Insights

The Legacy of the Voting Rights Act in Today’s Courts
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 remains one of the most important federal civil rights laws in American history. It was created to confront racial discrimination…
How the National Debt Affects Your Daily Life
The national debt can sound like a distant figure discussed in Washington, but its effects can reach ordinary households through prices, borrowing costs,…
How Key US States Are Replacing Coal With Renewable Energy
The American power sector is undergoing a major transformation as coal-fired plants retire and wind, solar, battery storage, and natural gas take larger roles.…
Why Space Is Becoming Central To National Security
For decades, space exploration was presented mainly as a contest of scientific achievement and national prestige. Today, the orbital environment has become…
The Ethics of Political Fundraising Through Super PACs
Political fundraising has become a central force in modern elections, shaping which candidates gain visibility, which issues dominate debate, and how voters…
How Fast Food Companies Are Responding to Minimum Wage Hikes
Minimum wage increases are changing the economics of quick-service restaurants. Higher pay can improve recruitment and retention, but it also raises operating…
How Incarceration Shapes Voting Rights in America
The relationship between incarceration and voting is a defining issue in American democracy. A criminal conviction can affect a person’s ability to cast a…
Why State Politics Is Disappearing From Local News
State legislatures make decisions about education, healthcare, taxes, housing, transportation, public safety, and environmental rules. Yet the reporters…
What a global plastic pollution treaty could change
Plastic waste has become a worldwide environmental and public health problem. Packaging, fishing gear, synthetic textiles, and disposable products move through…
How the vice president can decide a Senate vote
The vice president has a distinctive role in the United States Senate: serving as its presiding officer while voting only when senators are evenly divided.…