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One Senator's Rationale Against Partisan Gerrymandering

Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the Supreme Court today to decide that the mapping of congressional districts has become unconstitutionally driven to maximize political advantage for one party at the expense of voters' interests.

"The increase in partisan gerrymandering in recent years has been bolstered by the growing presence of 'dark money' in the American political system," he wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of striking down a North Carolina map overtly drawn to maximize the number of safe Republican red seats in a decidedly purple state. "Special interest groups, fueled by hidden funders with deep pockets and skin in the political game, are now focused on influencing redistricting. The payoff for these groups is obvious: By shaping the decennial re-districting process, special interest groups can affect the outcome of every congressional race in a state for the next decade. The role of dark money in this process is a bipartisan concern, as both Republicans and Democrats rely on this funding."


This month the court will hear oral arguments in the case and also a challenge to a Maryland congressional map drawn to give Democrats a lopsided advantage.

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California Needs More Homeless Shelters, Especially in the Face of Climate-Driven Disasters

Firefighters hosing down a structure during a local wildfire in Southern California.

Getty Images//Studio One-One

California Needs More Homeless Shelters, Especially in the Face of Climate-Driven Disasters

As a native Californian and a passionate homeless advocate, my heart shattered when I witnessed the devasting wildfires that ravaged the state I call home. For those already vulnerable, facing homelessness or housing insecurity, the wildfires are a cruel reminder of how fragile stability can be. The Los Angeles fires have forced evacuations of more than 200,000 people, displacing families and individuals from the only place they consider home. Shelters quickly filled to capacity, and resources that were already strained became nearly nonexistent. The lack of a solid foundation can turn a natural disaster into an inescapable cycle of hardship and despair.

California's homelessness crisis is multifaceted and severely impacts individuals and families across the state. With 181,399 unhoused individuals, of whom 68% are unsheltered, it is clear that the current resources available are grossly inadequate. This situation not only showcases a systemic failure to provide necessary support but also amplifies the vulnerability of these individuals, especially in the face of natural disasters such as the wildfires.

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Israelis and Palestinians: Breaking the cycle of violence and retaliation

An aerial view of the destruction after the ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza Strip on January 21, 2025. Months of Israeli bombardment turned the buildings in the city into a pile of rubble and ash.

(Photo by Mahmoud sleem/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Israelis and Palestinians: Breaking the cycle of violence and retaliation

While nothing can take away the pain that Israelis and Palestinians have experienced since Oct. 7, 2023, there are some working hard for a mutual society with the hope of a more peaceful future.

Now more than ever, this work needs to be done now, so as not to rob the people coexisting in the region of that future by being stuck in the hate of the present.

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WHO Withdrawal is Not Going to Make America Healthy Again
World Health Organization flag, wide brush stroke on transparent background, vector.

WHO Withdrawal is Not Going to Make America Healthy Again

One of the first executive orders signed by President Trump on the evening of his inauguration was to immediately withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations agency tasked with coordinating a wide range of health activities around the world. This did not come as a surprise. President Trump tried to pull this off in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upset at how WHO handled the pandemic, President Trump accused it of succumbing to the political influence of its member states, more specifically to China. However, the structure of the WHO, which is made up of 197 member states, prevents it from enforcing compliance or taking any decisive action without broad consensus. Despite its flaws, the WHO is the backbone of global health coordination. When President Joe Biden came into office, he reversed the decision and re-engaged the US with the WHO.

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