It’s Not Always About Guns or Monsters
University of Chicago economist Jens Ludwig challenges nearly everything we think we know about gun violence — and, by extension — violence itself.
Recent Stories
Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize Recipient Threatens Venezuela
Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a blockade of “sanctioned oil tankers” coming from and going to Venezuela.
JD Vance Test Drives the Lies That Republicans Hope Will Win the Midterms
Instead of trying to make things more affordable, the Trump administration is lying about who is responsible for the state of the economy. Today, it was Vice President JD Vance’s turn to gaslight the American people.
Exxon’s Next Supreme Court Play
Oil companies are once again asking the high court to intervene in climate deception lawsuits — part of an all-hands-on-deck effort by Big Oil and the Trump administration to shut the cases down.
Trump Finds a New Low; Can Republicans Find the Courage to Point It Out?
In a social media post that is disgraceful even for him, Donald Trump weighed in on the murder of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner by making it all about himself. Will Republicans find it within themselves to call out their president for his deplorable rant?
A Free-Speech Nobel Nomination for Musk and Other Head-Slapping Absurdities
Elon decides whose voice is heard.
Trump’s A+++++ Economy Is a Tough Sell
To prevail in the midterms, Republicans have to hope that an out-of-touch billionaire who only cares about himself can convince Americans that the economy he is ruining with his policies is working great and that the higher prices they are paying are a hoax. Good luck!
If the White House Press Corps Gave Trump a Taste of His Own Vile Medicine
President Trump enjoys being rude to women reporters who ask him reasonable questions that he doesn’t like. The press needs to grow a spine.
Hoosier Loser: Plucky Indiana Senators Show Trump’s Power Is Waning
In the face of massive pressure, a group of Indiana state senators defied Donald Trump. Can they serve as an example for other Republicans who want to create some daylight between themselves and the unpopular president?
Fired by Email: What It Felt Like To Be Targeted by DOGE’s Federal Purge
Eleven federal workers reveal what it felt like to be fired by Musk’s DOGE — the emails, the trauma, and the institutional destruction we’ve never heard about.
Dear Reader, I Hereby Pardon You
Donald Trump’s use of the pardon power is a reflection of the president himself… and that’s not a good thing. Fortunately, even his authority has (some) limits.
Noem Manages to Perjure Herself Before Skipping Out on Hearing
Before fleeing a House hearing to attend a non-existent FEMA meeting, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem lied to Congress about the number of US veterans her department has deported.
Locusts and Landmines Threaten Ukraine’s Farmland
Ecosystems have also come under threat from toxic plants whose spread has been difficult to control during the Russian invasion.
Judge Orders Trump to Relinquish Control of CA National Guard
Stating that Donald Trump wants a “blank check” instead of checks and balances, a federal judge on Wednesday ordered the president to return control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
The Great Un-Humaning: What We Lose When Everything’s Easy
Avoiding friction — by expelling people who are different, by outsourcing creativity and connection to AI — feels easier. It actually makes life worse.
Republicans Have to Figure Out How Willing They Are to Cover Up a Murder
Why doesn’t the Trump administration want to release a video that can be used as evidence in a future trial? It’s just one of life’s great mysteries.
Dismantling the Endangered Species Act Will Hurt a Lot More Than Just Wildlife
The Trump administration’s proposed rollbacks open the door for more drilling, mining, and logging.
Trump Announces Bailout for Farmers Hurt by Trump
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was trying to figure out during a meeting at the White House why the production costs of American farmers keep going up. As it turns out, the answer was literally staring her in the face.
Media Dance Around the Big Story: How, Under Trump, the Rich Run the Country
Why billionaire influence must be an election issue — now.
Rule of Fear: MTG’s ‘60 Minutes’ Interview Shows How Trump Keeps GOP in Line
Donald Trump is often accused of running the government like a mobster operating a protection racket. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) explained what can happen to the president’s most loyal supporters when they dare to defy the Don.
Donald Trump Is America’s First Pirate President
America seems to be getting ready to go to war with Venezuela for ratings and oil.
