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First LookMarch Madness fans dream of a perfect bracket. Can AI give them a shot?Will advancements in AI give some fans a leg up for March Madness? Machine learning isn’t new to the art of crafting brackets. But experts say the amount of randomness in the tournament still gives basketball obsessives a fighting chance over big data.
First LookThe fastest growing girls’ high school sport? It’s not what you think.Girls’ high school wrestling has seen a surge in support with Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania hosting state championships. About 50,000 athletes are estimated to be on teams – a 60% spike in participation in the past year alone.
Cover StoryHow people like Brenda Glass help violent crime survivors rebuildTrauma recovery centers help clients break cycles of violence, while shining a light on the dignity and trust that propel progress.
Driven by Caitlin Clark mania, women’s basketball soars on sellout crowdsWith Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark, history is taking flight from center court tonight in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.
First LookWhen a snow-coated horse pulls a guy through a course, that’s skijoringIn Leadville, Colorado, this winter, contestants skied over high jumps and tried to lance suspended hoops – all while being pulled by a horse. This is skijoring, a sport that started as a transportation method in Scandinavia.
Stars and strife: Who gets to decide what appears on state flags?The recent wave of flag redesigns reflects awareness that a strong visual identity can bring residents together. The challenge states face, though, is how to agree on symbols that represent everyone.
First LookWhen cellphone outages strike, landlines can help – if you have oneLandlines are handy to have when mobile networks go down – but they’ve disappeared from nearly 3 in 4 American households. The shift is part of a broader evolution in our expectations around communication.
First LookFor libraries, e-book lending is a new chapter – and a new challengeThe “Netflix model” of leasing e-books to public libraries is expensive, full of limitations, and potentially a boon for censorship, librarians say. It’s a growing business model that shifts power to publishers and makes access harder for patrons.
First LookWhy most Black millennials who leave church don’t give up on faithWhen Black Americans leave organized religion, the majority of them still retain some degree of faith in a higher power, a new Pew study shows. The central role religious institutions played in securing civil rights is one reason why, say experts.
Cover StoryWhy Oklahoma’s tough-on-crime lawmakers no longer trust death penaltyOnly five states executed people last year. Oklahoma was one of them – and some GOP state lawmakers worry they cannot trust their system to get it right.
First LookGoogle, META to blame for mental health crisis, NYC mayor saysNew York City is suing Silicon Valley tech giants like Meta and Google for fueling a youth mental health crisis via social media apps, citing the financial burden of counseling affected teens.
Why Boston’s wealthy Back Bay said yes, in our backyardNIMBY can be a powerful force in wealthy areas. Here is what happens when neighbors say yes.
First LookAustralia, US grapple with reports of rising antisemitismAustralia banned the practice of doxxing after pro-Palestinian activists published personal information about members of the Jewish community. In the United States, a new survey shows antisemitism is on the rise.
Cover StoryFine print justice: How Daryl Atkinson is battling bureaucracyOn paper, court fees and ticket fines help balance local budgets. But a deep dive suggests the harm they cause far outweighs any revenue raised.
A small town, public art, and the First AmendmentWould no public art be better than art someone found objectionable? In New Hampshire, a town has been roiled for months over that question.
Las Vegas embraces the Super Bowl – and a new vision of itselfThe Super Bowl is the latest indication of Las Vegas’ transformation into a pro sports hub. Aside from an economic boon, what has it done for the community?
It’s not just the sunshine: Why Portugal attracts US expatsPortugal is gaining popularity with U.S. citizens looking to move abroad. Reasons include the expected, like weather and the cost of living, as well as ones that hint at people’s deeper needs when trying to build a good life.
First LookShould repeated police calls be a basis of eviction? DOJ says no.“Crime-free” laws allow landlords to evict renters when first responders are repeatedly called to the same addresses. They’ve long been criticized as discriminatory. For the first time, the Justice Department found that to be the case in Anoka, Minnesota.
First LookCouncil to NYPD: Officers must record race of people questionedNew York City police officers will now have to record the race, age, and gender of people they question under a new police transparency law. The New York City Council overrode Mayor Eric Adams’ veto of the bill Jan. 30.
First LookNevada native tribes push for monument where ancestors were killedHundreds of Native Americans were massacred in Nevada’s Bahsahwahbee Valley in the 1800s. Now, as three tribes push for the site to become a national monument, they see a chance to tell their own story.
