Science Dec 21 Conservation groups try to save tiny deer in the Florida Keys from a warming planet A type of white-tailed deer unique to the Florida Keys has been on the endangered species list for nearly 60 years. Only about 800 Key deer remain, and their habitat is under growing threat from rising sea levels. William Brangham…
Politics Dec 19 Prosecutor Fani Willis disqualified from Trump election interference case in Georgia A Georgia appeals court has disqualified the top prosecutor overseeing an election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump and his allies, a decision that could upend the case. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified because she had a…
Nation Dec 19 Leading researcher explains how viewing addiction as a brain disorder improves treatments This week, we are reporting on some promising treatments for two of the deadliest drugs in America: opioids and alcohol. William Brangham sat down with one of the nation’s leading researchers who is studying America’s addictions and how we can…
Nation Dec 18 Why a promising treatment for alcohol abuse is barely used In our ongoing look at treating substance abuse in America, we turn to the most commonly used drug, and one of the deadliest: alcohol. Drinking kills more Americans every year than opioids or any other illegal drug. But promising treatments…
Nation Dec 17 Opioid crisis renews focus on expanding access to methadone treatment While the numbers are finally starting to decline, more than 74,000 Americans are still dying every year from opioid overdoses. Despite that, very few people who are struggling with addiction get treatment. William Brangham looks at the renewed focus on…
Health Dec 13 CEO murder reveals simmering anger with American health care system The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed a simmering anger with the American healthcare system in the spotlight. William Brangham discussed more with Wendell Potter. He spent decades working for the health insurance company, Cigna, before leaving and…
Nation Dec 11 Evidence at UnitedHealthcare CEO murder scene is linked to suspect in custody, police say Police said fingerprints and shell casings collected at the scene of last week’s murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson are directly connected to their prime suspect, Luigi Mangione. The fingerprints match the 26-year-old and the casings match the gun found…
Health Dec 10 The controversial changes RFK Jr. could make to vaccine policy as HHS chief More than 75 Nobel laureates signed a letter asking the U.S. Senate not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, citing his opposition to vaccines among their concerns. William Brangham takes a deeper look at…
Politics Dec 06 Examining the major changes RFK Jr. could make to federal food regulations President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has raised a number of questions in the public health community about Kennedy’s long history of opposing vaccines. It’s also put a spotlight…
Nation Dec 06 Transgender lawmaker Leigh Finke on the political backlash surrounding trans rights Two years ago, Leigh Finke became the first trans person elected to the Minnesota state legislature. Even though she endured numerous threats, she leveraged her position, and a Democratic majority, to help pass legislation protecting other trans people in her…