Washington, D.C.

Two US soldiers are shown looking out at the Washington Monument with the US Capitol Building off in the distance.

After long silence, Mattis denounces Trump and military response to crisis

After long refusing to explicitly criticize a sitting president, former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis accused President Donald Trump on Wednesday of trying to divide America and roundly denounced a militarization of the US response to civil unrest.

After long silence, Mattis denounces Trump and military response to crisis
US Capitol building is seen reflected in a puddle at sunrise on the day of the US midterm election

What’s the economic impact of a government shutdown?

What’s the economic impact of a government shutdown?
a gap in the border wall between the US and Mexico

How ‘The Wall’ could kill a Texas city

How ‘The Wall’ could kill a Texas city
Jayden Lookinghorse, riding his horse, stands on top of a hill on the Cheyenne River Reservation South Dakota.

Out of spotlight, tribes keep fighting Dakota pipeline

Out of spotlight, tribes keep fighting Dakota pipeline
A protest by "If Not Now" outside the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, DC, March 2017.

As Israel turns 70, many young American Jews turn away

As Israel turns 70, many young American Jews turn away
Saudi rapper

How a rapper's radio interview revealed a Saudi soft power campaign

A Saudi rapper's interview with The Takeaway led journalists to uncover a soft power campaign.

How a rapper's radio interview revealed a Saudi soft power campaign
H.R. McMaster

An Obama-era national security adviser argues for diversity as Trump appoints McMaster

The president reportedly interviewed four candidates. They were all white men.

An Obama-era national security adviser argues for diversity as Trump appoints McMaster
The US Capitol building is shown under construction in 1860. President Abraham Lincoln directed that work continue through the Civil War.

Washington was once quite literally a 'cesspool'

The history of Washington features plenty of mudslinging, fighting and division, and that's without even going inside Congress. Here's how the capital developed from the small, dirty, disorganized town it was in the 19th century into today's capital — and how that history still shapes the city.

Washington was once quite literally a 'cesspool'
El Salvador_deportation

Families that are deported after crossing the border say they return home feeling hopeless and desperate

This year, an increasing number of Central American attempted to enter the US illegally. Now, as many are deported back home, there are concerns that due process was not served while they were held in detention facilities in the United States.

Families that are deported after crossing the border say they return home feeling hopeless and desperate
Actors Judi Dench (L) and Steve Coogan (R) pose during a photocall for the movie, "Philomena," during the 70th Venice Film Festival in Venice. It's based on the book, "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee," by former BBC reporter Martin Sixsmith.

The writer behind the hit movie, 'Philomena,' shares his secret to storytelling

Martin Sixsmith was a dead serious reporter for the BBC, covering the Cold War. Then he found a story that changed his mind about "human interest" pieces.

The writer behind the hit movie, 'Philomena,' shares his secret to storytelling

Woman is killed after leading police on a chase from the White House to the Capitol

In a puzzling incident in the nation's capital city, a woman tried to enter the White House grounds in her car and then led police on a chase to the Capitol. The woman was killed and an infant was found in the car.

Woman is killed after leading police on a chase from the White House to the Capitol

Bike sharing programs transform transportation in cities

Bike sharing programs are popping up in major cities all over the United States. Offering a flexibility that trains and buses can't match, shareable bikes are expected to become more widely available -- including in Chicago, among the largest cities to offer a bike-share program.

Bike sharing programs transform transportation in cities

Solutions for Curbing the Shadow Government

Solutions for Curbing the Shadow Government

Investigation uncovers little regulation of fertilizer plants

When an explosion at a fertilizer plant badly damaged much of the town of West, Texas, many asked if that could happen in their town. When the journalists at the Dallas Morning News tried to find out, they discovered it's a very difficult question to answer.

Investigation uncovers little regulation of fertilizer plants

Why the Russian Plan to Contain Syria's Chemical Weapons Just Might Work

The US has warned that the Russian plan on Syrian chemical weapons must not be an excuse for delays and avoidance. So could the Russian proposal to put Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons arsenal under international control actually succeed?

Why the Russian Plan to Contain Syria's Chemical Weapons Just Might Work