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Policy Archive

Archives for August 2016

America’s bail system punishes poor people — even if they’re innocent of any crime
Politics

A new study finds forcing people to pay money to get out of jail leads to more innocent people in prison.

By German Lopez
Culture
Report: hackers have attacked Leslie Jones, releasing nude photos and her addressReport: hackers have attacked Leslie Jones, releasing nude photos and her address
Politics
Big insurers have quit Obamacare. That means more shoppers only get one choice.Big insurers have quit Obamacare. That means more shoppers only get one choice.
Politics

1 in 4 Healthcare.gov counties only have one insurer planning to sell

By Sarah Kliff, Sarah Frostenson and 1 more
America’s bail system is a war on the poor. Let’s get rid of it.
Politics

As a public defender, I see the system’s injustices firsthand.

By Rachel Marshall
Why letting grad students at private universities organize is a big deal
Politics

A new decision could change the labor movement and even college sports.

By Libby Nelson
We took a video tour of a self-driving semi from Otto, Uber’s newest purchase
Technology

What makes this big rig chug along all alone?

By Mark Bergen
Tesla’s new 100 kWH battery makes it the third-fastest accelerating car ever
Technology

A 315-mile range and 0-60 in 2.5 seconds is not too shabby.

By Johana Bhuiyan
The Olympics left Rio with a few improvements. And a frightening police violence problem.
Sports

The victims are mostly young and black. During the games alone, police killed eight people.

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Culture
The Tragically Hip, the band all of Canada is obsessed with, explainedThe Tragically Hip, the band all of Canada is obsessed with, explained
Culture

The country’s most beloved homegrown band has been a radio staple for three solid decades, and they just played their final concert.

By Rachel Sklar
Technology
What am I missing about self-driving cars?What am I missing about self-driving cars?
Technology

Car companies are throwing caution aside and expecting to put thousands of cars on the streets before there has been sufficient testing.

By Phil Baker
Politics
Lillie Harden was Bill Clinton’s welfare reform success story. Welfare reform failed her.Lillie Harden was Bill Clinton’s welfare reform success story. Welfare reform failed her.
Politics

Honoring Harden’s legacy includes recognizing the limits of welfare reform that doesn’t reform what makes welfare necessary.

By Victoria M. Massie
Explainers
Why the police body camera issue isn’t as simple as giving a camera to every copWhy the police body camera issue isn’t as simple as giving a camera to every cop
Play
Explainers

Here’s what we know — and don’t — about the technology.

By German Lopez
Donald Trump and immigration, explained
Explainers

Donald Trump led a revolution on immigration within the GOP. He can’t stop it now.

By Dara Lind and Matthew Yglesias
The Night Of’s creators break down the mysteries of our newest summer TV obsession
Culture

“I sometimes feel like if I didn’t [write movies and TV], I would love to be a detective.”

By Emily St. James
Culture
Rape allegations and an Oscar hopeful: how the attempt to smooth Nate Parker’s past failedRape allegations and an Oscar hopeful: how the attempt to smooth Nate Parker’s past failed
Culture

The Birth of a Nation director is at the center of one of the worst damage control campaigns in Hollywood history.

By Caroline Framke