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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference to kick off the Yes on 50 campaign at the California Democratic Party headquarters on Aug. 21 in Sacramento. The ballot measure will ask the state's voters to approve a new congressional map created by Democrats.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference to kick off the Yes on 50 campaign at the California Democratic Party headquarters on Aug. 21 in Sacramento. The ballot measure will ask the state's voters to approve a new congressional map created by Democrats. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Elections

The California redistricting measure cites Texas, highlighting the partisan stakes

A ballot measure in California will ask voters if they OK a new congressional map. In a sign of how rare the proposal is, it specifically cites Texas Republicans' new districts in the measure's title.
A U.S. flag and a candle sit on a step during a candlelight vigil and prayer event for Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 in Seattle. Kirk was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University earlier in the day.

A U.S. flag and a candle sit on a step during a candlelight vigil and prayer event for Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 in Seattle. Kirk was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University earlier in the day. David Ryder/Getty Images hide caption

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David Ryder/Getty Images

National Security

Political violence is on the rise in America. What's driving it?

Before his apprehension, speculation about the identity and motivations of Charlie Kirk's killer filled the void. A increasingly familiar pattern of political violence is taking shape in America.

Political Violence in America

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Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks during a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education in the East Room of the White House in September.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks during a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education in the East Room of the White House in September. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Climate

Trump's Energy Department disbands group that sowed doubt about climate change

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has disbanded a controversial Climate Working Group (CWG), which wrote a report that scientists say was full of errors and misrepresented climate science.

WATCH

Ed Sheeran: Tiny Desk Concert

Featuring brand new songs from the album Play, plus an old favorite, watch Sheeran build the instrumental elements in real time with guitar, keyboard and a looping station.
A doctor examines a patient at a clinic in Stanford, Calif., on April 9, 2019.

A doctor examines a patient at a clinic in Stanford, Calif., on April 9, 2019. Jeff Chiu/AP hide caption

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Jeff Chiu/AP

Business

Health care costs are soaring. Blame insurers, drug companies — and your employer

Some 154 million people in the United States get health care through their employer — and for many, their costs are about to go way up.

Health care costs are soaring. Blame insurers, drug companies--and your employer.

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Civilians fill the streets of Milan, Italy on April 25, 1945 to celebrate their liberation by Italian partisans from the Nazi German forces and the Fascist regime. Many believe the famous Italian anti-fascist anthem "Bello Ciao" to be associated with World War Two, but the song only gained widespread popularity a few years after the war.

Civilians fill the streets of Milan, Italy on April 25, 1945 to celebrate their liberation by Italian partisans from the Nazi German forces and the Fascist regime. Many believe the famous Italian anti-fascist anthem "Bello Ciao" to be associated with World War Two, but the song only gained widespread popularity a few years after the war. Keystone/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Keystone/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Culture

How the Italian anthem 'Bella Ciao' is connected to Charlie Kirk's killing

From its association with workers' rights in the 19th century to its inclusion in a video game, the famous old Italian song "Bella Ciao" has an evolving legacy.
People hold Palestinian flags as they try to disrupt the eleventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race, from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.

People hold Palestinian flags as they try to disrupt the eleventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race, from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. Miguel Oses/AP hide caption

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Miguel Oses/AP

Europe

Anti-Israel protests turn Spanish Vuelta cycling race into a diplomatic battleground

Protests targeting an Israeli-owned team have seized the limelight at Spain's version of the Tour de France. The team under fire issued a statement saying that quitting the race is out of the question.
Every year, TV critic Eric Deggans gives out his own awards for the best shows and performances. This year "Deggys go to: Andor, clockwise from top left, The Residence, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Adolescence.

Every year, TV critic Eric Deggans gives out his own awards for the best shows and performances. This year "Deggys go to: Andor, clockwise from top left, The Residence, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Adolescence. Des Willie/Lucasfilm Ltd./Disney+; Jessica Brooks/Netflix; Scott Kowalchyk/CBS Entertainment; Ben Blackall/Netflix




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Des Willie/Lucasfilm Ltd./Disney+; Jessica Brooks/Netflix; Scott Kowalchyk/CBS Entertainment; Ben Blackall/Netflix

Review

TV Reviews

The Emmys will get it wrong. That's why we give out the Deggys

Every year ahead of the Emmys, TV critic Eric Deggans gives out his own awards for the best shows and performances. These are the Deggys.
Dee Snider of American metal band Twisted Sister appears at the PMRC senate hearing on Capitol Hill on Sept. 19, 1985. Representatives of the Parents Music Resource Center, senators and musicians testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on 'the subject of the content of certain sound recordings and suggestions that recording packages be labeled to provide a warning to prospective purchasers of sexually explicit or other potentially offensive content'.

Dee Snider of American metal band Twisted Sister appears at the PMRC senate hearing on Capitol Hill on Sept. 19, 1985. Representatives of the Parents Music Resource Center, senators and musicians testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on 'the subject of the content of certain sound recordings and suggestions that recording packages be labeled to provide a warning to prospective purchasers of sexually explicit or other potentially offensive content'. Mark Weiss/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Weiss/Getty Images

Moments in history

Tipper Gore, Twisted Sister and the fight to put warning labels on music

40 years ago, musicians faced off against a Washington committee over whether to warn parents about explicit lyrics.

