Seth Cline
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Articles by Seth Cline
Wars of Words and Worker Power: Week in Review
Negotiating the conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and … Massachusetts. Lane Turner | The Boston Globe | Getty Images Rideshare stickers are stuck to a vehicle's windshield in Boston, Massachusetts. The fighting continues in Iran and Ukraine, and Uber drivers in Massachusetts are fighting for their collective rights. Seth Cline here with what you may have missed in this short post-holiday week of Decision Points.
Price Spikes and Power Struggles: Week in Review
Inside a week of Fed shifts, global rankings and grid wars. Danielle Parhizkaran | The Boston Globe | Getty Images A data center stands in the middle of a neighborhood in Lowell, Massachusetts. Memorial Day – the unofficial start of summer – beckons, but first, the news. Seth Cline here with what you may have missed this week.
Trade Wars and Truth-Telling: Week in Review
Hello all, and happy Friday – Seth Cline here. Hope you’re staying warm amid this prolonged cold snap. Here’s what we tackled this week in Decision Points. Monday Olivier started off with a look at a global trade landscape adjusting to unpredictable U.S. policy. President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs – as well as his threats to annex Greenland and willingness to disrupt established order – have traditional U.S. allies looking elsewhere for trade.
Shrinking Portions, Growing Tensions: The Week in News
It’s Friday again – hope you’re ready for the winter weather expected today and through the weekend. Seth Cline here to walk you through the news of the week. Tuesday After the MLK Day holiday, Olivier started with the land of (almost) eternal winter, Greenland, which President Donald Trump openly covets even though it belongs to NATO ally Denmark. Trump’s pursuit of the icy island got serious over the weekend.
Fighting Deepfakes and Petro-states: The Week in News Original
Happy Friday folks, Seth Cline here. Before we dive into the news, a quick programming note: Decision Points is off Monday for MLK Day, but we’ll be back in your inbox Tuesday. Now onto this week’s stories. Monday On Monday, Olivier perused the news around North America, where governments are concerned with technology, especially artificial intelligence. In Canada, officials are considering taking action against Grok, Elon Musk’s increasingly malicious AI engine.
Maduro, Measles and Minimum Wage: What to Know
Happy New Year! We’re one week into 2026 and the U.S. has already deposed a foreign leader. For more on that conflict and the rest of this week’s news, keep reading. Sign Up for U.S. News Decision Points Your trusted source for breaking down the latest news from Washington and beyond, delivered weekdays. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S. News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.
Waging War and Fighting Slop: The Week in Decision Points
Happy Friday, folks, Seth Cline here. Christmas is upon us, and 2025 is winding down. We’ll send Decision Points out on Monday and Tuesday of next week, then we’ll hibernate until Jan. 5. Now, onto the news of the week. Monday We began the week with war. As President Donald Trump threatened to use military force in Venezuela, Olivier wondered if Congress would get a say in the matter. Congress did get a say on both wars in Iraq and that didn’t go altogether well for them.
The Shadow Over Farms, Health Care and SCOTUS
We’re in the home stretch of 2025: Just one more Friday until Christmas, and Hanukkah starts Sunday. Here’s what went down in Decision Points this week. Monday To start the week off, Olivier surveyed the news across the nation, from Maine to Texas. In Maine, state police are distributing playing cards bedecked with faces from 52 unsolved homicide and suspicious missing person cases to the state’s prisons in hopes of generating fresh leads.
Global Tensions and Neighborhood News: The Week in Decision Points
Well, it’s Friday again. You made it. And in case you missed a Decision Points along the way, here’s what we covered this week. Monday After a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, Olivier looked at what Americans want but didn’t get for Cyber Monday: better politics and better politicians. A pair of polls from Gallup and Pew Research Center spelled out just how unhappy Americans are with their representatives.
Robots, Conspiracies and Our Health Care Dystopia: The Week in Review
This time next week we’ll be full of food and off of work, with any luck. But first, let’s look at what you need to know going into the weekend. Monday Olivier started the week diving into the tricky politics of prices.
