Washington desk

Filed from the Washington desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Entertainment · 15 October 2026

Mark Duplass Joins Hulu’s ‘Victoria’, Turning San Francisco’s Elite Into a Sweat‑Soaked Soap Opera

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Mark Duplass has joined the cast of Hulu’s limited‑series erotic thriller Victoria, alongside Li Jun Li and Diane Lane. The show, set in San Francisco, follows a con woman who infiltrates the city’s elite.

Finance · 15 October 2026

Democrats Blame Trump for Rising Prices as Midterms Heat Up

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Democrats are blaming former President Donald Trump for higher everyday prices, a move that comes as inflation climbs and the midterm battleground expands deeper into Republican‑leaning districts.

Finance · 15 October 2026

Surging Inflation Puts the Brakes on Trump’s ‘Strong Economy’ Pitch

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The final pre‑election inflation report shows price hikes and stagnant wages, undercutting President Trump’s claim of a booming economy as voters head to the polls in 2026.

World · 15 October 2026

Inflation Hits 3.7% as Gas Prices Refuel Political Drama Ahead of Midterms

June Harrow, Washington desk

US consumer prices rose 3.7% year‑over‑year in September, driven by higher motor fuel costs, adding fresh pressure on households and the Federal Reserve just weeks before the midterm elections.

Technology · 14 October 2026

FCC Congratulates Nothing on Innovative ‘Shop Around’ Promotion

Rita Knox, Washington desk

Technology Review

Finance · 14 October 2026

Fed Extends Regulation O Comment Period to Nov 4, Calls It a ‘Robust’ Exercise in Transparency

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The Federal Reserve Board announced it will keep the comment window for its Regulation O modernization proposal open until November 4. The extension is framed as a chance for more public input, even if the excitement…

Finance · 14 October 2026

Fed’s Robust Approval Parade: Two Banks Get the Green Light

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The Federal Reserve Board announced it has approved the applications of Isabella Bank Corporation and Fleur Capital Corporation, prompting a tongue‑in‑cheek celebration of the regulator’s ‘robust’ decision‑ma…

Entertainment · 14 October 2026

Robust Earnings, Robust Fed, Robust Briefing: Four Uses of the Same Word, Zero Real Insight

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A parody of the latest earnings season and a Fed briefing that overused ‘robust,’ exposing the market’s love of empty adjectives.

Entertainment · 14 October 2026

Rosé’s Surprise Set at LACMA’s 15th Art+Film Gala Sends Critics into a Sweet‑Sour Frenzy

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Rosé performed at the 15th annual LACMA Art+Film Gala on Nov 7, an event presented by Gucci that honored director Denis Villeneuve and artist Vija Celmins, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Eva Chow serving as co‑chairs.