"The Why" explores the answers behind the headlines. Join Scripps News host Lauren Magarino every Saturday night for interviews on social, cultural, and political topics in the news.



Why are ads for Jesus dividing opinion?
The "He Gets Us" ad campaign received plenty of reactions following its placement during this year's Super Bowl.

Why is bird flu causing new concern?
In recent months avian flu has decimated bird populations and has now spread among several different mammal species.

Why do screens affect our sleep?
58% of Americans say they look at a screen within an hour of bedtime.

How are U.S. jobs reports compiled?
The data is based off estimates and not full official counts of the entire labor force, which is now over 160 million strong in the U.S.

Why are single women outnumbering single men in homeownership?
One big factor is that women’s earnings have steadily increased in the past decade.

Why are some citizens protesting in France?
Hundreds of people were arrested in clashes amid some the biggest protests so far against the raising of France's retirement age.

Why are MLB salaries rising?
The average MLB player made more than $4.2 million last season, according to the players' union. Here's how salaries have increased over the years.

Why does baseball have an antitrust exemption?
It's been just over 100 years since the supreme court said anti-trust law does not apply to major league baseball.

What's so important about microchips?
The simple answer: as we’ve become more and more reliant on microchips they’ve simultaneously gotten harder to manufacture.

How is technology helping solve criminal cases?
Digital activity leaves virtual fingerprints thanks to data mapping, smartphone tracking, and facial recognition.

Why don’t airport codes match their names?
Welcome to the wild world of airport codes. To understand how airports get their abbreviations, we need to know some other abbreviations first.

The gender pay gap isn't budging
Self-employed women make 69 cents for every dollar a self-employed man makes.

What led to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and others?
Like any other bank, it operated by taking a portion of deposits and creating loans — but this only works if there's enough deposited at once.

Why is there a cocaine boom?
Today there's a new epidemic: smokable cocaine, otherwise known as crack. It is an explosively destructive and often lethal substance.

Why is sugar so addictive?
Sweet food can prompt a rush of dopamine, the brain's feel-good chemical. But too much of a good thing can be bad.

Why is there a surge of migrants at the northern U.S. border?
Between last October and January 31, crossings at one part of the northern border skyrocketed to historic highs.

Why does the U.S. not use military time?
In Ancient Egypt and Rome, the day and night were divided into 12 hours each.

Why are more Americans moving South?
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the South added more than 1.3 million residents in 2022.

How effective are mental health apps?
Researchers at the University of New England looked at five different apps to see how effective they were in reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Why has the tech industry had massive layoffs?
Since the first of this year, over 100,000 employees have been laid off in the tech industry, according to layoffs.

How is artificial intelligence changing education?
There's a new frontier in the world of higher education — artificial intelligence. More specifically, it's AI that can generate text like ChatGPT.

Why do we eat popcorn at the movies?
Popcorn’s popularity surged during World War II as a sugar shortage sunk the supply of candy and other sweets.

How billionaires and corporations avoid taxes
Across the U.S., some of the nation’s top earners have a toolbox full of mechanisms to build wealth.

What is the history behind wearing makeup?
Thousands of years ago, advertisers and influencers weren’t telling us how or why we should wear makeup.

Why are fewer people watching award shows?
Viewership totals for all four major award shows plummeted to a fraction of what they once were. It’s a decline trending in the wrong direction.

Why are age-gap relationships controversial?
A study by professors at Emory University found couples 10 or more years apart were 39% more likely to divorce than a couple a year apart.

Why are office dress codes changing?
The trend gained traction in recent years as employees shift back from Zoom meeting leisure to the office.

Quiet hiring: The latest work trend
Career experts say there are a few reasons for its resurgence — including recession concerns and companies wanting to do more with less.

Why are there so many germs in the kitchen?
Scripps News' Lauren Magarino makes a meal with the help of food experts, while they answer questions on food safety.

Why do our taste buds change over time?
Your tongue is filled with taste buds — as many as 10,000 when you’re born. But those aren’t the little dots you can see.

How have nations militarized space?
U.S. officials say an increased military presence outside of Earth could put those tools at risk.

Why is there no cure for Alzheimer's yet?
Two Alzheimer's drugs have hit the market in the past year and a half: the first treatment since 2003, and the first looking to target the cause.

Studies show most Americans are sleep deprived
Experts who spoke with Scripps News say multiple factors are causing America’s sleep deprivation crisis.

Why is February only 28 days long?
The Romans dedicated the month to the God of purification and left it with an even 28 days. February would then be moved after January in 452 B.C.

Explaining trends in open relationships
Relationship expert and coach Susan Winter says some couples engage in open relationships to obtain sexual and emotional satisfaction.

