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Ashley Moody backs bipartisan bill to improve agricultural efficiency
'Our Florida universities are the best in the nation, and they should continue to lead in innovation.'
The Guardian view on a significant week for European politics: progressives have some reasons to be cheerful
Editorial: Events in Denmark and Italy show geopolitical instability is creating opportunities for a centre-left response to the far right
Pussycat Dolls star triples down on MAGA label after claiming politics cost her the reunion tour
Pussycat Dolls member Jessica Sutta says her MAGA alignment and RFK Jr. support cost her a spot on the group's 53-date PCD Forever reunion tour.
Richard Corcoran: Why is New College receiving so much attention?
Small college reforms spark national debate over the direction of higher education.
Baptist Health-Fort Smith may cease full hospital operations - Talk Business & Politics
Little Rock-based Baptist Health is planning to end hospital operations at Baptist Health-Fort Smith with the campus providing emergency room and possibly limited surgery services. Existing physician agreements are set...
States Brace for a Potential Supreme Court Ban on Late-Arriving Ballots
The court’s conservatives appear skeptical of laws allowing mail ballots to arrive after Election Day. A decision could come as late as June, potentially scrambling midterm elections.
FIU hospitality program ranked No. 3 among U.S. public universities, politics ranked No. 15, joining several other top-ranked FIU programs in 2026 QS World University Rankings
The hospitality program is No. 23 in the world overall and No. 1 in Florida in the just-released rankings.
Wednesday morning quarterback: If Republicans aren't scared after Special Election upsets, they should be
Guys and gals, this is not Chicken Little; the sky has already fallen.
JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon says remote work breeds ‘rope-a-dope politics’ and stunts young workers’ growth
Dimon has a message for remote workers: the customer comes first.
The politics of California’s surging gas prices
Gas prices continue to spike amid oil market disruptions caused by the war in Iran — and both Republicans and Democrats are working to capitalize on the issue.
Glyphosate: A story of science, risk, and nuance
In the summer of 2014, a California groundskeeper named Dewayne Johnson started noticing patches of raw, weeping skin spreading across his body. He had spent years applying Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide, for a school district, sometimes drenched in it when equipment malfunctioned. By 2014, he had a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2018, a jury awarded him $289 million in damages, later reduced on appeal. Tens of thousands of lawsuits followed. The story hasn’t quieted down. It’s all over the internet, swinging between “this will kill you, buy organic” and “relax, you’re fear-mongering.” Some of that recent chatter stems from an Executive Order protecting glyphosate and its production, which set off intense infighting within the MAHA movement. Some of it reflects a deeper truth: Americans genuinely care about harmful chemicals in their environment (see poll below). And the conversation isn’t going anywhere, with a Supreme Court case involving Monsanto set for this April. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. But does glyphosate cause cancer? And how much exposure is actually risky? With so much mistrust in institutions and corporations (and some genuine conflicts of interest), making sense of the actual scientific evidence is genuinely hard. Here is a translation of what the scientific evidence actually says. Does glyphosate cause harm? Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills most plants it contacts rather than targeting specific species. It works by blocking an enzyme pathway (EPSPS) that plants and many microorganisms need to produce essential amino acids. Without those amino acids, the plant can’t grow and dies. Glyphosate was first developed by Monsanto in the 1970s and became ubiquitous after the company introduced “Roundup Ready” crops in the 1990s. In 2024, Bayer removed glyphosate from residential Roundup-branded products due to litigation pressure. But today it is still the most widely used herbicide in the world. Farmers also discovered they could spray it directly on crops like oats, lentils, beans, and peas just before harvest to dry them out faster and make harvesting easier. Because of its widespread use, it’s obviously really important to understand if it’s harmful to humans. The key principle: The dose makes the poison The most important concept in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison.” Sixteenth-century physician Paracelsus articulated what remains the foundational principle of toxicology: sola dosis facit venenum. Water will kill you if you drink enough of it. Aspirin saves lives at 81 milligrams and causes internal bleeding at higher chronic doses. So, at what dose is glyphosate poisonous? The LD50 in rats (the dose that kills half the test animals) is around 5,600 mg/kg body weight. Table salt is roughly 3,000 mg/kg. By that classic measure, glyphosate is less acutely toxic than salt. But some people are exposed to a lot of glyphosate through their work. And among the general public, there are many questions about low-dose, cumulative exposure from multiple sources over long periods. Does glyphosate cause health problems? Cancer Correlation maps are striking, with one analysis finding that 60% of counties that spray the most glyphosate have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rates above the national average. But correlation alone doesn’t establish cause, which is why animal and human studies matter. In animals: Rat studies are typically what most fear is rooted in, but most people don’t know the study details on the dosage given to rats. A pooled analysis of the 13 most rigorous rat studies found evidence that very high doses, around 55,000 times greater than typical