Chuck Schumer may need to update his résumé soon

But at least we got nothing out of the shutdown

Nov 12, 2025

I had some exceptional pastries and desserts in Chicago last weekend, which I will list for you now, here: A challah roll with squash and goat cheese + orange blossom babka from Cafe Yaya in Lincoln Park (my breakfast sandwich was also top tier.) Next was the salted maple pie from Daisies in Logan Square. And I ended the trip with some truly excellent blueberry focaccia + a coconut cream croissant from Daeji Dough Company in Lake View. Do with this information what you will (go get some.)

The aforementioned pastries from Cafe Yaya.

If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving (you information, laughs, and highly curated photos of bearded men) look no further than a Hot Tip premium subscription! Right now through new years, annual plans are discounted 20% — that’s just $24 for a year of you being able to impress your crush with extra fun info and me being able to pay my rent. A win for us all.

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In politics: Well, Democrats gonna Democrat. After more than 40 days of swearing not to reopen the government without a deal to extend Obamacare subsidies, eight (retiring or not up for re-election in 2026) Democrats just…decided to reopen the government without a deal to extend Obamacare subsidies. So what did they get? A cutie lil pinky promise that the GOP will take a vote on extending said subsidies, something they already did not do, and also, they’re liars. It’s giving—

Beyond the clear miscalculation here, the timing just doesn’t make sense? Donald Trump is polling at historic lows, he was booed and widely flipped off at a football game this weekend, Democrats swept last week’s elections, and a majority of people blame Republicans for the shutdown. Not to mention the fact that he was doing cartoonishly evil things like trying to not pay SNAP benefits while hosting lavish parties that make Marie Antoinette look like a Marxist.

Democrats choosing to end this now is like dropping out of a game show seconds before you win a million dollars because a guy in the audience offered to give you a ride home in his 2009 PT Cruiser. Except in this case, nothing bad will happen to them—just to the Americans who elected them, that are now locked in the PT Cruiser’s trunk, because the guy was actually a serial killer. And the cherry on top? Airports are still going to suck for a while, because air traffic controllers are quitting at 500% the normal rate.

But hey, at least there’s one potential positive outcome here: Chuck Schumer may be forced to retire as minority leader—and it only takes one senator to force a vote. Chuck, just think of all the extra time you’ll have for game nights with that couple you made up. Charades, anyone??

In tariffs: Italian pasta may soon be disappearing from grocery stores due to the Trump tariffs, to which this publication says (concerned) mamma mia!!!! Because who are any of us, really, without our De Cecco and Barilla. Meanwhile, Trump is musing about sending us all $2k checks after (checks notes) forcing us to foot the bill for his tariffs. But financial experts say—and you won’t believe this—that math doesn’t even add up, anyway.

Quick tips:

Rumors abound that JFK grandson Jack Schlossberg is planning to run for Congress in New York’s 12th district. And while I’m not one to spread rumors, I will spread this one in the hopes of making it more likely to happen.
The streaming service you don’t even have is set to get more expensive.
Millennials got even more good news this week: Hilary Duff is doing a four-city tour in January. (London, Toronto, New York, LA)
Trump pre-pardoned 77 people re: their efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but they are not shielded from state prosecution or bad dye jobs.

Review: The tragedy and farce of Rudy Giuliani, explained ... — He’s a natural blonde.

Watch this: President Obama surprising a plane full of veterans today in D.C. Adorably excited patriotic elders who didn’t cry ~bone spurs~ meet a nice, normal president? Tears ensue.

Btw, if you love Hot Tip but aren’t ready to go for a paid sub yet, no biggie! You can also buy me a coffee here.

Tis the season: Maeve Chocolate (a woman-owned delish Seattle chocolate brand I was introduced to by my sister) has an Only Murders-themed advent calendar (!!!!) that I can’t wait to get my hands on. The Laneige Hot Cocoa lip sleeping mask goes so hard. If you want something hydrating that smells like childhood (or adulthood, you do you), definitely go for it.

And a non-food related stop I made in Chicago was Aura Candle Bar, and I cannot recommend it more highly. Their lovely staff helps you make your own scented candle, which I have now done four times (!!!) in four years despite not living in Chicago because I love the process + resulting candle. You smell about 100 scents and then pick three to put together, a perfect winter activity in all regards. If you know of a place like this in your city, drop it in the comments.