Matt Berman
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Articles by Matt Berman
President Trump Doxxes Tom Cotton’s Cell Phone
President Donald Trump posted Sen. Tom Cotton’s cell phone number to the world on Saturday, as part of a plea for his Truth Social followers to badger his Republican ally into making daylight saving time permanent. “For some reason, Tom is stopping the Bill and, in the Senate, it’s very easy to do, it only takes one! It should pass overwhelmingly, in a Bipartisan fashion,” Trump posted.
Beyond the federal account: How geographic and facility-level views of the Military Health System can unlock insights for life sciences companies
Executive summary The Military Health System (MHS) is one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the United States, serving approximately 9.4 million beneficiaries through 601 military hospitals and clinics (also known as military treatment facilities or MTFs) and a network of TRICARE retail and mail-order pharmacies, on a unified medical budget of roughly $64 billion.1 And yet most life sciences manufacturers treat the MHS as a single federal account: one profit and loss (P&L) line,...
Considerations for life sciences companies regarding patient financial support programs
Executive summary: Evaluating drug company copay assistance programs Manufacturer copay assistance programs represent a meaningful component of commercial investment for many life sciences companies and can play an important role in patient affordability and brand access. Because these programs also often involve operational complexity and rapidly changing market dynamics, manufacturers need a structured basis for evaluating whether program design remains well matched to current conditions.
‘I Can’t Tell’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 6, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The president is ready to destroy all of Iran’s bridges and power plants tomorrow. And don’t rule out the country’s schools and hospitals, Donald Trump said this afternoon at a wide-ranging press conference on the war with Iran. Is the conflict winding down or heating up, a reporter asked. “I don’t know. I can’t tell,” Trump replied.
3 steps life sciences companies can take to make managed care data AI-ready
Introduction: Why fragmented data is preventing life sciences companies from adopting AI Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly influencing how life sciences organizations operate. Many teams see clear opportunities to use AI to summarize payer policies, prepare for negotiations, and identify new access opportunities. At the same time, many of these efforts fall short, in part because of the way data is organized and managed.
Open Yourself, It’s Friday
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for March 20, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! The Latest ‘Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER,’ the president posted on Truth Social today. Donald Trump called NATO allies “COWARDS” for not joining the war with Iran. Speaking of the war … the Trump administration is sending thousands more Marines to the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reports.
UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDER to the Weekend
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for March 6, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! Mea culpa: Yesterday’s Final NOTUS accidentally left out a word in the news about Rep. Tony Gonzales — leadership did not ask him to resign. The Latest The goalposts for Iran keep moving. Is it defending the U.S. or is it regime change? Will the Iranian people get to pick their next leader or will Donald Trump be involved?
Wag the Dog
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for March 5, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! The Latest Kristi Noem is out at DHS. Donald Trump announced on Truth Social, in classic fashion, that he was nominating Sen. Markwayne Mullin to run the Department of Homeland Security. Noem now gets to be special envoy for the ‘Shield of the Americas,’ definitely not a job the president just made up.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Killed in U.S. and Israel Strikes, Trump Says
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on his country, President Donald Trump said Saturday. “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Khamenei’s apparent killing marks a dramatic geopolitical moment with few clear outcomes.
‘An Embarrassment to Their Families’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for February 20, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! The Latest President Donald Trump is not thrilled with the Supreme Court after justices — dramatically! — ruled 6-3 against his unilateral tariff authority under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.
Bad Things Happen
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for February 19, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! The Latest Ten Days: That’s President Donald Trump’s new likely timeline for a decision on whether to take military action in Iran. He said as much, naturally, at this morning’s Board of Peace meeting. “It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal.
Your Lyin’ ICE
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for February 13, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! The Latest ICE agents made ‘untruthful statements’ about the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minnesota last month. That’s not a Democratic talking point; it’s what acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said today.
Your Lyin’ ICE | Flipboard
6 hours ago German chancellor Friedrich Merz has proclaimed that the rules-based international order is “over” in stark opening remarks at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, 13 February. In a comprehensive speech, the German chancellor implied that in a period of intense rivalry, even the US lacks the strength to stand alone without the backing of NATO allies.
A Faraway Island Book Review
age 9+ Moving story of Jewish sisters living as refugees in Sweden. Parents need to know that this story can help kids start learning about World War II, Nazis, and child refugees. Stephie is a relatable character who fights with her sister, worries about her parents (whom she is separated from), and discovers her inner courage.
