How parole and probation fuel mass incarceration

The U.S. operates one of the largest and most punitive criminal justice systems in the world. On any given day, 1.9 million people are incarcerated in more than 6,000 federal, state and local facilities. Another 3.7 million remain under what scholars call “correctional control” through probation or parole supervision. That means one out of every […]

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Planned blackouts are becoming more common − and not having cash on hand could cost you

Are you prepared for when the power goes out? To prevent massive wildfires in drought-prone, high-wind areas, electrical companies have begun preemptively shutting off electricity. These planned shutdowns are called public safety power shutoffs, abbreviated to PSPS, and they’re increasingly common. So far this year, we’ve seen them in Texas, New Mexico and California. Unlike […]

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GOP lawmakers eye SNAP cuts, which would scale back benefits that help low-income people buy food at a time of high food prices

Congress may soon consider whether to cut spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the main way the government helps low-income Americans put food on the table. The Conversation U.S. asked Tracy Roof, a political scientist who has researched the history of government nutrition programs, to explain what’s going on and why the effort to […]

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America’s clean air rules boost health and economy − charts show what EPA’s deregulation plans ignore

The Trump administration is “reconsidering” more than 30 air pollution regulations, and it offered industries a brief window to apply for exemptions that would allow them to stop following many air quality regulations immediately if approved. All of the exemptions involve rules finalized in 2024 and include regulations for hazardous air pollutants that cause asthma, […]

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We analyzed racial justice statements from the 500 largest US companies and found that DEI officials really did have an influence

In 2020, American businesses responded to an unprecedented wave of racial justice protests with an equally unprecedented surge in corporate commitments. Even as President Donald Trump was calling protesters “terrorists,” companies in industries across the U.S. pledged donations, launched diversity initiatives and issued statements in support of equity and inclusion. As social scientists who study […]

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Want to stay healthier and fulfilled later in life? Try volunteering

As gerontologists – social scientists who study aging populations – we envision a future in which older people leave a doctor’s visit with a prescription to go volunteer for something. Does that sound far-fetched? There’s scientific research backing it up. Good for your health While spending more than a dozen years researching what happens when […]

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Losing your job is bad for your health, but there are things you can do to minimize the harm

The Trump administration’s firing and furloughing of tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors have obviously caused economic hardship for Americans employed in national parks, research labs and dozens of government agencies. As a professor of social work who studies how people’s finances affect their physical and mental well-being, I’m concerned about the health […]

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Oakley Capital Closes €4.5 Billion Fund VI in Just Six Months

Oakley Capital has successfully raised €4.5 billion for its latest flagship fund, Fund VI, achieving a rapid final close just six months after its launch. This represents a significant 58% increase over the €2.85 billion raised for Fund V in 2022, despite a challenging private equity fundraising environment. The new fund, focused on mid-market investments […]

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With Hooters on the verge of bankruptcy, a psychologist reflects on her time spent studying the servers who work there

In 1983, six businessmen got together and opened the first Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters of America LLC quickly became a restaurant chain success story. With its scantily clad servers and signature breaded wings, the chain sells sex appeal in addition to food – or as one of the company’s mottos puts it: “You […]

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Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico could spell trouble for distilled spirits

If all the tariff drama in the news lately has you reaching for a stiff drink, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, those same tariffs might make it harder to get your hands on your favorite brand of tequila. In early March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump levied import tariffs of 25% on goods from Canada and […]

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