Issues

Trump marks anniversary of assassination attempt at the FIFA Club World Cup final

The president joined the players on the field after the match to present PSG players with their runner-up medals and hand Chelsea their championship trophy.

Jannik Sinner wins Wimbledon, Italy’s first singles champion

Italy's Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Wimbledon title. Sinner is the first Italian to win the tournament.

Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids

Churches in Los Angeles put contingency plans in place after the Trump administration rescinds long-standing guidance advising immigration agents to avoid houses of worship.

‘Panicking’: Why recent college grads are struggling to find jobs

Recent college graduates are facing one of the most challenging job markets in years — with the exception of the pandemic period — even as the overall unemployment rate remains low.

Poland’s Iga Świątek thrashes American Amanda Anisimova in Wimbledon women’s final

The Polish player emerged victorious after less than an hour of gameplay.

2 years ago, Amanda Anisimova put down her racket. Now she’s in the Wimbledon final

Anisimova was a teenage tennis prodigy. But by 2023, tournaments had become "unbearable" for her mental health, and she stepped away. Now, she is a win away from her first Grand Slam title.

Judges to weigh request to put Alabama under preclearance for a future congressional map

Black voters and civil rights organizations, who successfully challenged Alabama’s congressional map, are asking a three-judge panel to require any new congressional maps drawn by state lawmakers to go through federal review before being implemented. The Alabama attorney general and the U.S. Department of Justice oppose the request.

How 3 Muslim sisters helped change the rules of American women’s wrestling

Jamilah, Zaynah and Latifah McBryde grew up wrestling one another in Buffalo, N.Y. Coaches recognized their talent, but they couldn't wear the required wrestling singlet due to their faith.

How flood sirens could have saved lives in Texas

In the wake of the deadly flash floods in Texas, state leaders are exploring whether to install more flood warning sirens. Such sirens can save lives if they're part of a larger warning system.

Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds

Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.

A dive into mermaid camp

Mermaids may not be real, but that hasn’t stopped people from turning it into a career.  Mermaiding isn’t just about fantasy. It’s about building real confidence and skills that carry over into other water sports.

Welcome to the Queue, where waiting for Wimbledon tickets rivals the tennis

Tennis lovers don costumes, throw Pimm's parties and camp overnight in line for day-of Wimbledon tickets. Some say waiting in the Queue is more fun than the actual tennis.

Alabama utility commission allowed to hike prices behind closed doors, judge rules

The decision on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Energy Alabama, a nonprofit that advocates for renewable energy sources.

In ‘The Jailhouse Lawyer,’ Calvin Duncan fights wrongful convictions behind the razor wire

While incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Duncan would help hundreds of prisoners file appeals for their cases and motions for improved treatment.

Diocese of San Bernardino issues dispensation saying Catholics who fear ICE don’t have to attend Mass

The diocese is the first in the U.S. to issue a special dispensation because of fears over immigration detentions.

Jabari Peoples’ family, community, pushes for release of police body cam footage

Pressure is mounting on Homewood and state officials over the shooting death of Jabari Peoples by a Homewood police officer last month. Protestors took to city hall on Tuesday evening to demand officials release body-camera footage from the shooting that killed the Black 18-year-old.

Baseline knowledge: Where tennis comes from and how the game has changed

Recent years have seen an upswing in people playing tennis (or at least dressing like it). But it's not just a phase. The sport — at least some version of it — has been around since medieval times.

Confused about where things stand with Trump’s tariffs? Here’s a handy primer

President Trump has announced — but postponed the effective date for — higher tariffs once again. Here's what to know about the latest on his tariff policy.

How a broken nose kickstarted Diego Luna’s star-making run with the USMNT

The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder, with his bleached hair and dozens of tattoos, stands out on the soccer field. But it's his attitude that has won praise from his coach, teammates and fans.

Q&A: How a conservative Mississippi mom became an advocate for legalizing drugs

Christina Dent talks about founding End It For Good, her journey to rethinking drugs and addiction and how Mississippi can change its approach, too

With Indus Waters Treaty in the balance, Pakistan braces for more water woes

In an unprecedented move, India held the water treaty in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in April. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and accuses India of "weaponizing water."

IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates

Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.

A Planet Money guide to 5 fascinating new econ papers

The Planet Money newsletter rounds up some new economics studies.

The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here’s what it takes to plug them up

There was a circle in Maria Burns' yard where grass wouldn't grow and trees died. She knew what it was: An old natural gas well, plugged when she was a little girl, starting to leak again.

In Peru, criminal gangs are targeting schools in poor neighborhoods for extortion

The president of one of Lima's largest parent-teacher associations says at least 1,000 schools in the Peruvian capital are being extorted and that most are caving into the demands of the gangs.

Why some see the dollar’s drop as a sign America is losing its financial might

The dollar has just posted its worst first-half of a year since 1973. And now investors wonder — is it a sign that America is losing its financial standing?

Defunct oil wells are a national problem. Finding them is the first step

There could be about a million 'orphan' oil and gas wells across the U.S. As they age, they can leak greenhouse gases or unhealthy chemicals.

Why is the dollar off to a weak start this year?

The U.S. dollar had its worst start this year in more than half a century. Harvard University economics professor Kenneth Rogoff says President Trump is accelerating the decline.

Netherlands police embrace a public health approach to drugs. Will it work in the South?

Despite the opioid crisis’ deadly toll, U.S police treat drug use as a criminal issue. But in the Netherlands, a public health approach has seen better results.

Pope Leo’s scandal-plagued hometown sees a bright future in buying his childhood home

Pope Leo grew up in a small brick house in the Chicago suburb of Dolton which is now up for auction. The village's board of trustees voted to buy it, in the hopes of creating a historic attraction.

The U.S. labor market remains solid, with employers adding 147,000 jobs last month

U.S. employers added 147,000 jobs in June as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%. Job gains were concentrated in health care and state and local government.

Wisconsin’s 1849 law does not ban abortion, the state Supreme Court rules

After years of litigation following the Dobbs decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, with their liberal majority, ruled that the state's 176-year-old law does not ban abortion in the state.