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 2019

Culture
Syfy’s addictive Deadly Class is like Harry Potter with prison gangs and the YakuzaSyfy’s addictive Deadly Class is like Harry Potter with prison gangs and the Yakuza
Culture

Deadly Class’s stellar young cast can make you forget some of its misfires.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Politics
William Barr paved the way for Trump on immigration. Now he might help Trump go even further.William Barr paved the way for Trump on immigration. Now he might help Trump go even further.
Politics

Barr was building a border wall back in 1991.

By Dara Lind
Technology
Lime, a scooter startup that barely existed two years ago, is now going to be worth $2 billionLime, a scooter startup that barely existed two years ago, is now going to be worth $2 billion
Technology

Lime is expected to take in $400 million in a round financed primarily by its existing investors.

By Theodore Schleifer
Politics
Cory Booker presses William Barr on racism and criminal justiceCory Booker presses William Barr on racism and criminal justice
Politics

Barr has previously said that white and black offenders are treated the same by the criminal justice system.

By Li Zhou
Explainers
6 key takeaways from Bill Barr’s testimony about the Mueller probe so far6 key takeaways from Bill Barr’s testimony about the Mueller probe so far
Explainers

Trump’s AG nominee offered some reassurances — but dodged on other questions.

By Andrew Prokop
Future Perfect
Microcredit was a hugely hyped solution to global poverty. What happened?Microcredit was a hugely hyped solution to global poverty. What happened?
Future Perfect

Studies have shown it hasn’t really lifted people out of poverty. But it’s still made a difference in the lives of the poor.

By Stephanie Wykstra
Politics
The Pentagon extends US troop mission at southern border for 9 more monthsThe Pentagon extends US troop mission at southern border for 9 more months
Politics

The decision comes as President Trump and Democrats still are still fighting over funding for the border wall.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Democrats aren’t saying no to physical barriers on the border. They are saying no to Trump.Democrats aren’t saying no to physical barriers on the border. They are saying no to Trump.
Politics

Why Democrats won’t negotiate with Trump on the wall.

By Tara Golshan
Politics
Mueller’s investigation will dominate Bill Barr’s confirmation hearingMueller’s investigation will dominate Bill Barr’s confirmation hearing
Politics

Trump’s nominee for attorney general will face questions about his past comments and that memo.

By Jen Kirby
Politics
Two federal judges just blocked Trump’s rollback of Obamacare’s birth control mandateTwo federal judges just blocked Trump’s rollback of Obamacare’s birth control mandate
Politics

Last-minute rulings halt the new rules from taking effect nationwide.

By Dylan Scott
Politics
You can now look up charges at your local hospital. Good luck understanding them.You can now look up charges at your local hospital. Good luck understanding them.
Politics

What “2-D ECHO TTE COMP NO CONTRST” tells you about modern health care.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
Rhode Island’s governor will propose legalizing marijuanaRhode Island’s governor will propose legalizing marijuana
Politics

The state would join several of its New England neighbors, which have already legalized or are considering it.

By German Lopez
What Alex Berenson’s new book gets wrong about marijuana, psychosis, and violence
Future Perfect

The book, Tell Your Children, has received a lot of media attention, but it’s essentially Reefer Madness 2.0.

By German Lopez
Money
Transportation experts see Uber and Lyft as the future. But rural communities still don’t use them.Transportation experts see Uber and Lyft as the future. But rural communities still don’t use them.
Money

Only 19 percent of Americans in rural areas use ride-hailing apps.

By Aditi Shrikant
Politics
Trump’s Hannity interview reveals a president out of touch with realityTrump’s Hannity interview reveals a president out of touch with reality
Politics

He can’t explain what he’s trying to do or why.

By Matthew Yglesias