What It Was Really Like to Work with JFK Jr. at ‘George’ Magazine
What It Was Really Like to Work at George Getty Images John and Carolyn have become icons—the prince of Camelot and his knockout princess. I see that, of course, but what I remember most isn’t the glossy legend, it’s the behind-the-scenes moments that replay in my head and still make me laugh out loud. That’s the part of them I miss most: their humor. 1. Casino Royale John invited me to a screening of Casino at an office on Park Avenue with Martin Scorsese himself.
Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper Book Review
age 9+ Sci-fi page-turner with a few character flaws. Parents need to know that there is some fantasy violence here, with minor injuries, but nothing graphic or brutal. some Fantasy fights with injuries that are later magically cured; a particularly vicious game of dodgeball with injuries. What's the Story? Simon is walking through woods he never noticed before when a book falls out of nowhere onto his head.
Down the Rabbit Hole Book Review
age 12+ Teen puts herself in danger to solve crime. Parents need to know that Ingrid is a plucky, brave Sherlock Holmes fan who decides to solve a crime on her own. Parents and readers may be freaked out by some of her choices -- she is impulsive and dishonest, repeatedly putting herself in danger. She lies to her parents, the police chief, and friends; she sneaks out in the middle of the night and cuts class during the day -- and even copies homework.
La Cina guida una guerra elettronica e gli Stati Uniti devono adeguarsi
In una società come la nostra è facile aspettarsi un nuovo modo di combattere. Se da un lato le guerre tradizionali continuano ad esistere, sfruttando missili, carri armati e droni, dall’altro lato emerge un nuovo campo di battaglia, più silenzioso ma anche molto più insidioso, fatto di impulsi elettromagnetici (EMP) e microonde ad alta potenza (HPM), che possono disturbare o danneggiare in modo permanente le apparecchiature elettroniche.
How I Live Now Book Review
age 14+ Powerful, violent tale about kids caught in a modern war. Parents need to know that this is a book about kids trying to survive during a war, and does feature some vivid violence, including descriptions of the decaying bodies of massacred children and adults.
Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series Book Review
age 11+ Vampire horror series may hook reluctant readers. Parents need to know that the author claims in the introduction to Cirque Du Freak, the first of the 12-part Saga of Darren Shan series featuring circus freaks and vampires, that this is a true story, which some young readers may find confusing. The 2009 movie The Vampire's Assistant is based on the first three.
Day of Tears : A Novel in Dialogue Book Review
age 9+ Interesting story of historic slave auction. Parents need to know that the way slaves are treated is disturbing -- they are beaten into unconsciousness, treated like animals with no feelings, and separated from their families. Readers will encounter the whipping of slaves, a forced fight in which a slave loses an eye, the death of a baby in a rainstorm, and a suicide. some Whites refer to blacks using the n-word.
Whirligig Book Review
age 10+ A car crash ends one life and begins another. Parents need to know that even without much action, this beautifully thoughtful book is enthralling to many young adults. It's a powerful, complex tale of guilt and redemption that may inspires in kids a desire to create their own whirligigs, and to explore the country. Parents need to revolve around the main character's attempt to kill himself while driving drunk, which results in the death of another person. some Underage drinking and driving.
Love, Stargirl Book Review
age 12+ Peek into Stargirl's diary in this moody sequel. Parents need to know that for a young adult novel there is little of concern here -- a kiss, a brief kid fight, some candy, and pipe smoking by an adult. some Some candy products mentioned. some Pipe smoking. none A kiss, and a little boy moons his sister. none A fistfight. some A lovely, thoughtful message about staying true to yourself. some Stargirl is thoughtful towards others, and is always herself.
Olive's Ocean Book Review
age 11+ Gentle, moving coming-of-age story. Parents need to know that this is a gentle story about coming to grips with mortality and the implications of death. Martha is a curious, perceptive, and aware protagonist, and her questions throughout the story are what drive the plot. There's not too much controversial material: teens swear, parents have sex, Martha has her first kiss.
Eggs Book Review
age 9+ Offbeat, moving tale of coping with grief. Parents need to know that there's not much to be be concerned with here, beyond a bit of mild swearing and some minor scuffling. The main character, age 9, is dealing with the death of his mother a year earlier. some Restaurant, bottled juice, and convenience store brands mentioned none "Crap" and "damn." none The main characters get into some minor scuffles. David's mother was killed by slipping and hitting her head.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret Book Review
age 8+ Spectacular cinematic book has lots of heart. Parents need to know that Brian Selznick's poignant, magical Caldecott Medal-winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret is set in a Paris train station and features a 12-year-old hero who's had a sad life. Orphaned, alone, and homeless, he lives by stealing and scavenging, and no one is kind to him until late in the book.
Things Not Seen Book Review
age 10+ Invisibility isn't all it's cracked up to be. Parents need to know that although the 15-year-old protagonist's overnight invisibility seems wildly implausible, there are many positive messages young readers can glean from his experiences. some Several products and stores mentioned. none A minor character is described as having taken drugs. none The mother is described as swearing, initials but no actual words are written.
