All USA Update
Why Maryland no longer requires drivers to know how to parallel parkMaryland is just one of several states that are eliminating the age-old requirement of executing a city street-parking maneuver during a driver's license test.
Why Michigan wants to make reading the US Constitution mandatoryMichigan is the latest to enter the US debate on how to educate high school students on important national documents, like the Declaration of Independence.
Bernie Sanders is unveiling a free college tuition bill. Will it work?Bernie Sanders, currently seeking the Democratic nomination for president, has a new proposal for how to expand educational opportunities for America's students.
Waco shootout: How pervasive are motorcycle gangs in the US?While biker gangs are a minority among American gangs, organized crime experts say that they should not be underestimated.
Obama moves to curb ‘militarization’ of police: A shift in law enforcement's role?On Monday, President Obama is expected to reduce law enforcement access to US military equipment. Does this policy reflect a broader shift about the duties of local police?
Amtrak: Ways the crash might have happened – and been avoidedAs investigators look for clues to the derailment of Amtrak Train 188 into Philadelphia, the Federal Railroad Administration has ordered Amtrak to take immediate steps to improve safety along the Northeast Corridor.
Sweet Briar's last class? Why some all-women colleges are disappearingSweet Briar, a century-old women’s college in Virginia, could be holding its final graduation ceremony Saturday before it closes. But the school's decision to close is being contested in court.
Vaccinations: California Senate eliminates religious, personal exemptionsThe legislation, which now goes to the California Assembly, is the latest outcome of the debate between public health officials in favor of vaccinations and those who oppose inoculating their children.
Nebraska buys lethal injection drugs, as lawmakers mull abolishing death penaltyThe governor of Nebraska announced the purchase of more death penalty drugs, one day before the state legislature debates abolishing the death sentence. No one has been executed in Nebraska since 1997.
Will USA Freedom Act rein in NSA domestic phone data collection?The House this week approved the USA Freedom Act, which would limit – although not eliminate – National Security Agency access to private phone records under the controversial Patriot Act. But the Senate may not agree.
Why John Legend and Michelle Obama are talking about racism nowMusician John Legend says racism is 'killing our kids.' Why is racism becoming a prominent topic of conversation?
Amtrak crash: How safe are America’s railways?Tuesday’s Amtrak crash in Philadelphia has put a spotlight on the debate about railway and funding safety issues in the United States.
How will jury decide whether Boston Marathon bomber gets death penalty?The Boston Marathon bombing trial concluded Wednesday. The jury received instructions Wednesday on how to consider the question of whether to sentence Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death.
Is the US Navy leading the way on maternity leave?Recognizing the need to keep talented women in the armed services, the secretary of the Navy proposed an extension of paid maternity leave.
New York Times on Facebook: Will it change how we read news?After months of closed-door negotiations between the Internet giant and nine major media companies, Facebook will begin to host its new partners’ articles directly on its site through a page called Instant Articles.
UVA rape story: How lawsuit against Rolling Stone could affect sexual violence coverageA dean at the University of Virginia has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the magazine, once more drawing attention to the consequences of careless reporting — especially in cases of sexual assault.
Millennial movers: how young people choose where to liveUrban life and city amenities influence their choice of city more than economic conditions, a new study shows.
Will Harriet Tubman grace $20 bills? Why some groups don't want that.A group wants to replace Andrew Jackson's portrait with the image of Harriet Tubman. Would this be a recognition of African-American achievement or 'hush money' papering over a lack of progress?
Can Congress fix our crumbling roads and bridges?Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx urged lawmakers to pass a $478-billion funding measure to shore up our transportation infrastructure, which experts agree is in dire need of modernization.
John Oliver calls for universal maternity leave: How easy is that to do?The United States is virtually alone in not offering paid maternity leave, comedian John Oliver notes. But three states offer a glimpse of how the US could do it.
