Coronavirus Outbreak: How are States Responding?
This week’s story update on Election Central provides a quick summary of how some states are responding to the coronavirus outbreak. We are living in unprecedented times. As the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the United States–with more than 2,000 deaths nationwide so far–governors of each state are being tasked with coming up with a plan […]
Smartphones: The Future of Voting?
Last week, btw took a closer look at the new use of smartphones in the Iowa caucus: for the first time ever, Iowans will be able to vote for their favorite candidate in the Democratic primary election from the comfort of their own homes, using an app on their phones. But Iowa isn’t the only […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Washington State Battles Measles Outbreak While most Americans receive vaccinations against measles and other potentially deadly diseases while they are still babies, there are some families who choose not to participate in this program. As a result, there is currently a severe outbreak of measles–a disease which was once officially declared to no longer be […]
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 […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Senator Warren’s DNA Test Controversy The ongoing feud between Donald Trump and Senator Elizabeth Warren, a progressive Democrat from Massachusetts and perhaps a 2020 presidential rival, took an unusual turn last week. Warren has long claimed to have Native American heritage. Trump has repeatedly called her a liar for this, as well as giving her […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
CA vs USA? Lately, Congress has been deeply divided over the issue of immigration reform–so much so that the federal government has shut down twice so far in 2018 as a result. The state of California, run by Democratic governor Jerry Brown, is taking the immigration debate into its own hands. As a result, the […]
A New President
On Friday, January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. The day began with Trump attending service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, followed by tea with President Obama and both first ladies. Trump was sworn in around noon on the steps of the Capitol, followed by the […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Washington State Mud Slide Last month, the town of Oso, Washington (located approximately 60 miles north of Seattle) experienced a mudslide up to 177 feet in height and covering approximately one square mile. Officials estimate the death toll at 24, with 18 officially identified. This has been a difficult task because recovery crews struggled […]