A Data Visualization Newsletter

Two years into the pandemic, things are finally starting to feel a little more normal. Masks are coming off, workers are going back to the office, and nearly 75% of America is vaccinated. Still, it may feel difficult to grapple with everything that’s happened and all that’s changed. This story from The Washington Post asks a series of questions to show where your pandemic experience fits into America’s collective experience.

Police misconduct isn’t just bad for a community; it’s also a major drain on taxpayer dollars. A Washington Post analysis reveals that nearly $3.2 billion dollars have been spent within the past decade by 25 of the nation’s largest police and sheriff departments to settle allegations of misconduct. Repeat offenders — officers who account for multiple payments — account for nearly half of that number.

The 2022 Paralympics just wrapped last night in Beijing, after nine full days of competition. For paralympic athletes, gear is crucial to their success; many use adaptive versions of equipment — or new tools entirely — to perform at their peak. This project from Reuters breaks down some of the most important pieces of gear you’ll see in para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para snowboarding, and other sports.

Wordle took the Internet by storm earlier this year, going from a virtually unknown word game to a seven-figure exit to The New York Times in a matter of months. This analysis breaks down Wordle’s rise through the lens of Twitter, looking at the growth in tweets about the game, the average distribution of scores, and whether people are more inclined to tweet their best results. A must read for avid Wordle players.

Low interest rates over the past few years have ushered in an unprecedented era of wealth creation for homeowners able to refinance their mortgages. Yet a Bloomberg analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data suggests that, across the board, banks were more likely to reject refinance applications from Black homeowners than White ones. Wells Fargo, the biggest bank mortgage lender, was the worst offender.