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First LookAlaska’s Willow oil: ‘Carbon bomb’ or economic opportunity?The Biden administration is preparing to approve the $8 billion Willow oil-drilling project in Alaska. The controversial move comes as Joe Biden has limited or banned drilling in 13 million acres of land in the state and 3 million acres of the Beaufort Sea.
Cover StoryIf it breaks, can you fix it? Right-to-repair advocates vote yes.In a digital age, companies are shifting the definition of ownership. The right to fix what you buy lies at the heart of a growing battle over fairness and the future of American ingenuity.
At Atlanta’s ‘Cop City,’ when does protest become terrorism?Nearly two dozen protesters of an Atlanta police project dubbed Cop City were charged with terrorism this week. It marked an important moment.
Are we heading for the mother of all budget showdowns?President Biden’s budget is a statement of values. It’s an opening bid in negotiations with Republicans over programs like Social Security, and most urgently, the federal debt limit. Think, also, of his expected 2024 reelection campaign.
First LookGarland calls Louisville police behavior 'heartbreaking' in DOJ reportAttorney General Merrick Garland announced the findings of a Justice Department report Wednesday, launched in the wake of Breonna Taylor’s murder, that found the Louisville police department behavior regularly deprives people of their Constitutional rights.
First LookYoung Americans pass on ‘piece of paper,’ find path without collegeWhether avoiding high tuition or finding jobs out of high school, Americans are increasingly pursuing alternatives to college. Experts had predicted that students would return to college after a pandemic-era lull, but schools still see low enrollment.
First LookPeterson Zah, beloved Navajo leader, remembered as bridge builderNavajo leader Peterson Zah, who died Tuesday, is remembered for his commitment to peace within and beyond the Navajo Nation. Mr. Zah was the first president elected on the largest tribal reservation in the United States and was widely respected.
Cover StoryBig backers of public schools in Texas? Rural Republicans.Rural Texans are deeply conservative – and deeply committed to their public schools. How will that play out in an era when school choice has become a GOP litmus test?
Talk radio rises as a new battleground for Latino votersIn the competition for Latino votes, liberals are trying to catch up with conservatives in using talk radio to reach a key demographic.
First LookOklahoma voters halt $4.9m push to legalize recreational marijuanaOklahoma voters have rejected a move to allow the recreational use of marijuana for those over 21. Oklahoma already has a robust medical marijuana program. The proposal was opposed by various religious leaders, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
FocusWhere women athletic directors outnumber menThree of every four athletic directors across the NCAA are male. But in one conference, women are the majority.
Battle over DC statehood collides with politics of crimeA surprising number of Democrats in Congress, as well as President Joe Biden, back a measure that nullifies Washington, D.C.’s new criminal code. In this case, crime trumps D.C. home rule.
First LookMore GOP states cite 'lost confidence' in voter registration programThree Republican-led states – Missouri, Florida, and West Virginia – have withdrawn from bipartisan efforts to ensure accurate voter lists. The system to thwart voter fraud, known as ERIC, has been made a target of suspicion in the Republican party.
First LookTrump, DeSantis push court to revisit libel laws in Dominion caseFox News is facing a defamation lawsuit launched by Dominion Voting Systems over its coverage of voter fraud conspiracies in 2020. The network hopes to defend itself with a 1964 Supreme Court decision that makes it difficult to sue media for libel.
In Memphis, hopes and challenges of Black middle class collideTyre Nichols was beaten in Hickory Hill, once a magnet for Black middle-class families seeking a suburban life. Now, it’s hanging on.
Disband homeless camps? Some cities rethink them instead.The pandemic made homelessness more visible. As some cities rely on encampment sweeps, others put their focus on building livable tent cities.
First LookBarred from ballots behind bars, freed felons seek voting rightsAt least 14 U.S. states have introduced bipartisan voting rights bills this year to restore voting rights to felons. Former prisoners say the right to vote after finishing their sentence aids an easy transition back into society.
First LookActivist Judy Heumann remembered as trailblazer for disability rightsJudy Heumann, who died Saturday, was a disability rights activist. Her efforts led to the implementation of important legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.
US-China conundrum: Can hotline diplomacy work if trust isn’t a goal?How do you preserve crisis communications with an adversary suspicious of your use of them? The U.S. is finding China isn’t interested in hotlines, and that spells trouble.
First Look'This is just unreal': California deals with epic snowfallJust three months ago, virtually all of California was in a drought. But recent storms have dumped enough snow to shut down highways and ski resorts and trapped residents in their homes. Low groundwater levels, however, persist.
