Washington Commanders already agreed to trade for Deebo Samuel and retained veterans Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Tress Way, Zane Gonzalez and John Bates.

The other app is down. You can follow all the Washington Commanders free agent moves here:
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

As a hard-news journalist at The Washington Post, there's no shortage of important news to cover. I will keep digging in.

As I've stated before:

Nothing changes. We ask hard questions and hold those in power to account. That's the job, whether those in power like it or not.

Just a reminder that the opinion section is walled-off from the newsroom and is home to about a tenth of Post journalists. I have had so many conversations with folks who canceled their subs, urging them to reconsider and stressing that ownership doesn't interfere in newsroom. That's still true.

Column | The PGA Tour’s thirst for Saudi money is as sad as LIV Golf’s product As the Saudis sportswash their way through the world of golf, the PGA Tour could at least make them clean up their mess.

The PGA Tour's proposed @pgatourus.bsky.social golf merger with the junky LIV @livgolfleague.bsky.social is not just a golf deal. It's a piece of laundry. So get some actual soap. My thoughts on the @donaldjtrump-maga.bsky.social brokered merger attempt. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

After Home Depot stint, this prospect tries to get more done at Nats camp This winter, Brad Lord was a Home Depot employee. At spring training with the Nationals, he’s a developmental success story.

Brad Lord's Home Depot co-workers were like ‘Man, you look like a pretty physical guy. What do you do?’

“I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah. Well, I play baseball,’” Lord told them.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

New Social Security chief was being investigated when Musk team tapped him Data analyst Leland Dudek was suspected of sharing unauthorized access to information with the U.S. DOGE Service. Now he’s the acting Social Security commissioner.

Leaders of the Social Security Administration had just opened an investigation into a career employee they believed was improperly sharing information with Elon Musk’s cost-cutting team when President Donald Trump elevated the employee this week to acting commissioner.

U.S. government officials privately warn Musk’s blitz appears illegal The billionaire’s DOGE team has launched an all-out assault on federal agencies, triggering numerous legal objections.

Here you go. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

U.S. government officials privately warn Musk’s blitz appears illegal The billionaire’s DOGE team has launched an all-out assault on federal agencies, triggering numerous legal objections.

This @washingtonpost.com story is so important that I'm gifting it. These people appear to be operating totally illegally and outside the Constitution -- and they know it. wapo.st/40LVERn

Musk aides gain access to sensitive Treasury Department payment system The access, granted by Scott Bessent, Trump’s newly confirmed treasury secretary, comes after the ousting of the agency’s top career official.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s deputies have gained access to a sensitive Treasury Department system responsible for trillions of dollars in U.S. government payments after the administration ousted a top career official at the department. @jeffstein.bsky.social

A more comprehensive story is here: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

Senior U.S. official to exit after rift with Musk allies over payment system A top Treasury career staffer is expected to depart. Surrogates of Musk’s DOGE effort had sought access to sensitive payment systems.

SCOOP: The highest-ranking Treasury official is expected to depart soon after a clash w/ Elon Musk allies over their demands for access to a sensitive internal government payment system, sources say

System controls disbursement of trillions of dollars per yr

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Live updates: A day before D.C. plane crash, another jet landing at Reagan National had to ‘go-around’ The American Airlines plane operating as American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

Breaking news: A day before the midair crash in D.C., another jet was forced to abort its first landing at Reagan National Airport because of a helicopter.

If you look at Heather Cox Richardson's letter today outlining the damage Trump II has done already you will note that 3 times she credits reporting in The Washington Post. For all of its dispiriting faults on the top, the paper still has scores of reporters doing essential & revelatory work.

His OCD on full display, Zane Gonzalez still drilled the kick of his life The Commanders place-kicker’s routine isn’t superstition — it’s obsessive compulsion, which he has dealt with since he was a kid.

“It’s who I am, and it’s what I go through, and I, above everybody else, realize how crazy it looks doing it. I’m aware,” Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez said about his routine and living with OCD. “But at the same time, you can’t help it.”

I remember. You’re all well?

Not too badly, other than the snow and cold. How are you?

Hi, bud!

But if Canada comes in to balance it… (I kid, I kid. Kinda)

Hey, bud. Just saw you here.

Seems reasonable. Which makes it unlikely.

Congress passes RFK bill in surprise move, giving D.C. control of stadium site Passage of the legislation, which transfers the land to D.C. at no cost, is a tremendous win for Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), who has long sought to redevelop the site.

Late night news … www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

Hope you’re feeling well and get a good result.

Lovely!

You’re in Fla, right?