It’s Wednesday again, which means it’s time for your weekly Cordy header. I try to bring genuinely interesting (and sometimes tough) reporting to my headers, while also leaving weeks for something more fun or frivolous. Yesterday I asked the PT whether they’d like to see some investigative pieces today or just some cute animals. And the vote was really well split! So I’ll share a few stories as a shot with hopefully some cute baby animals as a chaser that hopefully isn’t too much whiplash. 

NPR has done some investigative reporting on ghost networks, and the challenges of getting a visit for a mental health appointment on insurance plans. One of their stories shows how this unfolds by tracking the case of Ravi Coutinho. Brace yourself for this one, as it is a very emotional read. 

Meanwhile, ProPublica reports on how the USAID and State Department’s refugee bureau concluded that the government of Israel blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza. By law, these findings should halt weapons shipment – but Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (and the Biden administration as a whole) overruled those decisions. 

Also from ProPublica, a report indicating that Judge Cannon, who oversaw the Trump documents case, violated ethics rules by not disclosing her attendance at paid events sponsored by the Heritage Foundation.

And then a piece by Nathan Robinson for Current Affairs, discussing why The Atlantic is the worst magazine in America. He goes deep on the journalistic and editorial malpractice of the magazine.

So that’s some news. Now wash it down with Pesto the Penguin and Moo Deng the Pygmy Hippo.

Be kind and thoughtful today. Cheers.