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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confidence' in voter registration programThree Republican-led states – Missouri, Florida, and West Virginia – have withdrawn from bipartisan efforts to ensure accurate voter lists.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.
The ExplainerDefamation is hard to prove. Does Dominion have a case against Fox?Court documents reveal a disconnect between the false claims Fox News aired about the 2020 election and what its executives were saying internally – and suggest the network was concerned about offending Trump supporters.
Cover StoryCan police police their own? NYPD as a case study.The NYPD has been the nation’s foremost laboratory of police reform. So as the country wrestles with how best to find ways forward on policing, New York stands out as a crucial case study.
First LookWomen's work: California bill to expand safety for domestic helpersA proposed bill in California would require employers of domestic workers to comply with the same safety standards as other workplaces. Sen. María Elena Durazo, who wrote the bill, hopes to protect a part of the workforce made up of mostly women of color.
In new Congress, a bipartisan push to take on ChinaIs America asleep to a growing threat, or overhyping it? Lawmakers debate how to preserve democratic values at home and abroad as China’s global influence expands.
First LookChicago mayoral race: Lightfoot ousted, but no clear winner yetChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign came up short at the polls. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson advance to the April 4 runoff after none of the nine candidates were able to secure over 50% of the vote to win outright.
First LookWhy Supreme Court seems likely to sink Biden’s loan forgiveness planIt’s a case that will impact millions. President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan is aimed at countering the economic effects of the pandemic. But conservatives see the plan as a violation of Mr. Biden’s executive authority.