East Wing Goes Down, Economic Anxiety Goes Up: A Weekly Roundup
It’s Friday again, praise be. Here’s what we wrote about this week. Monday To start off the week, Olivier dove into an unsettling new survey that shows just how stressed Americans are about their finances and the state of the economy. Over half of respondents to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Sunday said grocery costs are a “major” source of stress at the moment, and over a third said the same of (rising) electricity bills.
Weekly Roundup: Good News on Crime, Bad News on Government Cooperation
Here’s our weekly look-back at what we covered in Decision Points. Crime Watch Despite what you may have heard from the commander in chief this week, crime is down in the U.S. – way down. On Monday, Olivier spoke with crime analyst Jeff Asher, whose Real-Time Crime Index (RTCI) pulls from a variety of data sources to estimate national crime trends. The upshot? The U.S. is on track for the lowest murder rate ever recorded this year, and record low rates of violent and property crime to boot.
5 Midday Must-Reads: A May Day of Protests, Mike Waltzes Out of the White House, and More
Happy first day of May, whether you celebrate it around a Maypole, celebrating workers, or behind a desk looking out a window. This year, in addition to the usual spring rites and labor rallies abroad, Americans across the country are expected to gather for protests against President Donald Trump and his administration.
Midday Must-Reads: U.S. Economy Shrinks, Trump’s 100-Day Victory Lap Continues and More
President Donald Trump's 100th-day bonanza continues today, fresh off a raucous rally in Michigan and a testy nationally televised interview last night. Speaking to his supporters in Michigan, Trump touted the accomplishments of his first 100 days, with a particular focus on immigration.
Remembering Pope Francis: 10 Surprising Facts About the History-Making Pontiff
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and first non-European to serve in the role in centuries, died Monday morning at the age of 88. The Vatican said Francis died of a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been sick for weeks after contracting a life-threatening case of pneumonia. A date for his funeral has not been set yet but Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Vatican City.
High Crimes and Controversy: Noteworthy Presidential Scandals
1/13 Credit Alex Brandon|AP View as article Great Power, Great Responsibility U.S. presidents aren't just the heads of state, they're also the supervisors of the entire federal bureaucracy. As with any boss, employee misbehavior often reflects poorly on the commander in chief, even if he isn't personally involved. In appointing and overseeing the executive branch, presidents often reward loyalty and support over other qualifications.
What Is Juneteenth and When Is It? Original
The newest federal holiday on Americans' calendars is Juneteenth National Independence Day, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Nationwide debates about police brutality in recent years have brought increased visibility to Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated by African American communities for more than a century. In 2021, it became a federal holiday after being signed into law by President Joe Biden.
How 9/11 Triggered Two Decades of Costly War for the U.S., Its Allies
Canadian infantry and U.S. Army personnel arrive by helicopter in the Tora Bora valley region of Afghanistan, on May 4, 2002.(Joe Raedle/Getty Images) "Our war on terror begins with Al Qaeda, but it does not end there … every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." Those words, spoken by President George W. Bush in a televised address just nine days after the attacks on Sept.
End of Atlantic Coast Pipeline Reflects ‘New Era’ for Energy Projects
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline – a multibillion-dollar proposed pipeline that would bring natural gas from the West Virginia mountains to the North Carolina coast – is no more, the project's backers have announced.
Juneteenth: What You Need to Know
Dancers perform during the Juneteenth Celebration parade in Denver in 2015.Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images It's been more than a year since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police and the ensuing protests against racism that filled the nation's streets – activism that brought increased visibility to Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated by Black and African American communities for more than a century.
Donor to Lindsey Graham Indicted for Illegal Campaign Contributions, Fraud
A South Carolina pharmaceutical executive and major contributor to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has been indicted for making at least $31,000 in illegal donations to the senator and embezzling at least $3.6 million of federal grant money, which Graham helped to earmark, The Post and Courier reports.
