Politics
I study the Declaration of Independence, and here’s why the colonists’ grievances are surprisingly relevant, 250 years later
A partisan judiciary, arbitrary power, officials beyond the reach of the people – these are the grievances that drove a revolution.
Trump doesn’t own the government – even though he acts as if Congress is not his equal in constitutional power and authority
In President Donald Trump’s public language, Congress rarely appears as a coequal branch of government. It appears as an obstacle, an audience, a pressure point, a rubber stamp or an afterthought.
Medication abortion: Decisions from federal courts, the FDA or Trump’s Department of Justice could try to end access via telehealth
This year, decisions from the courts, FDA or DOJ could all shut down telehealth for medication abortion, which is how most people in states with bans get care.
In deep‑red Idaho, even Republicans break with Trump on farm labor
A statewide survey finds majorities in farm country at odds with the deportation push reshaping their workforce.
How local communities are challenging Big Tech data centers’ noise, pollution and rising electricity bills
Local needs, political tensions and corporate power all get involved in the democratic processes by which Americans govern their communities.
Americans keep voting for scandal‑prone candidates because they just don’t want the other party to win
Polarization and negative partisanship have lowered the standards for whom Americans are willing to support.
The world agreed to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 – but marine protection can’t be judged by area alone
So far, about 10% of the ocean has formal protection as countries work toward the 30×30 goal, but many areas are still protected on paper only.
Colorado criminal cases are dismissed at a higher rate when prosecutors face heavier workloads
When prosecutors’ caseloads increase, so do dismissal rates.
How political leaders use combat spectacles to symbolize national power and purpose
For both Roman gladiators and modern-day mixed martial arts participants, physical contests become moral dramas about sacrifice and human limits. That has led today’s fighters to right-wing politics.
Who was the first transgender person?
There is evidence of people who crossed gender boundaries even in ancient civilizations, though the terms naming them have evolved over time.