To the Point

The State of Massachusetts has abolished capital punishment… but the Boston Marathon bomber was convicted in federal court. Nobody doubts Jahar Tsarnaev was guilty, and the "penalty phase" makes execution an option -- even though Bostonians are opposed.

There are 300 million privately owned guns in the United States. Advocates argue that it's people with guns, not guns themselves, that cause violence. But how much does that violence cost, and when guns are used for self-defense, how much do they save?

Americans are becoming aware that animals have intelligence, personalities and rich emotional lives. Accusations of mistreating killer whales and elephants have Sea World and Ringling Brothers changing their business plans. What about captive wild animals at zoos and aquariums?

Atlanta educators have been sentenced to jail for cheating. New York parents are telling their kids to opt out of standardized testing. Now, education reform is getting a second look in Washington, with a bipartisan re-write of No Child Left Behind. 

After a series of videos that have gone viral, law enforcement is on the defensive in parts of America. Long-standing accusations of racial bias and abuse of force have been confirmed for many people, while others are taking them seriously for the first time. Officials and politicians are struggling to restore public confidence. We hear conflicting opinions of what needs to be done.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is just the latest announced candidate for next year's Republican presidential nomination. We hear how his campaign's shaping up against Rand Paul, Ted Cruz — and nine other possible contenders.

Hillary Clinton's second announcement for President is a low-key contrast to what's described as her "alpha-male style" the first time around.  But she's still one of the world's most famous people, hoping to raise a billion dollars between now and November of next year.  We see how it looks at the beginning.

American values may be compatible with the Christian Bible…but the Founding Fathers insisted on the separation of church and state. Yet many Americans believe they live in a historically "Christian Nation." We hear about a long-running campaign to associate religion and politics.

The losses of Kobani in Syria and Tikrit in Iraq are being taken as evidence that the so-called Islamic State is in trouble. Its revenue is reportedly drying up, and untrained recruits are replacing experienced soldiers. But ISIS still spreading terror.

Republicans are fighting among themselves over religious freedom and America's growing tolerance for the rights of gays and lesbians.  We hear what that means politically—from new laws in Arkansas and Indiana to next year's presidential campaign.