Society
Stories at the intersection of urbanization, inequality, labor, and community — the human dimensions of the news.
161 articles
The Wealthy Are Hogging America's New Car Market — and That's a Problem
New car sales are booming — but only for the top 20%. The rest of America is left with old clunkers and a economy that's rigged against them.
Marrying Your 67-Year-Old GF Could Cost Her $1,000 a Month—Here's the Brutal Math
Marrying your girlfriend could cost her $23,000 a year in SSI and divorced spouse benefits. Here's why love isn't enough to beat the SSA's ruthless math.
Fire on the Water: 150 Souls and the Channel's Deadly Arithmetic
150 people nearly burned to death in the English Channel. We call it a crisis. They call it hope. This is the story of the fire, the politics, and the moral failure behind it.
Geno Segers Apologizes After 'Hadestown' Exit: When Words Become Weapons
Geno Segers apologized after leaving 'Hadestown' over resurfaced trans comments. But this isn't about one actor — it's about a culture that turns words into weapons.
Spokane's Firestorm: Washington's Wildfire Crisis Demands Answers
Spokane's wildfires are a man-made disaster. Climate change, forest mismanagement, and political cowardice fuel the flames. We must adapt or burn.
The Bicycle's 6,000-Year Delay: A Lesson in Innovation Stagnation
Humans had wheels for 6,000 years before the bicycle. Why did it take so long? The answer reveals a dark truth about innovation — and it's not what you think.
Inside the Inferno: Bodycam Footage Reveals Firefighters' Race Against a Raging Spokane Blaze
Bodycam footage from the Spokane fire shows the terrifying speed of a wildfire — and the raw, sweaty effort of the firefighters racing to save homes and lives.
Another Migrant Dead in New Jersey: Why Is This Facility Still Open?
A Salvadoran man dies in ICE custody at Delaney Hall — the second death in eight months. For-profit detention is killing people, and no one is held accountable.
Congress Can't Stop Using ChatGPT, New Data Shows
At least 70 House offices are using AI tools like ChatGPT — and the real number is higher. Lawmakers are regulating the very tech they can't quit.
Teen T-Bones My Car: Can Medicare Cover the Hospital Bills?
A 67-year-old woman is T-boned by a teen driver, facing $35K in medical bills. Her question: will Medicare pay, or will they demand reimbursement? A veteran journalist digs into the fine print.
The Turkish Kid Who Out-Germans the Germans, and What That Says About Us
A Turkish-German software engineer from Munich responds to his critics by being more German than the Germans. His viral manifesto forces a confrontation with identity and belonging in modern Germany.
AI Wins Ohio State Fair Poster Contest, Judges Didn't Notice
An AI-generated poster just won the Ohio State Fair contest. The judges didn't notice. The humans who actually painted are furious.