Objects That Matter: Bears Ears
No other president in the last 50 years has attempted to shrink the national monuments designated by his predecessors.
Morgan Baskin
Morgan Baskin is a former editorial assistant at Pacific Standard. She is a graduate of George Washington University, where she studied international affairs and political science.
The Poison in Our Water
As scientists sort out the best way to capture and measure the harmful microfibers that now litter most of the world's freshwater, we have no choice but to keep drinking.
The Death Penalty in America: A Lethal History
In colonial Virginia, authorities could hang settlers for a crime as small as stealing grapes or killing a neighbor's chicken. The penal code in America's first colony was, in fact, so harsh its governor eventually reduced the number of capital offenses out of fear that settlers would refuse to live there. Since then, the number and severity of crimes punishable by death in the United States have fluctuated; today, the death penalty is still legal in 31 states. Here are some of the critical turning points in the history of capital punishment in America.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Trump 'Travel Ban' Case
The decision will no doubt please the president, who for months has asked the Supreme Court to take up the case.
Trump Calls U.S. Court System 'Broken and Unfair' After DACA Ruling
A judge ruled Tuesday night that the Trump administration has to keep DACA intact.
Trump Administration Seeks to Open Most Coastal Waters to Offshore Oil Drilling
The decision would remove protections for up 100 million acres of water, some of which have been closed to drilling for three decades.
Washington Attorney General Sues Motel 6 for Sharing Guest List With ICE Agents
Washington's attorney general filed a lawsuit against the motel chain for violating the Consumer Protection Act.
Alaska Ends Cash Bail System
In Alaska, a point-based system will replace cash for determining who the state will release on bail.
Former Jill Stein Staffer Says Senate's Russia Investigation Committee Is Looking Into Her Campaign
Campaign employees reportedly used a personal cell phone to facilitate multiple appearances for Stein on RT News.
Palestinian President Calls on U.N. to Replace U.S. in Peace Mediation
The U.S. has led efforts to negotiate a peace treaty between Israel and Palestine for over 20 years.
Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Seat
Jones, a pro-choice civil rights attorney, successfully prosecuted two members of the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1990s for the bombing of a black church.
Eight Immigration Advocacy Groups File Complaint Against DHS
They say that a cluster of ICE raids violate domestic and international refugee laws.
McConnell Urges Moore to Withdraw From Senate Race
Mitch McConnell is the latest and most high-profile Republican to publicly denounce Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.
Democrat Ralph Northam Clinches Virginia Governor's Seat
Virginia's governorship will stay in Democratic hands after Terry McAuliffe leaves office in January.
Russian Lawyer Gave the Kremlin Talking Points for Trump Jr. Meeting
Natalia Veselnitskaya shared a memo with the prosecutor general months before her June 2016 meeting with Trump Jr.
Dissecting George H.W. Bush's Non-Apology
The 41st president attempted to frame a groping allegation as a lighthearted misunderstanding exacerbated by the stodgy humor of an aging man.
House Republicans Announce Investigation Into Obama-Era Russian Uranium Deal
The House Intelligence Committee will investigate an alleged racketeering scheme, dating to 2009, perpetrated by Russian commercial nuclear executives.
Trump Administration to Cap Refugee Admissions at 45,000
The cap is the lowest set since 1980.
Saudi Arabia Lifts Ban on Women Driving
The decision comes eight months after women were first able to run and vote in local elections.
Republican Senators Introduce Alternative to DREAM Act
Senators James Lankford and Thom Tillis introduced the GOP's answer to immigration reform.
Nikki Haley Calls Trump's U.N. Speech 'Refreshing'
Haley lauded the president for the fiery, precedent-breaking speech he delivered during the U.N. General Assembly.
Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Hits Mexico City
The quake comes just 11 days after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake rocked the southern part of the country.
The Secret to Presidential Humor: Lessons From Obama's Funniest Speechwriter
A conversation with David Litt about the Obama White House, his new book, and the funniest joke that Obama never delivered.
