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politics + society

Why US third parties perform best in the Northeast

Why US third parties perform best in the Northeast

(MIDDLEBURY, VT) A majority of Americans say they are “frustrated” or “angry” – or both – with Republicans and Democrats, according to the Pew Research Center. But that rarely translates into support for independent or third-party candidates. One exception has been in the Northeast. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders

When civil rights protesters are killed, some deaths – generally those of white people – resonate more

When civil rights protesters are killed, some deaths – generally those of white people – resonate more

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA) Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two white Minneapolis residents killed in January 2026 by federal agents while protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policy, have become household names. National media outlets continue to focus on their deaths and the circumstances around them. Neither of them was the first

50 years ago, the Supreme Court broke campaign finance regulation

50 years ago, the Supreme Court broke campaign finance regulation

In 2024, spending on federal elections totaled almost US$15 billion in the United States. The United Kingdom, in contrast, spent approximately $129 million on its 2024 parliamentary elections – less than 1% of 2024 U.S. spending – despite having a population one-fifth the size of the U.S. Indeed,

Honoring Colorado’s Black History requires taking the time to tell stories that make us think twice

Honoring Colorado’s Black History requires taking the time to tell stories that make us think twice

For the past eight years, the Colorado Springs City Council has issued proclamations and recognitions paying homage to the achievements of its African American citizens. In 2005, the Colorado Springs City Council and Mayor Yemi Mobolade jointly issued a Black History Month proclamation. This year, the mayor’s office issued

Why ICE’s body camera policies make the videos unlikely to improve accountability and transparency

Why ICE’s body camera policies make the videos unlikely to improve accountability and transparency

(BOSTON) Amid growing demands by Democrats to overhaul U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after federal immigration officials killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in early February 2026 that agents in Minneapolis will be issued body-worn cameras. But can body cameras

Violent aftermath of Mexico’s ‘El Mencho’ killing follows pattern of other high-profile cartel hits

(LOWELL, MASS.) The death of a major cartel boss in Mexico has unleashed a violent backlash in which members of the criminal group have paralyzed some cities through blockades and attacks on property and security forces. At least 73 people have died as a result of the operation to capture

Enforcing Prohibition with a massive new federal force of poorly trained agents didn’t go so well in the 1920s

Enforcing Prohibition with a massive new federal force of poorly trained agents didn’t go so well in the 1920s

As the actions of agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement come under intense scrutiny, it’s worth noting that a little more than 100 years ago, another expansion of federal policing – to enforce national Prohibition – also sparked nationwide concern. As a U.S. history scholar, I know both