Slow Boring : Evening Edition

Tuesday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:01:04 GMT

The left is winning primaries. Can it win general elections?

Halina Bennet — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:00:43 GMT

Abdul El-Sayed speaks to supporters at an election-night rally at the Majestic Theatre on August 4, 2026, in Detroit. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Last week’s primary results in Michigan delivered huge wins for the progressive left.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed1 narrowly defeated mainstream, pro-Israel Representative Haley Stevens for the Democratic nominati…

Theater is weird, and that’s the point.

Halina Bennet — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:00:06 GMT

A performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. (Photo by Franz Marc Frei via Getty Images)

A few weeks ago I saw a student production of “Twelfth Night” in D.C.

Though it was far from my favorite of the versions I’ve seen, I sat happily (albeit uncomfortably — no AMC recliners at the Shakespeare Theatre Company) for three hours, often pulled from the mo…

Thursday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:02:07 GMT

They’ve had it up to here with the NIMBYs

Halina Bennet — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:01:33 GMT

An accessory dwelling unit in California. (Photo by Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images)

Last week gave us examples of everyone from private developers and investors to members of state governments and city councils taking steps to accelerate housing production, often by working around traditional local barriers. At the same time, communities continue…

Tuesday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:01:01 GMT

Democrats are winning the polls but losing the plot

Halina Bennet — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:01:04 GMT

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed campaigns in Michigan ahead of the state’s primary. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The basic midterm scenario remains familiar: Republicans hold a Senate majority, and Democrats need a net four-seat gain to flip it. Democrats continue to lead on the generic ballot and have a better chance of controlling the…

12 things I’ve learned in 12 months of writing for Slow Boring

Halina Bennet — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:01:16 GMT

Halina conducting research.

I have been writing for Slow Boring for exactly one year and, to mark the occasion, I thought I would reflect on 12 lessons I’ve learned during these past 12 months. They’ve been unlike any others in my (very short) career, and it’s due to your readership that I get to keep it up for the foreseeable future. Thanks for reading…

Thursday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:01:51 GMT

One block, two fights

Halina Bennet — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:01:55 GMT

Fort Mason in San Francisco’s Marina District. (Photo by simonkr via Getty Images)

A numbers update before I get into this week’s trove of housing news:

According to Builder Magazine’s analysis, home prices fell in real terms in May. The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller National Index posted only a 1.1 percent annual gain, well below the month’s 4.2 percent infl…

Tuesday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:00:44 GMT

The midterms, 100 days out

Halina Bennet — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:00:53 GMT

Troy Jackson speaks after becoming the Maine Democratic Party’s choice to be its U.S. Senate nominee. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Staff via Getty Images)

With fewer than 100 days left until Election Day, both parties are navigating real weaknesses. A cash-poor D.N.C. and an unmotivated G.O.P. base are trying to keep their candidates on course while primary seas…

Thank you, Christopher Nolan

Halina Bennet — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:00:53 GMT

Christopher Nolan attends the Mumbai premiere of “The Odyssey” on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Aalok Soni/Stringer via Getty Images)

I read “The Odyssey” as a sophomore in high school — read is probably a strong word for what was realistically a skim. Regardless, once Odysseus returned home, I closed my Fagles and never looked back. My young mind’s attention…

Thursday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:00:47 GMT

Housing is at the top of everyone’s agenda

Halina Bennet — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:01:12 GMT

Apartment buildings in San Francisco. (Photo by Ryan McGinnis via Getty Images)

Federal law curbing institutional single-family purchases is already reshaping investor behavior, while some states are moving independently on supply and affordability legislation. Meanwhile, new research suggests the affordability problem may be even worse than previously t…

Tuesday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:01:04 GMT

Democratic fields are shifting; G.O.P. bank accounts are growing

Halina Bennet — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:01:05 GMT

U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine walks in the annual Moxie Day Parade on July 11, 2026. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Stringer via Getty Images)

Even as party leaders in Maine move quickly to unite behind a candidate after Graham Platner’s departure, Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor has gone sideways. Meanwhile, fundraising reports from candidates …

Vibes are winning, whether you like it or not

Halina Bennet — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:00:19 GMT

Joe Rogan attends an executive order signing in the Oval Office. (Photo by the Washington Post/Contributor via Getty Images)

Less than 30 years ago, if you wanted to learn how to fillet a fish, you needed a cookbook, a class, or a family member or friend to teach you. Today, you just need a phone. The same is true of squats, sourdough, watercolor paintin…

Thursday discussion post

Halina Bennet — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:02:24 GMT

The abundance agenda has arrived

Halina Bennet — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:01:59 GMT

A modern apartment building. (Photo by xphotoz via Getty Images)

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially federal law. Congress passed it with bipartisan majorities but, rather than sign it, President Donald Trump let the constitutional clock run out and the bill became law on Saturday. Supporters are calling it the most significant piece of fe…