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politics + society

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

Why the ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ have echoed with public support – unlike the campus of Kent State in 1970

Why the ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ have echoed with public support – unlike the campus of Kent State in 1970

The president announces an aggressive, controversial policy. Large groups of protesters take to the streets. Government agents open fire and kill protesters. All of these events, familiar from Minneapolis in 2026, also played out at Ohio’s Kent State University in 1970. In my academic writing about the First Amendment,

Last nuclear weapons limits expired – pushing world toward new arms race

Last nuclear weapons limits expired – pushing world toward new arms race

For the first time in more than half a century, there are no binding restraints on the buildup of the largest nuclear forces on Earth. The New START treaty expired on Feb. 5, 2026, ending the last agreed limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces. New START limited the