Maryland’s “The New Voters” project is highly focused on politics, but several from other News21 reporters explore politics, along with stories on policy.
- Unlocking the Revolving Door: California Prisons
California’s tough-on-crime laws have resulted in overcrowded prisons and ballooning budgets. A few innovative programs for non-violent women offenders, however, could be the first step to fixing the state’s prison crisis.
- State of the Union: California Labor Wars
After decades of break-neck growth, California’s two million-member Service Employees International Union is facing a crisis brought on by a debilitating recession. This package explores the present crises strangling the labor movement and its deleterious effects on working people in California. It includes audio, text stories, a timeline, photos and videos.
- One Less Bell to Answer: Auditing Charters
It’s been four years since the New York State Legislature authorized the State Comptroller to audit all public schools, including charter schools. And almost two years since the charter schools began their constitutional challenge to that legislation.
Now, the charter schools have an answer. Sort of. Yes, the New York Court of Appeals said, the charter schools were right. They don’t have to be audited by the state comptroller. For now, but that could change.
- Changing Policy: Exploring E-Verify
The national E-Verify program helps employers avoid hiring illegal immigrants. This project examines the program in Arizona and Illinois and shows how naturalized citizens are much more likely to be falsely flagged by the system and to be discriminated against. It includes stories of two legislators – one whose son was shot by an illegal immigrant and another who experienced discrimination as a child. Text stories, photos and video.
- The New Town Square
Explore with resident from three Northern California towns as they struggle to define community in an increasingly suburbanized landscape. This short introductory video blends old techniques (stop motion animation) with the digital platform. Other elements in the package include an interactive map illustrating how these three towns have grown and changed over the last century, and a series of maps where residents describe the places where they find their community.
- What to Change about America? Voters Weigh In
More than 25 Washington-area residents discuss what they’d most like to see changed about American politics. View their responses in a unique Flash video player that tags their responses.
- Gay Rights Fight in Conservative California
Proposition 8, the law banning same-sex marriages, generates strong feelings in California’s most conservative counties.
- Multiracial America: An Emerging Voice
People who identify as multiracial make up the fastest-growing demographic in the country. This package includes stories about individuals and the implications of changing racial identity as well as profiles of two communities – Columbia, Md., and the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia – that are microcosms of a multiracial America. Text stories, photos, graphics, timeline, data, slideshow, video tag player.
- Young Voters: An Ascendant Group
This ascendant voting group has the GOP re-evaluating its message and has educators worried about civic education. Stories also touch on youth activism and blend voices of the young in a unique tag video player. Text stories, photos, graphics, quiz, tables, data, slideshow, video.
- Voting Attitudes: Compare the Generations
A tool allows users to compare voter attitudes by age, based on how people answered questions from the American National Election Studies 2008 Time Series Study. With embedded audio from News21 interviews
- Mining the Mountains: The Ongoing Fight in Appalachia
To extract Appalachian coal, coal companies are blasting off mountain tops and leaving rubble in nearby valleys. Uncertainty about the Obama administration’s position on the practice is fueling a vigorous fight for the mountains. Video, graphic.
- Religious Stances on Climate Change
Religious leaders from churches, mosques and synagogues are joining the battle against climate change by encouraging their followers to see caring for the Earth as a religious mandate. Text, video, timeline.
- Guest Editorials: Opinions on How to Power the Nation
From Sen. John Kerry and a range of CEOs, educators and environmentalist weigh in on the challenges and possible solutions. Text and photos.
- Analyzing 'Immigration' Amnesty
This is a story about the experiences of two communities – Albuquerque, N.M., which was significantly affected by the 1986 amnesty bill, and Culpeper, Va., where a similar bill would have a huge impact today. The story is largely told through text, with the addition of a Twitter widget that displays discussions of the topic and makes it easy to start new discussions.
- Volunteerism or Service: Young People Explore Options
From an Air Force recruit to a political volunteer and a Cuban-American activists, the young in America are passionate about their choices. Text, audio, galleries.
- New President Re-opens Old Debate
With estimated undocumented immigrant population four times higher than when then-President Reagan signed the immigration bill of 1986, President Obama has made immigration reform a big part of his agenda. The outcome could have a significant impact on employers, the number of work visas allocated to foreigners and the workplace rights of those allowed into the country for jobs.