Barrett Confirmation Hearings
Did you watch Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s televised Supreme Court confirmation hearings last week? Many Americans tuned in to watch or read about the nearly twenty hours of hearings. Unlike other federal government offices, Supreme Court justices have no term limits–meaning that they can serve for life. So, whoever is chosen to take Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg seat on the Court can affect legal policy for decades, maybe even generations. Here, btw takes a closer […]
When is the Right Time to Reopen?
To say that the global coronavirus pandemic has been devastating would be an understatement. Worldwide, nearly two million people are infected, with more than 120,000 dead. Right now, 82 countries are imposing some form of lockdown. Around the world, 1.4 billion children are out of school, and the global economy is expected to shrink by […]
A Water Partnership
Fast-growing communities can face many challenges. One such challenge is having the necessary infrastructure–such as roads, bridges, electrical lines, and pipes–to keep up with the growth and provide new residents with the services they need. Southwest Missouri is one region currently facing these issues. For them, the primary concern is water–in other words, having enough […]
The White House’s Coronavirus Response
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve been hearing a lot about coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Maybe you’ve been watching the spread of the disease on the news, or you’ve been reading about how Italy has now quarantined thousands of people, or your family has started stockpiling food and other supplies. It can be hard […]
Harvard Professor Arrested in International Scandal
Sure, you might not love all of your teachers. But what if one of them turned out to possibly be a spy for the Chinese? It sounds like the plot of a movie, but this scenario is unfolding right now at, of all places, Harvard University. Here, btw takes a closer look at the story. […]
Mandatory Power Outages Fail to Stop California Wildfires
Devastating wildfires in California have become so commonplace that they barely make national headlines anymore, despite causing catastrophic damage, loss of property, and loss of life. A large utility company, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., has been blamed in the past for not properly maintaining power lines and transmitters, and that this poor care has […]
Mueller Testifies Before Congress
On July 24, Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified before Congress about his investigation into the Trump campaign’s role in the Russian tampering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Across the nation, Democrats and Republicans alike tuned into the televised testimony from Capitol Hill to learn what new information might come to light. Republicans hoped that […]
“A Portrait of Persistence”
Did you know that March was National Women’s History Month? In 1987, Congress designated every March as an annual recognition of women’s history and achievements. Now, a new exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery seeks to showcase and honor women’s contributions throughout history, especially those of women who have not traditionally been recognized, such […]
Trump Declares National Emergency
Last Friday marked the end of the negotiating period between the White House and Congress about funding for Trump’s border wall between the United States and Mexico. If no compromise was reached by Friday, the federal government would once again face a partial shutdown. In the days leading up to Friday, however, it looked like […]
New Plan(t) to Fight Climate Change?
The battle against climate change may feel overwhelming at times. But a company called Northwest Innovation Works LLC has come up with a plan that it thinks could help: building a new clean-energy plant in the Pacific Northwest. Here, btw takes a closer look at the proposal, the possible benefits, and some of the criticism […]