Dear John,

This is our last news digest of the decade! We can’t tell you how much we appreciate our readers, and this space we have together to make meaning of the political times we’re in.

We’re off the next two weeks, but we will be back in the New Year. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week.

1. Impeached

On December 18, Donald Trump became the third president in American history to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. It goes without saying that this is historic. If you’re feeling confused about what has been happening or wondering about what happens next, Vox has you covered. Check out this explainer.

2. Women of Color

Elle published Twenty Women of Color in politics to watch in 2020. Check out the list here.

3. Bernie Sanders

‘[Bernie Sanders] built an entire presidential campaign around an open invitation to speak — to talk plainly about the “reality of life” in this country — to be “loud so everyone can hear.”’

We know storytelling is powerful. Bringing our private pain into public light can be heal us, bring us together, and make change. Bernie Sanders has built his entire presidential campaign around this idea. Read more.

4. Drivers Licenses for All 

The moment hundreds of immigrants in New Jersey learned they won drivers licenses filled our hearts. This day is coming in Minnesota too. Feel the joy from justice in this video clip.

5. Restore the Vote

Kentucky’s new Democratic Governor Andy Beshear restored voting rights to 140,000 Kentuckians. Guy Hamilton-Smith writes about what it was like to have his rights restored after more than a decade. Read his story here.

6. #WhatsGoodMan

Guante and Tony the Scribe talk about what the movie Hitch taught them about healthy dating in their new What’s Good, Man? podcast episode. Listen here.

7. Texas vs. U.S.

The ACA is one step closer to going to the Supreme Court to be repealed by Republicans—again. We need a health care system that’s publicly-controlled and leaves nobody out. We need #MedicareforAll. Read this Star Tribune editorial to get caught up.

8. Medical Billing

Congress had a deal to ban surprise medical billing for hospital visits, only to have it scuttled at the last minute by one Congressman with strong ties to the health care industry. We’re not just fighting for health care—we’re fighting for a democracy that belongs to the people. Read more.

9. Building a Movement

A reader sent us this piece about the role of organizations who are building a movement in strengthening our democracy. This piece is a must read.

10. Hurdles 

We strongly related to this video of little kids competing in a track meet as we were trying to get out of the office this week. Watch it here.

Happy holidays! See you in 2020.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa and Patrick Burke