Why are fertility rates declining?
In 1960, the average woman had more than three children. That's dropped to one child —near a record low. Why? And what are the impacts?

Why do NFL referees wear stripes?
The striped crew used to wear their Sunday best on Sundays — but they were sometimes mistaken for players, so a change was needed.

Wearable fitness tech is taking off
Experts expect health tech to generate more than $13 billion in revenue this year.

Why personal savings have hit new lows
People only saved an average of 2.9% of their disposable income in Q4. Why?

Malls are adapting to customer tendencies, but can they survive?
The future of shopping malls seems to be hazy, with customers turning to online shopping more, especially in the pandemic.

Why are border towns struggling?
An uptick in illegal crossings at the southwest border has put a strain on local resources.

Would high-speed rail work in the US?
Overseas, the concept is already reality. While the U.S. was in the throes of building highways, Japan opened the world's first high-speed railway.

How is winter changing?
A warmer winter is preventing ice from forming on the Great Lakes, which have steadily lost ice cover since the 1970s.

Why do blockbuster movies cost so much to make?
Hollywood wasn’t always a high-rollers club. In 1913, Universal produced "Traffic In Souls" for $5,700. But as the industry expanded, so did costs.

Why is the Super Bowl halftime show such a big deal?
Despite a huge TV audience, the NFL doesn’t pay performers — though it does cover their expenses.

Why are more states changing pay transparency laws?
New laws mean more employers are required to share salary data with prospective employees.

Can machines be creative?
Generative AI is a subfield of artificial intelligence that involves training models to generate new content such as text, images, or music.

Why do bones break?
Dr. Claire Shannon, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, says popping your knuckles – or cracking your knee or your wrist – is considered a 'phenomenon.'

Why are retail thefts on the rise?
It’s organized retail crime — where the thefts are planned, and part of organized rings.

Understanding Iran's ongoing protests
Mass demonstrations have triggered the biggest challenge to the Islamic Republic of Iran in decades.

How do Amazon packages get delivered so quickly?
When retailers like Amazon deliver on their speedy shipping promises, it’s good news for consumers. But it can compromise workplace safety.

Why audiences are getting their news from comedians
Getting some comedy with your news may help you remember what you’re learning.

Why are more married couples living apart?
The latest U.S. Census shows roughly 3.89 million American married adults are living apart.

The science and safety behind newly popular weight loss drugs
Today’s weight loss drugs pull from the science of diabetes treatments. Those have been proven for years to have fewer and less serious side effects.

What is the future of Twitter?
Twitter CEO Elon Musk has floated the possibility of declaring bankruptcy and has slashed costs and thousands of jobs.

Why are Americans spending more time alone?
Americans are spending more time by themselves than they have over the past 20 years. A professor who studies solitude helps explain why.

Why aren't keyboards in alphabetical order?
Here's how our society evolved into using the "qwerty" keyboard, straying from alphabetical organization used in the first typewriter in the 1860s.

Why do we put so much worth in diamonds?
Diamonds became associated with love and engagements around the 15th century. Here's why it wasn't just a romantic gesture.

Why are Americans cautious about PTO?
Companies like Coinbase, Transunion, and Netflix offer unlimited PTO or taking as much time off as you want as long as the work gets done.

Why do chefs wear those tall hats?
The Frenchman known as "The King of Chefs, and the Chef of Kings" is credited with creating the standard chef’s hat.

How political unrest escalated into violence in Brazil
Thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro broke through barriers to protest the inauguration of the country's new president.

How is the role of cash evolving?
Digital banking is on the rise. About 197 million people used it in 2021 and that number increased to 203 million in 2022.

Why are there no cancer warnings on alcohol bottles?
The CDC says drinking alcohol increases your risk of getting six different types of cancers.

What’s next for crypto?
Crypto keeps evolving since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009. Estimates show there are roughly 20,000 different digital tokens, coins and currencies today.

The History Of Our Pursuit Of A Flying Car
What if you never had to worry about sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic? Flying cars present that opportunity — but they’re not a reality yet.

Why Do Planes Cruise At 36,000 Feet?
If you’ve traveled by air, you know that sometimes it inspires frustration and questions.

Why Are Some Reconsidering Where To Retire?
Some Americans are considering a new factor when deciding where to retire —climate change.

Why Some Schools Are Rethinking Standardized Tests
Why Some Schools Are Rethinking Standardized Tests

Where Did Emojis Come From?
Your text messages today may include no text at all — they’re a series of pictures, GIFs and emojis.

How Is 3D Printing Changing Manufacturing?
3DPX is a 3D printing company making thousands of different parts each year out of plastic and metal. It's called additive manufacturing.

