The News

Despite a healthy economy, the Fed cuts interest rates; North Korea conducts its second missile test in a week.    Tonight's Sentences was written by Catherine Kim.  TOP NEWS The Fed cuts interest rates for the first time since 2008 Spencer Platt/Getty Images The Federal Reserve today cut interest rates for the first time since 2008, during the Great Recession. [ WSJ / Nick Timiraos ] The cut from 2.5 to 2.25 percent is modest and was widely expected in an attempt to combat the slowing global economy and President Trump's trade wars. It's more of a safety measure than a reactionary response. [ NYT / Jeanna Smialek ]  At the same time, the cut is a "stunning development," as Vox's Matthew Yglesias puts

Wednesday, July 31, 2019 - The Day's Most Fascinating News from Dave Pell Wednesday, July 31, 2019 1 WEDNESDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK All that was missing from night one of Dem debate two on CNN was a tuxedoed Michael Buffer opening the event with his favorite catchphrase, " Let's get ready to rumble ." We cover politics the way we cover sports. And then we wonder why our politics have become so ridiculous. It's not just cable news (although CNN affirmed that the medium is at the core of the problem), the morning-after analysis from print publications was largely focused on landed zingers, who won and who lost, and such critical factors as who got in the most minutes of speaking time. In short, TV treats politics like sports and print increasingly treats politics like TV. For those scoring at home, that's exactly how we got i