food residue exposure, can cause certain cancers. In humans: One of the strongest studies followed 55,000 herbicide users over 20 years and found no overall increased cancer risk. There was one signal: among those with the highest use, rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) appeared elevated. A broader meta-analysis of 18 human studies also found no overall cancer risk, though a separate meta-analysis focused specifically on non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that people with high cumulative glyphosate exposure faced a 41% higher relative risk compared to those with low or no exposure. These human studies are observational studies (randomized controlled trials would be unethical), and meta-analyses are only as reliable as the studies they pool. But the story seems consistent: at very high exposure levels, there may be some cancer risk. But that’s about as far as the science currently takes us. Emerging research: gut and reproductive health Gut: Because glyphosate targets a pathway that exists in some gut bacteria, scientists have questioned whether it could affect the microbiome. In mice, a 2023 University of Iowa study found that glyphosate altered gut bacterial composition and raised markers of intestinal inflammation. A 2024 systematic review found similar patterns: disrupted gut bacteria and problems with the mucus layer that protects the intestinal wall in mice. Whether this translates to humans is an open question. The human gut is highly variable and resistant, and we don't yet have strong studies confirming the same effects in people. Reproductive health: Animal studies have found that glyphosate-based herbicides can interfere with reproductive hormones, including disrupting egg cell development in mice and reducing the number of eggs available in sheep’s ovaries. However, the doses used in these experiments were high, so it’s not yet clear whether the same effects would occur in humans. On the human side, a 2021 pilot study led by Mount Sinai researchers tested urine samples from pregnant women across the U.S. and found glyphosate in 95% of them. The study also found a possible connection between higher glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and a subtle physical difference measured in female newborns. That said, some connections weren’t statistically reliable and this was a small study. The researchers themselves said more and larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. What do regulators say about glyphosate safety? In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). The classification is worth taking seriously. But, there’s an important distinction: IARC classifies hazard, meaning the potential to cause harm under some conditions. It does not assess risk, which accounts for actual exposure levels and the real-world probability of harm. The U.S. EPA, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and regulatory agencies in Australia and Japan have all concluded that glyphosate is “unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans” at realistic exposure levels. They’re asking a different question: given how much of this people actually encounter, what is the probability of harm? Your actual exposure is what determines your actual risk. What does glyphosate mean for your daily life? At the grocery store: Food residues are small. The EPA’s acceptable daily intake is 1.75 mg/kg of body weight per day. To hit that threshold from oatmeal alone, a 150-pound adult would need to eat roughly 50 pounds of oats every day. But this calculation addresses only one pathway (food), and we don’t yet have robust tools to measure people’s actual total exposure. If reducing exposure matters to you, organic certification prohibits synthetic herbicides, and organic oat products generally test at lower or undetectable levels. Either way, a diet rich in whole grains, conventional or organic, is far better for your health than one that omits them out of fear of residues. On the farm: Occupational exposure is orders of magnitude higher than consumer exposure. Farmers and farm workers who mix, load, and apply glyphosate-based herbicides, especially without protective equipment, face meaningfully different risk profiles. Proper PPE isn’t optional. Integrated weed management strategies that rotate chemical modes of action are also worth taking seriously, both for health and for long-term effectiveness. If you live near a farm: Spray drift is real. Concentrations near field edges can spike during and after application, particularly on windy days. This is an area where I think public health could really step up and empower rural communities with buffer zones, rather than placing the onus on individuals. But for now, knowing your local agricultural calendar and keeping windows closed during application are the first steps. Bottom line Dewayne Johnson was exposed to glyphosate at levels most people will never encounter, and a jury decided he deserved compensation. That outcome is not evidence that the oatmeal in your pantry is dangerous. But it is a reminder that the dose, the context, and the person doing the exposing all matter enormously. Glyphosate is a chemical tool with benefits, trade-offs, and genuine open scientific questions. Learning to hold that complexity without collapsing into panic or dismissal is, honestly, one of the most useful and hardest things to do in navigating modern health science. Love, YLE Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife, and mom of two little girls. Hannah Totte, MPH, is an epidemiologist and YLE Community Manager. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
Colby Covington plans to step away from politics after President Trump leaves office
Colby Covington plans to step away from politics after Trump’s second term Colby Covington says he plans to step away from politics once Donald Trump’s second term comes to an end. The former interim UFC welterweight champion has built much of his persona around his support for Trump, even bringing a belt to the Oval Office back in 2018.