Joe Biden Urges Change in Emotional Address on George Floyd’s Death, Racism
Former Vice President Joe Biden called for "real leadership" to "root out systemic racism" on Friday in response to George Floyd's killing by a Minneapolis police officer this week.The Associated Press Joe Biden decried the "open wound" and "original sin" of racism in America, calling on people of all communities Friday to stand up for African American victims and end the "cycle of violence" – something the presumptive Dempcratic presidential nominee suggested the current occupant of the...
Coronavirus Resources: Cases, Deaths and the Economic Impact
Since its discovery in Wuhan, China, in December, the novel coronavirus has spread rapidly across the globe. COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the virus, has now infected more than a million people worldwide, and caused more than 50,000 deaths. The pandemic has also caused widespread economic devastation, including in the U.S., where the unemployment rate and jobless claims have skyrocketed in recent weeks.
The South Carolina Primary 101: Who Votes, Past Results and Why It Matters
Erica Levine, 20, a poll manager at the Colleton County Fire & Rescue polling precinct registers a voter on Feb. 20, 2016 in Walterboro, South Carolina.(Mark Makela/Getty Images) When: Saturday, Feb. 29, polls open 7am - 7pm Who: Eligible voters who will be 18 years old by Election Day and who have registered to vote at least 30 days before the primary. College students may vote in their school communities; ex-felons are not allowed to vote. Photo ID is required.
Nevada Caucuses 101: Who Votes, Past Results and Why They Matter
The Bellagio Hotel & Casino water fountain lagoon is viewed from Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.(George Rose/Getty Images) When: Feb. 22 (a Saturday), at 250 caucus locations across the state or at more than 80 early voting sites Feb. 15-18. Check-in on caucus day starts at 10 am, and the proceedings are called to order at noon Pacific Standard Time. Who: Any registered Democratic voter in Nevada, including those who will be 18 by Election Day, Nov. 3.
Nevada Caucuses 101: Who Votes, Past Results and Why They Matter
When: Feb. 22 (a Saturday), at 250 caucus locations across the state or at more than 80 early voting sites Feb. 15-18. Check-in on caucus day starts at 10 am, and the proceedings are called to order at noon Pacific Standard Time. Who: Any registered Democratic voter in Nevada, including those who will be 18 by Election Day, Nov. 3. Voters can register or change party the day of the caucuses if desired.
Iowa Caucuses 101: Who Votes, Past Results and Why They Matter
When: Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Where: At nearly 1,700 caucus locations across the state. Certain Iowans will be permitted to caucus in 99 satellite locations in the U.S. and abroad. The process can take several hours, but voters may leave whenever they wish. Who: Eligible voters who will be 18 by Election Day in November. How: Voters gather in groups supporting different candidates, then re-align as necessary. Candidates who get 15% or more of the vote will be assigned delegates to be determined later.
Americans Have Stopped Watching the Democratic Debates
Democratic presidential candidates participate in Thursday's debate in Los Angeles.The Associated Press The Democratic presidential primaries may be drawing near, but Americans are increasingly tuning out of the televised debates. Thus far, six officially sanctioned Democratic debates have taken place over eight nights. The debate season kicked off in the early summer, when the massive field of candidates required two nights of debating to accommodate everyone.
The Third Quarter Presidential Money Race, in 5 Charts
The Democratic presidential campaigns of Sen. Bernie Sanders, left, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are trending in different financial directions.The Associated Press The Democratic presidential field has looked the same since April, but the financial dynamics among the candidates have changed dramatically in that time.
Andrew Yang and the 2020 Presidential Election: News, Facts and Where He Stands
Andrew Yang Born: January 13, 1975 Political Party: Democratic Party Current Position: Entrepreneur Past Positions: Venture for America CEO, Manhattan Prep GMAT CEO Education: B.A., Brown University, 1996; J.D. Columbia Law School, 1999 Yang dropped out of the race in February 2020. He's a New York businessman who's taken the political world by surprise.
