Black Americans have made gains in U.S. political leadership, but gaps remain
Kamala Harris’ election represented an advance in the progress Black Americans have made in recent decades in political leadership.
Most Americans Say State Governments Have Lifted COVID-19 Restrictions Too Quickly
Six-in-ten say the primary reason the number of confirmed coronavirus cases is increasing is that there are more new infections; 39% say cases are rising mainly because more people are being tested than in previous months.
Americans remain concerned that states will lift restrictions too quickly, but partisan differences widen
A majority of Americans continue to say their greater concern is that state governments will lift coronavirus-related restrictions on public activity too quickly.
Most Americans Say Trump Was Too Slow in Initial Response to Coronavirus Threat
U.S. adults express wide concern that states will lift COVID-19 restrictions too quickly.
U.S. Public Sees Multiple Threats From the Coronavirus – and Concerns Are Growing
Majorities express confidence in how the CDC and state and local officials are responding to the outbreak.
Four-in-ten U.S. drug arrests in 2018 were for marijuana offenses – mostly possession
Police officers in the United States still make more arrests for marijuana offenses than for any other drug, according to FBI data.
Working on Columbus Day? It depends on where you live
Columbus Day is one of the most inconsistently celebrated U.S. holidays. Fewer than half of U.S. states give their employees the day as a paid holiday.
Amid measles outbreak, New York closes religious exemption for vaccinations – but most states retain it
Most states in the U.S. allow children to be exempt from vaccinations due to religious concerns.
California is one of 11 states that have the death penalty but haven’t used it in more than a decade
More than a third of the states that allow executions haven’t carried one out in at least 10 years or, in some cases, much longer.
The Public, the Political System and American Democracy
At a time of growing stress on democracy around the world, Americans generally agree on democratic ideals and values that are important for the United States.