More money from undisclosed sources is influencing Massachusetts politics
WBUR's Patrick Madden looked into so-called dark money groups and their growing influence in Massachusetts state politics.
Opinion | When faith becomes a weapon in Alabama politics
Wes Allen’s attack on John Wahl reveals a dangerous tactic—using faith as a political weapon rather than a guiding principle.
Play It Again Sports (Arkansas Sports University Inc.) - Talk Business & Politics
Cameron Campbell always enjoyed playing sports. His two favorite sports were basketball and baseball. When he got out of school, he wanted to do something where he was still involved...
Democrats cheer Brian Nathan upset, frame SD 14 flip in Hillsborough as GOP warning sign
The race is expected to draw continued attention as both Nathan and Tomkow head toward a November rematch.
I didn’t pay attention to politics. Then my house fell down
This Overland Park independent voter is reminded of his father’s advice, and applies it to our democracy. | Opinion
UK Should Ban Crypto Donations to Political Parties, Review Says
The UK should ban crypto donations to political parties until they are effectively regulated because they risk foreign financial interference in British politics, according to a government-commissioned review into the matter.
UK moves closer to ban on crypto cash in politics
Official recommendation for a pause will be seen as a blow to Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK is the only party so far accepting donations using the technology.
This Week in Politics: Developments in the U.S. and Iran War
The U.S. war with Iran rages on and continues to draw mounting public opposition and to induce harsh economic impacts. The conflict has prompted substantial blowback for the Trump administration. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University found that a majority (53%) of U.S. voters disapproved of U.S. military action against Iran, with a larger percentage...
Chuck Schumer’s Other Challenge Is Geographic | WSJ Politics Newsletter for March 25
Plus, a MAGA rebellion in Arkansas and the DHS-funding standoff continues
The week in politics (March 25, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we consider whether Texas is too big.
Asking Eric: Aunt wants to skip wedding over political divide
“I’m pretty sure politics will not be brought up at the wedding. But just the association concerns me.”
Review of foreign financial interference in UK politics to be published, with ban on crypto donations expected
Ministers will publish review by Philip Rycroft, which will make recommendations relevant to all the political parties, today
Congress needs to protect 340B for rural Colorado
By Rod Pelton A lot of politicians talk about understanding what life is like for our rural communities, but not many really do. I’m a third-generation Cheyenne County farmer and rancher; I grew up on the eastern plains of Colorado, raised my family here, and as such am deeply committed to our state’s agricultural communities. I […]
Caldara overlooked facts in slamming utilities
Normally, I appreciate the variety of perspectives published on Colorado Politics. But regarding Jon Caldara’s recent column on Xcel, he irresponsibly neglects key facts to the point of annihilating credibility (“Are our overlords normalizing power outages?” March 15). He neglects any discussion regarding the nuance of safety (or fiduciary responsibility) versus inconvenience, for example: Is […]
The NYU Faculty Strike and the Politics of Workers’ Rights
Just days ago, NYU faced an imminent faculty strike of nearly 1,000 non-tenure track faculty as questions about labor conditions and university governance
Asking Eric: I love my brother, but I don’t agree with his politics
Dear Eric: I am questioning my decision on whether to go to my brother’s daughter‘s wedding. They live two states away, and I have not seen them for a few years. I love my brother, but I don’t respect or agree with his political choices and…
In politics, common decency still matters
I am a conservative. He was a progressive. Still, we had many productive conversations and worked together on a few important issues where our views converged.
Fix the process before reauthorizing state PUC
What needs to be fixed before reauthorizing the Public Utilities Commission? The answer is simple: the process. The last time the commission was reauthorized in 2021, lawmakers expanded its role in meaningful ways — particularly as Colorado accelerated its clean energy transition. The PUC was asked to do more, to carry more and to implement […]
Asking Eric: Skip my niece’s wedding over political divide with her dad?
