Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from an interview with California State Senator Kevin De León to a report on the latest dire global climate summary.
Pacific Standard Staff
Pacific Standard publishes stories that matter, stories that, by virtue of their ideas and craft, are capable of creating a better and more just society. With a methodology that mixes reporting and narrative journalism with peer-reviewed research, we are fiercely committed to covering social and environmental justice.
Viewfinder: A Hostage Situation in Cologne
Policemen block an exit in Cologne's main railway station, where a man took a hostage in the early afternoon on October 15th, 2018, at Cologne Central Station in Cologne, Germany.
The Lede, Issue #37: The New 'Halloween,' the Value of Home Libraries, California's Kevin De León, and More
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Viewfinder: Holding Church Service in the Wake of Hurricane Michael
Worshipers attend Sunday service in the parking lot of Hiland Park Baptist Church on October 14th, 2018, in Panama City, Florida. The church building was damaged by Hurricane Michael.
Viewfinder: Harvey Weinstein Goes to Court
Harvey Weinstein arrives at the New York State Supreme Court on October 11th, 2018, in New York City, a year after the sexual assault and harassment charges against him broke.
Viewfinder: Hurricane Michael Hits Land
Damaged buildings and a flooded street are seen after Hurricane Michael passed through the downtown area of Panama City, Florida, on October 10th, 2018.
Viewfinder: Fishing for Ayu in Japan
Cormorant fishermen use sea cormorants to catch sweetfish on October 9th, 2018, in Gifu, Japan.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from a round-up of news about Jerry Brown's final days in office as governor of California to an investigation into what happens to federal grants when scientists are faced with accusations of wrongdoing.
Viewfinder: Greenpeace Protests Coal
Police officers look on as Greenpeace activists hang from ropes after unfurling a banner outside the German embassy in a protest against coal on October 8th, 2018, in London, England.
The Lede, Issue #36: 'Binge Mode,' the Next 10 Years of Pacific Standard, Jerry Brown's Last Days in Office, and More
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Viewfinder: Elections in Peru
A Peruvian soldier stands guard at a polling station during municipal elections in Lima, Peru, on October 7th, 2018.
Viewfinder: The Weeping Window Exhibition Finishes Its U.K. Tour
Composed of several thousand handmade ceramic poppies, the sculpture honors those lost in World War I, which ended 100 years ago next month.
Viewfinder: Germans Celebrate Unity Day
The national holiday celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from a feature on California's troubling oil industry to a look at how Hurricane Florence could have destroyed important historical records.
Viewfinder: The Parliament of Catalonia Pushes Back
Members of the Parliament of Catalonia voted to reject a suspension of former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and five others from government service.
Viewfinder: Crosses Mark the Las Vegas Massacre Anniversary
Retired carpenter Greg Zanis, who installed 58 crosses last year—one for each person killed—set up the memorial again with new crosses for the massacre's anniversary.
The Lede, Issue #35: A Historic Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing, Blood Orange, Homelessness in L.A., and More
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Viewfinder: Supporting the Opposition Party in Cameroon
Supporters of the leader of the Cameroonian opposition party Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon raise their fists during a campaign rally in Yaounde for the presidential elections.
Field Notes: Looking Out on the Gulf of Mexico After a Storm
Sarasota, Florida: A wedding guest takes a smoke break along the water after a late afternoon thunderstorm.
Viewfinder: Emotional Moments During Christine Blasey Ford's Testimony
A tear runs down the cheek of Representative Carolyn Malone (D-New York) as Christine Blasey Ford testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on September 27th, 2018.
Viewfinder: Jeremy Corbyn Delivers the U.K. Labour Party Conference's Keynote Speech
After months of controversy and allegations of anti-Semitism against Corbyn and the party, he focused on winning issues like green jobs and free childcare in the closing speech.
Overheard: The Conversation, in Context
"Same-sex marriage is everywhere, all of the time. One cannot hide from it."
Viewfinder: Transit Centers in Buenos Aires Stand Empty During a General Strike Across Argentina
View of the Constitución train station and empty bus stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during a 24-hour general strike, on September 25th, 2018.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from a feature on California's progressive history to a photo essay capturing the lifelong effects of trauma.
Viewfinder: After Becoming the Second Head of State to Give Birth While in Office, New Zealand's Prime Minister Brings Her Newborn to the U.N.
In June, Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, became only the second head of state in modern history to give birth while in office.
