New York Times reporters and editors are highlighting great stories from around the web. You can receive What We’re Reading by email, and let us know how you like it at wwr@nytimes.com
‘Out of Balance’
From IndyStar: The remarkable, seven-day outpouring of rage from young female athletes that preceded the sentencing of Larry Nassar, the former doctor to the United States national gymnastics team, to at least 40 years in prison had roots in an investigative report in the organization’s hometown newspaper in 2016. The first story, “A Blind Eye to Sex Abuse,” unleashed a torrent of opprobrium that has now helped shake up gymnastics’ governing association and Michigan State University, where Dr. Nassar worked. — Randy Archibold, deputy sports editor
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What Happened in June
From The New York Times: News that President Trump attempted to fire Robert Mueller in June set off much discussion from columnists from around the internet and across the ideological spectrum. Commenters noted that the story confirmed a few things: there is now more evidence for an obstruction of justice case, and White House counsel, Don McGahn, probably refused to carry out the orders because he knew they were illegal, not out of any sense of ethical duty. — Anna Dubenko, senior digital strategist
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A New(ish) Voice
From Radiolab: I’m willing to bet that you’ve never heard of Joe Frank. I certainly hadn’t, until I listened to this tribute to the sui generis radio host, who died this month. Even in the short excerpts embedded in the episode, I could spot a genius at work. — Dan Saltzstein, senior staff editor, Travel
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The Scandal Before the Scandal
From Deadspin: The news of Larry Nassar’s prison sentence alerted many to the abuses, both physical and emotional, that elite gymnasts and Olympic champions have endured. For more of the back story, read the work of Dvora Meyers, a journalist who has shed light on the world-famous Karolyi ranch training center and U.S.A. Gymnastics’ insular culture. In this 2017 article, former Olympians help to explain why girls and women — no matter how injured, hungry or distraught they were — stayed obedient to a system that prioritized medals above all else. — Carla Correa, senior editor for digital storytelling
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Telltale Heart
From Gizmodo: What happens when the computer that keeps you alive can also put you in jail? That’s the question posed in this genuinely thought-provoking story about law enforcement using wearable and bio-technology — in this case, a pacemaker — as evidence in investigations. — Tim Herrera, Smarter Living editor
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A Writer’s Life
From The New York Review of Books: The terribly complicated life of Masha Gessen, and her various journeys — physical, moral, sexual — from her Soviet childhood. — Steven Erlanger, chief diplomatic correspondent, Europe
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Saying Goodbye
From Los Angeles Times: The death of the novelist Ursula K. Le Guin brought out a number of heartfelt tributes, especially from writers of science fiction who were influenced by her. The novelist John Scalzi’s essay gathers together many of the Twitter tributes, and with clear eyes and grace says goodbye. “She was the mother of so many of us, and you should take time to mourn your mother.” — John Schwartz, climate change reporter
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The Filibuster Myth
From FactCheck: Even though a full government shutdown was averted this week, there’s still plenty to read about its theatrics, politics and policy implications. But the particulars of the underlying government mechanisms guiding the process are a little less discussed. Here’s a wonderfully straightforward look at the historical context around a component of the legislative calculus involved in these negotiations: The Filibuster. It turns out the Senate didn’t always operate with a 60 percent voting threshold. — Justin Bank, senior editor, internet and audience
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