The Breakfast Club (Influence)

Welcome to The Breakfast Club! We’re a disorganized group of rebel lefties who hang out and chat if and when we’re not too hungover we’ve been bailed out we’re not too exhausted from last night’s (CENSORED) the caffeine kicks in. Join us every weekday morning at 9am (ET) and weekend morning at 10:00am (ET) (or whenever we get around to it) to talk about current news and our boring lives and to make fun of LaEscapee! If we are ever running late, it’s PhilJD’s fault.

This Day in History

Hubert Humphrey dies; Japan apologizes; Douglas Wilder of Virginia is sworn in; “J’accuse” published;Composer Stephen Fost dies.

Breakfast Tunes

Something to Think about over Coffee Prozac

It is so impossible to predict how much influence what you write will have, and what sorts of anxieties and imaginaries it will tap into.

Masha Gessen

Breakfast News

US News

Kids’ low COVID-19 vaccination rates called a ‘gut punch’

Soaring COVID-19 cases renew US debate over mask mandates

Virus hospitalizations rise in Hawaii as omicron spreads

Gov. deploys National Guard to hospitals amid COVID surge

Chicago teachers accept COVID deal, keeping kids in school

Army ups bonuses for recruits to $50K, as COVID takes toll

Delta extends life of expiring travel vouchers from pandemic

Boston makes final push to clear out homeless encampment

Prosecutors add dozens of charges in Wisconsin parade deaths

US to close Gulf ports to Mexican fishing boats for poaching

Alabama woman who joined Islamic State stuck in refugee camp

Pipeline spills 300,000 gallons of diesel near New Orleans

Police officer dies after 13-year in coma from on-duty crash

Bartender’s tip leads to arrest in Key West buoy burning

Back in shape: Maine’s famous spinning ice disk says hello

US Politics

Dems switch strategy on voting bill as Biden pushes action

Inflation at 40-year high pressures consumers, Fed and Biden

GOP leader McCarthy says he won’t cooperate with 1/6 panel

Democrats push rival bill sanctioning Russia over Ukraine

Fed survey finds economy growing modestly despite COVID

US posted smallest monthly deficit in 2 years in December

Brainard vows to help combat inflation as No. 2 Fed official

Newly divided Virginia General Assembly kicks off session

Newsom rejects claims his homelessness plan isn’t working

Oregon Supreme Court to decide Kristof eligibility

Biden pays silent tribute as Reid lies in state at Capitol

International News

PAHO: Omicron to become dominant variant in Americas shortly

US hits NKorean officials with sanctions after missile test

Rat who detected land mines in Cambodia dies in retirement

Twin panda cubs debut at Tokyo zoo, woo devoted fans

Sports

South Carolina still No. 1 in AP women’s basketball poll

Nelson-Ododa, Williams help No. 10 UConn down Butler 92-47

Vann nets 22, No. 23 Sooner women top No. 14 Baylor 83-77

No. 10 Michigan State beats Minnesota 71-69 on Hauser’s shot

Days scores 20 near home, No. 12 LSU beats Florida 64-58

Frosh duo helps No. 8 Duke beat Wake Forest without Coach K

No. 14 Villanova holds off No. 17 Xavier, 64-60

Knicks end Mavericks’ 6-game win streak with 108-85 victory

Herro’s 21 points lead Heat past slumping Hawks, 115-91

Wizards hand NBA-worst Magic 10th straight loss, 112-106

Marchand has hat trick, Bruins beat Canadiens 5-1

Breakfast Blogs

A Supreme Court Selected By Big Money Will Rule on Whether Big Money Is Corruptive Charles P. Pierce, Esquire Politics

A Look at Michigan’s “Alternate” Electors Rayne, emptywheel

The Supply Chain is People You Fucking Morons John Cole, Balloon Juice

Some 2022 Nervousness in the GOP? digby aka Heather Digby Parton, Digby’s Hullabaloo

“We are being absolutely crushed” Tom Sullivan, Digby’s Hullabaloo

New Illinois Law Says Cops Need A Warrant To Grab Data From (Some) Third Parties Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Ohio Supreme Court Tosses GOP Gerrymander of State Legislative Districts for Unconstitutionally Favoring Republicans Aaron Keller, Law & Crime

Let us now celebrate the retirement of Pat Leahy Scott Lemieux, Lawyers, Guns and Money

Fascist reverse trolley problem Paul Campos, Lawyers, Guns and Money

Erik Visits an American Grave, Part 995 Erik Loomis, Lawyers, Guns and Money

Literary Corner: Look at Pennsylvania! Yastreblyansky, The Rectification of Names

REPUBLICAN PRACTICE UNPOPULARISM IN VIRGINIA Steve M., No More Mister Nice Blog

Ray Epps! Ray Epps! He’s Here! He’s There! He’s Every F*cking Where! Liz Dye, Wonkette

Mitch McConnell Serpent-Talking Maryland GOP Gov Larry Hogan Into Running For Senate Stephen Robinson, Wonkette