The Lede, Issue #34: The Making of Our Current Cover, California's Progressive History, World War I Photography, and More
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Viewfinder: Violence in Nicaragua
A riot policeman throws a sound grenade during clashes against protestors demonstrating against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, on September 23rd, 2018.
Field Notes: Outside a Rally for Myanmar's National League for Democracy
Yangon, Myanmar: In 2015, a week before general elections, people attend a rally for politician Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy.
Viewfinder: Flash Floods in Mexico
People wade through a flooded street in the city of Culiacán, in Sinaloa State, Mexico, on September 20th, 2018.
Viewfinder: Mexico Commemorates Earthquake Victims
People pay homage to earthquake victims in Mexico City on September 19th, 2018, on the anniversary of two deadly earthquakes.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from a first-of-its-kind investigation into the hazards of the pipeline industry to a feature on the sinking island of Tangier.
Viewfinder: An Anti-Government Protester's Funeral in Nicaragua
Relatives and friends mourn during the funeral of 26-year-old Ezequiel Leiva, who died in the hospital three months after being injured during anti-government protests, on September 18th, 2018, in Managua, Nicaragua.
Viewfinder: Protesting Police Brutality at an Officer's Trial in Chicago
A demonstrator holds an American flag emblazoned with the names of victims who were fatally wounded by police officers.
The Lede, Issue #33: An Investigation Into Big Oil, on the Ground at the Climate Summit, Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels, and More
An exclusive newsletter that brings premium members Pacific Standard stories, staff, and contributors directly to their inbox on a regular basis.
Viewfinder: The Aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong
People walk through a flooded shopping mall in the Heng Fa Chuen district during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong, China, on September 16th, 2018.
Field Notes: At the Scene of the Crime in Manila
Manila, Philippines: In 2016, police investigate an alley where a 37-year-old man was killed by two unidentified gunmen riding motorcycles.
Viewfinder: The Philippines Prepares for a Massive Typhoon
A resident secures the roof of his house to a tree in preparation for Super Typhoon Mangkhut.
Viewfinder: Demonstrators Protest Government Austerity With Pop-Up Soup Kitchens in Argentina
Volunteers prepare a free meal at a soup kitchen in Buenos Aires during a protest against the government of Argentine President Mauricio Macri.
Viewfinder: Pro-Independence Demonstrations in Catalonia
Catalan separatists take to the streets during a pro-independence demonstration on September 11th, 2018, in Barcelona, Spain, marking the National Day of Catalonia.
Viewfinder: Hurricane Florence Gains Strength and Barrels Toward the East Coast
Hurricane Florence gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean as it moves west, seen from the International Space Station on September 10th, 2018.
The Lede, Issue #32: Racism on Social Media, the Nature of Apology, Nicole Chung's Debut Book, and More
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Viewfinder: Protesting Government Oppression in Nicaragua
Demonstrators take part in a march against President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaraguan, on September 9th, 2018.
Field Notes: Sunbathing Among the Ruins of a Shipping Vessel
Zante Island, Greece: The remains of a cigarette ship that met its demise in October of 1980.
Viewfinder: Celebrating India's Landmark LGBT Victory
A member of the LGBT community celebrates the Supreme Court's decision to strike down a colonial-era ban on gay sex in Mumbai, India, on September 6th, 2018.
Viewfinder: Protesting the Government in Iraq
Iraqis protest against the government and the lack of basic services outside the regional government headquarters in the southern city of Basra on September 5th, 2018.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from an interview with Al Gore about climate change to a look at a unique school improvement model that's showing promising results.
Viewfinder: Campaigning in Brazil's Presidential Election
Brazilian presidential candidate for the Democratic Labour Party, Ciro Gomes, campaigns in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 4th, 2018, ahead of the October 7th national election.
The Lede, Issue #31: An Interview With Al Gore, a Promising Model for All Schools, the Importance of State-Level Climate Assessments, and More
An exclusive newsletter that gives premium members greater access to Pacific Standard stories, staff, and contributors in their inbox every Sunday morning.
Viewfinder: Celebrating in the West Indian Day Parade in New York City
Costumed dancers participate in the annual West Indian Day Parade on September 3rd, 2018, in Brooklyn. The parade is one of the biggest celebrations of Caribbean culture in North America.
Viewfinder: A Chinese Honor Guard Greets the President of Sierra Leone
Female members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army honor guard wait to greet Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio during a welcome ceremony in the Great Hall of the People on August 30th, 2018, in Beijing, China.