diff --git a/goodnews/queries.py b/goodnews/queries.py
index 4d31761..7a51ab1 100644
--- a/goodnews/queries.py
+++ b/goodnews/queries.py
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ def content_stats(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> dict:
 
 
 def source_health(conn: sqlite3.Connection) -> list[dict]:
-    """Per source (active AND paused), the data an operator needs to manage feeds:
+    """Per source (active, paused, AND retired), the data an operator needs to manage feeds:
     failure streak, last error/success/attempt, computed next poll, and the
     backing metrics (served/accepted/total counts + acceptance & duplicate rates)
     so Pause/Flag decisions aren't vibes-based.
diff --git a/goodnews/sources.py b/goodnews/sources.py
index 5ccb720..f33f68c 100644
--- a/goodnews/sources.py
+++ b/goodnews/sources.py
@@ -21,14 +21,20 @@ def load_sources(path: Path | str) -> list[dict]:
 def upsert_sources(conn: sqlite3.Connection, source_defs: list[dict]) -> int:
     count = 0
     for source in source_defs:
+        # Keep status and the legacy `active` mirror in lockstep (Phase 1 rule):
+        # derive status from an explicit value or from active, then mirror active.
+        status = source.get("status") or ("active" if source.get("active", True) else "paused")
+        if status not in ("active", "paused", "retired"):
+            status = "active"
+        active = 1 if status == "active" else 0
         conn.execute(
             """
             INSERT INTO sources (
                 name, homepage_url, feed_url, source_type, default_category,
-                trust_score, pr_risk_score, active, poll_interval_minutes, notes,
+                trust_score, pr_risk_score, active, status, poll_interval_minutes, notes,
                 updated_at
             )
-            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP)
+            VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP)
             ON CONFLICT(feed_url) DO UPDATE SET
                 name = excluded.name,
                 homepage_url = excluded.homepage_url,
@@ -37,6 +43,7 @@ def upsert_sources(conn: sqlite3.Connection, source_defs: list[dict]) -> int:
                 trust_score = excluded.trust_score,
                 pr_risk_score = excluded.pr_risk_score,
                 active = excluded.active,
+                status = excluded.status,
                 poll_interval_minutes = excluded.poll_interval_minutes,
                 notes = excluded.notes,
                 updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
@@ -49,7 +56,8 @@ def upsert_sources(conn: sqlite3.Connection, source_defs: list[dict]) -> int:
                 source.get("default_category"),
                 int(source.get("trust_score", 5)),
                 int(source.get("pr_risk_score", 3)),
-                1 if source.get("active", True) else 0,
+                active,
+                status,
                 int(source.get("poll_interval_minutes", 60)),
                 source.get("notes"),
             ),
diff --git a/tests/test_candidates.py b/tests/test_candidates.py
index 57c5217..e9fd349 100644
--- a/tests/test_candidates.py
+++ b/tests/test_candidates.py
@@ -36,9 +36,10 @@ def test_promote_creates_inactive_source_and_marks_promoted(conn):
     cand = save_candidate(conn, "http://x/feed", name="Lovely Feed")
     source_id = promote_candidate(conn, cand["id"])  # inactive by default
 
-    src = conn.execute("SELECT name, active FROM sources WHERE id = ?", (source_id,)).fetchone()
+    src = conn.execute("SELECT name, active, status FROM sources WHERE id = ?", (source_id,)).fetchone()
     assert src["name"] == "Lovely Feed"
     assert src["active"] == 0  # active-on-approval: not polled until activated
+    assert src["status"] == "paused"  # status mirrors active — no drift (active=0 ⇒ paused)
 
     status = conn.execute("SELECT status FROM source_candidates WHERE id = ?", (cand["id"],)).fetchone()["status"]
     assert status == "promoted"
@@ -47,7 +48,8 @@ def test_promote_creates_inactive_source_and_marks_promoted(conn):
 def test_promote_active_flag(conn):
     cand = save_candidate(conn, "http://y/feed", name="Y")
     sid = promote_candidate(conn, cand["id"], active=True)
-    assert conn.execute("SELECT active FROM sources WHERE id = ?", (sid,)).fetchone()["active"] == 1
+    src = conn.execute("SELECT active, status FROM sources WHERE id = ?", (sid,)).fetchone()
+    assert src["active"] == 1 and src["status"] == "active"  # both set together
 
 
 def test_promote_unknown_raises(conn):