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We may never see police accountability in the Texas school shooting. This is why | Opinion
By Matthew T. Mangino The first 911 call from Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas came at 12:03 pm. on May 24. Seventy-eight minutes later, a U.S. Border Patrol tactical team killed the 18-year-old gunman, who had by that time, killed 19 children and two adults. A teacher, Eva Mireles, spoke to her husband, an […]
Should we protect nature for its own sake? For its economic value? Because it makes us happy? Yes
By Bradley J. Cardinale As spring phases into summer in North America, with trees flowering and birds migrating, nature seems abundant. In fact, however, the Earth is losing animals, birds, reptiles and other living things so fast that some scientists believe the planet is entering the sixth mass extinction in its history. This fall, the […]
OSHA requires JBS to implement disease preparedness measures at seven plants
By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requiring JBS, one of the largest meatpacking companies in the country, to take steps to prevent future disease outbreaks at seven of its plants. The settlement announced Friday signals the resolution of two OSHA citations issued to JBS for failing to protect workers from the […]
In Midwestern schools, LGBTQ teachers face discrimination, hate and their own fears
By Ferial Pearson The national debate about LGBTQ issues in schools has come to the Midwest. In the wake of the passage of Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” law, more than a dozen other states – including Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee and Ohio – have proposed similar legislation aimed at limiting how teachers discuss topics of […]
What veterans’ poems can teach us about healing on Memorial Day
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a column originally published in 2017. By James Dubinsky Memorial Day, a national holiday to honor the 1.17 million men and women who have died to create and maintain the freedoms outlined in our Constitution, is not the only Memorial Day. The holiday emerged from the Civil […]
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 […]