Stories that Matter

Recent powerful work from our newsrooms

A Sioux Falls resident votes in the city and school board election at Southern Hills United Methodist Church on April 9, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A Sioux Falls resident votes in the city and school board election at Southern Hills United Methodist Church on April 9, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota Searchlight

SD election office publishes voter list labeling thousands as public assistance applicants

Alisa (pictured at her home in Nashville) and husband Brian face the prospect of having their adopted son retired to foster care and being charged with child abandonment because they cannot get the care they need for his complex psychological problems. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Alisa (pictured at her home in Nashville) and husband Brian face the prospect of having their adopted son retired to foster care and being charged with child abandonment because they cannot get the care they need for his complex psychological problems. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee family seeks help for adopted son, though the state may return him to foster care instead

Alexey and Svetlana Demin left Russia last year to seek asylum in the United States. The were separated July 8, 2024, after they reported to immigration officials in California for a scheduled appointment to apply for asylum. (Courtesy of Alexey Demin)

Alexey and Svetlana Demin left Russia last year to seek asylum in the United States. The were separated July 8, 2024, after they reported to immigration officials in California for a scheduled appointment to apply for asylum. (Courtesy of Alexey Demin)

Louisiana Illuminator

A couple fled Russia to seek asylum in the US. They’ve been kept apart for a year.

Patrick Evans teaches students at the Jonesboro Elementary summer enrichment program in Bessemer, Ala., on June 23, 2025. Bessemer City Schools has been under state intervention for just over a year, and staff and teachers say they have seen maintenance improvements. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Patrick Evans teaches students at the Jonesboro Elementary summer enrichment program in Bessemer, Ala., on June 23, 2025. Bessemer City Schools has been under state intervention for just over a year, and staff and teachers say they have seen maintenance improvements. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Alabama Reflector

One year later: What state intervention has done in Bessemer City Schools

Troy McKinley, organizer of the Minnesota Prepper Expo, poses for a portrait with the cart he affixed with skeletons at the Minnesota Prepper Expo at the Morrison County Fairgrounds in Little Falls, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Troy McKinley, organizer of the Minnesota Prepper Expo, poses for a portrait with the cart he affixed with skeletons at the Minnesota Prepper Expo at the Morrison County Fairgrounds in Little Falls, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Minnesota Reformer

Are you prepared (for the end)?

Indiana Department of Natural Resources employees pose for a photo promoting the Unity Blaze “Return on Inclusion” training Program, including Black Folks Camp Too. It is one of the programs being eliminated following a backlash to DEI initiatives under Gov. Mike Braun. (Courtesy of Black Folks Camp Too)

Indiana Department of Natural Resources employees pose for a photo promoting the Unity Blaze “Return on Inclusion” training Program, including Black Folks Camp Too. It is one of the programs being eliminated following a backlash to DEI initiatives under Gov. Mike Braun. (Courtesy of Black Folks Camp Too)

Indiana Capital Chronicle

Braun report identifies 350 examples of DEI in state government