Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Policy Archive

Archives for January 2016

Criminal Justice
Ex-cop Daniel Holtzclaw was just sentenced to 263 years in prison for raping black womenEx-cop Daniel Holtzclaw was just sentenced to 263 years in prison for raping black women
Criminal Justice

The 13 women who came forward against Holtzclaw thought nobody would believe them.

By Emily Crockett and Michelle Garcia
Politics
One big problem with Medicare for all: Medicare coverage isn’t that greatOne big problem with Medicare for all: Medicare coverage isn’t that great
Politics

If we really did extend Medicare to cover all Americans, a lot of people would likely find themselves quite disappointed with the benefits.

By Sarah Kliff
Health Care
Here’s what happened to women after a new law closed half of Texas’s abortion clinicsHere’s what happened to women after a new law closed half of Texas’s abortion clinics
Health Care

“The process just seemed so cruel.”

By Emily Crockett
Culture
Netflix’s Making a Murderer: the internet loves a mystery it can’t solveNetflix’s Making a Murderer: the internet loves a mystery it can’t solve
Culture

If you want a show that’s tailor-made for the internet, it’s Making a Murderer.

By Alex Abad-Santos
I had a miscarriage, and it forced me to rethink everything I believed about abortion
Features

The loneliness of being a pro-choice woman mourning the loss of a pregnancy.

By Julia Pelly
Culture
Making a Murderer’s creators have finally responded to criticisms of missing evidenceMaking a Murderer’s creators have finally responded to criticisms of missing evidence
Politics
Bernie Sanders’s plan to break up the banks, explainedBernie Sanders’s plan to break up the banks, explained
Politics

It probably won’t work, but it highlights one of his biggest differences with Hillary Clinton.

By Matthew Yglesias
Technology
General Motors Has a New Subsidiary: Introducing Maven, Its Car-Sharing CompanyGeneral Motors Has a New Subsidiary: Introducing Maven, Its Car-Sharing Company
Technology

Maven will be mixing some new and old GM projects.

By Noah Kulwin
Criminal Justice
Lawyer of man who threatened Muslims: Fox News made him do itLawyer of man who threatened Muslims: Fox News made him do it
Criminal Justice
By Amanda Taub
Explainers
Why Bernie Sanders is fighting with Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights CampaignWhy Bernie Sanders is fighting with Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign
Explainers

A new dustup over who is “the establishment” shows the divide between Clinton and Sanders on identity politics.

By Emily Crockett
Politics
Bernie Sanders stood up for gay soldiers — 16 years before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” endedBernie Sanders stood up for gay soldiers — 16 years before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ended
Politics

“You have insulted thousands of men and women who have put their lives on the line.”

By German Lopez
Explainers
Why violent crime increased in the first 6 months of 2015Why violent crime increased in the first 6 months of 2015
Explainers

There are a few possible explanations.

By German Lopez
Politics
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder takes responsibility for Flint’s water crisis: “I let you down”Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder takes responsibility for Flint’s water crisis: “I let you down”
Politics

Bernie Sanders had called for Snyder to resign. “Government failed you,” the governor told Flint’s residents.

By Libby Nelson
Climate
Flint, Michigan, tried to save money on water. Now its children have lead poisoning.Flint, Michigan, tried to save money on water. Now its children have lead poisoning.
Climate

The effects of this preventable tragedy will last a lifetime.

By Libby Nelson
Criminal Justice
This paragraph on a black kindergartner’s view of the world is absolutely crushingThis paragraph on a black kindergartner’s view of the world is absolutely crushing
Criminal Justice

But it also tells a very important truth.

By German Lopez