The 2020 Presidential Money Race, in 5 Charts
With about seven months to go until the first primaries and caucuses, the 2020 presidential race is beginning to take shape. So where do the candidates stand? Polling provides some insight, but fundraising can often be a more reliable indicator. Campaigns need money to stay afloat, and contributions can be a telling glimpse into how candidates are resonating with voters.
Beto O’Rourke Takes 2020 Road Show to North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — It was a sunny spring day on campus, but Beto O'Rourke's first day campaigning on the 2020 campaign trail in North Carolina wasn't all sunshine. SEE: [ Cartoons on the 2020 Presidential Election ] In what could be a harbinger of the days ahead, O'Rourke charmed a crowd of largely college students but faced vocal criticism from some skeptical of his optimistic, bipartisan message.
Paul Manafort Sentenced to 47 Months in Prison
A judge sentenced Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, to 47 months in prison Thursday.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, on Thursday was sentenced by a federal judge in Virginia to 47 months in prison for bank and tax fraud.
Retiring Senators Lament Money in Politics
Senators Kerry, Harkin, and Levin all decried the state of campaign finance in retiring remarks. By Seth Cline, Staff Writer March 8, 2013 By Seth Cline, Staff Writer March 8, 2013, at 3:19 p.m. Retiring Senators Lament Money in Politics Sen. Carl Levin speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill on Feb. 26, 2013. Levin said Thursday, March 7, he will not seek re-election in 2014. (Carolyn Kaste/AP) In announcing his retirement Thursday, Michigan Sen.
10 Things to Know About North Carolina
The North Carolina State Capitol in downtown Raleigh. Completed in 1840, it now houses the offices of the governor. Getty Images 1. By some accounts, North Carolina was the first American colony to formally declare independence from Great Britain. The Halifax Resolves and the more-disputed Mecklenberg Declaration preceded Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence by months and are now recognized in the state's "First in Freedom" license plates. 2.
Political Cartoons: Oct. 29- Nov. 2, 2018
Political Cartoons: Oct. 29- Nov. 2, 2018By Seth Cline, Staff Writer Oct. 29, 2018, at 1:18 p.m. Phil Hands/Tribune Content Agency
Teachers, Tired of Waiting For School Reforms, Are Running for Office
A view of teachers protesting outside of the State Capitol building in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 16, 2018. (Logan Cyrus/AFP/Getty Images) "I introduced myself and said, 'Hi, my name is Carri Hicks. I'm a teacher from Oklahoma City with 28 students in each of my classes,' and he put his hand up and said, 'Stop right there.' He told me I was lying," Hicks says. "[My co-worker and I] busted out laughing after he said the average class size is 16.
Rumors Swirl in Raleigh About Apple’s Expansion
Raleigh’s median home price has risen by more than 50 percent in the past five years. (Brett Ziegler for USN&WR) RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh is having a moment. Apple and Amazon, giants of American enterprise and darlings of the tech world, are sniffing around the once sleepy provincial capital of North Carolina. The question is, is the city ready for them?
How State Politics Could Sabotage Apple’s Possible Move to Raleigh
The state Capitol building is seen in Raleigh, North Carolina. After a spring of breathless speculation, talk of Apple opening up shop in Raleigh has died down, and politics could be a big reason why. (Brett Ziegler for USN&WR) RALEIGH, N.C. — Ask anyone around town, from city leaders to citizens, and the case for why Apple will choose the Research Triangle for its newest and much sought-after corporate campus is airtight. Burgeoning tech scene? . Workforce? Among the in America. Transit? .
Strong Majority of Americans, NRA Members Back Gun Control
A strong majority of gun owners and non gun owners support stronger restrictions on firearms, according to a national survey conducted by Johns Hopkins University. [WALSH: Obama Talks Guns, Football Violence] A sizable 89 percent of all respondents, and 75 percent of those identified as NRA members, support universal background checks for gun sales.
