News Reporter: Wonkbook: This is Wonkbook's final issue

Friday, 28 July 2017

Wonkbook: This is Wonkbook's final issue — for now

The latest economic and domestic policy from Wonkblog

Dusk falls over the Capitol on Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Marlon Correa/The Washington Post)

By Max Ehrenfreund

This is the last issue of Wonkbook you'll see for a while, but we'll be back soon.

When Ezra Klein started Wonkbook seven years ago, pundits everywhere were predicting the imminent demise of newspapers. The future of media was publishing the time that the Super Bowl would start. Twitter was just becoming a thing. Today, there is a heady vibrancy in the media that would have been hard to predict back then. Editors and their staffs are optimistic about what's to come, and publications are experimenting with new ways of delivering information to the public -- often with great success.

Despite all these shifts in journalism, newsletters have displayed remarkable longevity. At their best, they become part of our daily routines, establishing a sense of intimate community among thousands of dedicated readers. Maybe that is why it seems like publications are constantly either starting new newsletters or reinventing old ones. Wonkbook is a great example, at least in my opinion.

Almost overnight, this newsletter became an institution -- a de facto morning briefing for aides in President Obama's White House and a reliable way to start conversations with strangers at cocktail parties around Washington. More than that, Wonkbook served to bring news from the nation's capital to subscribers across the country and all over the world. And now, the time has come a new direction.

The Washington Post is considering options for the future of Wonkbook. During this time, the newsletter will be on an extended hiatus. You'll hear from us -- we hope sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, you can send comments and suggestions for Wonkbook to newsletters@washpost.com. And don't forget to follow our intrepid staff on Twitter:

As for myself, I'm leaving The Washington Post for graduate school. After more than four great years of reporting here, I feel a debt of gratitude to all of the readers who have faithfully followed our work -- to all of you who care about public policy enough to take time out of your busy days to read about the issues, because you share the view that policy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of ordinary people. I hope you've had as much fun as I have.

So long, folks, and thanks for all the charts.

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