Letter writer abhors her brother’s politics and wants to skip his daughter’s wedding.
Talking about politics at work may support employee well-being, study finds
In an era of nonstop headlines and growing political division, many workplaces still follow a familiar rule of thumb: Don't talk politics at work. New research from Washington State University suggests ...
Brian Nathan edges out Josie Tomkow in SD 14 as she pledges a rematch in November
The race was being watched as a potential bellwether ahead of the November Midterms.
Language and the Politics of Power
Increasingly in our society and politics, the value of life has been subordinated to the aims and narratives of manipulative discourse. The Holy Father is right to warn us of this danger.
Democrat Emily Gregory wins Special Election for HD 87 in Palm Beach County
Campaign messaging escalated in the final stretch, with disputes over residency and political tactics.
Hilary Holley dominates HD 51 Special Election, will replace Josie Tomkow
Holley had both a fundraising advantage and more institutional support.
Source: Evan Power a 'favorite' to secure Donald Trump endorsement in CD 2
Trump signals support as crowded GOP field forms in Panhandle
Crystal Etienne: Florida’s school choice debate isn’t ignoring evidence, it’s asking for it
Critics argue school choice expansion lacks full data and accountability
Gov. DeSantis trying to figure out 'timing' of property tax phaseout
How soon can it take effect? It's an open question even for the man who wants to make it happen.
Ron DeSantis says Sean Hannity helped mend 2018 tiff between Donald Trump, top Florida Republicans over Hurricane Maria
It could have gone very differently had the conservative media icon not persuaded the President to drop a grudge.
Steve Kornacki's guide to the next big elections on the calendar: From the Politics Desk
Plus, where talks to end the DHS shutdown stand.
Failed push to scrap license plate decals raises questions
Ditching the yellow stickers might be costly for local governments and sheriff's departments.
Julio Fuentes: Florida amends SB 1760 to protect access to lower-cost drugs
Lawmakers preserve competition to keep prescription drugs affordable for Floridians
Democrats’ long-shot bid to flip Alaska’s Senate seat
Democrats are hoping for an upset in Alaska’s Senate race. U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. We discuss the major issues at play, plus why Republicans are backing an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Alaska Public Media Washington correspondent Liz Ruskin.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Tampa Bay Rays, Rowdies announce wave of internal promotions
The promotions come as the Tampa Bay Rays push for public funding for a new ballpark and mixed-use district in Tampa.
These politicians are putting politics over people, Kerri Urbahn says
Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn discusses efforts to stop illegal immigration amid instances of crime from illegal migrants on 'The Story.'
The real roadblock to government formation in Iraq isn’t Maliki—it’s Kurdish power politics
A dispute between Kurdish factions presents a significant structural obstacle to Iraq’s government formation regardless of who is nominated for prime minister.
'Run, Sydney, run': Donald Trump pushes Sydney Gruters to run for Vern Buchanan's seat in Congress
The Sarasota Republican is married to RNC Chair Joe Gruters, but boasts work on the Hill in her résumé as well.
Nancy Bostock lands support from majority of Pinellas legislative delegation
'Our students and parents deserve leaders at every level of government who will work together to put them first.'
UCF is raising money for scholarship fund to honor Jim Clark
UCF plans to give out the Dr. James C. Clark Scholarship to a history enthusiast in honor of the late professor.
Leveraging storytelling in politics
Community college marketing and communications staff play a key role in providing the visuals and storytelling in a college's efforts to educate and influence lawmakers and other stakeholders. That...
The politics of public health from Obamacare to COVID
The last three presidents — Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Donald Trump — have all had to deal with health care in America. And along the way, they've clashed with how politics works in Washington D.C. This created today’s environment where the understanding of science is scorned, medical disinformation thrives and creating a nation unprepared for the next health crisis.
Tone, Humor, and the Performative Aspect of Politics
Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Peter Welch (D-VT) joined C-SPAN "Ceasefire" host Dasha Burns to discuss the roles of tone and humor in politics.
Arkansas’ Goodwill leader shares business model goals - Talk Business & Politics
The CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Brian Marsh knows his nonprofit is practically a household name, but he’s hoping its work can change household incomes. Marsh sat down with...
Arkansas’ Goodwill leader shares business model goals - Talk Business & Politics
The CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Brian Marsh knows his nonprofit is practically a household name, but he’s hoping its work can change household incomes. Marsh sat down with...
