The online editorial staff comprises Betsy Shirley, Jenna Barnett, Josiah R. Daniels, Mitchell Atencio, Heather Brady, Kierra Bennning, and Zachary Lee.
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Weekly Wrap 5.19.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. You Must Understand Why You Believe What You Believe — and How You Got There
In a world in which your opinions on a topic can change with a well-worded “well, actually” tweet, it’s more important than ever that we examine the roots of our beliefs. Read how, from The Establishment.
Former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes Dies at 77
Roger Ailes answers questions during a 2006 panel discussion. REUTERS/Fred Prouser
Ailes grew the network to profound influence among right-wing audiences. But many other have found his Fox News growth strategy troubling during a time when use of the term fake news is on the rise.
White Tulsa Police Officer Acquitted in Shooting of Terence Crutcher
Image via Office of Public Affairs/flickr.com
On May 17, white Tulsa, Okla., police Officer Betty Shelby was acquitted of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man, reports CNN.
Chelsea Manning Leaves Prison
Image via LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES/Shutterstock.com
On May 17, Chelsea Manning, who was in a U.S. military prison for seven years on charges of whistleblowing, was released, reports ABC News. On Jan. 17, President Obama commuted the bulk of Manning’s 35-year prison sentence, enabling her to be released this year. Had President Obama not done so, Manning’s year of release would have remained 2045.
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses Appeal to Reinstate N.C. Voter Restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by Republican leaders of a federal court ruling that removed ballot restrictions in North Carolina, due to the restrictions being discriminatory along the basis of race, reports Bloomberg News.
EPA Cancels Ban On Pesticide. 1 Month Later, Farmers Are Getting Sick
More than 50 workers near Bakersfield, Calif. were exposed to harmful chemicals while harvesting cabbage early this month due to a pesticide drift.
Sessions Calls for Stricter Mandatory Minimums
Image via Rob Crandall / Shutterstock.com
Faith leaders across the country have opposed Sessions’ confirmation as U.S. attorney general with petitions and statements, calling him unfit to make decisions that are helpful to communities of color across the U.S — especially around prison sentencing for black people.
West Virginia Court Rules Hate Crime Law Doesn’t Cover Anti-Gay Assaults
West Virginia Judiciary via Courtswv.gov
Since 1987, there have been at least 26 attempts to amend the statute to include “sexual orientation,” and, according to the court, each attempt has failed.
Weekly Wrap 5.12.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. Why the 1980s Anne of Green Gables Is Such a Hard Act to Follow
On the eve of the Netflix reboot, here are eight writers on how Anne shaped a generation of young women.
Trump Fires FBI Director Comey
Image via Brookings Institution/Flickr
Midway into an FBI investigation into whether members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election, President Trump has fired FBI director James Comey.
134 Lawsuits Against Trump? There’s More Where That Came From
Image via a katz/Shutterstock.com
As of May 5, according to the Boston Globe, 134 lawsuits have been brought against President Trump in federal court since his inauguration. This contrasts greatly with the number of lawsuits his three most recent predecessors faced at this point in their presidency: Obama met with 26 suits, Bush met with seven, and Clinton met with 15.
Weekly Wrap 5.5.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. A Little-Noticed Target in the House Health Bill: Special Education
The New York Times’ Erica L. Green reports on how the Republican plan would hit already underfunded Individuals With Disabilities Education Act programs in schools: “Our most vulnerable citizens are going to be suffering the most. If any legislator votes for this, it’s unconscionable.”
Dallas Officer Who Killed 15-Year-Old Jordan Edwards Fired, Faith Leaders Call for Community Action
Image via EQRoy/Shutterstock.com
“The magnitude of his horrible actions cannot be overstated,” said a statement released from the family of Jordan Edwards. The family has called for murder charges to be brought against Oliver. According to the Dallas Police Department, the car Edwards was in drove away from police when it was ordered to stop, and the officers encountered the car as they were responding to gunshots in the area.
Officer Who Killed Walter Scott to Plead Guilty in Civil Rights Case
Image via REUTERS/Randall Hill/File Photo
The civil rights case of Slager's involvement in Scott's death was slated to go to trial later this month. Slager faces several charges in the death of Walter Scott, including lying to fellow law enforcement officers about details of the incident. Moments following Walter Scott’s death were captured on video, and in the video Slager places an object besides Scott’s body — suspected to be his Taser, which would go against Slager’s account that Scott took Slager’s Taser.
Jimmy Kimmel Offers Heartfelt Plea For Infants’ Health Care
Jimmy Kimmel on Monday night offered a heartfelt story about his newborn's birth and health complications.
"If your baby is going to die and it doesn't have to, it shouldn't matter how much money you make. I think that's something that if you're a Republican, Democrat, or something else we all agree on that right?" he said in his tearful monologue.
Jerry Falwell Jr.: ‘Evangelicals Have Found Their Dream President’
Jerry Falwell Jr., president of evangelical Liberty University and early supporter of then-candidate Donald Trump, said in an interview with Fox News' Jeanine Pirro on Friday that evangelicals "have found their dream president." The interview centered on how Trump was faring with evangelicals at his 100-day mark and pointed to the latest polling: Three-quarters of white evangelicals still back Trump, according to the most recent Pew Research findings, and that statistic is highest, at 80 percent, for those who attend church at least once a month. That's consistent with exit polling that found 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump.
Weekly Wrap 4.28.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
1. How to Talk to Climate Change Skeptics in Your Church
This weekend, the People’s Climate March hits Washington, D.C., and sister marches are planned throughout the country. But 7 in 10 people don’t talk about climate change with friends and family. Here’s how to start.
2. Women Are Dying Because Doctors Treat Us Like Men
Marie Claire’s Kayla Webley Adler digs into the systemic reasons behind why female patients' symptoms are less likely to be taken seriously by doctors, and women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, have their symptoms go unrecognized, or be told what they're experiencing is psychosomatic.
Weekly Wrap 4.21.17: The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week
3. March for Science. And Climate.
This weekend is the March for Science. Next week is the People's Climate March. LISTEN to our audio short, where we have a serious chat with scientists about religion. Then WATCH our video short, where we very non-seriously contemplate whom we might meet at the Climate March.
Bill O’Reilly Ousted After Sexual Harassment Allegations
Image via Bill O'Reilly Facebook
Bill O’Reilly, host of the O'Reilly Factor, will leave Fox News, the channel's parent company announced today. The move comes after several sexual harassment complaints and a subsequent loss of corporate sponsors.
“After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel,” a statement from 21st Century Fox read.
Arkansas Attorney General, Governor Promise to Pursue Executions
Image via Rainier Martin Ampongan / Shutterstock
Rutledge claims that nothing is in place preventing the next five executions, according to the AP. She says she will continue to fight against any legal challenges hindering the executions.