Culture & Society — Archive
Notable deaths, cultural events with political significance, and moments where culture meets politics
Reagan National Airport Installs New Radar System After 67 Die in January 2025 Midair Collision
The Surface Movement Radar SMR-4 is the sixth installation of new safety technology following a National Transportation Safety Board investigation that identified systemic failures.
Third Detainee Dies After Medical Emergency at New Jersey ICE Facility
Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan immigrant detained at Delaney Hall in Newark, is the third death reported at the facility this year.
Former Pro Boxer Prichard Colón Dies at 33, a Decade After Career-Ending Brain Injury
The Puerto Rican fighter spent his final years in a vegetative state after suffering illegal 'rabbit punch' strikes during his last bout in 2015.
New Mississippi Law Expands Death Penalty to Include Inmates Convicted of Child Sexual Battery
Senate Bill 2821 creates the crime of capital sexual battery for victims under 12, making defendants 18 and older eligible for execution if specific jury requirements are met.
Three Men Scheduled for Execution on Same Day as Death Penalty Use Rises Across U.S.
The concurrent executions mark a rare occurrence as several states resume capital punishment after years of dormancy.
Joint Base Charleston Renamed in Honor of Sen. Lindsey Graham
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth led tributes at the South Carolina ceremony recognizing the late senator's decades of military and public service.
More Than 50 Bodies Found Decomposing With Rats, Maggots in Chicago Funeral Home
Investigators discovered the remains stored unrefrigerated at a South Side facility; state officials had suspended the funeral director's license one day earlier.
Health Officials Urge Caution for Gulf Coast Beachgoers During Surge of Deadly Bacterial Infections
Louisiana reports 9 cases and 5 deaths from Vibrio vulnificus this year, surpassing the decade-long average of 7 cases and 1 death.
Two Helicopter Pilots Killed in Utah Wildfire Crash While Fighting 174-Square-Mile Blaze
The pilots were employed by Helicopter Transport Services under contract with the U.S. Forest Service; the NTSB will investigate once crews can access the crash site.
YouTube Video Essay 'Friendship Is Not Gay, Actually' Sparks Debate Over Male Friendship Interpretation
The July 2025 video referencing C.S. Lewis and Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad has drawn a million views and ignited broader cultural discussion about how male platonic relationships are portrayed in media.