diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
index 190fb36..9db47db 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/+page.svelte
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
   const BRIEF_VIEW_KEY = 'goodnews:brief_view'; // {date, items} — the reader's curated brief
   const HISTORY_CAP = 200;
 
-  let seenIds = new Set();
-  let dismissed = new Set();
+  let seenIds = new Set(); // handler-only, not rendered — no reactivity needed
+  let dismissed = $state(new Set()); // read in the template (Clear button) — must be reactive
   let history = $state([]);
 
   function persistSession() {