Why Did Concert Tickets Get So Expensive?
According to Billboard, concert goers’ money doesn’t go straight to the artist. The base ticket price goes toward marketing, production and the venue.

Why Are There 8 Days Of Hanukkah?
Jews celebrate Hanukkah’s traditions around the world. Why does this festival of lights last eight nights?

Housing Market Sees Fewer First-Time Homebuyers
The National Association of Realtors found first-time homebuyers made up just 26% of all homebuyers this year.

Why Do We Procrastinate Holiday Shopping?
Two psychology professors break down why some people wait until the last minute to buy holiday gifts for their loved ones.

How Are Genetic Tests Changing Families?
Algorithms identify those who share many genetic markers, making them very likely to be close relatives.

Why Are There Seven Candles For Kwanzaa?
Seven days and a new candle for each one — that's the years-long tradition of Kwanzaa.

Why Do We Hang Stockings Around Christmas?
Stockings are a Christmas decoration staple. But why do we hang these garments this time of year?

Why There's A Debate Over Cursive
A few years after common core was introduced, a survey found roughly four in 10 elementary school teachers were no longer teaching cursive.

Why Do We Drink Eggnog?
Because of its seasonal spices, eggnog became associated with the holidays and is now mostly consumed in November and December.

How Is Automation Transforming The Economy?
Robots are already changing the way we commute, deliver goods, care for patients, and even what we do in the bedroom.

How Did Evergreen Trees Become A Christmas Symbol?
Early Americans with strong Christian beliefs denounced Christmas trees, calling it a pagan symbol.

Why Isn't There An RSV Vaccine?
In a press release Pfizer says its maternal shot was 69% effective in preventing severe RSV infection in infants 0-6 months.

Why Is College Enrollment Dropping?
College enrollment is on the decline as students weigh a number of factors forcing them to reconsider higher education.

Why Do We Have Middle Names?
Turns out middle names have an interesting origin and historical purpose.

Why Are Factory Jobs Making A Comeback?
The economy is changing and manufacturing jobs are on the rise.

How Effective Are Anti-Depressants?
Many Americans battle depression. How do anti-depressant drugs work, and are how effective are they?

How Can Animals Detect How Humans Are Feeling?
Exploring how animals can sense how we're feeling, and what it means for us.

When Is It Too Early To Play Christmas Music?
When is it too early to ring in the holiday season on speakers and over the airwaves?

How Can Earth Avoid An Asteroid Strike?
If a meteor actually hits Earth, it's called a meteorite. As many as 30 pebble-size ones strike the planet each day.

The Potential Future Of Daylight Saving Time
Right now, 19 states have legislation in place to adopt daylight time year-round if the Sunshine Protection Act becomes law.

Why Does OPEC Control Oil Prices?
OPEC comprises 13 countries including some of the world’s largest oil exporters.

Why Is The World Cup Being Played In The Winter?
The World Cup is happening now, but why is it starting so late?

Are Airlines Prepared For Holiday Travel?
Will airlines be ready for the holiday rush after a summer bummer?

Why Do We Eat Cranberries At Thanksgiving?
How did this fruit end up becoming such a Thanksgiving staple?

Why Are People So Obsessed With True Crime?
From docu-series, to tv shows, podcasts, books, films — you name it — true crime is an easy rabbit hole to fall into.

Why Do Presidents Pardon Turkeys?
It’s a centuries-old tradition with origins that are a little... feathery. Some believe it started with Lincoln – not the president, but his son.

Do Income Programs Work?
How much should payments be, how are these programs funded, and most importantly — are they sustainable?

How Effective Is Missile Defense?
Armies have gradually improved techniques to defend against both ballistic rockets and powered missiles.

Why Are We Still Mishandling Concussions?
Experts explain our current understanding of how concussion affects the brain.

Why Do We Americans Call It Soccer?
In some countries they call it football, in the U.S. they call it soccer. Why is that?

Why Do We Use Different Words For Soft Drinks?
Depending on where you live you might call soda something different, but why are there different words for it?

Why Are Younger Generations Exploring Sobriety?
Stress, coupled with liquor stores being deemed essential businesses, fueled a rise in alcohol consumption.

Why Is Natural Gas So Expensive Now?
Supply for natural gas has increased, but so has demand. So why is natural gas becoming so expensive now?

Why Are Political Ads Allowed To Run Misinformation?
Midterm elections are underway, and with them come political ads that aren't always true. Why is that allowed?

Why Are Sexually Transmitted Infections On The Rise?
The CDC made headlines this fall after warning cases of some sexually transmitted infections are at their highest levels in decades.

Why Do Students Pledge Allegiance To The U.S. Flag?
Students in the U.S. have been reciting the pledge of allegiance for decades, but why?

