Nov 24, 2018

Wisconsin school officials won't punish teens for Nazi salute

A Wisconsin school superintendent said the high school students who appeared to perform a Nazi salute in a photo that went viral earlier this month will not face punishment because their actions are protected by the First Amendment, reports The Baraboo News Republic.

The details: Baraboo School District Administrator Lori Mueller told parents in a letter that officials can't “know the intentions in the hearts of those who were involved.” The picture shows dozens of students with their arms raised, palms down and elbows locked straight — a gesture associated with white supremacy. It was reportedly taken before a spring 2018 prom.

Go deeper

David Nather

Bernie's historic Jewish fight

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Sen. Bernie Sanders would be the first Jewish presidential nominee of a major American political party — but that history-making possibility is being overshadowed by his conflicts with America's Jewish leaders and Israel's leadership.

The big picture: That's partly because we're all focusing on the implications of Democrats nominating a self-described democratic socialist. It's also because a candidate's religion no longer seems to matter as much to voters or the media, making the potential milestone of a Jewish nominee more of a non-event.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Eileen Drage O'Reilly

Coronavirus "infodemic" threatens world's health institutions

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak is being matched, or even outrun, by the spread on social media of both unintentional misinformation about it and vociferous campaigns of malicious disinformation, experts tell Axios.

Why it matters: The tide of bad information is undermining trust in governments, global health organizations, nonprofits and scientists — the very institutions that many believe are needed to organize a global response to what may be turning into a pandemic.

Go deeper2 hours ago - Health

Caitlin Owens

America's addiction treatment misses the mark

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Addiction treatment in the U.S. is critically necessary yet deeply flawed.

The big picture: Drug overdoses kill tens of thousands of Americans a year, but treatment is often inaccessible. The industry is also riddled with subpar care and, in some cases, fraud.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Health