Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Archive

Archives for December 2014

Police Violence
A Ferguson witness who testified in favor of Darren Wilson may not have seen the shootingA Ferguson witness who testified in favor of Darren Wilson may not have seen the shooting
Police Violence

Witnesses from both sides got key facts wrong — and some made their testimony up.

By German Lopez
Politics
Common Core won’t sink Jeb Bush’s presidential runCommon Core won’t sink Jeb Bush’s presidential run
Politics

Three reasons why his support for the academic standards might not matter that much.

By Libby Nelson
Culture
What we searched for in 2014 says a lot about usWhat we searched for in 2014 says a lot about us
Culture

Video: our year in Google searches.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Politics
Ted Cruz is sorry he ruined his colleagues’ weekendTed Cruz is sorry he ruined his colleagues’ weekend
Politics

Especially after they sunk his vote.

By Dara Lind
archives
Jon Stewart on Cheney’s torture interview: “George W. Bush, thank you for not dying”Jon Stewart on Cheney’s torture interview: “George W. Bush, thank you for not dying”
archives

He also called the former Vice President’s mind “the scariest place in the universe.”

By Jenée Desmond-Harris
Health Care
The Obamacare paradox: the law looks terrible, but is doing greatThe Obamacare paradox: the law looks terrible, but is doing great
Health Care

The health care system covers more people than it did a year ago. Costs are growing at a slower pace than ever before and hospitals are killing fewer patients.

By Sarah Kliff
Science
Was Mars once habitable? Curiosity keeps finding evidence that it might have beenWas Mars once habitable? Curiosity keeps finding evidence that it might have been
Science

The rover’s latest discovery is another positive sign for our search for ancient life

By Joseph Stromberg
Climate
How much of the world’s cropland is actually used to grow food?How much of the world’s cropland is actually used to grow food?
Climate

Just 55 percent of the world’s crop calories are actually eaten directly by people.

By Brad Plumer
Confessions of a former internet troll
Features

Trolling was always juvenile. It wasn’t always this cruel.

By Emmett Rensin
Health Care
Insurers have pushed back a key Obamacare deadline in 37 statesInsurers have pushed back a key Obamacare deadline in 37 states
Health Care

There are 37 states where at least one health insurer is still selling Obamacare plans that start on Jan. 1, 2015.

By Sarah Kliff
Culture
Aaron Sorkin is right. Women don’t get as many opportunities in Hollywood.Aaron Sorkin is right. Women don’t get as many opportunities in Hollywood.
Culture

But here are some great performances the writer maybe hasn’t seen, ones that may convince him otherwise.

By Emily St. James
archives
“Oh God. It’s Mom”: the best C-SPAN caller (and reaction) you’ve ever seen“Oh God. It’s Mom”: the best C-SPAN caller (and reaction) you’ve ever seen
archives

A pair of political pundit brothers get a stern talking-to from Mom, right in the middle of their C-SPAN appearance

By Danielle Kurtzleben
Politics
Republican judge declares Obama’s immigration actions unconstitutionalRepublican judge declares Obama’s immigration actions unconstitutional
Politics

He was asked about a single immigrant, and took the opportunity to rule against the program

By Dara Lind
archives
Map: 41 states have an active chapter of the KKKMap: 41 states have an active chapter of the KKK
archives

A disturbing reminder that hate groups are still active.

By Andrew Prokop
Culture
Little House on the Prairie turned 40 this year. Celebrate its decline into weirdness.Little House on the Prairie turned 40 this year. Celebrate its decline into weirdness.
Culture

Decades ago, TV shows ran out of plots three seasons in but just kept running. Little House on the Prairie was one of those shows.

By Emily St. James