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Policy Archive

Archives for December 2016

Politics
Was the warrant the FBI used for its final Clinton investigation unjustified?Was the warrant the FBI used for its final Clinton investigation unjustified?
Politics

Several lawyers think the answer is no — and that will only make liberals more furious at the FBI.

By Jeff Stein
Politics
How America fails to learn from its racist history, in 2 paragraphsHow America fails to learn from its racist history, in 2 paragraphs
Play
Politics

Germans are taught that their historical horrors were collective failures. Americans, on the other hand…

By German Lopez
Politics
2016 might have been the second bad year in a row for murder in America’s major cities2016 might have been the second bad year in a row for murder in America’s major cities
Play
Politics

A new report looks at crime trends for some of the US’s largest cities. There’s bad news.

By German Lopez
Health Care
From condoms to defibrillators, the best stuff you can buy with leftover FSA dollarsFrom condoms to defibrillators, the best stuff you can buy with leftover FSA dollars
Health Care

Who is excited to purchase tons and tons of ibuprofen?!

By Sarah Kliff
The Big Idea
Republicans are about to learn just how much Americans hate health insurance changesRepublicans are about to learn just how much Americans hate health insurance changes
The Big Idea

They confront some of the same forces that bedeviled President Barack Obama’s reforms.

By Jon Kingsdale
Politics
We visited one of America’s sickest counties. We’re afraid it’s about to get worse.We visited one of America’s sickest counties. We’re afraid it’s about to get worse.
Politics

Concordia, Louisiana, has long been forgotten by Washington.

By Julia Belluz
Explainers
Why the Stanford sexual assault case has become a national flashpoint, explainedWhy the Stanford sexual assault case has become a national flashpoint, explained
Explainers

Brock Turner was sentenced to six months in county jail and three years’ probation for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.

By Tara Golshan
Syria
How people outside Syria can think about helping SyriansHow people outside Syria can think about helping Syrians
Syria

Ten ways to respond to the crisis in Aleppo.

By Rayya El Zein
Politics
How Donald Trump could defund blue AmericaHow Donald Trump could defund blue America
Politics

Democratic mayors are spoiling for a fight with Trump over “sanctuary cities.” They might regret it.

By Dara Lind
Technology
Elon Musk’s latest plan is to dig underground tunnels to avoid traffic jamsElon Musk’s latest plan is to dig underground tunnels to avoid traffic jams
Technology

It’s called The Boring Company.

By April Glaser
Politics
Colorado is exploring how to keep its Obamacare marketplace after Obamacare repealColorado is exploring how to keep its Obamacare marketplace after Obamacare repeal
Politics

An inventive plan to save a crucial part of the Affordable Care Act.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
North Carolina Republicans’ shocking power grab, explainedNorth Carolina Republicans’ shocking power grab, explained
Politics

Democrats nationwide should be worried about what North Carolina’s Republicans are doing in response to Roy Cooper’s gubernatorial win.

By Tara Golshan
Politics
What a lot of people get wrong about the infamous 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuitWhat a lot of people get wrong about the infamous 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit
Politics

Adam Ruins Everything explains that the case wasn’t about greed, but about a working-class woman forcing a big company to make its product safer.

By German Lopez
Health Care
Study: Obamacare repeal means a $197,000 tax cut for the 0.1 percentStudy: Obamacare repeal means a $197,000 tax cut for the 0.1 percent
Health Care

The Obamacare repeal debate isn’t just about health coverage.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
Obama has blocked states from defunding Planned Parenthood — for now, at leastObama has blocked states from defunding Planned Parenthood — for now, at least
Politics

Better late than never?

By Emily Crockett