News in Brief Archives

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer pose for pictures after delivering a response to President Donald Trump's televised address to the nation on border funding at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 8th, 2019.

News in Brief

Did Democrats Support Border Barriers Before Trump Took Office?

In the president's Tuesday night address, he claimed Democrats supported barriers but changed their tune once he took office.

Jack Herrera

Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler speaks to staff at the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters on July 11th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

Trump Officially Nominates Andrew Wheeler to Lead the EPA

The former coal lobbyist, who has been a champion of Trump's deregulatory agenda without any of the ethical scandals of his predecessor, is all but guaranteed a confirmation.

Kate Wheeling

The Importance of Drug Jargon

People prefer "overdose prevention site" to "safe consumption site."

Pacific Standard Staff

Viewfinder: Nancy Pelosi Introduces Legislation to Expand Background Checks for Gun Sales

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a press conference with former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords and Representative Mike Thompson (D-California) to introduce legislation expanding background checks for gun sales at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 8th, 2019.

Pacific Standard Staff

Lance Wissinger (left) and Neil Volz shake hands after turning in their voter registration forms at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office on January 8th, 2019, in Fort Myers, Florida. Wissinger and Volz, both with felony records, became able to vote for the first time after a new constitutional amendment took effect.

1.4 Million Florida Felons Regain the Right to Vote

On a big day for Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis assumed his new position on Tuesday and, despite his efforts to delay it, Amendment 4 took effect.

Kelley Czajka

An aerial view of President Donald Trump's border wall prototypes as seen from Tijuana, Mexico, on January 7th, 2019.

How Many of Trump’s Border Wall Claims Are True?

In his primetime address, Trump will try to frame the border as a national emergency and a humanitarian crisis. But the current pressure—and exigence for the address—comes from the ongoing government shutdown.

Jack Herrera