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In an unprecedented economic recovery, why are we only talking about inflation?
By Mark Copelovitch The latest jobs report shows that the U.S. economy continues its rapid recovery from the pandemic crisis. Employers added 428,000 new jobs in April, continuing a now-year-long streak of similarly strong job growth. After surging to a post-World War II high of 14.7% in 2020, unemployment is now down to 3.6%, the […]
What’s behind the U.S. infant formula shortage – and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again
By Steven A. Abrams Editor’s note: A baby formula shortage has added to the woes of American parents already confronted with the pressures of raising an infant during a pandemic in a country ranked low for family-friendly policies. Media reports have highlighted the plight of mothers, fathers and caregivers across the U.S. who have scrambled […]
Two views: Should a football coach pray in public?
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When are book bans unconstitutional? A First Amendment scholar explains
By Erica Goldberg The United States has become a nation divided over important issues in K-12 education, including which books students should be able to read in public school. Efforts to ban books from school curricula, remove books from libraries and keep lists of books that some find inappropriate for students are increasing as Americans […]
How race and religion have always played a role in who gets refuge in the U.S.
By Laura E. Alexander, Jane Hong, Karen Hooge Michalka and Luis A. Romero In the weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have fled the country as refugees. Hundreds of those refugees have now arrived at the southern border of the United States seeking asylum, after flying to Mexico on tourist visas. At the […]
No, actually, book bans don’t sell books | Opinion
By Andrew Karre “Bans sell books.” You don’t have to go far online to find that bit of conventional wisdom. For example, today my delightfully bookish Twitter feed showed me Upton Sinclair’s thoughts on the matter from 1927. And in my two decades in book publishing, I’ve repeated variations on the theme many times. “Bans […]
Sacred hares, banished winter witches and pagan worship – the roots of Easter Bunny traditions are ancient
By Tok Thompson The Easter Bunny is a much celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter Bunny might have left behind. As a folklorist, I’m aware of the origins of the long and interesting journey this mythical figure has taken […]
The Butchers of Bucha will never face justice. That’s the lesson of history | Opinion
By Karl Qualls Don’t be fooled by the righteous indignation of politicians decrying the slaughter of civilians in Ukraine. They pledge greater sanctions and diplomatic aid, and they even promise war crimes trials. But there will be no justice. Evidence is being collected and a series of trials will likely take place, but what we […]
Why the Fed can’t stop prices from going up anytime soon – but may have more luck over the long term
By Jeffery S. Bredthauer The Federal Reserve has begun its most challenging inflation-fighting campaign in four decades. And a lot is at stake for consumers, companies and the U.S. economy. On March 16, 2022, the Fed raised its target interest rate by a quarter point – to a range of 0.25% to 0.5% – the […]
MLB’s new collective bargaining agreement fails to address players’ biggest grievances
By Victor Matheson “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball,” second baseman Rogers Hornsby once said. “I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” For a while, it was looking like the start of spring would come and go without any baseball on […]
America’s cost of ‘defending freedom’ in Ukraine: Higher food and gas prices and an increased risk of recession
By William Hauk Americans may be tempted to view the war in Ukraine as an unfortunate, but far away, crisis. As an economist, I know the world is too connected for the U.S. to go unaffected. On Feb. 22, 2022, President Joe Biden warned Americans that a Russian invasion of Ukraine – and U.S. efforts […]
Where are all the substitute teachers?
By Suzanne McLeod and Lawrence Dake As a result of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, many school districts across the country are finding themselves short of teachers, who are quitting, getting sick or even dying. Some schools have even called on parents to step in to provide adult supervision in classrooms. In New Mexico, […]