Why Is Our Water Quality In Question?
American drinking water infrastructure is aging, and the impacts are increasingly dangerous. How is the U.S. fixing it?

Are Hurricanes Getting Stronger?
Hurricane Ian cause billions of dollars in damage. Are recent hurricanes getting stronger?

Why Is American Election Season So Long?
Talk about the next presidential election is already underway and that's because American presidential candidates run relatively long campaigns.

Why Are Political Outsiders Running For Office?
As midterms are approaching, more political outsiders are starting to run for office, but why?

Why Are Cancer Rates Rising For Those Under 50?
More people are getting diagnosed with cancer, especially those under 50 — but why?

Why Does The President's Party Typically Lose Midterms?
Midterms are approaching. Some wonder if a pattern will continue, and if the sitting president's party will lose seats in this years elections.

Self-Defense Class Teaches Older Asian Americans How To Fight Back
The number of AAPIs aged 65 and older is expected to grow by more than 350% in the next 50 years.

Why Are Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans On The Rise?
Experts say the trope of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners and treated as "others" continues today with dangerous consequences.

Why Is Medicare So Complicated?
Open enrollment is happening now for Medicare until December 7, but why is it so complicated to understand?

What's The Difference Between 'Hispanic' And 'Latino'?
The population of Hispanics and Latinos in the U.S. is growing rapidly, according to 2020 census data.

Explaining Health Care Disparities Among Hispanics
The largest minority group in America has limited access to health care. What causes these disparities?

Why Does Intergenerational Trauma Affect Us?
Psychologists say that although we pass down heirlooms from generation to generation, we can also pass down trauma from past events.

The History Of Campaign Financing
How do candidates finance their increasingly expensive election campaigns?

Why Do Candidates Have To Say 'I Approve This Message' In Ads?
As political season approaches you've probably heard "I approve this message." But why do candidates have to say that?

Why Are Governors Busing Migrants?
Republican governors are accused of busing migrants up north to Democratic led cities as a tactic to blame President Biden for an immigration issue.

Why The Organ At Baseball Games?
The organ is a common sound you hear at baseball games, but why and what is the significance of it?

Are Social Media Platforms Ready For The Midterms?
As Americans get ready for midterm elections, many social media platforms are tightening up on cybersecurity to protect voters.

Are Electric Cars Really More Environmentally Friendly?
Getting more electric vehicles on the roads is a key part of President Joe Biden’s plan to fight off the worst effects of climate change.

Why Is Pumpkin Spice Season So Popular?
Fall is here and the pumpkin pie spice trend is once again taking over. But why is this season so popular?

Why Do Languages Have Gendered Words?
Have you ever wondered why certain languages have grammatical gender? Newsy's Lauren Magarino spoke with an expert to find out.

How Can We Prepare For Deadly Floods?
Record U.S. rainfall has caused major flash flooding. How can Americans better prepare for these natural disasters?

Why Is The FBI Accused Of Politicization?
What is the history behind the FBI, and why do many accuse it of becoming politicized?

Why Is There A Shortage Of Psychiatrists?
As the number of people dealing with mental health challenges increases, it's putting a strain on psychiatrists and mental health professionals.

Car Thefts Are On The Rise
The National Insurance Crime Bureau found car thefts rose 17% from 2019 to 2021.

This Is Why Guacamole Costs Extra
Avocados are water- and labor-intensive crops, and they're getting more popular in the U.S.

Why Is China Buying Up U.S. Farmland?
Chinese companies own about 0.2% of American agricultural land, per USDA data.

Why Do Some People Live So Long?
The CDC predicts life expectancy to grow for Americans in the next few years from 76 years old to about 85 years old.

Why Are So Few Women In Animation?
Women in film are still struggling to find jobs in the film industry, specifically in animation.

Why Do Air Traffic Controllers Retire At 56?
The Federal Aviation Administration argues burnout gets more acute for workers by their mid 50s.

The Story Of Smokey The Bear
Newsy's Casey Mendoza gives us a history lesson on the familiar forest figure.

Why Is Chicago Against Ketchup On Hot Dogs?
Many Chicago natives say they have the best hot dogs in the country, but is that true? Newsy's Meg Hilling dug deeper to find out.

Why Is There New Interest In Fusion Energy?
A company by the name of Zap Energy is trying to find a way to develop more energy output from fusion reactions.

Why Does Our Vision Get Worse As We Age?
An optometrist talks about declining eyesight, and how to preserve your vision as you get older.

Why Is The Trucking Industry Changing?
During the pandemic the trucking industry struggled due to loss of drivers. Now the industry is picking back up as driver enrollment increases.

