Washington state abolishes death penalty
Washington has become the 20th US state to ban the death penalty, after its Supreme Court ruled the punishment was applied in an “arbitrary and racially biased manner”.
Today (2017 C.E. - 2025 C.E.)
New report finds raising the minimum wage reduces prison recidivism
Economics professors found that a minimum wage increase of $.50 an hour reduced the chance that a person would end up back in prison within a year by 2.8%.
The first Hyperloop passenger capsule is unveiled in Spain
A feasibility analysis by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that Hyperloop routes could be up to six times more energy efficient than air travel on short routes, and over three times faster than the world’s fastest high-speed rail system.
Taylor Swift’s Instagram post has caused a massive spike in voter registration
The singer waded into politics on Sunday with a social media post encouraging her fans to register to vote before it was too late.
Commercial fishing banned across much of the Arctic
International agreement will protect vast areas of sea that have opened up as the ice melts.
World’s first hydrogen-electric passenger plane to take off in 2025
Designed to fly up to four passengers for distances between 500km to 5,000km, the Element One is described as a quiet, ultra-light, zero carbon aircraft “several orders of magnitude better” than battery-electric aircrafts.
Minnesota now offers ‘X’ for gender option on driver’s licenses
In addition to “M” and “F,” “X” can now be checked by any applicant who does not want to identify as male or female.
Austin bans restaurants from throwing food waste into landfills
Austin’s Universal Recycling Ordinance requires all food-permitted businesses to divert discarded organic material, including food scraps and soiled paper, from landfills.
Uber will offer free rides to polling stations on Election Day
The ride-sharing company unveiled its “Get to the Polls” feature as part of a series of initiatives to encourage riders to vote in the midterm elections on Nov. 6.
California bans gun sales to people under 21
The bill will prevent people under 21 from buying rifles and other types of guns.