Cat’s Recent Stories
Nation Jan 28
Why kids need special support when a parent is locked upCHICAGO – Ray Robinson was 8 years old when he was first detained by police. He grew up mostly on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by poverty, drugs and gang violence. Robinson’s parents “did the best they could,” but…
Nation Dec 31
Leaving prison without a government ID can block access to housing, jobs and helpWhen people are incarcerated, the government ID they had when entering prison may no longer be valid when they are released. Yet this small piece of plastic is needed for many of life's basic necessities like housing, employment, medical care,…
Health Dec 18
How COVID-19 could worsen America’s childhood trauma crisisIn this episode, PBS NewsHour correspondent William Brangham talks to special correspondent Cat Wise and reporter Laura Santhanam about why the pandemic is likely making the childhood trauma crisis worse and how caregivers can help their kids and themselves through…
Nation Dec 17
Treating trauma early to help children cope down the lineJust as our understanding of trauma’s long-term impacts has grown in recent years, so too has our grasp of how to treat and prevent it. And this evolution has continued during the pandemic, forcing those who are giving and receiving…
Nation Dec 16
The overwhelming impact of childhood trauma on Chicago’s West SideTens of thousands of people grow up in and around Chicago's predominantly black neighborhood of Austin, one of the city's biggest and most violent, where experts say disinvestment and systemic racism are major drivers of childhood trauma. Special correspondent Cat…
Nation Dec 15
Breaking the cycle of childhood trauma in rural MontanaTrauma experienced in childhood is often passed down from generation to generation. In rural Montana, scarce mental health resources and stigmas about seeking treatment are making the crisis worse. Special correspondent Cat Wise and producer Leah Nagy look at what’s…
Health Dec 14
Childhood trauma impacts millions of Americans, and it’s having devastating consequencesChildhood trauma impacts millions of Americans, and its consequences can be devastating. Those experiencing high levels of trauma can see dramatically lower life expectancies, and the CDC estimates it accounts for billions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Nation Sep 14
With wildfires raging during a pandemic, Oregon residents are pushed to the brinkIn Oregon, more than a million acres have burned already during this devastating early wildfire season -- twice the full-year average. Over 40,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, and at least 22 are missing. Air quality in…
Nation Sep 11
Western fire crews grapple with resource shortages, misinformation in addition to flamesAcross the fire zone of the American West, hundreds of thousands of residents are being evacuated, and entire towns have burned to ashes. In Oregon, merging blazes are now approaching the Portland suburbs. Dozens of people are missing, and firefighters…
Education Aug 04
This college lowered tuition due to the pandemic — and plans not to raise it againU.S. colleges have struggled with how to conduct the upcoming academic year amid the coronavirus pandemic. With many schools deciding to offer only remote classes but still charging full tuition, the pandemic has added a new urgency to questions about…