Why Are We Scared Of A Recession?
Americans are worried about another potential recession, largely because of the effects on job security.

What Is The Independent State Legislature Theory?
A case in North Carolina may change election laws nationwide, as the Supreme Court is set to review the case.

Why Is TikTok Under Scrutiny Again?
TikTok has been under scrutiny since a social media company claimed the app was collecting data from Americans and giving China access to U.S. info.

Why Is It So Difficult To Bring Detained Americans Home?
There are over 50 Americans that are wrongfully detained in several countries, and many wonder why is it hard to negotiate their release.

Why Does Swiss Cheese Have Holes In It?
Swiss cheese used to be turned down by cheesemakers, but now those holes you see have become a distinct feature in the cheese.

Why Is It So Difficult To Tackle Homelessness?
How to resolve homelessness is a long-running topic of conversation, with few easy answers.

Why Is Taiwan So Disputed?
There are still tensions over diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the U.S.

How Are Gig Workers Faring In Today’s Economy?
Americans are now turning to "gig" work to make quick cash, and also have control over their own work schedules.

Why Does U.S. Life Expectancy Rank Poorly?
Life expectancy is a key metric used to determine the heath of a country. The World Bank says it's improving around the world.

What Makes Nutrition Advice Confusing?
Newsy's Heath and Science correspondent Lindsey Theis looks into whether nutrition advice is helpful or confusing.

How Helpful Are Police Officers In Schools?
Today there are at least 14,000 officers in American schools.

Why Do We Have An Appendix?
Many people wonder if your appendix is a vital organ that you need in your body.

Why Are Teachers Quitting?
School districts across the country are facing teacher vacancies due to teachers quitting and leave the industry.

Why Is Military Recruitment Low?
Military recruitment is the lowest it's been in years, due in part to the pandemic creating a lack of opportunities to recruit in schools.

Why Are Layoffs On The Rise?
Companies are beginning to lay off employees, and are in a hiring freeze amid inflation and an upcoming recession.

Artificial Intelligence Is Now Used To Track Down Hate Speech
Social media companies are now using artificial intelligence to detect hate speech online.

Why Aren’t There More Electric Vehicles On The Road?
Electric vehicles are on the rise, as many consumers are considering an electric car over gasoline cars to save money.

The Law Behind Presidential Records Belonging To The National Archives
Congress passed the Presidential Records Act after Watergate, preserving documents that otherwise would have been Pres. Nixon's personal property.

How The Supreme Court Became What It Is Today
America's approval of the highest court in the land is declining.

Keeping Track Of Subscriptions
New data shows the average consumer underestimated their monthly subscription costs by $133.

Explaining Washington D.C.'s Maternal Mortality Rate
Maternal mortality rates in Washington, D.C. are due at least in part to income disparities.

Understanding Maternal Mortality Risks For Black Women
Why do pregnant Black women face such a high risk?

Checking Up On Global Supply Chains
We’ve seen how bottlenecks can wreak havoc on our lives, from manufacturers to shippers to distributors and to us at home.

How The Port Of Los Angeles Has Changed
The port of Los Angeles is getting back up to speed, but things look different now.

Why Do Governments Fund Sports?
Sports have a unique way of bringing us together. They unite. And lawmakers love attaching their name to them.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf On How To Pay For Sports Stadiums
Mayor Libby Schaaf talks with Newsy's James Packard about taxpayer-funded sports stadiums.

Why Hiccups Happen
There’s no scientific ‘cure’ to hiccups, and typically they’ll be over before you know it.

How A Changing Climate Is Changing Our Summers
The nonproft Union of Concerned Scientists describes summer as “danger season.”

Why Do We Say 'God Bless You' When Someone Sneezes?
Today, the response to a sneeze is mostly an ingrained reaction.

Why Are Fewer Americans Religious?
Survey findings show Protestantism and Catholicism in America have seen a great drop in identification.

Why We Experiment On Animals
In the modern era, experiments with animals have been essential to biomedical science.

What's Happened To Hiring Practices?
How is it that everybody’s hiring yet millions of Americans are still looking for jobs?

Why Are Border Encounters At An All-Time High?
CBP estimates show one in four people agents encountered in May were caught crossing the border more than once.

A New Era In Nuclear Proliferation
Nuclear weapons development never stopped. Now stockpiles are growing again.

Why Are More States Requiring Personal Finance Education?
Fourteen states now require high school students to take a financial literacy course before graduating.

Why The U.S. Still Uses Imperial Measurement
In the U.S., one mile equals 1,760 yards. One yard is three feet and one foot is 12 inches.

Why Are Experts Warning About Extremism In Gaming?
Video games, including those targeted at children, have been the subject of a new phenomenon in extremism.

