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Analysis

Thursday

Friday

For Trump, X marks the spot for his social media return. Why that could really matter

Former President Donald Trump looks at his phone during a roundtable with governors in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, June 18, 2020. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Politics

For Trump, X marks the spot for his social media return. Why that could really matter

Donald Trump posted again for the first time in three years since being banned from various social media, taking to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter to post his mugshot.

Thursday

5 takeaways from the first Republican primary debate

From left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum before a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by Fox News Channel Wednesday in Milwaukee. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Morry Gash/AP

Elections

5 takeaways from the first Republican primary debate

The first Republican debate of the 2024 election cycle is in the books. Without the front-runner onstage, each candidate had the opportunity to grab the spotlight, though some had more of an impact.

Wednesday

5 questions ahead of the first GOP primary debate of the 2024 election cycle

A former President Donald Trump supporter stands near the Fiserv Forum Tuesday as setup continues for Wednesday's Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Morry Gash/AP

Elections

5 questions ahead of the first GOP primary debate of the 2024 election cycle

The first Republican primary debate, in Milwaukee on Wednesday, will give many Americans the first chance to hear from the GOP presidential candidates, but the party's frontrunner won't be there.

Tuesday

Friday

'The Blind Side' drama just proves the cheap, meaningless hope of white savior films

Michael Oher of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with his family after the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank Of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. Scott Cunningham/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Blind Side' drama just proves the cheap, meaningless hope of white savior films

The true story behind the hit Oscar-winner has only gotten ickier — and Hollywood is complicit.

Wednesday

Why the Trump indictments have not moved the needle with Republicans

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pa., on July 29. Joed Viera/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Joed Viera/AFP via Getty Images

Why the Trump indictments have not moved the needle with Republicans

The former president has insulated himself with his party, having sold its members over the past seven years on his baseless narrative of a deep-state conspiracy against him.

Why the Trump indictments have not moved the needle with Republicans

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Tuesday

Why aren't there more union stories onscreen?
David McNew/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Why aren't there more union stories onscreen?

In this conversation from March, Brittany Luse is joined by Chicago Tribune TV and film critic Nina Metz to chat about why there are so many shows and movies about rich jerks — Succession, White Lotus and Billions, to name a few — and why we're experiencing a dearth of stories about workers.

Why aren't there more union stories onscreen?

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Friday

How three female artists lead this summer's billion-dollar pop culture revival

This summer, three women at the peak of their powers lead a spectacular pop culture revival. Beyoncé, left, performs onstage during the Renaissance World Tour in May 2023. Margot Robbie stars in Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie. And Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour in March 2023. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood/Getty Images; Warner Bros. Pictures; John Medina/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood/Getty Images; Warner Bros. Pictures; John Medina/Getty Images

Pop Culture

How three female artists lead this summer's billion-dollar pop culture revival

This summer, three women at the peak of their powers lead a spectacular pop culture revival. Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift shattered records and created a communal economy of irrational exuberance.

How three female artists lead this summer's billion-dollar pop culture revival

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Thursday

Here's where inflation stands today — and why it's raising hope about the economy

The latest inflation report is reinforcing hopes about a soft landing in the economy — or when inflation eases without sparking a downturn. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

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Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Economy

Here's where inflation stands today — and why it's raising hope about the economy

Consumer prices rose 3.2% in July from a year ago, higher than the 3% gain seen in June — but it was largely due to math. Overall, inflation continues to ease, raising optimism about the economy.

Wednesday

How a trial in Texas changed the story of abortion rights in America

Plaintiffs Amanda Zurawski (far left), Austin Dennard, Taylor Edwards, and Elizabeth Weller speak together at the Travis County Courthouse on July 20, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

How a trial in Texas changed the story of abortion rights in America

KFF Health News

Wrenching testimony from women denied abortion care turned the focus toward the suffering and health risks faced by mothers.

Saturday

Trump's defense in 2020 election case could conjure ghost of Nixon once more

The cases against Trump and Nixon raised crucial constitutional questions about how far could a president go to stay in office if convinced his reelection was crucial to the nation, Ron Elving writes. Getty Images/File hide caption

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Getty Images/File

Politics

Trump's defense in 2020 election case could conjure ghost of Nixon once more

How far could a president go to stay in office if convinced his reelection was crucial to the nation? What liability would he face? And how much stress can the fragile structure of democracy stand?

Monday

Affirmative action for rich kids: It's more than just legacy admissions

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: People walk through the gate on Harvard Yard at the Harvard University campus on June 29, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Scott Eisen/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Planet Money

Affirmative action for rich kids: It's more than just legacy admissions

A blockbuster new study finds that America's elite private colleges are systematically giving huge advantages to rich kids over their equally bright, yet less privileged peers.

Friday

The spectacular femininity of bimbos and 'Barbie'
Warner Bros. Pictures / via TikTok

It's Been a Minute

The spectacular femininity of bimbos and 'Barbie'

The Barbie movie has arrived and we seem to be reaching peak Barbie-mania. But, Barbie's brand of hyperfeminine fun has been on the rise for years — especially online among left leaning femmes who call themselves bimbos and have been giving the term a new meaning.

The spectacular femininity of bimbos and 'Barbie'

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