Motel 6 to Ban Franchises From Providing Guest Information to ICE
A spokesperson from Motel 6's corporate headquarters tells Pacific Standard that the company will prohibit employees from voluntarily sending guest information to ICE.
Supreme Court Justice Upholds Part of Trump's Travel Ban
Justice Anthony Kennedy issued a short-term order that bans thousands of refugees from entering the United States.
House Passes Bill to Raise the Debt Ceiling
It ratified a measure to raise the debt ceiling and fund the government through December 8th.
Senate Passes Bill to Raise the Debt Ceiling
A supermajority of the Senate voted on Thursday to pass a short-term measure to raise the debt ceiling.
Defying Early Promises, Trump Announces an End to DACA
The program affects about 800,000 people.
Vendors Chosen to Build Border Wall Prototypes
Customs and Border Patrol has selected four companies to build prototypes of a concrete-based wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Philadelphia Sues Jeff Sessions Over Anti-Sanctuary City Measures
Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the state of California have already filed similar suits.
Number of Americans Who Believe Racism Is a 'Big Problem' Has Doubled
Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe racism is a pervasive issue.
Trump Doubles Down on Claim Mexico Will Pay for Border Wall
The remarks came on the tail end of a tense volley between Trump and the Mexican government.
Objects That Matter: Concrete
More than 130 Berliners died trying to cross the "death strip," the no-man’s-land between two massive concrete walls that divided their city for nearly 30 years.
ACLU to Investigate Whether Sessions Conspired With State Officials to End DACA
The organization filed open record requests to determine whether the attorney general conspired with state officials to end DACA.
Former Blackwater Guard's Murder Conviction Overturned
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday afternoon to throw out the first-degree murder conviction of Nicholas Slatten.
Department of State Order Bans U.S. Passport Holders From Traveling to North Korea
U.S. passports are now invalid entry documents for North Korea.
Trump Fires Reince Priebus, Will Replace Him With John Kelly
Trump has not yet announced who will replace Kelly at the Department of Homeland Security.
Detroit Will Remain Plagued by Housing Woes, Report Says
An aging population and decline in housing affordability are just two of the long-term issues residents of Detroit will face in coming years.
Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill, Mounting Pressure on Trump
The move forces the president's hand on a politically sensitive issue.
Ted Lieu Tries (Again) to Strip Jared Kushner of His Security Clearance
The measure is almost certainly doomed.
Immigration Officials to Conduct Raids of Suspected Teenage Gang Members
The raids will target teenagers who have traveled to the U.S. without guardians.
Meet the Congressman Asking the FBI to Investigate Ivanka Trump
Congressman Don Beyer discusses the Trump family's reticence to publicly disclose foreign contacts.
Trump's Travel Ban Won't Affect Grandparents, SCOTUS Rules
Grandparents and cousins of Americans won't be barred from entering the United States under President Donald Trump's travel ban.
Judge Stalls Effort to Make Trump's Voter Fraud Commission Meeting Public
Trump founded the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity after making a series of demonstrably false claims that millions had committed voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election.
American South, Midwest See Gains in Housing Development
Dozens of American counties saw hundreds, if not thousands, of new units developed between 2015 and 2016.
Popular Trade Show, Outdoor Retailer, to Set Up Shop in Denver
The biannual event earned its former home a whopping $45 million.
Missouri Church Can Use Public Money for Playground Project, Supreme Court Says
Dissenting justices argued the ruling weakens the country's long-standing separation between church and state.
Meet the Man Trying to Unseat Paul Ryan in Wisconsin
Randy Bryce, an ironworker with a handlebar moustache that has taken on a life of its own, is challenging Paul Ryan's seat in Wisconsin's First District.
Karen Handel Wins Contested Georgia House Seat
Handel, a Republican, won the most expensive congressional race in American history.
Wisconsin Gerrymandering Case Heads to Supreme Court
It's the first time in over a decade the Supreme Court will issue a ruling on a case of "purely partisan gerrymanders."