Heroes and Villains — History Will Be the Ultimate Judge of Trump and MAGA
What will your response be when your grandchildren ask: “What did you do when Donald Trump tried to destroy America?”
Saudi Arabia Emerging as a Global Powerhouse
Rare earth minerals, weapons, consumer goods, and chips join oil as sources of the kingdom’s regional and global leverage.
Trump Wins Consolation Peace Prize Created to Stop Him From Ruining World Cup
In the least surprising event in recorded history, Donald Trump was awarded FIFA’s inaugural “peace prize.”
What If the America We Think We Live in Never Existed?
We’re not one nation split by politics — we’re 11 regional cultures that have been at war since the colonies. And now the divisions are life and death.
Hegseth Does Not Know the Meaning of the Word ‘Exoneration’
Former Fox News morning show host Pete Hegseth claims that an investigation into whether he shared sensitive information in a group chat that included a reporter vindicated his behavior. It did not.
Stephen Miller and Fox News Try to Sell Americans on War Crimes
Stephen Miller would like Americans to believe that standing up for the rule of law is the same thing as siding with terrorists.
California Endures Whipsaw Climate Extremes as Federal Support Withers
Data and aid to fight landslides fueled by bigger fires and intense storms are imperiled under Trump.
Was the Killing of the Two Survivors of US Attack ‘Just’ Murder or a War Crime?
In the disgraceful tradition of My Lai and Abu Ghraib, America again shows the world its dark side.
TN Special Election Ends Up Not Too Close, But Too Close for Comfort for GOP
While the GOP held on to its seat in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, the final result shows that Republicans face considerable political headwinds going into 2026 and will likely lead to a slew of retirement announcements in the coming weeks.
They Do Audits, Don’t They? A Hard Look at What They Say Makes Elections Secure
Given the stakes and given the vulnerabilities of US elections, it’s nuts not to look under the hood. I did — and I haven’t slept well since.
How to Make Data Centers Less Thirsty
There’s a way to reduce both the climate and water harms of data centers: Build them in places with lots of wind and solar energy.
Trump Posts Hundreds of Times in Social Media Bender
Donald Trump went to his happy place Truth Social on Monday night to fire off hundreds of social media posts.
When Birds Move as One — and We Struggle To
In an exhausting time, I find watching these birds restorative. See if you agree.
Trump Says He Wouldn’t Have Wanted a Second Strike on Defenseless Boat Occupants
For now, Donald Trump says he has confidence in Pete Hegseth. But the president also left himself an opening to drop his secretary of defense if a new report turns out to be true that, in an apparent violation of the rules of war, US forces killed defenseless boat occupants after Hegseth ordered them to “kill everybody.”
DC Shooting Offers Trump the Pretext He Was Looking For
Republicans generally ignore gun violence… unless a shooting features the “right” perpetrator/victim combination, in which case they will use isolated incidents to justify sweeping policy changes.
Knowing When to Dismiss Trump’s Ravings Is a High-Wire Tightrope Act
Donald Trump says so many crazy and false things that it is easy to ignore many of his proclamations. But dismissing him as a raving lunatic could have real-life consequences.
Eat, Don’t Talk: Why You Did Not Win That Thanksgiving Argument
If you argued politics at Thanksgiving dinner, hear why decades of research proves you were wasting your breath — and what might actually change minds.
Trump Goes Full White Nationalist in Anti-Immigrant Thanksgiving Rant
In one of his trademark holiday rants, Donald Trump fully embraced white nationalist ideals and once again proved that he has no idea what the United States is all about.
Giving Thanks to Our Readers
Our brand of nonprofit journalism relies on the support of our readers, and this year, we have a lot to be thankful for.
What Catastrophes Get Our Attention, and Why It Matters
When catastrophe becomes celebrity, we stop witnessing and start scrolling, turning suffering into spectacle. But we can break that cycle.
Who Is Steve Witkoff, and Why Is He in Charge of Negotiating Ukraine’s Future?
And who is the mysterious “mutual friend” who got Witkoff to do a favor for a Russian mobster?