Will Blanche Be Confirmed?

Turn any article into a podcast. Upgrade now to start listening. Members can share articles with friends & family to bypass the paywall. You’re reading The Morning Dispatch, our flagship daily newsletter explaining all the news you need to know today in fewer than 15 minutes. To unlock the full version, become a Dispatch member today. Happy Friday! A TSA agent in Alabama confiscated five Civil War-era cannonballs in a passenger’s carry-on bag. James P. Sutton is a Morning Dispatch Reporter, based in Washington D.C. Prior to joining the company in 2024, he most recently graduated from University of Oxford with a Master’s degree in history. He has also taught high school history in suburban Philadelphia, and interned at National Review and the Foreign Policy Research Institute. When not writing for The Morning Dispatch, he is probably playing racquet sports, reading a history book, or rooting for Bay Area sports teams. Evan Spear is a Morning Dispatch Reporter, based in Washington D.C. Prior to joining the company in 2026, he graduated from the University of Chicago with degrees in history and political science. He has previously interned at The Dispatch and CNN. When not writing for The Morning Dispatch, he is probably playing golf, reading a book, or trying (and failing) to find a place to swim. Surya Gowda is a Morning Dispatch Reporter, based in New York City. Before joining the company in 2026, she worked at USA Today and the political economy publication ProMarket. When Surya isn't writing for The Morning Dispatch, she's probably experimenting with watercolor paints or trying out a creative makeup look. Ross Anderson is the Editor of The Morning Dispatch, based in London. Prior to joining the company in 2025, he was an editor at The Spectator, columnist at The New York Sun, and a Tablet fellow. When Ross isn’t working on TMD, he’s probably trying out new tech, lifting weights, or hanging out with his cat, Teddy. Newsletter selected Click sign up to start receiving your newsletters. More From The Morning Dispatch Newsletter selected Click sign up to start receiving your newsletters.