By Mateo Restrepo
Colombian journalist focused on Latin American politics, opinion and the diaspora across the Americas.
How Los Angeles became a key hub in Asia's illegal wildlife trade
Los Angeles has emerged as a major exit point for illegal wildlife shipments to Asia, with hundreds of endangered turtles and tortoises inte
Super El Niño to bring a wet, stormy winter to Florida
Super El Niño will bring a dramatic shift to Florida's winter, with heavy rainfall in the south and increased tornado risk in central counti
Deadly Goliath accident at Six Flags Over Georgia prompts nationwide coaster closures
A fatal accident on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia left one dead and several injured. Six Flags temporarily closed nin
New York parents can get $1,000 per child, but age and income rules apply
New York's Empire State Child Credit can deliver up to $1,000 per child, but only for kids under 4. Older children get half that amount, and
Kentucky's 1936 hanging still echoes in today's execution debate
In 1936, Rainey Bethea's public hanging in Owensboro, Kentucky, drew 20,000 spectators and sparked a national backlash that led to bans on p
Texas eviction law speeds up renter displacement across the state
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 38, overhauling eviction procedures to speed up property recovery. Renters now face tighter deadlines f
Minimum wage gaps widen across US cities as local rates outpace federal floor
Seattle, Washington state, Maine, and Montana are setting 2027 minimum wages well above the federal floor. The growing patchwork of local ra
New York hospitals must offer debt relief even to insured patients
New York hospitals must evaluate low-income patients for financial assistance regardless of insurance status. Eligible households can get bi
New York City fast-tracks affordable housing in 12 neighborhoods
New York City is accelerating affordable housing development in 12 neighborhoods across four boroughs. The new fast-track process starts in
Miami Beach billionaire's helipad plan faces neighbor revolt
Billionaire Ken Griffin's plan to build a private helipad on Terminal Island faces organized opposition from nearby luxury condo residents.
Hurricane Isaias barrels toward Florida as Category 3 threat
Florida is bracing for Hurricane Isaias, which could make landfall as a Category 3 storm. Over 12,000 personnel are deployed, and evacuation
Chiricahua Monument Moves Closer to Becoming 64th National Park
Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument is set to become America's 64th national park after bipartisan legislation passed Congress. The desig