Laura Benshoff
NPR
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Contact Laura
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Laura:
How GOP state supreme court wins could change state policies and who runs Congress
Republican wins in state supreme court races could not only shape abortion and voting rights, but also the balance of power in Washington. → Read More
Control of Congress matters. But which party now runs your state might matter more
In state-level races, Democrats defied expectations, but Republican incumbents held their ground. On the whole, red states continue to grow redder, and blue ones bluer. → Read More
Six races for governor that could make history this midterm election
The majority of U.S. politicians are white men. This cycle, some states are poised to make history by electing female, LGBTQ, or Black governors for the first time. → Read More
State legislative races are on the front lines of democracy this midterm cycle
More than 6,000 state legislative seats are up for election this year. Republicans and Democrats are spending tens of millions in a battle to shift the balance of power in these chambers. → Read More
Expanding Medicaid is popular. That's why it's a key issue in some statewide midterms
Next month, South Dakotans will decide whether to expand Medicaid to 42,500 state residents. Democratic candidates elsewhere are making it a part of their pitch to flip GOP-held governors' offices. → Read More
Strike by Philadelphia Museum of Art workers shows woes of 'prestige' jobs
Workers are unionizing in fields where they haven't had a big presence, including cultural institutions. A strike at the Philadelphia Museum of Art demonstrates the tensions driving this movement. → Read More
The Nord Stream pipelines have stopped leaking. But the methane emitted broke records
The Nord Stream pipeline leak might be the single largest release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Experts say it pales in comparison to ongoing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. → Read More
Florida nursing homes evacuated 1000s before Ian hit. Some weathered the storm
Some have required rescues, while others are hunkered down and depending on generator power as crews begin to sort through the damage. → Read More
Research shows oil field flaring emits nearly five times more methane than expected
Scientists took a dozen research flights over major U.S. oil and gas fields to sample flare emissions. They found more methane than was supposed to be there. → Read More
The U.S. will officially phase down HFCs, gases trapping 1,000x more heat than CO2
The Senate is moving to ratify a climate treaty that would formally phase down the use of industrial chemicals found in air conditioners and refrigerators. → Read More
Wildlife conservation tends to save charismatic species. That may be about to change
Bald eagles have soared back from the brink. Grizzly bear numbers are rebounding. But thousands of less charismatic species are competing for scarce conservation resources in the United States. → Read More
West Virginians divided over natural gas pipeline despite Manchin's support
To get Joe Manchin's vote on a budget bill, Democratic leaders promised to consider legislation that would help a natural gas pipeline get built in his state. But the pipeline still faces opposition. → Read More
3 ways the Inflation Reduction Act would pay you to help fight climate change
Some of the Act's $369 billion in energy and climate spending aims to make it easier and cheaper for Americans to live more sustainably. → Read More
The Supreme Court handed coal power a win. But experts say that won't save it
Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices sided with coal companies in a recent case over the EPA's authority. But market forces have pushed the ongoing decline of coal power. → Read More
With time ticking for climate action, Supreme Court limits ways to curb emissions
The U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in a key environmental case, WV v. EPA, says the federal agency lacks authority to use greenhouse gas emissions caps to force fossil fuel power plants out of business. → Read More
Nuclear power is gaining support after years of decline. But old hurdles remain
Investment from the government and private sector are changing the trajectory of the aging U.S. nuclear fleet and spurring development of new nuclear technology. → Read More
U.S. House passes a major wildlife conservation spending bill
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would create a permanent fund of more than $1.3 billion, given to states, territories, and tribal nations for wildlife conservation on the ground. → Read More
Uvalde special ed staffer seeks to depose gunmaker for a possible lawsuit
Amy Marin was in Robb Elementary during the shooting. Now she seeks to find out if the gunmaker can be sued for marketing to minors. → Read More
The story about how the Uvalde gunman entered the school is shifting
Texas officials had said a teacher propped door open at Robb Elementary just before a gunman entered and carried out a mass shooting — but they now acknowledge that the woman closed the door. → Read More
A low-income energy-efficiency program gets $3.5B boost, but leaves out many in need
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act adds the funds over the next five years to help Americans save on energy their bills. But many of homes are in such poor condition they do not qualify. → Read More