Feathers Book Review
age 10+ Lyrical and plotless -- for patient readers. Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here, and lots of ideas to think about. some Candy bar mentioned. none A brief school fight. age 10+ Based on 2 parent reviews age 10+ Based on 10 kid reviews Kids say the book offers deep insights into hope and provides valuable lessons, though many feel it lacks a cohesive plot, leaving readers wanting more.
No Talking Book Review
age 8+ Ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful school story. Parents need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here, and lots to cheer. a lot It's a story that even reluctant readers can love about good-hearted children and adults who grow in compassion and understanding. some Positive, compassionate characters. age 7+ Based on 7 parent reviews age 9+ Based on 15 kid reviews What's the Story?
Skeleton Creek Book Review
age 11+ Book/online-video hybrid is creepy fun. Parents need to know that this book provides links and passwords to Web sites, which provide additional plot. Online, kids will see suspenseful, creepy videos that might be scary to younger or more sensitive readers/viewers, though nothing worse than a skeletal ghost is shown.
If I Stay Book Review
age 14+ Gripping, unsentimental look at teen in coma. Parents need to know that this is a book for teens about a girl who loses her family in a car accident -- and is now in a coma. In addition to plenty of swearing and sexual material (including a steamy scene of mutual masturbation), it deals with the aftermath of the gruesome accident as Mia decides if she wants to live or die.
Maximum Ride 2: School's Out -- Forever Book Review
age 12+ Adventure continues with same lack of plot. Parents need to know that there is a lot of violence here; some of it quite brutal, including serious injuries. Also, the marketing for this book is pretty intense, including Blogspot and MySpace pages, and a count-the-clicks effort to get kids to vote for a Maximum Ride movie. some Brands of kitchen appliances, home electronics, video game consoles, snack foods, cars, and rides at Disney World. some Lots, some fairly grisly. Injuries, deaths.
Scat Book Review
age 10+ Eco-mystery is suspenseful and funny. Parents need to know that Carl Hiassen's Scat is a mystery that involves protecting endangered Florida panthers. There's some violence, though it mostly happens offstage, including a father who loses an arm to an RPG in Iraq. Also: a boy bites off and eats a teacher's pinky, a woman's shot in the leg, a man's trampled by a horse, a man chokes another man, and a boy breaks his arm. some Food and drink brands, sneakers, software, antacids, pet food.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Book Review
age 8+ More funny antics, clueless behavior in 3rd installment. Parents need to know that while there is none of the usual kind of objectionable content, every character, both adult and child, behaves badly, and often dishonestly. Humor centers around siblings tormenting each other and friends manipulating, lying to, and stealing from one another.
Tunnels: Tunnels Series, Book 1 Book Review
age 12+ Slow-starting, dark, violent, exciting adventure. Parents need to know that this fantasy saga about an underground world has some grim and fairly graphic violence, including serious injuries (stabbings; brutal, bare-knuckle fist-fighting; children mauled by animals; a severed windpipe; etc.) and deaths. Two boys are tortured with a fantasy device. There is also some smoking and drinking, including children given alcohol by adults. a lot Bloody and at times graphic.
Waiting for Normal Book Review
age 9+ Moving portrait of a neglected child. Parents need to know that this is an emotional book about a girl dealing with a disturbed and neglectful mother. There is also a description of her first period. some Food brands mentioned. some Adults smoke, including a pregnant woman. none References to "boobs" and a gay couple. A description of a girl getting her first period. age 11+ Based on 2 parent reviews age 11+ Based on 19 kid reviews What's the Story?
November Blues Book Review
age 13+ Gritty, honest look at teen pregnancy. Teens and up. Parents need to know that this is a realistic portrayal of a teen pregnancy and parenthood, and readers will get a good look at the difficulties November now faces in her life. As books about teen pregnancy go, this one is pretty mild -- no sex scenes, and no glossing over the difficulties.
Peter and the Starcatchers, Book 1 Book Review
age 10+ A swashbuckling high-seas adventure. Parents need to know that Peter and thre Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Peason, is the first of a four-book series that imagines Peter's adventures before the action chronicled in J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Here an orphan boy named Peter and his friend Molly overcome bands of pirates and thieves and travel to an island on a ship named Never Land. There's plenty of peril and fighting, and adult sailors and pirates get drunk on rum and grog.
