Politics
1776’s Declaration of Independence inspired Washington’s troops to fight against the odds – and also helped bring in powerful allies
The Declaration of Independence isn’t just a philosophical breakup letter. It was a strategic move to secure vital support for America after its first declaration of war.
How health insurers get a free pass to deny coverage from a 52‑year‑old law meant to protect worker pensions
A little-known law called ERISA bars millions of patients from suing for damages when health insurers wrongly deny claims.
Why Denver stopped treating sidewalk repair as a DIY project – lessons for other cities and homeowners
New legislation in Denver created a program to build, repair and maintain sidewalks throughout the city.
‘In the end the court did its job’ – a former federal judge reviews a Supreme Court term full of momentous decisions
A former federal judge analyzes key Supreme Court decisions this term, reflects on growing judicial invective evident in its opinions, and judiciously gives praise for some great writing.
Military voters were at the heart of the Supreme Court’s mail‑in ballot decision
Mail-in voting was created during the Civil War so soldiers could vote. That legacy helped shape how the Supreme Court ruled more than 160 years later.
As the US turns 250, a forgotten founding influence helps explain its current unease
Montesquieu shaped how Americans understood liberty, and his warning about a ‘tyranny of opinion’ speaks to today’s polarization.
Data center fights pit social values, democracy and capitalism against each other
Data center proposals are often local controversies with significant underlying principles at stake.
Banning transgender girls from school sports affects all children – why allowing strangers to scrutinize children’s bodies may put all girls at risk of harassment
The US Supreme Court ruled that states could exclude transgender athletes from girls and women’s sports teams.
How public celebrations quietly remake what it means to be American
From a synagogue’s 5K to Appalachia’s Hillbilly Days, shared celebrations pull strangers together.
Political parties can now spend unlimited money supporting candidates, after Supreme Court overturns decades of precedent
A huge amount of money flows into campaigns in the United States. For 20 years, the Supreme Court has been loosening rules for who can contribute and how much. It just loosened the rules again.