by Countable | 10.6.17

Good morning, friends, from everyone here at Countable, and from me, Managing Editor Andrea Seabrook. A few stories we're watching right now, that may have slipped through the cracks:

• Salmon sold in Aldi and Walmart stores was processed in North Korean slave labor camps, located in China. Big problems there, both in terms of human rights and because it funnels U.S. money to nuke-happy North Korea. That story here.
• Is the NRA support of restriction on bump stocks an important breakthrough in the gun control debate? Or the least the NRA could do? Make your voice heard here.
• Five key positions in the executive branch are still unfilled by the Trump administration. We explain here.
• And you really should read this lovely story about celebs using their money and fame to help Puerto Rico recover, if only to see the picture of a very young, very nerdy John Oliver.

Take a Breath

Let's all be thankful we're reading (or ignoring) The Daily Countable right now, because hey, that means we're still here. Yeah, that says something about the sheer volume of scary, existential threats we've faced this past week. And I mean 'We.' Even those of us who didn't know anyone in the Las Vegas massacre, or don't have people in Puerto Rico, or who can usually ignore vague international nuclear threats. Being an engaged and informed citizen, watching and trying to affect our government, is really hard sometimes. Personally. But there's a kind of civic heroism to what you're doing that drives us forward at Countable and in our democracy. Thank you.
Hey, it's Friday! which, among DC media types, is also called,

Dump Day!

Listen, being a reporter is great, especially if you're like me and can barely contain your fascination with people and their stories. But if you're a fan of Friday evenings — if you like to slice a little time off your workday, get a jump on the weekend, or pop-out for drinks or treats — do not become a political journalist.

Here, let me quote the NBC drama The West Wing:

Donna: What’s take out the trash day? Josh: Friday. Donna: I mean, what is it? Josh: Any stories we have to give the press that we’re not wild about, we give all in a lump on Friday. Donna: Why do you do it in a lump? Josh: Instead of one at a time? Donna: I’d think you’d want to spread them out. Josh: They’ve got X column inches to fill, right They’re going to fill them no matter what. Donna: Yes. Josh: So if we give them one story, that story’s X column inches. Donna: And if we give them five stories … Josh: They’re a fifth the size. Donna: Why do you do it on Friday? Josh: Because no one reads the paper on Saturday. Donna: You guys are real populists, aren’t you?

via GIPHY

Yeah, back in the olden days of Y2K, it may have been about column inches and morning newspapers, but it's an apt description of what we all call The Friday News Dump. Here are a few stories the Trump Administration has dropped on a Friday afternoon:

• The pardon of convicted Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.
• The resignation of HHS Secretary Tom Price, amid the private jet scandal.
• The DOJ report that there had been no evidence backing up Trump's claims that he had been wiretapped by the previous administration.
• The announcement that the White House will no longer make its visitor logs public.
• The re-banning of transgender people joining the military.

So, you can see why, here in Washington, it's less TGIF than TFND — The Friday News Dump. What could it be today? Stick with us at Countable and we'll make sure you know. The fastest way to get word is to turn on push notifications for the Countable, on your phone and your web browser.

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: Trump in DC

• Participates in Hispanic Heritage Month event.
• Signs a proclamation of National Manufacturing Day.
• Meets with Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
• Meets with the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman.

The House of Representatives: OUT

• The House will return Monday, October 9.

The Senate: OUT

• The Senate will return Monday, October 9.

Have a relaxing weekend, friends. We all need it after this week. And you and I both know, the week isn't over until after TFND.

— Andrea Seabrook, Managing Editor

Send questions, thoughts, tips and musings via Twitter, @RadioBabe