PS Picks: Legal Strife in the Valley of the Dolls
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
Candace Butera
Candace Butera is an editorial intern at Pacific Standard. She is currently a senior at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She has also written for Savoteur and Planet Forward.
HHS Cuts LGBT Health Resources From Its Popular Women's Health Website
Important questions pertaining to LGBT-specific health care are no longer visible on the website.
Eight 'Pacific Standard' Stories for World Water Day
Highlighting the exploration of solutions to today's water challenges, and the people working toward global water security.
What Sorts of Science Stories Do We Read on Facebook?
New research offers a step toward understanding how Facebook users find science news in this age of quick content circulation.
There's a Good Chance Congress Includes Background Check Legislation in Its Funding Bill
Congressional leaders intend to include a bipartisan measure called Fix National Instant Criminal Background System, which addresses the thoroughness of gun-purchase background checks by encouraging state use of criminal databases.
Beef Eaters Contribute Almost Half of the U.S.'s Diet-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This study is one of the few to break down the environmental impacts of individual self-selected diets.
The Immigration Stalemate Between the White House and Congressional Democrats Continues
The White House and congressional Democrats rejected each other's proposals over the weekend.
Trump's Plan to 'Solve' the Opioid Crisis Will Include the Death Penalty for Drug Dealers
The plan's law enforcement strategies have been met with skepticism by some lawmakers.
'Panic, Anxiety, Fear': How the Immigration Crackdown Is Hitting the Irish Community
As deportation arrests soar under the Trump administration, Irish immigrants are feeling the pressure to leave the U.S.
Oklahoma Is Going to Use Nitrogen Gas on Death Row Inmates
Seventeen inmates in Oklahoma are awaiting set execution dates.
A Federal Judge Blocks a Ban on Down Syndrome Abortions in Ohio
The temporary ban on the law will benefit women who have sought abortions with the belief or knowledge that the fetus has Down syndrome.
Scenes From Student Walkouts Against Gun Violence
Today marks one month since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The Department of Justice Asks That a Federal Court Throw Out a Lawsuit Claiming the EPA Is Violating Ethics Guidelines
The policy excludes EPA grant recipients from serving on external advisory committees, with the aim of limiting conflicts of interests.
Flooding, Heat Waves, and Destabilized Ecosystems: Here's What the Next 100 Years of Climate Change Could Bring
A new study predicts a steep drop in fisheries' production. It's the latest in a growing body of research to show how changes to the Earth's ecosystems will cause disruption to its inhabitants.
Eight Stories in Honor of International Women's Day
For International Women's Day, a round-up of Pacific Standard stories on women who embody the definition of female empowerment.
Emails by DOI Officials Show Concern Over Climate-Related Language
DOI officials found the descriptive language to be inflammatory.
We Asked Three Experts to Discuss the Role of Criminal Intent and Insanity in Our Legal System
In the wake of last month's deadly shooting in Parkland, Pacific Standard talked to a few leading scholars on how the insanity defense ought to be used in the courtroom.
Mississippi Could Soon Have the Most Restrictive Abortion Ban in the U.S.
The Mississippi Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
'Medical Symptoms That Medicine Can't Hear': A Conversation With Maya Dusenbery
In her new book, Dusenbery provides a comprehensive and much-needed look at how sexism in the medical field is hurting women.
The FCC Wants Nearly $1 Billion to Help Aid Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai proposed the package, which allocates $64 million to immediate rebuilding efforts to restore existing communications networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Wind and Solar Could Meet 80 Percent of Americans' Energy Needs
But getting there will require investment in better energy storage technologies.
A Record Number of Members of the House Are Not Seeking Re-Election
Republican representatives make up more than half of those choosing to not seek re-election.
ICE Agents Arrest 150 People in Northern California
ICE officials blasted Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf for alerting people of the raids ahead of time.
Anti-Semitic Incidents in the U.S. Rose 57 Percent in 2017
There were 1,986 reported anti-Semitic incidents last year.
PS Picks: Adam Rippon's Candid Conversation With the 'New York Times' About Body Image and Eating Disorders
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
'I Hope That People Choose Empathy': A Conversation With Atia Abawi
The journalist and novelist discusses her new novel about a Syrian refugee—and the power and reach of the young adult genre.
