Fly Me to the Moon: A Few Small Cells, One Giant Leap for Biodiversity
A group of scientists reaches for the stars and proposes an innovative way to secure Earth’s dwindling biodiversity in the midst of increasing extinction rates.
Recent Stories
House of Horrors II: Trump & Musk Edition
House Republicans will be ruled by chaos, self-promotion, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump. That means the upcoming two years could either be highly entertaining or terrifying.
Trump Has a Bad Week as Losses Pile Up
Following a week of disappointments, the president-elect tried to salvage his dignity by threatening Panama.
Democrats Bail Out Johnson; Musk More Effective than Trump
Thanks to House Democrats, Congress is poised to avert a government shutdown by the midnight deadline. Elon Musk got what he wanted, Donald Trump did not.
Russian General’s Assassination Points to Cracks in Moscow’s Security System
Following the assassination of Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the most important questions are: How did the Ukrainians do it, and how will Vladimir Putin respond?
If Americans Allow Themselves to Be Gaslit on Looming Shutdown, All Is Lost
Republicans are determined to blame Democrats for a government shutdown that, should it take place, will be entirely of their own making.
House GOP Strips Its Dignity and Integrity From Continuing Resolution
House Republicans have gotten themselves into a mess and once again embarrassed and humiliated themselves in the process.
WhoWhatWhy’s Top Podcasts of 2024 — Part 1
This year, podcasts didn’t just capture the conversation—they drove it. They became the soundtrack of discovery shaping how we see the world.
Only in America: Perspectives on the Murder of a Health Care CEO
Travellers from abroad share their thoughts on American health care from the hostel where Luigi Mangione stayed.
On the Horizon: Nature’s Top Emerging Threats and Opportunities
Melting glaciers, plant genetics, protection from forever chemicals, and more: An annual look at the conservation horizon reveals priorities for the years ahead.
Get Ready for the Holidays. Take Care of Others, Take Care of Yourself
As the time flies by before the holidays hit, it can be hard to look beyond your own daily tasks, but taking the time to do small things for your community will make a big difference.
Sinema Hit With FEC Complaint on Day of Farewell Address
A government watchdog group alleges that outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) spent more than $100,000 in campaign funds on her personal travel and entertainment after declaring that she would not run for reelection.
Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy a Second Branch of Government
Elon Musk said Wednesday that every member of Congress who votes for the CR should be voted out in two years. That raises the question of how much power an unelected billionaire should have.
Privacy in Pieces: States Scramble to Protect Data as Congress Dithers
As the United States federal government slowly attempts to pass nation-wide data privacy legislation, certain states have forged their own legislation. But this has left more than half of Americans with little data protection, if any.
A Guide to (Not) Covering School Shootings
A day after a 15-year-old girl killed a fellow student and a teacher, the country has already largely moved on.
Folk Songs for Street Murder
CEO shooter Luigi Mangione gets the Woody Guthrie treatment.
The Breath of Colonialism Continues to Taint the Air in Uganda
Potentially harmful air quality in Kampala, Uganda, follows the borders of segregated settlements from Africa’s colonial era.
Syria: A Historical Perspective
What comes next will be a new phase in the Pan-Arab search for identity.
Judge in NY Hush Money Case Rules Trump Remains a Felon… for Now
A New York judge ruled on Monday that Donald Trump’s conviction in his hush money trial will stand — for now.
The Trump Playbook: Taking Victory Laps After Brutal Defeats
No matter how bad reality makes him look, Donald Trump has mastered the art of pretending that defeats are victories.
Will Greed Also Be on Trial When Mangione Faces His Murder Charge?
The last thing that billionaires and the executives of major corporations want Americans to talk about is how C-suite greed impacts regular people. When Luigi Mangione goes on trial, there may be no way around having that conversation.
Donald Trump Knows More About Cryptocurrency Than Anybody
The president-elect was courted by crypto investors to become the father of the American Bitcoin Reserve, which is designed to take prices for Bitcoin to the next level.
