The Wisconsin Idea

Rural America

These Poop Lagoons Can Poison Waterways, but Regulation Is Patchy

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) produce dangerous amounts of animal waste, but only one third of them have a federal permit.

Madison McVan

Labor

U.S. Rail Workers Are Poised to Begin a National Strike Next Week

After rejecting an agreement brokered by the White House, railroad workers could walk off the job ahead of the busy holiday season.

Jeff Schuhrke

Labor

This World Cup Is Brought to You By Abused Migrant Workers

Reports of widespread labor exploitation and safety hazards cast a dark shadow over the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Saurav Sarkar

LaborViewpoint

The “Labor Shortage” Is Being Used as a Pretext to Harm Workers

Lawmakers and bosses are citing a supposed lack of workers as justification for a suite of reactionary policies aimed at further squeezing the working class.

Sarah Lazare

FeatureCover StoryRural America

The Rural Vote Is Again in Play

The midterms showed that rural voters must be an integral part of the Democratic strategy if they want to win in 2024.

George Goehl

Labor

“Come To The Table, Cowards”: Starbucks Workers’ First National Strike

We spoke to strikers in Boston, New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh about their fight to bring the multi-billion dollar company to the bargaining table.

Meggie Gates, Eloise Goldsmith and Rohan Montgomery

Viewpoint

The Left Has a Lot to Celebrate After the Surprising Midterm Results

After the midterm elections, more left-wing insurgents are going to the House, Bernie Sanders has two strong allies in the Senate and progressive ballot measures passed everywhere.

Branko Marcetic

LaborViewpoint

How the Pandemic Changed the Landscape of U.S. Labor Organizing

By banding together to demand justice on the job, essential workers paved the way for a resurgence of labor unrest—and showed how to create a crisis for capitalism.

Jamie K. McCallum

Democrats Can’t Be Counted On to Stop the MAGA Right, So Socialists Are Stepping Up

After the midterms, Congress will have more socialists than ever—while progressive policies won across the country. The Left will have to use its power to take on the anti-democratic GOP.

Kristian Hernandez