It's Hard To Amend The U.S. Constitution For A Reason
The U.S. Constitution is difficult to change by design.

Why Aren't Mental Health Resources Available To Everyone?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness one in five Americans experience mental illness in a given year.

Why Is California Classifying Bees As Fish?
California's state Endangered Species Act is now classifying bees as fish to protect them against insecticides that kill them.

What's Tanking American Confidence In The Economy?
People expect inflation to keep climbing over the next year, along with their mortgage interest rates, monthly expenses, and taxes.

What Makes Yawning Contagious?
The area of your brain that’s in charge of motor functions is also behind the reflex that makes you yawn when someone else does.

How Drones Are Transforming Warfare
Combat drones have a long history, but their latest iterations are highlighting longstanding questions on the effects of war.

Why Does The U.S. Send Foreign Aid To Other Countries?
America gives the most foreign aid of any country in terms of gross dollars.

The Complicated U.S.-Saudi Relationship
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue to be connected in the headlines. Why?

What Makes The U.S. Power Grid So Vulnerable To Blackouts?
The U.S. power grid is extensive — and precarious.

Why There's A Backlog In Criminal Courts
When criminal courts hit pause, cases continued to pile up with no judge or jury able to hear them.

The History Of The High Five
One of the most widely attributed origins of the high five involves the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Why Isn't There Consensus On Sex Education?
The nation’s views on sex ed have shifted greatly over the past 30 years.

Why Are Rap Lyrics Being Used In Court?
As hip hop assumes its position as a cultural phenomenon, artists, lawmakers and law enforcers are faced with yet another dilemma.

Why Isn't Solar Power More Mainstream?
Right now, says the Department of Energy, solar energy provides about 3 percent of American electricity.

Why It's Hard To Break Into The Housing Market Right Now
The average household should shoot for a home around $200,000. Except that’s half of what they’re going for these days, on average.

Explaining The Laws Around Women's Reproductive Health
Newsy explores the history and development of laws that govern women's reproductive health in the U.S.

Where Did Credit Scores Come From?
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a credit score is a tool to predict how likely you are to pay back a loan on time.

What Makes Storms In The U.S. So Intense?
The U.S. gets all kinds of severe weather. What makes all of it so powerful sometimes?

Why Are Women Underrepresented In Coaching?
More often than not, women are not getting the opportunity to be head coaches. Why is that?

The Big Business Of Cannabis
If you drive through states where cannabis is legal, you’ll see more dispensaries are popping up.

Why Can’t Congress Agree On Immigration?
Here, we have more immigrants than any other country in the world, with more than 40 million people born in another country living in the U.S.

How Does Cancer Work In The Body?
To continuously multiply, your cells have to divide. When they do that they copy your genes — all 3 billion letters of your genetic code.

Why Do Cats Hiss At Us?
If you have a cat, you already know about how they sometimes hiss. It’s part of the way they communicate.

Why Do We Pursue Four-Year Degrees?
More people are either choosing to leave college, or to not pursue a degree at all.

How Disney Got Its International Clout
Whether it’s a theme park ride, a movie, or a cruise ship, you’ve been touched by the house of mouse.

How Has Our Approach To Treating PTSD Evolved?
Patients suffering from traumatic stress have long found their symptoms minimized.

What Makes Space 'Cold?'
When people say space is cold, they’re actually talking about the cosmic microwave background radiation.

Why Do Americans Consume So Much Meat?
Whether it’s smoked, cured, barbecued, or fried — why is meat so hard for us to resist?

Why Do CEOs Get Paid So Much?
We break down the differences in pay between some of the world’s top executives and their employees.

Why We Give To Charity
Today, hundreds of thousands of people donate their time or money to non-profit organizations every year.

Our Everyday Artificial Intelligence
As AI becomes a bigger and bigger part of our world, it's changing how we use technology and interact with each other.

Why Are They Called 'French Fries?'
According to some accounts, "French" fries were actually born in Belgium.

Why Is Major League Baseball Exempt From Antitrust Laws?
2022 marks 100 years since the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that professional baseball is exempt from the Sherman Antitrust Act.

How Did Air Travel Get So Stressful?
Historians told the Boston Globe the rich and famous boarded flights in clothes fit for cocktail parties, and ate full-course meals.

Why Are U.S. Car Crashes On The Rise?
By 2019, the yearly death rate was the lowest level since cars first rolled off the conveyor belt in the 1920s. Then the pandemic hit.

Prenatal Testing Comes With Certain Risks
The tests are used by about a third of all pregnant women in the U.S.

What's The Role Of The Chief Justice?
Within the Court’s building, the chief justice is considered the “first among equals.”

