Battle Over Opioids: Surprising Push-Back, and Not From Dealers
If you thought tighter restrictions were helping to solve the opioid crisis, think again. Some patients, pain doctors, and groups are pushing back.
Afghanistan: 17 Years of Incompetence, Corruption, and Waste
A new government report concludes that the US’s ongoing effort — now in its 17th year — to stabilize and reconstruct Afghanistan has been marred by misspending, corruption, and incompetence.
No Sh-t: Grassroots Activists Take on Big Ag — And Win
Can the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act level the playing field between factory farms and community activists? One community showed how it can be done.
Evangelicals: Putting the ‘Ass’ in ‘Compassion’
Many evangelical leaders have gone all in for President Donald Trump. Down the road, that could backfire and hopefully cost them — and other religious organizations that get too involved in partisan politics — their tax-exempt status.
Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel: What the Hell Was Going On at Trump Tower?
Wait: Isn’t the main Trump scandal about Russian influence? All of a sudden they’re talking about a bunch of other countries. Don’t worry. We’ll explain.
Grifters Gonna Grift
Various companies handed Michael Cohen piles of cash in what looks like a pretty blatant attempt to buy access to President Donald Trump. Now that they have been caught, they call it a “mistake.” But isn’t it really just business as usual in the US?
How Central Bankers Rigged the World
Mexico’s economy was flourishing in 2008 when it came crashing down as a result of the financial crisis. A new book tells the story of how greed in the US made the country suffer.
Mulvaney Tries to Make Consumer Watchdog Disappear: Will His Magic Act Work?
Mick Mulvaney now heads the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency he once called a “sick, sad joke.” He’s made the bureau more industry-friendly, turning the consumer watchdog into more of a lapdog. Will his gambit work?
New Frontline in Battle for Campaign Finance Reform
Faced with a political climate unlikely to prioritize election reform, cities might lead the way in breaking the grip of rich donors and dark money in national campaigns.
Will Canadian Court Hand Powerful Tool to the Oppressed?
Can victims of corporate wrongdoing pursue justice in other countries? A Canadian court is dealing with that question this week and its ruling could have sweeping consequences across the globe.
To Facebook, You’re Not the Customer, You’re the Product
Facebook makes money by sucking as much data from your profile and your actions as possible. There is no reason to believe the company will stop doing that until it is compelled to.