Politics Jun 17 New report looks at the changing face of extremist groups in America As hate groups edge toward the political mainstream, experts say they’re employing new tactics and taking on new forms. In June, the Southern Poverty Law Center added 12 conservative “parents’ rights” groups to its list of extremist and anti-government organizations.
Science Jun 11 2 out of 3 North American bird species face extinction. Here’s how we can save them As the climate crisis worsens, so does pressure on wildlife. The number of birds in North America has declined by 3 billion in the last 50 years. Brooke Bateman, director of climate science at the National Audubon Society, joins Ali…
Education Jun 10 Why some top schools are opting out of U.S. News’ college rankings list This week, Columbia University said it would no longer provide information for the U.S. News and World Report’s decades-old rankings list of colleges and universities. The high-profile dropout follows a parade of prestigious law schools and medical schools that said…
Nation Jun 03 Why several states are pushing to loosen child labor restrictions The U.S. government found child labor violations involving over 3,800 minors in 2022. At the same time, some states say there is too much regulation of child labor. Katherine Walts, director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children…
Health May 27 What the U.S. is doing to address its deepening maternal mortality crisis The U.S. maternal mortality rate continues to steadily increase, with 2021 being one of the worst years on record. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental health conditions are among the leading causes of pregnancy-related death. Carole Johnson, head…
Nation May 21 Rapid DNA testing helps police solve old crimes, but raises privacy concerns Louisiana police have a new way of using DNA to track down criminal suspects. But while police say it’s a boon for solving cold cases, privacy advocates worry about the tool’s growth and potential for improper use. Communities correspondent Roby…
Arts May 21 ‘Everyone has a story.’ Growing industry makes memoir-writing more accessible What is our legacy? What do we leave behind after we’re gone? During the pandemic, many of us pondered these questions. Now, more people are passing on their stories in the form of memoirs. As Jeffrey Brown reports, these books…
Nation May 20 Alarming spate of racehorse deaths draws scrutiny of industry safety practices According to a group that opposes horse racing as inhumane, 901 thoroughbreds died in 2022 — more than two a day. Seven horses died over 10 days leading up to the Kentucky Derby in May this year. And Saturday, a…
Nation May 13 As states grapple with age limits for buying guns, what’s the potential effect? It’s been a week of ups and downs for both advocates and opponents of laws that raise the minimum age for purchasing firearms. Lisa Geller, director of state affairs at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, joins John…
Health May 06 What to know about the COVID pandemic as public health emergencies end This week, the World Health Organization ended the global public health emergency it declared three years ago as COVID-19 spread around the world. Meanwhile, the U.S. public health emergency is set to end on Thursday, May 11. Katelyn Jetelina, an…