A Watchdog Group Highlights the EPA's Delayed FOIA Responses
A report by Project on Government Oversight claims that the EPA's Office of the Administrator has significantly delayed the department's processing of Freedom of Information Act requests.
State Attorneys General Are Re-Filing Lawsuits to Challenge the Repeal of Net Neutrality
New York's attorney general says the push represents a struggle between "Big Telecom versus the American people."
Trump Says He Is Considering Removing ICE From California
Trump claims that, without ICE, California "would have a crime nest like you've never seen."
In California, Housing Instability Is the Fault of Local Governments, a New Study Finds
The latest research suggests that we shouldn't be blaming environmental laws for inhibiting development.
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge Against California's Waiting Period for Buying Guns
The decision means the law will remain in effect.
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court Releases a New Congressional District Map
The new boundaries will go into effect for the 2018 elections.
Los Angeles' Homeless Population Continues to Increase
Blame the lack of affordable housing options in the Los Angeles area.
ICE Agents Arrested Over 200 People in Los Angeles Over a Five-Day Span
This week's raids were the latest in a standoff between the state of California and the Trump administration over the latter's efforts to crack down on undocumented immigrants.
The Department of Energy Allocates $6.5 Million to Coal-Powered Programs
Coal emits more carbon than any other fuel source.
A Pew Survey Shows Most Americans Hold Favorable Views of Federal Agencies
As the government continues to restructure under the Trump administration, the American people continue to hold favorable opinions of federal agencies and departments like the CIA, Federal Reserve, FBI, and EPA.
The Department of Education Will Not Investigate Bathroom Complaints From Trans Students
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the agency will not consider or investigate complaints filed by transgender students against schools banning them from using bathrooms that match their gender identity.
Under the Trump Administration, the EPA Reduced Federal Penalties Against Polluters
An analysis shows the EPA opened 115 environmental crime cases over the 2017 fiscal year, compared to the nearly 400 cases opened in 2009 under the Obama administration.
For African-American Men, a Physical Injury Can Cause a Lot of Mental Pain
A new study finds that African-American men who are victims of a violent injury often pull away from their emotional support networks as a result, making recovery that much more difficult.
'The Privilege to Be Ambivalent': A Conversation With Laura Smith
The author of The Art of Vanishing discusses literary mysteries, monogamy, and the future of #MeToo.
A Suspension Has Been Lifted for a Controversial Pipeline in Pennsylvania
Sunoco Pipeline will now resume construction activities after receiving a $12.6 million civil penalty for violating construction permits for its Mariner East 2 pipeline project.
The USDA Predicts a 12-Year Low in Farm Profits
The 2018 net farm income is predicted to reach $59.5 billion, a $4.3 billion decrease from 2017.
The U.S. Is on Track to Become a Net Exporter of Energy
The U.S. is projected to see growth in energy exports as a result of increased energy efficiency, new electricity generation, and a continued projected growth in the production of liquids and natural gas.
The Department of the Interior to Pilot Restructuring Efforts With Alaska Office
The department is planning to re-adjust its regional boundaries and revamp its organization system in 2018, starting with a pilot management office in Alaska.
The CDC Plans to Reduce Disease Prevention Initiatives
Beginning in 2019, the CDC will phase out the program to include only 10 countries.
The FDA and the USDA Partner to Improve Food Safety
The outlined agreement emphasizes collaboration on common interests to improve food safety and to provide more information to Americans on products they purchase from store shelves.
Canada's National Anthem Becomes Gender Neutral
The Canadian Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that alters the English-language version of O Canada to become gender neutral.
CDC Director Resigns After Financial Conflicts of Interest Come to Light
Reports published this week showed that Brenda Fitzgerald invested in tobacco companies' stock while heading the CDC.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Hear Case on Soda Tax
In 2016, Philadelphia became the first major city in the U.S. to pass a soda tax.
Looking Toward a Bright Future Can Change the Present for Low-Income Students
A new study shows imagining future success can help with facing everyday challenges for low-income college students.