Billionaire OpenAI investor Vinod Khosla thinks 80% of jobs could vanish by 2030, and that ‘fear of AI’ put American politics in a chokehold
“The single biggest issue I believe in the 2028 presidential election will be fear of AI,” the Khosla Ventures founder said.
Blaise Ingoglia targets Citrus County for 'wasteful' spending
'That’s an amazing amount of government growth in six years.'
DCCC reaches voters at the pump in 4 Florida congressional districts
The campaign will reach people in districts represented by Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills and Maria Elvira Salazar.
NEA Business Notes: RightFiber expands into North Texas - Talk Business & Politics
Jonesboro-based RightFiber is expanding its 100% fiber optic internet with a more than $50 million investment in north Texas. RightFiber brings speeds up to 5 gigabytes to homes and up...
Senators consider deal to fund Homeland Security but not ICE enforcement
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators raced Tuesday to clinch an emerging proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, including the Transportation Security Administration airport workers going without pay, but excluding the ICE enforcement operations that have been core to the dispute. The sudden sense of urgency comes as U.S. airports […]
Whole Hog Politics: The political establishment thrives in our broken primary system
Nothing lasts forever, but a Senate seat from Illinois is pretty darned close. Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring after 30 years, and he is only the third person to hold that seat in 60 years. Sometimes...
Paul Renner seeks crackdown on Muslim immigration, Sharia law
'The long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist.'
Iranian IRGC’s ties to Hezbollah deepen tensions in Lebanese politics
Lebanon's prime minister said the IRGC is commanding Hezbollah and analysts agree the Iranian group is calling the shots
Diagnosis for 3.23.26: Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy
Health care battles intensify as key bills advance
Rick Scott expects other countries to support American push to reopen Strait of Hormuz
'Iran's going to have to make a decision.'
Age Comes for Us All—Even Politicians
Don’t look now, but the period from now through the 2028 presidential election will be a historic inflection point in our politics. We’ll see enormous generational change take place amid enormous uncertainty and volatility.
Florida Young Republicans: Ashley Moody should return to the U.S. Senate
'Ashley Moody has Florida’s back in Washington, and we have hers.'
Ed Davey accuses Reform UK and Tories of importing ‘Trump-style divisive politics’
Lib Dems will focus on ‘rolling up their sleeves and getting things done’, leader says at launch of local election campaign
From elections to redistricting, Jenna Persons-Mulicka’s footprint grows in the House
For now, though, she’s enjoying a break from action back home with her sons.
Personnel note: Natalie Brown departs RSA, heads back to Senate as Danny Burgess Senior Aide
'During her time with us, she added significant value to our clients and brought a level of direction and strategy to our Session approach and appropriations process.'
Talking politics at work may support employee well‑being
Study challenges the conventional wisdom about avoiding talking politics at work, showing that it can sometimes benefit employee well-being.
With Guatemala’s Democracy at Stake, Arévalo’s Reformist Push Enters a Critical Phase
Bernardo Arévalo was elected president of Guatemala to tackle elite impunity. After two years on the job, it’s still an uphill climb.
Is it ‘Ih-ran’ or ‘E-ron’? Inside the politics of pronunciation
Both President Trump and Vice President Vance pronounce Iran as ‘Ih-RAN,’ not ‘Ih-RON.’ A linguist says that how the country’s name is pronounced may be a political choice.
Populist Waves in the Americas: Redefining Politics and Democracy
A surge in populist leadership across the Americas is promising simplified solutions, risking democratic checks and human rights.
American Airports Are Latest Washington Battlefield | WSJ Politics Newsletter for March 24
Plus, the diplomatic back channel that led to Trump’s U-turn on the war
The US in Brief: DHS’s new boss
The latest news in US politics, with coverage of Donald Trump’s second term.
How Bans on Corporate Political Donations Influence Campaign Platforms
Julia Cagé, Caroline Le Pennec, and Elisa Mougin discuss their recent research on France’s 1995 ban on corporate contributions to political campaigns. The ban pushed candidates to de-emphasize local politics in favor of national issues and, in many cases, adopt more extreme rhetoric.
He was Rubio’s friend and roommate. Now Rubio will testify against him.
Former congressman David Rivera, accused of secretly lobbying for Nicolás Maduro’s government in Venezuela, climbed Miami politics alongside Marco Rubio.
2025 extended Session cost Florida taxpayers more than $259K
And there's plenty of extra work to do this year.
