A selection of recent and most read stories from The Atlantic to start your day

Support fearless independent journalism and gain unlimited access to The Atlantic, starting at less than $2 a week.

The Real Reason You’re Still on Hold

Wrangling with insurance companies and airlines and internet providers and our own government is grinding us down. What if that’s the plan?

American Insomnia

Tossing and turning through our national sleep crisis

The Birth-Rate Crisis Isn’t as Bad as You’ve Heard—It’s Worse

Humanity is set to start shrinking several decades ahead of schedule.

The Whole Country Is Starting to Look Like California

Prices are rising fast in red and purple states known for being easy places to build. How can that be?

The Liberal Misinformation Bubble About Youth Gender Medicine

How the left ended up disbelieving the science

Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here.

Explore all of our newsletters.

The Atlantic’s Crossword

The Atlantic’s crossword puzzle gets a little more challenging every day: Mondays are the easiest, with the biggest, most difficult puzzle on Sunday.