All USA
First LookGardening, dancing, Zooming: Favorite pandemic pastimes persistPandemic lockdowns inspired people to find new hobbies and passions. Many have continued these new routines nearly three years later as they discovered the joy in activities such as pickleball, playing music, and connecting with their communities.
First LookOregon commutes all 17 outstanding death sentencesAmid shrinking support for the death penalty nationwide, Oregon governor Kate Brown has commuted all of the state’s death sentences to life without parole. All executions in the U.S. this year took place in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Alabama.
First LookHope amid grief: 10 years after Sandy Hook, a town reflectsIt’s been 10 years since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and residents of Newtown, Connecticut, are still grieving their lost loved ones. But hope for a better future grows stronger as the gun safety movement gains momentum and laws are passed.
The ExplainerAnother year, another US border crisis. Could 2023 be different?U.S. immigration reform has been needed for a generation. But amid rancor over the border, immigration experts point to Ukrainian refugees as an example of how policy can be successfully adapted for modern times.
Difference MakerBuilding Men teaches students what manhood can really meanWith male peers and mentors, Building Men helps young boys and teens gain perspective, work to restore self-worth, and learn to calm emotions.
First LookFormer CEO of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried arrested and charged by SECThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged the former CEO of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, with defrauding investors by diverting their funds to his personal hedge fund. He was arrested on Monday after separate criminal charges were filed.
FocusWider fallout from a crypto collapse: How should charity really be done?Effective altruism has gained a wide following. In the fall of FTX, some critics see a need for rethinking how to put generosity into practice.
Sinema’s switch: Betraying voters, or mirroring them?The Arizona senator’s decision to become an independent didn’t please Democrats. But she may be in step with voters, who are increasingly unhappy with the two-party system.
First LookNYC streets: Mayor's mental health plan sparks criticism, questionsNew York City Mayor Eric Adams is moving forward with a plan to get mentally ill people off city streets and into hospitals to ensure their safety. Mayor Adams, a former police officer, says he is seeking a humane solution to a persistent problem.
First LookDC to become largest US city to offer free bus rides to residentsThe nation’s capital will begin providing free bus fares for residents this summer. Other major cities have been considering policies to lower public transportation fees, due to traffic-related carbon emissions and reduced ridership during the pandemic.
First LookLockerbie attack suspect to appear in court 34 years after bombingIn 1988, a bomb on an airplane from London’s Heathrow airport killed 270 people, including 190 Americans and 35 college students. Thirty-four years later, the man suspected of planting the bomb is in U.S. custody, with prosecution in progress.
First LookNo more coach as bully? Student athletes increasingly speak out.The world of sports is constantly changing, and athletes and coaches are learning to adjust. Many student athletes have gained more flexibility in their ability to transfer programs, which has forced coaches to evaluate their coaching methods.
First LookAfter strong midterms for Democrats, GOP rethinks mail ballot stanceEmboldened by Donald Trump, some Republican lawmakers have discouraged voters from voting by mail, condemning it as unsafe. However, after a disappointing midterm showing, GOP leaders are turning to mail-in ballots as a means of boosting voter turnout.
A radical election theory has day in court. Justices appear divided.The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a pivotal case that could make huge waves in how states govern elections. But some justices appear skeptical of throwing another boulder into America’s electoral waters.
First Look‘A better newsroom’: New York Times union strikes over pay, remote workJournalists at The New York Times began a 24-hour strike on Thursday morning, signaling requests for higher wages and more flexible policies on remote work.
First LookWNBA star Brittney Griner released in prisoner exchange with RussiaWNBA star Brittney Griner is safe in American custody and heading home, says President Joe Biden. The United States released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange, though another American citizen still remains jailed in Russia.
The ExplainerTrump’s firm found guilty of fraud. He faces deeper legal waters.The DOJ may have to weigh which is a greater harm: If it indicts Donald Trump, it risks the loss of faith of his followers. If it lets allegations against the former president go, it risks society’s belief that everyone is subject to the law.
First LookState judge places hold on Oregon gun safety lawA new voter-approved gun safety law in Oregon was placed on hold Tuesday by a state court judge. Multiple gun rights groups, local sheriffs, and gun store owners say the law violates Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms.
First LookWarnock wins Georgia runoff, giving Democrats 51 seats in SenateDemocratic Sen. Raphael Warnock secured reelection Tuesday, defeating GOP candidate Herschel Walker in the Georgia runoff. His victory solidifies the state’s place as a Deep South battleground.
In Georgia’s Hogg Hummock, a fight for a people, a culture, and the landThe longtime efforts of Gullah Geechee descendants to preserve their ancestors’ land is a fight to save a people and a culture. Some believe it could also save a slice of coastal Georgia.