Cash-Strapped School Districts Left Behind by Wealthier Neighbors
Poor school systems across the country are being left to wither as wealthier districts shut the door on their cash-strapped neighbors, and states are doing little to stop it, a new report . Because schools are funded in large part by local property taxes, they are vulnerable to the same economic swings as the communities in which they are located.
This Initiative Has Patients Calling ‘Guerrilla’ Medics Instead of 911
Benji Currie, a district chief with the Wake County Advanced Practice Paramedic program, sits in his emergency vehicle in Raleigh, N.C. (Phyllis B. Dooney for USN&WR) "911 is the go-to number for people who need help, however acute or chronic or whatever state they're in," says Jeffrey Hammerstein, assistant chief for community outreach for Wake County EMS.
Summer Exacerbates the Divide Between Rich and Poor Students
Summer can be a challenging time, for students and parents.Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images If the American Dream depends on its education system, summer break could be holding its students back. "Summer is the most unequal time in America," says Matthew Boulay, founder and CEO of the National Summer Learning Association.
How Charlotte’s Suburbs Could Change the Charter School Movement
Lawmakers in North Carolina would pioneer a new way to effectively resegregate public education if they pass a controversial bill allowing municipalities to open their own charter schools, critics of the measure say. The bill, House Bill 514, would authorize four wealthy suburbs of Charlotte that are dissatisfied with the administration of the larger school system to fund their own charter schools and give priority admission to their towns' students.
States Look for Ways to Stop School Shootings
The stories are familiar by now. A disturbed student gets access to a gun, takes it to school and turns it on his peers. The question is, where do you stop it: with the kid, with the gun or with the school? In Texas, as in many states, the proposals for the most part do not involve guns. More than a million Texans are licensed to carry handguns in public, and gun ownership is deeply embedded in the state's culture.
North Carolina Teachers Walk Out
RALEIGH, N.C. — The initial plans called for a rally of around 500 people. Instead, at least 20,000 people showed up to protest teaching conditions on a muggy day in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, the latest of a surge of teacher activism that has swept the country this spring. More than 40 school districts across North Carolina cancelled classes for the rally – giving a million-plus students the day off from class – after the number of participating teachers oustripped the supply of substitutes.
Clinton’s North Carolina Firewall
RALEIGH, N.C. – Tim Kaine was in Jacksonville on Monday. Vice President Joe Biden swooped into Charlotte on Tuesday. President Barack Obama drew thousands of University of North Carolina students on Wednesday. Hillary Clinton returned Thursday for an evening rally in the state capital with Sen. Bernie Sanders and singer Pharrell Williams. On Friday, Obama was due back for a second time this week, making two more stops. And Saturday is Chelsea Clinton's turn in the Tar Heel State.
Washington County, Tennessee, Has Health Care but Isn’t That Healthy
People enjoy an evening walk at Founders Park, a green space inaugurated in 2014 in Johnson City, Tenn. (Joel Carillet/Getty Images) "It was probably a month or two after [the trail] opened and I'm walking down and I turn around and I hear sort of an odd noise," begins Tomita, who serves as mayor of Johnson City, the urban hub of eastern 's Washington County.
What Harvey Revealed About Climate Change in the South
"When you drive down the street there's piles and piles of furniture, clothing, shoes, sound systems, just about anything you find inside a home," Hilton Kelley, an environmental activist and former actor, says of Port Arthur, Texas, in Harvey's aftermath. "It really looks like a war zone in many of our neighborhoods." "Katrina, we should've learned from that. If we didn't learn from that we should've learned from Rita. If we didn't learn from Rita, we should've learned from Ike.
How North Carolina's Democrats Aim to Compete Again
In many ways, North Carolina is a case study of the Democrats' misfortune. The party ran the state for decades, and now holds barely a third of its legislative seats. Though Roy Cooper, a Democrat, won the governor's race in 2016, Republicans in the legislature have curtailed his executive powers and overridden his vetoes – including that of the state's budget in June. Nevertheless, the party is hoping to build off its lone bright spot.
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