In this edition: Lost soul, copy that, missing beats, muzzled watchdogs, and a ramblin’ man.
Rolling Stone
This Sixties Musician Died Mysteriously. Was He the Victim of a Serial Killer?
“The murder of O’Jays member Frankie Little Jr. has been a cold case for more than 50 years. Now, a retired journalist believes he may have found the culprit.”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
In this edition: Eschatolgy, Texas style; dancing like nobody’s watching; the men, they myths, the legends; monumental responses; and notes fit for a King.
A Hockey Dad, a Cartel, and a $12 Million Fraud
“Kota Youngblood told his neighbors there were hits out on their lives — and only he could save them.”
TikTok Is Obsessed With Talking Parrots. It’s Fueling a Global Black Market.
“A yearlong investigation into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, wealthy businessmen — and multitudes who want a talking bird.”
A Year in Reading: When the Going Gets Tough
These are the stories I couldn’t stop thinking about—the ones that ask us to sit with darkness and still find reasons to keep going.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we feature stories from Gordy Megroz, Max Blau and Zaydee Sanchez, Brendan I. Koerner, Lora Eli Smith, and Pat Cassels.
The Artwork that Spawned 9/11 Conspiracy Theories and Mystery
“Twenty-five years ago, art collective Gelitin illicitly built a balcony, installed it on the 91st floor of the World Trade Center, and stood above New York City. A year later, the planes struck and conspiracy followed.”
White, Legally Armed, and Primed for Political Violence
“Ian Rogers was convinced it was up to him to save America. The gun industry’s sales tactics — playing up paranoia and glorifying combat — may be creating a pipeline of extremists willing to open fire.”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Showcasing stories from Aaron Parsley, David Peisner, Leah Zani, Joseph Earl Thomas, and Matt Reynolds.
