After voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota passed hikes by wide margins, more than half of states will have a minimum wage higher than the federal one of $7.25 an hour.
Before New Year’s Day 2015, congressional Republicans and the White House are likely to be engaged in a policy battle that promises to be one of the most bitter and divisive fights of the entire Obama era.
With the 2014 midterm elections all but wrapped up, the Monitor looks at which new members of Congress could make the most waves.
Lawmakers need to spend more time in Washington, develop a less-rancorous dialogue between Republicans and Democrats, and find common ground in backroom meetings.
As Israelis grow skeptical about achieving peace, they have walled themselves off from their Arab neighbors.
A pro football player uses a switch on his child, and an American cultural divide between races, regions, and religions is exposed.
A decades-long quest to save the north Atlantic right whale is helping revive a species that is a bellwether of the health of the oceans.
Why TV's plunge into backwoods family, danger, and colloquial wisdom transfixes America (and the world). Do the shows depict caricatures or gritty authenticity?
A writer from liberal Massachusetts goes to Texas to deal with a family oil well. What he learned about fracking, salt domes, and America's energy future.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who many believe has presidential aspirations, could make a strong case as a governor who works well with Republicans while also keeping progressive Democrats in check.
Before New Year’s Day 2015, congressional Republicans and the White House are likely to be engaged in a policy battle that promises to be one of the most bitter and divisive fights of the entire Obama era.
Sen. Ted Cruz has already flexed his influence in the House with last year's government shutdown. Now, he'll be part of the Senate majority and presumed majority leader Mitch McConnell might have his hands full.
A young Christian couple was accused of having desecrated a Quran on Tuesday and brutally murdered by a village crowd. Pakistan leader Nawaz Sharif vowed the attackers would be punished.
Israel's foreign ministry rejected the allegations and questioned why Hamas wasn't accused of terrorism. The report was published on the day of another apparent terror attack along Jerusalem's rail line.
Robert Hannigan called on US Internet giants to do more to help fight the militants using their networks to recruit new members abroad. The companies' cooperation has dropped off since Edward Snowden's intelligence leaks became public.
Shawn Askinosie works directly with developing-world growers to sweeten their lives, too.
Krithi Karanth has witnessed threats, poachers, and forest fires as she tries to learn how people and wildlife can live in harmony in a crowded India.
A young double amputee paddles down the 2,500 miles of the Mississippi River to bring wheelchairs to his native El Salvador.
A Brazilian Army soldier participates in athletic competition during military Sports Games 2014 in Brasilia. According to the Planalto Military Commander, Major General Racine Bezerra Lima Filho, the Sports Games 2014 are the preparations for the Games of the Army to be held in Brasilia in 2015.
At the Monitor, we're committed to providing the most illuminating, non-partisan reporting possible. We're also interested in providing paths for readers who've been inspired by a story to get involved.
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