Politics

Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for US Senate in Michigan, speaks before Senator Bernie Sanders on May 3, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Could Abdul El-Sayed Upend Democratic Politics for Good? Could Abdul El-Sayed Upend Democratic Politics for Good?

If Michigan sends a Senator Abdul El-Sayed to Washington, traditional “electability” assumptions will have been shattered for good.

Jul 9, 2026 / Nathan Robinson

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie at a January press conference announcing a new initiative for homeless treatment.

An Abundance of Influence An Abundance of Influence

A group of YIMBY Big Tech donors took over San Francisco politics. Now they’re setting their sights on the rest of the country.

Jul 8, 2026 / Julie Pitta and Dylan Gyauch-Lewis

Gulliver Can’t Travel

Gulliver Can’t Travel Gulliver Can’t Travel

A Mexican artist paints his house and immigrants’ struggles.

Jul 8, 2026 / OppArt / Hector Duarte and Peter Kuper

Millions of Americans have turned to food banks after losing SNAP benefits.

The Trump Administration Is Making It Nearly Impossible to Get Food Stamps The Trump Administration Is Making It Nearly Impossible to Get Food Stamps

New work requirements and restrictions on SNAP have kicked millions off the benefit rolls, with more reductions to come.

Jul 8, 2026 / Bryce Covert

National Guard members, law enforcement, and event staff try to clear out the grounds of the July 4 celebration on the National Mall ahead of severe weather.

The Great American State Fair’s Great Belly Flop The Great American State Fair’s Great Belly Flop

How a Trump-centric celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial succumbed to terrible weather and worse planning.

Jul 7, 2026 / Amanda Moore

Roundup

Roundup Roundup

The little people.

Jul 7, 2026 / OppArt / Adam Zyglis

Zohran Mamdani delivering his Fourth of July speech.

How Zohran Mamdani Saved the Fourth of July How Zohran Mamdani Saved the Fourth of July

The mayor’s fighting patriotism bested Trump’s rantings and Obama’s evasions.

Jul 6, 2026 / Jeet Heer

The Supreme Court Undermines Immigrant Rights

The Supreme Court Undermines Immigrant Rights The Supreme Court Undermines Immigrant Rights

New decisions restrict legal safeguards and signal a significant shift in US immigration law.

Jul 6, 2026 / OppArt / Felipe Galindo

Brown University’s memorial for undergraduate mass shooting victims Mukhammad Aziz Amurzokov and Ella Cook

After Tragedy, a Network of Universities Takes on Healing Together After Tragedy, a Network of Universities Takes on Healing Together

When violent incidents shatter campuses, universities look to those who have endured similar tragedies for guidance on helping students move forward.

Jul 6, 2026 / StudentNation / Cate Latimer

Slaughterhouse-Six

Slaughterhouse-Six Slaughterhouse-Six

TR’s revenge.

Jul 3, 2026 / Steve Brodner

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