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First LookDiversity on the Hill: GOP-led Congress shows expanded representationThe Republican side of the House of Representatives is becoming more diverse, largely thanks to Kevin McCarthy’s efforts to recruit more women and people of color. However, of the racial and ethnic minority members in the new Congress, 80% are Democrats.
Do Americans have a right to fix their own stuff?A spate of right-to-repair bills is sweeping through state legislatures, demanding that even in a digital age, the people who buy something own it.
First LookUS parole program stirs hope for Cubans, Haitians, and other migrantsIn January, the Biden administration approved a parole program that requires migrants to request a permit online before arriving with the sponsorship of a relative or friend in the U.S. A new wave of Cuban migrants hope the policy means a safer journey.
First LookPope, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders speak out against anti-gay lawsThe three Christian leaders said gay people should be welcomed by their churches, during an unprecedented joint airborne news conference returning home from South Sudan.
First LookUS moves to recover suspected Chinese spy balloon after shooting it downThe United States downed the Chinese balloon off the Carolina coast after it became the latest flashpoint in tensions between Washington and Beijing.
- First LookUS moves to recover suspected Chinese spy balloon after shooting it down
The United States downed the Chinese balloon off the Carolina coast after it became the latest flashpoint in tensions between Washington and Beijing.
First LookRemorseful in court, Jan. 6 rioters return to defiant supportJan. 6 defendants who faced with jail time often professed remorse. Now, more are now backpedaling or even celebrating their actions in the Capitol riot.
First LookDescendants of persecuted Connecticut 'witches' ask for justiceConnecticut was hanging witches long before the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts. Now, lawmakers, researchers, and descendants of the accused want their names cleared, joining other efforts of communities seeking to atone for past persecutions.
Why diversity hasn’t changed policingThe Memphis police killing shows that hiring Black officers is not a cure-all for violence against Black communities. Culture needs to change.
The ExplainerHow common are killings by police? How often are officers prosecuted?In many cases the use of force by police goes unquestioned, seen as a necessary part of defending themselves and public safety. But the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis amplifies concerns about unjustified violence.
First LookBiden, McCarthy meet on ‘shared duty’ to avoid debt defaultU.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden met Wednesday to discuss raising the debt ceiling ahead of government funding running out in June. The two disagree on budget cuts, but they expect the conversation to continue.
New primary calendar? New Hampshire says ‘not so fast.’As Democrats prepare to vote on a plan for South Carolina to lead off the 2024 primaries, New Hampshire is signaling a messy fight ahead.
First LookMove over frozen nuggets, kids prefer farm-fresh school lunchesSome U.S. school cafeterias are finding students don’t miss corn dogs when given baguette sandwiches and free-range chicken simmered in a chipotle broth. But most school districts still lack funding and staffing to make the move from reheated frozen meals.
First LookEPA puts Alaska fishery over gold and copper mine, renewing debateThe EPA has officially prevented the development of Alaska’s Pebble Mine due to concerns about the impact on the state’s salmon fishery. The move is an environmental victory, but some worry that it sets a precedent for the EPA to veto all similar projects.
The ExplainerCongress takes up COVID origins: A primer on the debate so farRepublicans say they’re trying to get answers on how the pandemic started, but others worry a partisan probe will muddy the waters.
Memphis’ question: Can we have tough policing without brutality?Tyre Nichols’ death highlighted how one Memphis police unit spiraled out of control, turning from an attempt at tough policing into inhumanity.
‘Mutual aid’ is a radical ideal. Some live its communal spirit.The pandemic saw neighborly care expand in varied ways. For mutual aid societies, the effort reflected visions of society based on communal solidarity.
First LookBuild, expand, or repair? States compete for infrastructure funding.A new U.S. federal infrastructure law has led to competition for grant money among state and local officials. The Biden administration has been favoring repair projects over expansion or construction, leaving many wondering what the priority should be.
As Memphis mourns Tyre Nichols, city seeks police accountabilityOfficials’ response to the Memphis police killing of Tyre Nichols suggests that calls for accountability might be taking hold.
First LookCalifornia storms raise reservoirs and drain drought fears slowlyPowerful storms dumped an estimated 32 trillion gallons of water on California in just three weeks. The deluge has helped replenish the state’s reservoirs, which had been at dangerously low levels. State officials warned that dry conditions could return.