Parental Advisory Hearings

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Laura Carmichael, left, Harry Hadden-Paton, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Laura Carmichael, left, Harry Hadden-Paton, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Focus Features hide caption

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Focus Features

Review

Movie Reviews

After 6 seasons and 3 movies, 'Downton Abbey' bids farewell (or does it?)

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale takes place in 1930 and is much better than the last Downton movie. Creator Julian Fellowes cuts back on the convoluted plotting and zeroes in on emotional dynamics.

FA: Film Review: Downton Abbey

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Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico speaks during a campaign launch rally on Sept. 9 in Round Rock, Texas. Rep. Talarico announced earlier today that he will be running for U.S. Senate in Texas.

Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico speaks during a campaign launch rally on Sept. 9 in Round Rock, Texas. Rep. Talarico announced earlier today that he will be running for U.S. Senate in Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

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Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Texas state Rep. James Talarico on his Senate run and the future of Democrats

 WBUR

Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat, announced this week that he will run to try to win the seat of longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is up for re-election next year.
Tents at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security mission to expand the Illegal Alien Holding Operations Center during Operation Southern Guard at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on Feb. 17.

Tents at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security mission to expand the Illegal Alien Holding Operations Center during Operation Southern Guard at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on Feb. 17. AFN Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs/U.S. Navy hide caption

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AFN Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs/U.S. Navy

Investigations

Water failure at Guantánamo Bay affects U.S. migrant operations there

Migrants sent by the U.S. to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, were moved to another part of the naval base there because of a water failure, raising doubts about housing large numbers of deportees.
Prosecutors Isia Jasiewicz, Jennifer Blackwell, Sara Levine and Carolyn Jackson left the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington this year. Now they're working together again in the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County, Va.

Prosecutors Isia Jasiewicz, Jennifer Blackwell, Sara Levine and Carolyn Jackson left the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington this year. Now they're working together again in the office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for Arlington County, Va. hide caption

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Law

These fired DOJ lawyers are finding new ways to make a difference

Four prosecutors who worked on Capitol riot cases have found a way to continue public service after leaving the Justice Department. They're all colleagues again.

These fired DOJ lawyers are finding new ways to make a difference

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 15: A sign announcing monkeypox vaccination is setup in Tropical Park by Miami-Dade County and Nomi Health on August 15, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Miami-Dade continues to urge people to vaccinate as they work to get more vaccines now that the county has over 400 cases, which is the most in the state. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 15: A sign announcing monkeypox vaccination is setup in Tropical Park by Miami-Dade County and Nomi Health on August 15, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Miami-Dade continues to urge people to vaccinate as they work to get more vaccines now that the county has over 400 cases, which is the most in the state. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

In 2022, the name 'monkeypox' was nixed. Now the U.S. is reviving it

The World Health Organization retired the name "monkeypox" in favor of mpox — since the virus is spread by rodents and small mammals and there's a stigma factor. Why has the U.S. revived "monkeypox"?
Reality Winner

Reality Winner Christopher Lee/Spiegel & Grau hide caption

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Christopher Lee/Spiegel & Grau

Author Interviews

NSA leaker Reality Winner is rebuilding her life — and looking back at her past

Winner was working at the NSA in 2017 when she leaked a classified document to the press. Soon after, the FBI showed up at her door. Winner's new memoir is I Am Not Your Enemy.

FA: Reality Winner, I am Not Your Enemy

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When two black holes merge, they release gravitational waves. These waves can be picked up by detectors on Earth, allowing scientists to better understand them.

When two black holes merge, they release gravitational waves. These waves can be picked up by detectors on Earth, allowing scientists to better understand them. Maggie Chiang/Simons Foundation hide caption

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Maggie Chiang/Simons Foundation

Science

After 10 years of black hole science, Stephen Hawking is proven right

Researchers have spent 10 years improving the massive detectors they use to catch shockwaves from colliding black holes, and now the science is precise enough to test one of Stephen Hawking's key ideas.
Therese McRae with her daughter Matilda (left), Stephan Neidenbach (upper right, with his family) and Jason Mitton (lower right) all have been seeking the COVID vaccine and having trouble getting it.

Therese McRae with her daughter Matilda (left), Stephan Neidenbach (upper right, with his family) and Jason Mitton (lower right) all have been seeking the COVID vaccine and having trouble getting it. Therese McRae; Stephan Neidenbach; and Jason Mitton hide caption

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Therese McRae; Stephan Neidenbach; and Jason Mitton

Your Health

They want COVID shots to protect their health or family. They can't get them

Though the FDA narrowed criteria for the shots, many people still want them, to avoid illness and protect vulnerable family members. Some are turned down at the pharmacy or have to jump through hoops.

New federal restrictions on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility cause confusion and anger

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