Scott Colom and the Mississippi Blues

Plus: My Friend’s Private Plane Crashed, Then It Happened Again; Beto O’Rourke on Texas Turning Blue; Florida’s Spy Corridor

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November 13, 2026

How do you spell Mississippi? As of Thursday, when Democrat Scott Colom was officially named its next senator—the first Black person to hold that office since Reconstruction—the answer is officially “B-l-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i.” VF deputy editor Claire Howorth grew up in the Magnolia State, and she is deeply moved by Colom’s campaign and win. But she isn’t surprised, and in an essay about the long-overdue change coming to her home turf, she explains why other Mississippians aren’t either. “The extremes of the moral universe have always been duking it out down there, which makes Mississippi not strange or anomalous, but illustrative,” writes Claire. “To those who suggest any right-minded or good people simply up and leave, or think the rest of the country should abandon all hope, or worse, look away entirely—you are missing one of the most important threads in the future of American politics and culture.” Elsewhere, Joe Hagan catches up with Beto O’Rourke—progenitor of Blexas—following the Democrats’ midterm blitz; José Criales-Unzueta introduces the stars of La Bola Negra, the lush period piece that just might challenge The Odyssey for best picture; and Vanity Fair contributing editor Vanessa Grigoriadis reflects on losing two friends in eerily similar tragedies—both involving private planes. More tomorrow!

HILLARY BUSIS FEATURES EDITOR

The Mississippi Blues: Counting Out My Home State Was a Mistake. Scott Colom Proves It.   By Claire Howorth

A note to those who doubt the power and hope coursing through a state so many view as powerless and hopeless—and a love letter to the good people there. Read more

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ESSAY   Nearly a Decade Ago My Friend’s Private Plane Fell Out of the Sky. Then, in Florida This Month, It Happened to Another Friend.   By Vanessa Grigoriadis   Flying private signifies having it all—a symbol of freedom and success. For Jen Blumin and Adam Robinson, the privilege resulted in their deaths. Vanity Fair contributing editor Vanessa Grigoriadis reflects on losing two friends in eerily similar tragedies. Read more

POLITICS   Beto O’Rourke on Texas Turning Blue: “I Just Wanted to Win, and I Put That Before Anything Else”   By Joe Hagan   The Texas politician, whose own presidential and Senate bids have failed, has thrown himself into organizing. In conversation with Joe Hagan, he examines the 2026 midterms—and his future prospects. Read more

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MOVIES   Brothers in Arms: La Bola Negra Defied Hollywood’s Expectations—and Made Movie Stars out of Miguel Bernardeau and Guitarricadelafuente   By José Criales-Unzueta   The directors of La Bola Negra did not set out to finish the play Federico García Lorca left behind when he was executed during the Spanish Civil War. Instead, they cast the actors Guitarricadelafuente and Miguel Bernardeau to bring one of the Spaniard’s final works to a new generation. The stars talk to José Criales-Unzueta about their breakout film. Read more

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ESPIONAGE Spylandia: How a Stretch of Florida Real Estate Has Become a Covert Corridor for Chinese and Russian Spies   By Adam Ciralsky and Brian Finke   The so-called Space Coast, with its rocket launches and military tech, is now an unassuming setting for espionage. Read more

FIT CHECK Jensen Huang Did: Have an Ill-Advised Affair. He Did Not: Wear Vintage Saint Laurent.   By José Criales-Unzueta   The former president and CEO of Nvidia went viral in the fashion world this week for wearing a vintage Saint Laurent jacket by Hedi Slimane—but did he actually? Read more

Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer Support Cousin Prince William in Style Princess Diana’s nieces attended the Tusk Conservation Awards wearing two sparkling dresses from the same fashion label, but they weren’t the only cousins of the Prince of Wales in attendance.

At Crooked Con, Triumphant Democrats Storm Washington (and Party) After Two Years of MAGA Rule In the wake of the midterms, newly elected Democrats joined progressive content creators at a new conference to plot out the future of Washington. After two years of MAGA marauding freely throughout the capital, the libs were soon to be back in charge—of Congress, at least.

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