What exactly makes you a public figure?
Well, once again, this non-lawyer columnist is going to jump in the deep end of legal scholarship and will explore a recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision. Buckle up. In yet another terrific Colorado Politics Court Crawl article, we learned about quite a few cases that the Appeals Court has ruled upon. Recall that only […]
Modernizing Pinnacol is about its members, not politics
By Akasha Absher While we share the passion for protecting Colorado’s workers expressed in a recent op-ed from the perspective of trial attorneys and union representatives, the piece paints a picture of Pinnacol Assurance that is more rooted in 1915 than our 21st-century reality (“Colorado’s workers can’t afford a privatized Pinnacol | OPINION,” March 17). […]
Dark money pours into Massachusetts politics
WBUR found a rise of dark money groups trying to sway local elections and influence policy. The nonprofits can raise and spend unlimited money from undisclosed donors. Watchdogs warn about their growing influence on Massachusetts politics.
Kalshi says it will crack down on politicians and athletes betting
Kalshi said the new features were aimed at preventing "bad actors" in sports and politics from engaging in insider trading.
Is the Center Still Alive in Big-City Politics?
Left-leaning mayoral winners are getting a lot of attention, but in a few cities business-friendly moderates are showing strength.
We disagreed on politics. We agreed on wine. That was enough.
At the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala in Richmond earlier this month, a very dapper gentleman approached me and introduced himself. In his light-colored suit and bowtie, he looked very Southern in a classical sense, the sort of Virginia Gentleman you used to see south of the Rappahannock as recently as my college days. “I’m a longtime reader and fan of your writing, if not your politics,” he said. His comment was the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, simultaneously conveying praise and disapproval while establishing boundaries. Man, I wish we still discoursed like this instead of shouting bromides and insults to try and “own” our opponents with a funny meme and a furrowed brow. Subscribe “Well, we’ll always have wine to share together,” I said, and thanked him for his kind words. We clinked glasses, exchanged pleasantries about the delicious gold medal-winning wines being poured that evening, and went our separate ways. Our exchange reminded me that more unites us than divides us. Wine brings people together to share a meal and a few hours of joy despite our differences.1 That’s why I refer to the wine community — including readers and consumers — rather than the wine industry. Together, we are so much more than production, distribution and sales statistics. A few minutes later the evening’s awards ceremony began. Applause grew as the 12 winemakers who made the top-scoring wines for the Governor’s Case took the stage, including a loud cheer for Jonathan Wheeler of Trump Winery and his 2018 Blanc de Noir sparkling wine. All the winemakers on stage had reason to be proud, Wheeler perhaps more so. Trump Winery was the only winery to win six gold medals in the competition this year. (Wineries are limited to six entries.) Two of Wheeler’s ciders also won gold medals in a separate competition. When you cover the labels and take the sour taste of politics off your palate, the wines are pretty darn good.2 Then Gov. Abigail Spanberger, newly elected Democrat and Virginia’s first female governor, was introduced to great applause to announce which of the 12 wines had won the Governor’s Cup. She spoke for a few minutes about the importance of wine to Virginia’s economy and tourism and the international acclaim Virginia wine has received. Just two weeks earlier, she gave the Democrats’ response to Trump’s State of the Union speech, but this night wasn’t about politics. That didn’t stop several people in the crowd from speculating on the irony should she have to present the trophy to Trump Winery. In the end, Valley Road Vineyards was displayed on the screen behind Spanberger as the winning winery. Blue Bee Cidery in Richmond took top honors for that category. The crowd cheered a female governor presenting the state’s highest trophy to a female winemaker and then resumed the evening’s festivities, united by their mutual love of wine. A whiff of politics couldn’t dim the cheer of celebration and a community united by its love of wine. In Memoriam: Michel Rolland The global wine community lost a giant March 20, with the passing of Michel Rolland. He was 78. Rolland was the original “flying winemaker,” a globe-trotting consultant who helped Bordeaux regain its mojo in the 1970s and then shaped the rise of Napa Valley cult Cabernet as consultant to Simi, Harlan, Newton, Screaming Eagle, Araujo, Dalle Valle and other wineries. He was instrumental in Argentina’s rise to prominence and even had his own winery, Clos de los Siete, in a partnership with other wine families. Rolland’s career arc paralleled that of Robert Parker, the world’s most