Nation Feb 07 FBI foils extremist plot to bring down Baltimore's electrical grid Attacks on electrical systems were up by nearly 80% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Monday, the FBI said it foiled an alleged neo-Nazi plot to attack multiple substations and transformers around Baltimore. It follows recent physical attacks on…
Nation Feb 06 What China is trying to accomplish with repeated incursions into U.S. airspace The U.S. sent divers to salvage what they believe is spy equipment from the Chinese balloon shot down this weekend off the South Carolina coast. Chinese officials claim it was a civilian weather balloon that went off course. The Pentagon…
Science Feb 04 Security expert warns of AI tools' potential threat to democracy Artificial intelligence has the potential to dramatically alter how we gather information, communicate and work. Experts are also raising questions about how it will affect governance and what it will mean for the future of our democracy. Bruce Schneier, a…
Nation Feb 03 Western states that rely on Colorado River fail to reach agreement on cutting consumption This was an important week in the battle out west over water use. Seven states along the Colorado River basin were supposed to reach a collective agreement on how to use less water from an ever-shrinking river, but they failed…
Nation Feb 01 How a strict gun safety measure divided the state of Oregon There have been well over 3,500 firearm deaths in the U.S. so far in 2023, including the recent mass shootings in California. That's according to a database by the Gun Violence Archive. William Brangham traveled to Oregon earlier this year…
Health Jan 31 What happens when U.S. COVID emergency measures end in May? Since the start of the pandemic, both former President Trump and President Biden have repeatedly renewed a special declaration of a national and public health emergency. But the government’s approach toward COVID has dramatically changed and Biden said he would…
Politics Jan 30 Will the evangelical community support Trump's 2024 campaign? This weekend, former President Trump held his first campaign rallies since announcing he was running again. When Trump first ran for president, much of the evangelical community backed him. William Brangham spoke with Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom…
Health Jan 29 Why Oregon is the worst-ranked state for youth mental health Depression and anxiety among adolescents was already at crisis levels before the pandemic, but it surged amid the isolation, disruption and hardship of COVID. For our new series, "Early Warnings: America’s Youth Mental Health Crisis,” William Brangham traveled to Oregon…
Health Jan 26 New alcohol research shows drinking small amounts can still be harmful to health Canadian health authorities had previously said that a low risk amount of alcohol was about ten drinks per week. Now a panel of advisors to the government, citing some of this research on alcohol’s impacts, suggested lowering that to two…
Nation Jan 25 Teen volunteers staff crisis support line to help peers facing mental health challenges Oregon ranks among the worst states for youth mental illness and access to care. William Brangham went there and found a system facing heavy burdens, but one searching for solutions. It’s part of our new series, "Early Warnings: America’s Youth…