Politics
The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance
The shutdown – and the House’s inaction – helps pave Congress’ path to irrelevance The US Congress has been in recess for over 40 days due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, with no votes being held and Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to swear in newly elected Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva. Despite having a constitutional role […]
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It’s always been hard to make it as an artist in America – and it’s becoming only harder
It’s always been hard to make it as an artist in America – and it’s becoming only harder The United States has a significant number of artists (2.4 million or 1% of the workforce), but they often face volatile income, limited benefits, and few protections against technological or market shocks. The current labor policies in […]
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AI-generated campaign ad in South Western school board race raises questions about misinformation
AI-generated campaign ad in South Western school board race raises questions about misinformation A political ad generated with AI is sparking questions about misinformation in a South Western City Schools board race. The ad was created using artificial intelligence and has been shared on YouTube. The use of AI-generated content raises concerns about the authenticity […]
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Voters lose when maps get redrawn before every election instead of once a decade − a trend started in Texas, moving to California and likely spreading across the country
Voters lose when maps get redrawn before every election instead of once a decade − a trend started in Texas, moving to California and likely spreading across the country Voters are losing control over their elected representatives as states redraw congressional districts mid-decade to gain an advantage in elections, sparking a “Redistricting War” between Democrats […]
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Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting
Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are set to meet on October 30, 2025, six years after their last meeting, with trade, Taiwan, and Russia still at the top of the agenda. The US has softened […]
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Why the Trump administration’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups doesn’t track
Why the Trump administration’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups doesn’t track Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s comparison of antifa to violent terrorist groups like MS-13, Hamas, and the Islamic State group is inaccurate and ignores crucial distinctions in ideology, organization, and scope. The Trump administration’s executive order designating antifa as a “domestic terrorist […]
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Why are 4.7 million Floridians insured through ACA marketplace plans, and what happens if they lose their subsidies?
Why are 4.7 million Floridians insured through ACA marketplace plans, and what happens if they lose their subsidies? 4.7 million Floridians rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans for health insurance, representing 27% of the state’s under-65 population. The ACA expanded access to affordable health insurance through three strategies: fines, Medicaid expansion, and subsidies […]
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What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself
What both sides of America’s polarized divide share: Deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself Existential anxiety is a common fear shared by both sides of America’s polarized divide, rooted in deep anxieties about the meaning of life and existence itself. Research suggests that existential anxiety is associated with indicators of poor […]
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US leaders view China as a ‘pacing threat’ − has Washington enough stamina to last the race?
US leaders view China as a ‘pacing threat’ − has Washington enough stamina to last the race? US leaders view China as a “pacing threat,” meaning it’s a rising power that directly challenges the US’ global position and sets the tempo of competition. The concept of a pacing threat reorients the US defense establishment around […]
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Trump’s ‘golden age’ economic message undercut by his desire for much lower interest rates – which typically signal a weak jobs market
Trump’s ‘golden age’ economic message undercut by his desire for much lower interest rates – which typically signal a weak jobs market President Donald Trump claims the US economy has entered a “golden age,” but his desire for lower interest rates contradicts this message, as lower rates typically signal a weak jobs market. Trump’s nominee […]
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Trump’s anti-Venezuela actions lack strategy, justifiable targets and legal authorization
Trump’s anti-Venezuela actions lack strategy, justifiable targets and legal authorization President Trump’s administration has carried out military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing 43 people and destroying alleged drug smuggling vessels, but lacks a clear strategy or legal authorization for the actions. The strikes have been criticized as extrajudicial killings, […]
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The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing
The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant housing policy reflects a long history of xenophobia in public housing, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s when far-right groups like Gerald L.K. Smith advocated for banning immigrants from U.S. housing programs. Research shows that […]
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Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce
Polarizing political events are leading Americans to increasingly call for a national divorce Polarization in American politics has reached a boiling point, with 64% of Americans believing the country is too divided to solve its problems, up from 42% in 2020. The idea of a national divorce, where America splits into two separate countries along […]
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More than 40 years after police killed Eleanor Bumpurs in her Bronx apartment, people still #sayhername
More than 40 years after police killed Eleanor Bumpurs in her Bronx apartment, people still #sayhername Eleanor Bumpurs, a 66-year-old Black woman with mental health problems, was killed by police in her Bronx apartment on October 29, 1984, sparking widespread outrage and calls for reform. The incident highlighted the need for better training on how […]
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Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West
Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West Russia has been using the term “Anglo-Saxons” to describe Western adversaries, particularly the US and UK, as a way to justify its invasion of Ukraine and smear its perceived enemies. The term was first used by Russian officials in […]
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When it comes to Ukraine peace negotiations, it’s all over the map
When it comes to Ukraine peace negotiations, it’s all over the map Donald Trump reportedly “tossed aside” Ukrainian delegation maps during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, indicating a significant misalignment in their understanding of the conflict’s territorial dynamics. The use of maps in peace negotiations is crucial, as they can […]
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Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power
Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power The deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump to cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago has reignited a 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power, specifically regarding the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment’s language suggests that powers not delegated […]
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The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis Latin America played a crucial role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis, contrary to the standard U.S.-centric narrative that portrays President John F. Kennedy as the sole hero who saved the world from nuclear war. The Organization of […]
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King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality The White House’s social media strategy under Trump blurs the lines between politics and entertainment, using melodramatic and theatrical language to appeal to his base. The White House often releases AI-generated images of Trump in various roles, […]
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James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case
James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case, as they must demonstrate that he was singled out for prosecution for something others have done without being prosecuted. The prosecution […]
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Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves
Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves Conservative groups are launching attacks on teaching about gender in colleges and universities, which they claim is an ideology that empowers people to think for themselves. However, experts argue that this is part of a larger […]
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Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics
Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics Donald Trump’s administration is using architecture and heritage as tools of ideology and control to project power, shape national identity, and erase inclusive historical narratives. The Trump administration has issued executive orders declaring classical and traditional architectural styles the “preferred” design […]
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Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships
Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships Pennsylvania is facing a double crisis due to its ongoing budget impasse and the federal government shutdown, affecting residents’ hardships. The state has been without a budget for over 100 days, making it the only state currently operating without a budget, while counties, […]
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Trump mocks ‘No Kings’ protests with shocking AI videos
Trump mocks ‘No Kings’ protests with shocking AI videos President Donald Trump remained quiet during the “No Kings” protests on October 18th, where nearly 7 million demonstrators took part. The protests were against Trump’s administration, with protesters calling for an end to monarchies and royal titles. Despite his silence, Trump posted several AI-generated videos on […]
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Pharaohs in Dixieland – how 19th-century America reimagined Egypt to justify racism and slavery
Pharaohs in Dixieland – how 19th-century America reimagined Egypt to justify racism and slavery 19th-century America reimagined ancient Egypt to justify racism and slavery, particularly in the slaveholding South. The founders of Memphis, Tennessee, named their city after the ancient Egyptian capital, hoping to create a prosperous society sustained by enslaved labor. Pro-slavery thinkers like […]
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Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength
Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength Research suggests that some people consider it a “win” to endorse easily disproven claims, prioritizing symbolic strength over factual accuracy. The study found that this mindset was strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs in conspiracy theories and support […]
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When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks
When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks The 2025 government shutdown has become a messaging war, with official government communications, including website banners and automated responses, denouncing “Senate Democrats” or “the Radical Left” for closing the government. The Hatch Act, a 1939 statute that limits partisan […]
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What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics Public colleges and universities have limited First Amendment rights compared to private institutions, meaning they can discipline employees for their speech more easily. The First Amendment only protects public employees’ speech when it’s about a “matter of public concern” or […]
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The real reason conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s forthcoming Super Bowl performance
The real reason conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s forthcoming Super Bowl performance Conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance because he has endorsed Kamala Harris for president, has a gender-bending wardrobe, and has slammed the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. Bad Bunny’s decision to avoid performing on the U.S. mainland due to fears […]
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The limits of free speech protections in American broadcasting
The limits of free speech protections in American broadcasting The FCC’s power to regulate broadcasting is rooted in its authority to license stations “in the public interest, convenience, or necessity,” which has been upheld by the Supreme Court since 1943. The FCC’s expansive powers were established in the landmark case National Broadcasting Co. v. United […]
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