influential critic. Parker championed many of the wines Rolland consulted on, helping build his reputation and demand for his services. It also made him a target for Parker’s critics. As W. Blake Gray wrote on Wine-Searcher in his excellent tribute to Rolland: Rolland created the type of wines Parker loved: rich body, plenty of fruit, soft tannins. He sometimes faced the accusation of creating a generic international style of red wine, where the great wines he made in Argentina were indistinguishable from the great wines he made in France. Rolland chafed at that critique, as did many of his fans. He was credited with championing green harvesting and leaf pulling, as well as careful selection of grapes in the winery, practices we nearly universally think of today for high-quality winemaking. “Michel was an incredible innovator who changed how wine was made and how grapes were grown,” Napa Valley winemaker Aaron Pott wrote on Facebook. “His work has transformed the wine trade. He created new ways of looking at wine, tasting wine, evaluating ripeness and quality. … This was not just a man with a ‘style’ that he imposed on vineyards but a man that understood how to make great wine from great sites.” Rolland started his consulting company in 1973 in Libourne, in Bordeaux, with his wife, Dany. Both had graduated the year before from Bordeaux’s Institute d’Oenologie. The couple sold their majority share in the business in 2020, according to Wine Spectator. Over his career, Rolland reportedly worked with more than 100 wineries in 20 countries. He even made it to Virginia, where he consulted for Kluge Estate in the mid-2000s. (Kluge Estate is now Trump Winery.) Reader feedback, please! Last week, I did my first WineLine Live! with Dr. Laura Catena of Catena Zapata winery in Argentina. We enjoyed a fascinating discussion about her efforts to preserve the genetic heritage of old vineyards in Mendoza. I conceived of WineLine Live! for paid subscribers, as a thank you for your financial support. And while only a few people joined live, the video now has more views than I have paid subscribers, so I guess that’s pretty good. Even so, I’m considering opening future installments to anyone on Substack to reach a broader audience. So my questions to you: Should these be public? And what format do you prefer? Live gives a chat feature with the potential for viewers to interact with me and the guest, while a video post would just be that. Another alternative is a podcast, which would just be audio, without video of my chins. Please let me know in the comments. Leave a comment In the Glass A few wines I’ve enjoyed recently: Bonny Doon Vineyard Take Me to Your Liter, Le Cigare Volant, Red Wine of the Earth. 2023, Central Coast, CA. Blend of Grenache, Syrah Cinsaut and Petite Sirah. Delightful wine with expressive red fruit flavors, casual drinking. Doon lovers of a certain age will remember Randall Grahm’s Big House Red; this is more in that style than his original Le Cigare Volant, modeled after Chateauneuf du Pape. The liter bottle makes it an even better value. I see this online at about $15. Great value. Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Origines 2023. 13% - Textbook pinot noir and an excellent, affordable entry (regional) Burgundy. Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2025. $24 at Total Wine & More. Loma Larga Pinot Noir 2021 “Coastal Cool Climate Wine”, Valle de Casablanca, Chile. An older sample, showing beautifully. Spicy and fruit forward. I’m seeing widely varied pricing online, from $18-$32. At the lower end, it’s a terrific value. 13.5% Dr. Loosen Riesling Dry 2016, Mosel, Germany. Found this “in the stack.” And it stacked up well, shedding some of its youthful acidity for opulent Riesling character, including a hint of the mineral oil older Riesling often features. A great value, as I’m seeing it as low as $14 online. 12% abv. Red Tail Ridge Blau Franc Blend 2024, Sans Oak, Finger Lakes. 13.4% abv. The name is a neat portmanteau of Blaufrankisch and Cabernet Franc, thus Blau Franc. The blend is 50-50, no oak involved. The Blau dominates on the palate, with the spicy caraway seed (think New York deli rye bread). The Franc adds body. The result is juicy, energetic and joyful. Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir 2025, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. This first rosé of 2025 was a welcome respite to our cold, snowy winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. Oh man, I needed this! Bright and energetic, exuberant even, it perks up the mood and goes down fast. 13%. Certified B Corp. Ingredient and nutrition labeling, and in a modest way that doesn’t occupy a lot of label space. (Since it’s not required, presumably there are no minimum font size requirements.) More wineries should follow this example. Dave McIntyre's WineLine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Thanks for reading Dave McIntyre's WineLine! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share 1 Some restraint may be required. 2 Especially the bubblies.
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