The Takeaway

How the Pandemic Is Deepening the Divide in Education

Schools and families have struggled to adjust to the abrupt change in how children learn over the past year. 

Legal Weed in New York: Will It Reverse Decades of Racial Inequity?

A new bill is set to be passed, making marijuana legal in the state.

Brazil Struggles to Contain COVID-19

Amid ongoing political debates over the pandemic, Brazil has seen record high daily death totals from COVID-19 in recent weeks and experienced nationwide I.C.U. shortages.

House Investigation Will Look Into How the Capitol Insurrection Happened

Last Thursday, seven Democratic-led House committees launched a probe into the federal government’s handling of the events on January 6th and what preceded it. 

The Battle Against the Controversial Line 3 Pipeline Project Rages on in Minnesota

The nearly 400-mile Line 3 pipeline expansion faces fierce opposition from Indigenous and climate activists in Minnesota.  

How the Press Handled President Biden's First News Conference

Critics are frustrated that members of the White House press corps failed to ask about the ongoing pandemic or the rise of anti-Asian violence. 

Music credit to Luke Cissell (https://lukecissell.bandcamp.com/).

A Look Back at Colorado's History of Mass Shootings

This week, a gunman in Boulder, Colorado killed ten people while they were shopping in a local grocery store.

Vice President Harris to Lead the White House Response at the Southern Border

This week, President Biden tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the United States’ response to the growing number of migrants arriving at the southern border.

Biden Proposes Gun Reform in Light of Atlanta, Boulder Shootings

In the wake of the recent mass shootings, President Joe Biden has proposed a ban on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and an expansion of background checks for gun sales. 

The First Step Towards Reparations in Evanston, Illinois

The first phase of the reparations program in Evanston, Illinois begins with the distribution of housing grants to Black residents that faced discriminatory housing policies. 

How the Pandemic Has Exacerbated the Lack of Affordable Housing

A look at the pandemic’s impact on the rental market in the U.S. and how it has exacerbated the lack of affordable housing.

Derek Chauvin Trial: Jury is Selected As City Settles Lawsuit with George Floyd's Family

The jury has been selected for the trial of Derek Chauvin, set to start this upcoming Monday. 

Jury Selection, Explained

15 people have been selected to serve on the jury during the much-anticipated trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who has been charged in the murder of George Floyd. 

The Role of Anxiety in Post-Pandemic Life

The trauma of the last year will linger beyond the mass deployment of a vaccine. 

Can Bystander Intervention Training Help Curb Street Harassment?

With anti-Asian attacks and harassment on the rise, there’s been renewed interest in these trainings, especially in light of last week’s shooting in Atlanta.

Fewer People Are in Jail. But Spending On Incarceration Has Only Increased.

A new report shows how cities spend $25 billion for more than 3,000 jails nationwide. 

The Cost of the Pandemic for Women and Mothers

Since the pandemic began more than two million women have left the workforce. And as a result, women have also carried the brunt of the economic costs of the pandemic.

The Race Between the Vaccine and the Variants

More than a dozen states have seen increases in their daily case averages. In Michigan alone, there’s been a 92% increase in COVID-19 cases in the last two weeks.  

Are Vaccine Passports Inevitable in the U.S.?

A number of countries, including China and those in the E.U, recently announced their plans to implement vaccine passport programs. 

Inequality on Display During the NCAA's March Madness Tournament

Women's basketball teams participating in the NCAA postseason tournament were met with inferior facilities and meals.   

Testing Workers for Past Marijuana Use: The National Picture

Even in states where recreational weed is legal, there are still many complexities. 

Some music in this segment and podcast by Dan Blake (https://theaquariansuite.bandcamp.com/album/da-f).

Conditions for Unaccompanied Minors in U.S. Custody Come Under Scrutiny

The Biden administration continues to struggle to respond to the increase in unaccompanied minors being admitted at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

What a Reauthorized Violence Against Women Act Means During a Pandemic

The Violence Against Women Act was first put into place in 1994 and established federal legal protections for victims of violent crime. 

Ageism is on the Rise Worldwide

According to a new report from the World Health Organization, one in two people globally are ageist against older people. 

From Statehood to Self-Determination: The Political Future of Puerto Rico

This month, two different bills aiming to redefine Puerto Rico's relationship to the mainland U.S. have been introduced in Congress. 

What You Need to Know About Foreign Interference in the 2020 Election

A recently declassified national intelligence report outlines efforts authorized by foreign leaders to influence public opinion about the 2020 presidential race.

Eight People, Including Six Asian Women, Killed in Atlanta Spa Shooting

On Tuesday, a 21-year-old white gunman went on a rampage in three spas in Atlanta, killing at least eight people—including six women of Asian descent. 

The Deep History of Anti-Asian Violence in the U.S.

Recent attacks and violent racism against the AAPI population existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Latino Opioid Overdoses Have Been on the Rise. Is the Pandemic Making it Worse?

A federal agency is calling the opioid overdose crisis for Latinos an "urgent" issue. 

Local Leaders Step Up to Improve Vaccine Access for Communities of Color

Many trusted community leaders have taken it upon themselves to share information about the vaccine and help people in their communities schedule vaccination appointments.

Across the U.S., Republicans Express Hesitancy About Getting COVID-19 Vaccines

According to a CBS News poll, a third of Republicans have said they won’t get vaccinated, with another 20 percent saying they’re unsure. 

Republican Lawmakers in Texas Attempt to Reduce Access to Voting

Lawmakers in Texas have introduced a number of bills that would make it harder to vote.  

Why We Ask Women to Create Safety Rather Than Eradicating Male Violence

Most women are brought up to take precautions to avoid violence when walking alone, but we rarely focus on eradicating the male behavior that makes streets unsafe.

Artists Weigh Benefits and Risks of Return to Live Performances

The return of live shows raises some public health concerns, but if done safely, it could make a huge difference to many artists who have been out of work for much of the past year.