Why Do Hot Dogs And Buns Come In Different Counts?
The National Hot Dot and Sausage Council says it wasn’t until 1940 that hot dogs started getting packaged together like we know today.

Renewed Hope For Action On Climate Change
What reasons are there to feel guarded optimism about tackling climate change?

How Does The U.S. Adoption System Work?
It can take weeks or even years to adopt a child, along with tens of thousands of dollars.

The U.S. Has A Spam Call Problem
There hasn’t been much progress made to shut down mass-messaging scams.

How Do Sister Cities Work?
In the 1970s and 1980s, dozens of communities in the U.S. and the Soviet Union overcame Cold War fears to create sister cities links.

Why Is Inflation On The Rise Globally?
During a steady economy, prices typically rise steadily, by one or two percent a year. But sometimes, these numbers go above normal levels.

Why Is The Wellness Industry Booming?
Studies show the industry may be booming, because people are looking to move on from the stress of the pandemic.

The Search For Life Beyond Earth
For as long as we’ve been gazing up at the stars we’ve wondered whether someone out there may be gazing back.

Finding More Options For Male Birth Control
There are no approved male birth control pills on the market.

The State Of Bail In The U.S.
The non-profit group The Marshall Project puts the median felony bail bond amount at $10,000.

How Did Nextdoor Get So Popular?
As of midway through 2021, Nextdoor said it had more than 69 million users.

How Do Conspiracy Theories Get Their Traction?
Many conspiracy theories never gain traction or affect our lives. But some can catch fire on the internet, where false ideas spread fast.

Book Bans Are Taking Off Nationwide
Efforts to ban books are happening both at the local and state level.

Obesity Is On The Rise Worldwide
Researchers have linked obesity with higher rates of heart and liver disease. Obesity raises one’s risk of COVID-19 and many cancers.

Where Are Anti-Trans Bills On The Rise?
As of mid-April, at least 325 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were pending in more than two dozen states.

What Makes The U.S. Vulnerable To Cyberattacks?
According to the White House, ransomware payments reached over $400 million globally in 2020.

What Is Title 42, And What Does It Mean For U.S. Immigration?
Title 42 is the section of federal law that the CDC used in March 2020 to essentially close the southern U.S. border to asylum seekers.

Why Does Our Gut Affect Our Overall Health?
Over the last decade new science has begun to uncover how extensively our gut and our brain communicate.

The Risks Of Benzene In Personal Care Products
What risks does benzene present when it shows up in healthcare products?

Understanding Child Marriage In The U.S.
44 states still allow child marriages, with conditions like parental or judicial consent.

What Makes The U.S. So Invested In Cars?
U.S. expansion and development has historically favored the automobile.

Why Does The U.S. Produce So Much Waste?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. produced about 36 million tons of plastic waste in 2018.

More Doctors Are Embracing Psychedelics
Once shunned by the medical establishment, psychedelics are experiencing a comeback.

Why Are There So Many Animals In U.S. Shelters?
An adoption manager at a dog rescue in Chicago says things are just back to normal.

Why Is The American Pet Industry Growing?
More than 23 million Americans adopted a pet during the pandemic. But that's not the only reason.

The Twin Birthrate Is On The Rise
Researchers analyzed birth records in 100 countries and found since the 1980s, twin birth rose by a third.

Why The U.S. Imports Foreign Oil
The U.S. is the world’s largest oil consumer. The nation uses more than 19 million barrels of oil a day.

Why Does Vladimir Putin See Ukraine As Part Of Russia?
Why does Vladimir Putin see Ukraine as a part of Russia?

What Happened To Nickel Prices?
When Russia invaded Ukraine, the price of nickel shot straight up — literally.

Why Some Volcanic Eruptions Don't Have Bigger Climate Impacts
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano could have ejected more planet-cooling ash when it recently erupted. Scientists aren't sure why it didn't.

Explaining America's Illegal Gun Trafficking Problem
Officials expect the number of seized guns from criminal activity will have climbed in 2021.

How Did We Get Metaverse Real Estate?
People are paying millions of dollars for land that doesn’t actually exist. Is that a bubble, or the next big thing?

People Of Color Are More Frequently Misidentified
Is misidentifying people of color an innocent slip-up of mistaken identity, or a more systemic issue?

Why More Teens Are Overdosing On Drugs
A study in The Lancet projects 1.2 million more Americans could die of overdose by the end of this decade.

Prioritizing U.S. Chip Manufacturing
From our smartphones to electric scooters, your cars, to your smart doorbells — inside every one of them are critical computer chips.

Why Different Nations Drive On Different Sides Of The Road
Why do Americans and some Europeans drive differently?

The American Struggle With Aging
New trends regarding beauty, longevity and activity are changing the way Americans think about age and aging.

