Sep 05 How death row inmates at San Quentin are using poetry to examine the prison system -- and themselves By Elizabeth Flock Prison literature has a long and rich history, stretching back to Jack London, Nelson Algren and Malcolm X. The genre includes powerful work from prisoners incarcerated on death row, which is often surfaced with the help of activists or artists… Continue reading
Apr 25 Watch 6:48 News Wrap: Michael Flynn accused of breaking the law by House Oversight leaders By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Tuesday, House Oversight Committee leaders accused former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn of breaking the law in 2015 by taking money from Russian organizations. Also, a federal judge in San Francisco has blocked President Trump’s order… Continue watching
Apr 25 Does the death penalty bring closure to a victim's family? By Laura Santhanam The last time anyone saw Julie Heath alive was Oct. 3, 1993, when the 18-year-old set out to visit her boyfriend in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A week later, a hunter discovered Heath's body, less than eight miles from where her… Continue reading
Apr 20 Arkansas executes first person in 12 years By Laura Santhanam A week ago, Arkansas planned to execute seven men in 11 days. Ledell Lee was put to death late Thursday, and three more men are scheduled to be executed. Continue reading
Apr 18 What's next in the fight over Arkansas executions By Laura Santhanam The fight for Davis’ life escalated through a series of appeals and counter arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court late Monday. Without knowing if the court would offer an opinion, prison personnel preemptively served him his last meal. Continue reading
Apr 17 Should states ban the death penalty for people with severe mental illness? By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline Legislators in at least seven states have proposed bills this year to prohibit the death penalty for people who suffered from a serious mental illness at the time of their crime. Continue reading
Apr 17 Arkansas races against the clock to begin executions By Kelly P. Kissel, Associated Press Lawyers for the state of Arkansas fought on multiple legal fronts Monday to begin a series of double executions before a key sedative used in lethal injections expires at the end of the month. Continue reading
Apr 15 Federal judge blocks executions in Arkansas By Laura Santhanam Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge plans to appeal the federal judge’s decision, according to a statement from her office. Continue reading
Apr 03 5 important stories that don't have anything to do with politics By Erica R. Hendry, Iman Smith, Joshua Barajas, Laura Santhanam before the latest chapter in the Russian investigation threatens to wrestle control of the 24-hour news cycle, here are five important stories that may not have shown up in your Facebook feed. Continue reading
Mar 28 Supreme Court rules in favor of Texas death row inmate who argued intellectual disability By Associated Press "Texas cannot satisfactorily explain why it applies current medical standards for diagnosing intellectual disability," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote. Continue reading