Since at least the 2000 presidential election, pundits, scholars, and the general public have conceptualized the country’s partisan landscape using the blue states, red states, and swing states framework. But despite its ubiquity, this structure ignores how intrastate regional tensions and political competition imbue the divisions between red and blue America. Differences within states also anchor the long-standing urban-rural divide—a salient feature of American politics since the country’s founding.

Despite centuries of study, the universe remains largely mysterious, as does the planet we call home. The unknown inspires both wonder and curiosity, which, in turn, often prompt questions. Seeking answers, we gather facts, form hypotheses, and conduct observations or experiments. Sometimes, we remain puzzled. The causes of unlikely phenomena, of seemingly impossible developments, and of strange occurrences continue to mystify us.

UNLV released new recommendations to wear two masks on campus, citing guidelines from health officials.

UNLV released new recommendations to wear two masks on campus, citing guidelines from health officials.

San Francisco has taken a dramatic step in its effort to get kids back into public schools, according to the Associated Press.

The state recorded its deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic in January after adding eight deaths over the weekend. The additional deaths Sunday boosted the statewide death toll for the month to 1,132, more than a quarter of the 4,278 deaths since the pandemic began, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The state surpassed the previous monthly record of 982 deaths set in December. University of Nevada, Las Vegas epidemiologist Brian Labus said the current figures are a lagging indicator because the people who died in January were mostly infected between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. “So it doesn’t tell us about what’s going on now,” he said. “It tells us about what was going on a while ago.” Labus said data showed the state is averaging 16 deaths a day over the past two weeks.

Lori Calderon has looked through so many job applications that she often finds herself evaluating potential hires for Resorts World on her personal time.

Here’s one more thing the coronavirus pandemic has ruined for at least some people: betting on the Super Bowl.

It can be difficult for any business to succeed, but Black entrepreneurs have historically faced unique challenges. Despite, buy-black campaigns, grants, and other resources, 8 out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months. So why do Black entrepreneurs continue to lag behind whites and other minority groups in terms of market share, and what will it take to keep them in business?