The Unique Climate Change Implications Of Maritime Law
In 2019, less than one percent of the 60,000 cargo ships sailing the oceans used any type of alternative fuel.

Why China Is Accused Of Genocide Against Uyghurs
Last year the U.S. Joined other nations in formally declaring China’s treatment of Uighurs a genocide.

COVID Is Drawing Out A U.S. Blood Shortage
Not much is untouched by COVID-19, and the nation’s blood supply is no exception.

Why Are Influencers So Influential?
Influencers’ endorsements or recommendations can help businesses or brands expand their reach and generate new leads.

Why Are Supreme Court Nominations So Partisan?
Supreme Court confirmations largely rely on the political party in power.

A Resurgence In Worker Empowerment
As Republicans gained power, a decades-long process of erosion of labor rights began. Union membership began to drop and has steadily declined since.

How Cults Work
Some cults are religious. Others are political, polygamist or apocalyptic, like Q-anon.

The Rise Of E-sports
The popularity of competitive games is driving millions of dollars and eyeballs into e-sports.

The Pervasiveness Of U.S. Pop Culture
How does a country that makes up less than five percent of the world’s population have a culture that permeates far beyond its borders?

The Rise Of Sports Gambling
Sports gambling is more widely allowed now because of a 2018 decision from the Supreme Court.

The Cost Of Hosting The Olympics
Olympic athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze — but for host countries, the most important color might be green.

Unlocking Secrets Of The Early Universe
The James Webb Space Telescope will peer farther into the early days of the universe than any other astronomy hardware.

The Need For Digital Wellness
Our increasing use of digital devices has put a new focus on maintaining digital wellness.

Our Fascination With True Crime, Explained
Our morbid fascination with violent crime dates back centuries.

Recidivism In The U.S.
The Department of Justice says 6 of 10 prisoners released in 2012 were re-arrested within 3 years.

The Long History Between Russia And Ukraine
The history between Russia and Ukraine traces back centuries.

The Future Of U.S. Social Security
The Old-Age & Survivors Insurance Trust Fund holds $2.8 trillion in reserves, mostly from taxes you pay.

Earth Orbit Has A Junk Problem
The discarded and broken detritus of space exploration is still in orbit around Earth.

The Early Warning Systems That Protect Us From Extreme Weather
Early warning systems give people precious minutes — even seconds — to take shelter from extreme weather.

Rising White Supremacy, In The U.S. And Around The World
Newsy investigates trends in White supremacist groups in the U.S. and abroad.

Explaining The Rise Of Mistrust In News Media
24 percent of Americans trust TV anchors. Journalists as a whole don't rank much better, at 26 percent.

The Security Vulnerabilities Of Smart Home Systems
The proliferation of internet-connected home devices also presents more opportunities for bad actors to attack their networks.

How Gerrymandering Works
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census counts state population. In most states, state legislatures then redraw the political maps.

The Long History Of Nonbinary Identities
The nonbinary identifier is older than recent headlines might make it seem.

Understanding How Antarctica Is Melting
Scientists have found new vulnerabilities that are eroding Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica — which will have significant effects on global sea levels.

How The Great Resignation Got Started
Even as businesses reopened from COVID shutdowns, many workers chose not to return.

How To Charge A Country Full Of Electric Vehicles
Is U.S. infrastructure ready to handle the demands of more electric vehicle charging?

The Steep Costs Of U.S. Childcare
We break down what it costs to care for a child in the U.S., and how the country stacks up to others.

The Long Road To Legalized Marijuana
How did marijuana get so widely accepted in the U.S., and where is it headed from here?

The History Of The Michelin Star
The creators of the Michelin tire company came up with the rating system for high-end restaurants, too.

Exploring The Causes And Effects Of Anxiety
Examining the evolutionary roots of anxiety, and the effects it has on our mental health.

How 'Cancel Culture' Works
The idea behind "cancel culture" isn't necessarily new, even if the tools and methods take advantage of our modern era.

Cryptocurrency, Demystified
Cryptocurrency and the blockchain are obscure, but they're getting widely popular for payment or investment.

The Tradition Of Activism In Sports
Over the last decade, athletes have stepped up their social activism — building on more than a century of athletes taking a stand.

The Robots That Are Coming For Our Jobs
By 2025, 85 million jobs could be lost or changed because of robots — but almost 100 million new jobs could emerge because of them.

Here's Why More Than $1.7T Is Owed In U.S. Student Debt
According to educationdata.org, student loan debt is growing six times faster than the nation's economy.

The Rise of Reusable Rockets
Rockets that touch down gracefully were once a fanciful idea, but thanks to advances in engineering and technology, the practice has become routine.