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 August 2019

Politics
A woman says her cries for help were ignored as she gave birth in jail. Her story is one of many.A woman says her cries for help were ignored as she gave birth in jail. Her story is one of many.
Politics

Diana Sanchez’s federal lawsuit in Denver is part of a much larger issue facing incarcerated women.

By P.R. Lockhart
These women survived abuse and assault. Now they’re behind bars. Should they be?
Politics

The case of Cyntoia Brown has sparked a national reassessment of the ways the criminal justice system deals with survivors of abuse.

By Char Adams
Technology
Scooters may be a better business than Uber or Lyft, says Lime president Joe KrausScooters may be a better business than Uber or Lyft, says Lime president Joe Kraus
Podcast
Technology

On the latest episode of Recode Decode, Kraus says the rocky debuts of the ride-hailing giants on Wall Street have not scared Lime away from an eventual IPO.

By Eric Johnson
Politics
Obria, the anti-abortion group that’s tapping into “wellness” culture, explainedObria, the anti-abortion group that’s tapping into “wellness” culture, explained
Politics

The group is hoping to win over millennials — and replace Planned Parenthood.

By Anna North
Politics
Can Democrats running for president save a journalism industry in crisis?Can Democrats running for president save a journalism industry in crisis?
Politics

Bernie Sanders unveiled his big plan to save journalism, expanding on ideas Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Andrew Yang have put out.

By Tara Golshan and Ella Nilsen
Criminal Justice
Black children are being killed in St. Louis. Their deaths are going unsolved.Black children are being killed in St. Louis. Their deaths are going unsolved.
Criminal Justice

At least a dozen black children have been shot and killed in the city since April. Their deaths are part of a larger problem.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
The Catch-22 for labor unions enjoying newfound public supportThe Catch-22 for labor unions enjoying newfound public support
Politics

Public support for unions is high. But that doesn’t necessarily help unions grow.

By Dylan Scott
Technology
The world’s biggest women’s tech conference just dropped Palantir as a sponsorThe world’s biggest women’s tech conference just dropped Palantir as a sponsor
Technology

It’s the third time in recent months an outside group has severed ties with Palantir over its controversial work for ICE.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Criminal Justice
The officer who used a chokehold on Eric Garner was fired. But the case is far from settled.The officer who used a chokehold on Eric Garner was fired. But the case is far from settled.
Criminal Justice

The ongoing fallout from the NYPD commissioner’s recent decision to fire Daniel Pantaleo, explained.

By P.R. Lockhart
Culture
Meek Mill’s decade-long probation showed how broken America’s justice system isMeek Mill’s decade-long probation showed how broken America’s justice system is
Culture

The Philadelphia rapper had been caught in America’s probation system for years. On Tuesday, his case finally came to an end.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
Missouri’s 8-week abortion ban blocked by courtMissouri’s 8-week abortion ban blocked by court
Politics

The restrictive law will not go into effect, for now.

By Anna North
Do plastic bag taxes or bans curb waste? 400 cities and states tried it out.
Politics

And will it work for plastic straws?

By Matthew Zeitlin
4 Senate Dems shaping the future of health policy explain what they’re thinking
Politics

Behind the scenes, a rough consensus is emerging on the Senate committee that will write the next health reform bill.

By Ezra Klein
How history textbooks reflect America’s refusal to reckon with slavery
Explainers

Textbooks have been slow to incorporate black humanity in their slavery narratives. And they still have a long way to go.

By Cynthia Greenlee
The woman who helped change how America thinks about the death penalty is not done yet
The Highlight

Sister Helen Prejean’s Dead Man Walking was a milestone. Now she’s talking about the justice system, sexism in the church, and more.

By Hope Reese