There was a time in the United States-not that long ago-when local newspapers played an undisputed positive role in holding people in authority to account. ProPublica editor and reporter Daniel Golden practices his craft in that great tradition.

It has been argued that rights denied of anyone diminish the freedom of us all. UCLA law scholar Brad Sears studies the discrimination that has targeted members of the LGBTQ community as well as those living with HIV, and warns us that our collective liberty is at risk.

There is a crisis of loneliness in the United States-it began before the pandemic and it has only gotten worse. Author Tara Isabella Burton explores the risks people will take to find belonging, to find purpose, and to find love in her book, "Here in Avalon."

Disinformation isn't new, but Freedom House researcher Allie Funk warns that over the last year, 16 governments have deployed generative artificial intelligence to smear opponents, blur the truth, and shape political debate.

It's easy to look at American politics, now, and find individuals for whom loyalty to party or an individual leader is the only thing that matters. But historian Richard Aldous tells us of another time when service to the nation was the highest service in public life.

In recent years, commentators and gadflies have looked at American presidents and, based on age and, sometimes, politics, called for the invocation of the 25th amendment to remove the president from office. Constitutional scholar John Feerick helped write the 25th amendment and shines a light on its provisions and the intentions of its framers.

In honor of Black History Month, Brown University historian Francoise N. Hamlin discusses what African Americans have to celebrate and the challenges that remain.

It's easy to listen to the news and conclude that things have never been more fraught. Cultural historian Kliph Nesteroff argues just the opposite, explaining that throughout American history, women, minorities, and others have always had to fight an array of powerful forces arrayed against them.

The Academy Awards is Hollywood's annual night-of-nights. Pete Hammond, Deadline's Awards Columnist and Chief Film Critic, helps us take stock of the film industry and the films singled out for their powerful storytelling this year.

In his new book GHOSTS OF IRON MOUNTAIN, author and journalist Phil In his new book GHOSTS OF IRON MOUNTAIN, author and journalist Phil Tinline documents the lasting effects of a hoax concocted in the U.S. Tinline documents the lasting effects of a hoax concocted in the U.S. in the 1960s that set the stage for conspiracy theories still shaping in the 1960s that set the stage for conspiracy theories still shaping American politics today. American politics today.

Dr. Cornelia Griggs, a surgeon, was completing her fellowship at a New York City hospital when the COVID pandemic began. Her new book, "The Sky Was Falling," chronicles that devastating time in 2020.

We take for granted that the "immigrant experience" is part of the American story. But in an epic new history, Daniel Schulman tells the story of the Jewish immigrants who built some of America's biggest financial institutions and transformed America.

Award-winning veteran journalists Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy discuss the way forward for the Fourth Estate and outline its role in preserving democracy in their book "What Works in Community News."

Scholars of 20th century authoritarianism have been sounding the alarm about disturbing trends in Western democracy. Yale University historian Timothy Snyder explains the threat of tyranny today.

Five years ago, we were in the thick of the pandemic--with the bulk Five years ago, we were in the thick of the pandemic--with the bulk of the sickness and dying still to come. Now, the U.S. federal of the sickness and dying still to come. Now, the U.S. federal government is poised to slash spending on public health, as well as government is poised to slash spending on public health, as well as basic research in science, healthcare, and more. Physician and public basic research in science, healthcare, and more. Physician and public health leader Dr. Ashish Jha helps us make sense of it all. health leader Dr. Ashish Jha helps us make sense of it all.

In her new book, "Blood Sisters," best-selling Native American author Vanessa Lillie explores missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Public education in the United States has a long and varied history. Author Laura Pappano says the challenges it faces now from parent-activists and partisan politics is unlike anything American schools have ever seen.

The history of humanity is the history of individuals making The history of humanity is the history of individuals making decisions - sometimes collectively, sometimes individually. New decisions - sometimes collectively, sometimes individually. New artificial intelligence brings a new player into the mix: machines artificial intelligence brings a new player into the mix: machines capable of making decisions alongside or instead of their human capable of making decisions alongside or instead of their human counterparts. Salve Regina University professor Sean O'Callaghan and counterparts. Salve Regina University professor Sean O'Callaghan and Samford University professor Paul A. Hoffman grapple with the Samford University professor Paul A. Hoffman grapple with the theological implications of this new technology. theological implications of this new technology.

At the height of World War II, American military commanders created a unit dedicated to deception to give Allied forces an advantage on the battlefield. The artists, sound technicians, and radio operators of the so-called Ghost Army remained hidden for decades, but filmmaker Rick Beyer made sure their stories were told.

Racism isn't just an individual failing, but too often it's part of the structure of society and organizations. Brown University Professor Tricia Rose describes the impact of systemic racism on black lives - and what we all can do to break free.

Lawyer, Army veteran and historian Fred Borch discusses President Lawyer, Army veteran and historian Fred Borch discusses President Truman's conflicted decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Truman's conflicted decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, 80 years ago in August. World War II ended shortly Nagasaki, Japan, 80 years ago in August. World War II ended shortly after. after.

In his new book, "Drugs and the FDA: Safety, Efficacy, and the Public's Trust," nationally renowned oncologist and scientist Mikkael Sekeres discusses how the FDA was shaped by public health crises.

The myth is that anyone who works hard, saves their money, and makes good decisions, can develop wealth in the United States. But Louise Story and Ebony Reed document the long and painful history of the structures, policies, and practices that have resulted in a profound wealth gap between Black and White Americans.

The last 25 years have produced plenty of conflict and a seasoned community of journalists who have moved towards the sound of fighting. Journalist Sean Carberry documents the personal costs of those reporters, producers, photographers, and videographers who, in documenting the worst of humanity, have paid a price with their physical and emotional health.

For decades, strategists and political leaders have warned about the challenge of a powerful China to the United States. Author Michael Sobolik argues the two countries are already locked in a new cold war, and the United States is losing.

Celebrated New York City poet, artist and designer Leah Umansky writes about life in a divided America today and offers hope in her new collection, "Of Tyrant."

Whether the natural world and humanity can coexist is one of the great questions of the modern era. Creative conservationist Ruth Ganesh says, "yes," emphatically, and explains how and why.

Disinformation has a long history in the United States-often taking the form of storytelling. Bestselling author Annalee Newitz explains how stories have been weaponized-historically and today-and charts a path to a more peaceful future for all Americans.