The Trump Clown Show Is Back in Town
Americans may have forgotten just how disorganized and crazy things were when Donald Trump was president. Here is a brief reminder… with much more to come once he is sworn in.
How Clashing Teams of Political Strategists Remade the Democratic Party
Democrats once counted on the votes of blue-collar workers, but two rival teams of consultants saw change coming. Their fight over the party’s future still echoes today.
In a Hectic Season, How Do We Make a Difference Without Sacrificing Our Sanity?
Looking to come together over something positive? Just pick one small, manageable thing a day. Here’s a starter list.
JD Vance Apparently Does Not Want FBI to Infiltrate Domestic Terrorist Groups
An internal Department of Justice investigation showed that there were no undercover FBI agents in the crowd on January 6, thereby disproving a MAGA conspiracy theory. Of course, JD Vance had a different take.
Not-so Secret Handshake: Nancy Mace Creates Another Moment
You have to (carefully) hand it to Nancy Mace: She knows how to create drama.
Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron: A Short Study in Contrasts
And the contrasts are beyond embarrassing.
Maine and a Kansas County Take Big Oil to Court
State and local governments continue to turn to the courts for accountability as Big Oil’s federal takeover looms.
Wray Lets Trump Off the Hook, Will Resign as FBI Director Next Year
FBI Director Christopher Wray might think that he is doing the noble thing by resigning his position, but the right move would have been to make Donald Trump fire him.
House Republicans Place Large Order for Trump Fragrance
House Republicans decided to start Donald Trump’s second term with a gift: They will funnel tens of thousands of dollars into his presidential pockets by holding their January retreat at Trump Doral.
How to Donate to a Climate Action Organization
These tips will help you navigate environmental nonprofit giving like a pro.
Democrats Should Try to Bait Confused Trump to Abandon the Electoral College
Though he has lost the popular vote in two out of three electoral bids, Donald Trump accused Democrats on Monday of “fighting hard to get rid of the Popular Vote.”
Trump’s Election, Assad’s Fall Bode Well for China’s Bid to Take Over the World
With the two traditional superpowers either unwilling or unable to exert their influence across the globe, there is an opening for China.
When You’ll Really Hate Trump’s Billionaires: Welcome to Customer Service Hell
Here comes the petty tyranny of the corporate state.
Lies, Ignorance, and Insanity — Trump Is Back
An interview with Donald Trump on Sunday should serve as a reminder that he is unfit for office.
Qu’ils Mangent les Riches — Let Them Eat the Rich
Are Americans ready to come together and fight their real enemy: greed?
Donald Trump’s Billionaires Are Making Crazy Cost-Cutting Proposals
The Trump transition team has chosen at least eight billionaires to fill top posts in the new administration.
Tweets Aren’t Journalism, X Isn’t a News Site, and Elon Musk Is an Idiot
If users of the social media platform X really “are the media now,” as Elon Musk claims, then its owner would qualify as the worst journalist of all time.
Ukraine Ponders What’s Next
Time is running out for Kyiv. When Trump takes over in January, will he force Ukraine to accept a ceasefire on Putin’s terms?
Don’t Ever Change
In the wake of the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, billionaires are taking stock.
Another GOP Conspiracy Theory Bites the Dust
Before the election, Donald Trump suggested that the Department of Labor is fudging unemployment figures. It’s one of his most ridiculous conspiracy theories.
Red vs. Blue America: Federalism in the Fight Against Autocracy
From civil rights foe to progressive hope: How states’ rights flipped from a conservative weapon to a liberal shield to protect democracy.
Shooting Robber Barons Is Obviously Not the Solution
The murder of a health insurance executive sparked a passionate response. Will it spark something else?
Republicans Vowed to Save Costs; Their Inaction Would Cause Premiums to Go Up
Unless Republicans decide to extend a tax credit that makes health insurance more affordable for middle-class Americans, they will see premiums go up by more than 7 percent for most of the coming decade.
Trump Has Vowed to Kill Offshore Wind Energy — But It Might Not Be Easy
A giant wind farm off the Louisiana coast will be hard to derail.