Nation Nov 08 What went wrong at the Astroworld Festival and how panic played a role in the crowd surge A crowd surge last Friday at the Astroworld Festival in Houston Texas left eight people dead and many others injured. Since the incident, there has been a growing number of questions and concerns about the security measures that were in…
Education Nov 02 College students’ stress levels are ‘bubbling over.’ Here’s why, and how schools can help College is a time of major transition and of stress. During the pandemic, students have been struggling to cope with ever-increasing levels of mental distress among students. A recent study by The American College Health Association found that one in…
Health Oct 29 Why police, firefighters are fighting vaccine mandates and what that means for their jobs Friday afternoon was the deadline for all New York City workers to get at least one COVID vaccine dose or go on unpaid leave. It could mean several thousand officers may have to stay home as early as Monday. In…
Education Oct 26 Kids’ mental health, safety in the spotlight as social media execs face Congress A Senate committee is widening its investigation into the impact social media platforms have on children, teens and young adults, with more apps facing congressional scrutiny. William Brangham reports with Jean Twenge, a psychology professor and author of "iGen: Why…
Politics Oct 21 How Dem debate over Biden climate agenda could affect U.S. economy The coming weeks will be pivotal for President Joe Biden's domestic agenda as Congress and the White House debate the trade-offs of a major bill that could affect the pocketbooks, working conditions and social safety net for Americans. William Brangham…
Health Oct 20 What parents need to know about vaccinating young children against COVID-19 The White House laid out plans Wednesday for children between the ages of 5 and 11 to soon receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If approved, shots could begin as soon as November. But many parents are still wondering about whether to…
Politics Oct 19 Sec. Cardona on combating COVID’s impact on student mental health, forgiving student loans Leading child health care groups — including the American Academy of Pediatrics — said Tuesday the pandemic has triggered a “national state of emergency” in mental health among U.S. youth, and policy makers need to act. The Education Department issued…
Economy Oct 18 ‘Striketober’ : Growing number of U.S. workers are pushing back against employers The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union reached an agreement on a new film and TV contract this weekend, averting a strike that would have ground productions around the country to a halt. But it’s not the only showdown…
Health Oct 05 New book shows how failure to implement quick, accurate testing compounded COVID’s spread The United States has now passed yet another tragic pandemic milestone. COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of more than 700,000 Americans. William Brangham talks to Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA commissioner and author of new book "Uncontrolled Spread:…
Science Sep 30 Why discovery of DNA’s double helix was based on ‘rip-off’ of female scientist’s data It is the famous lightbulb-going-off story every school kid learns: How James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, cementing their place in scientific history. But as William Brangham explains, a new book titled "The Secret of Life"…