All USA
First LookNew bloc: Moms for Liberty have GOP contenders vying for their votesRepublican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis have their sights on Moms for Liberty, a new controversial group that advocates for conservative policies. Both politicians will appear at the group’s annual conference in Philadelphia.
First Look'What about our culture?': Copper-rich town debates Native rightsResidents of a small Arizona town are grappling with history colliding with industry in their backyard. Native American groups and a mining company are engaged in a tug-of-war over a proposed copper mine on national forest land.
Reparations in California: What can lawmakers achieve?California lawmakers now begin the complex work of taking up the historic final recommendations from the state’s Reparations Task Force.
FocusWith affirmative action gone, California shows what may come nextWhat comes after affirmative action for college? Universities in states like California and Michigan, where race-based admissions had already been banned, may hold answers.
Monitor BreakfastBiden can overcome perception gap on economy, top adviser saysAt the Monitor Breakfast Thursday, President Joe Biden’s top economic adviser talked up “Bidenomics” and all the ways the U.S. economy is thriving, despite a still-high rate of inflation.
First LookA new start: US to pay tuition for thousands more incarcerated peopleThe federal Pell Grant program, which provides tuition aid to the neediest undergraduates, is set to give 30,000 more incarcerated students financial aid each year. Earning a college education can be a difference-maker for those transitioning out of prison.
First Look'They should care about us': Former Facebook moderators sue MetaNearly 200 former content moderators for Facebook in Kenya have filed a lawsuit against Meta, which could have implications for the work worldwide. They allege poor working conditions and insufficient mental health support for viewing harmful content.
First LookMeta implements new parental privacy features. Are they enough?Instagram and Facebook are implementing new parental supervision tools and privacy features. Yet critics argue these measures fall short because they require families to opt in to using them.
When $1 billion isn’t enough. Why the Sioux won’t put a price on land.How do you make reparations for historic harm when money is off the table? To accept cash for stolen land would be to sell out in the purest sense, members of the Sioux say. They want their land – or at least a say in how it is protected.
Upholding democracy? Supreme Court strikes down election theory.The Supreme Court seems to be avoiding adding stress to democracy with its decision striking down the “independent state legislature” theory in setting federal election rules.
Lab leak debate: US releases new report, but critics want moreAdvocates argue transparency around COVID-19 origins is key to restoring public trust. Critics say a politicized push could have the opposite effect.
First LookTo boost fast food wages, California lawmakers get creativeA California law that would have raised wages for fast-food workers has been delayed for the past two years. Now, by activating a long-dormant commission, lawmakers may have found a different way to boost worker pay.
First LookStates go full steam on railroad reform, bypass federal governmentAfter the East Palestine train derailment in February, a dozen states are passing new railroad regulations. Their legislation bypasses the federal government’s green-light and often includes measures the railroad industry has long resisted.
The ExplainerTest results reveal falling teen scores. What’s the solution?More test results, this time for 13-year-olds, show declines in U.S. reading and math skills – underscoring the uphill battle toward post-pandemic academic recovery.
First LookBattle against book bans: Librarians strategize at annual conferenceThe American Library Association is challenging US book censorship at its annual conference in Chicago. The effort comes after the organization released data in March that revealed a 20-year record: 1,269 demands to censor library books in 2022.
First LookVacation or vote in August? Ohio scrambles for a special election.Lawmakers in Ohio have called for an August special election that could have national implications, as voters will consider a measure to make it harder to amend the state’s constitution. Now election offices are scrambling to prepare on a tight timeframe.
One year after Dobbs, US abortion landscape transformedLast year’s Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case eliminated a nearly 50-year-old federal right to abortion. The impact on women of childbearing age has been profound.
Ukraine forces – and Western weapons – face crucial testUkraine counteroffensive will be a big test for the concept that Western weapons and training can help turn back Russian invasion
First LookSupreme Court allows Biden policy on deportations to standThe Supreme Court voted 8-1 to allow a Biden policy on deporting only those immigrants who pose the greatest public safety risk to take effect.
First LookBlack baseball players are at historic lows. Can MLB change that?The percentage of Black players in Major League Baseball is at its lowest level ever. But there are signs that could change as the sport is seeing early results of its diversity initiatives and by encouraging expressions of joy and celebration at games.