The Merchant of Death: The Pendragon Series, Book 1 Book Review
age 10+ Stock story and characters, but still gripping. Parents need to know that there's a fair amount of fantasy violence here, and numerous killings by spear, arrow, and explosives. some Milky Way bars, L. L. Bean, The Gap. some A teen smokes a cigarette. some Lots, some fairly grisly: a man runs in front of a train, another is eaten by a monster, fantasy battles, various human and creature deaths, by spears, arrows, etc. none Mild, infrequent swearing. none One long, open-mouthed kiss.
The Final Warning: Maximum Ride: The Protectors, Book 1 Book Review
age 10+ Uninspired sci-fi adventure won't leave kids wanting more. Parents need to know that there is a bit of violence here, but not nearly as much as in previous books in the series. some Soda, electronics, department store, restaurant chain, candy brands mentioned. some A woman is killed by a leopard seal, a robot breaks a little girl's arm. none A kiss and some tepid longing.
The Game of Silence: Birchbark House, Book 2 Book Review
age 9+ Beautifully writtten tale of Ojibwes forced off their land. Parents need to know that The Game of Silence, by Obijwe author Louise Erdrich, is a sequel to her 1999 novel The Birchbark House. It's set on Madeline Island in Lake Superior in 1850, and traces a year in the life of 9-year-old Obijwe girl Omakayas and her family, culminating in White settlers and the U.S. government forcing them and their fellow villagers to migrate west.
The Wednesday Wars Book Review
age 10+ Funny, breathtakingly poignant '60s coming-of-age tale. Parents need to know that Newbery Honor Book The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt, is a poignant coming-of-age story involving the funny misadventures of Long Island, New York, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood and his unlikely discovery of Shakespeare in the turbulent academic year of 1967-68. There are two references to middle school students smoking, and a scene of two rats run over by a bus. very little Twinkies, Coke, Ford Mustang.
Pollyanna Book Review
age 9+ Classic story shows the power of positive thinking. Parents need to know that the title character of Eleanor Porter's 1913 children's novel Pollyanna has become a euphemism for anyone who exhibits unflinching optimism. The orphan, Pollyanna, was taught by her late father to play the "glad game": to take any disappointment and try to find a reason to be glad about it. With her sweet disposition and positive outlook, Pollyanna changes the lives of all the adults in her life.
The BFG Book Review
age 9+ Girl befriends goodhearted giant in funny fantasy. Parents need to know that Roald Dahl's The BFG is a delightful fantasy about a girl named Sophie who makes friends with a Big Friendly Giant. It's full of vivid characters and hilariously creative language.
The Sledding Hill Book Review
age 12+ Ghost boy tells the story of a book-banning. Parents need to know that The Sledding Hill, by Chris Crutcher,deals with the death of a parent and a best friend, racism, the separation of church and state, religious zealots, and book censorship in schools. It's narrated by the ghost of a boy who died in an accident. very little Newman popcorn mentioned. very little Masturbation and abortion mentioned. A gay character comes out. very little A man and a boy are killed in accidents.
The Witch's Boy Book Review
age 10+ Rumplestiltskin revealed! Why he did what he did. Parents need to know that extrapolating the lives of fairy-tale characters before and after their stories take place can make for interesting discussions -- and may inspire readers to search out other modern retellings. There is some violence here, including a beheading, various injuries, and death. Lump is tortured and dogs are killed -- but it is within a context where witches and djinns exist.
age 9+ Girl connects with brother who has autism in moving tale. Parents need to know that Rules is the story of a girl named Catherine who feels like her family life revolves around her brother, David, who has autism, and his needs. She loves David and does what she can to help him, but she also wants to be noticed and strives to make friendships outside the home. It's a realistic novel about family dynamics and sibling love that celebrates Catherine's introspectiveness.
Eragon: The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1 Book Review
age 12+ A teen wrote this engrossing fantasy story. Parents need to know that Eragon is the first book in a four-part fantasy series called The Inheritance Cycle that first made waves due to the young age of its author, Christopher Paolini. Experiencing quick popularity, the book was soon turned into a feature film and video game. The idea that Paolini wrote the first draft of Eragon at 15 may inspire some young readers to try their own hand at writing.
Slaughterhouse-Five Book Review
age 15+ Vonnegut's time-travel classic makes strong anti-war case. Parents need to know that Kurt Vonnegut's classic science fiction novel Slaughterhouse-Five makes an anti-war statement that is powerful in any generation.
Terrier: Beka Cooper, Book 1 Book Review
age 10+ Satisfying fantasy crime drama for tweens. Parents need to know that one of the book's major plot elements involves a serial murderer of children. While none of these murders are directly described, this is a society in which abuse, enslavement, and murder of children is common. Adult characters also die; some of these deaths may spark strong emotional reactions. Characters have a complex social system in which police ("Dogs") and criminals ("Rats") co-exist -- and can even be friends ...
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