Institute Index

December 6, 2012 - The N.C. Utilities Commission and attorney general have settled their probes into Duke Energy's controversial $32 billion merger with Progress Energy. But a watchdog group calls the settlements a "sell-out of the public" and says it will continue to fight the merger in court.

November 30, 2012 - In the wake of the latest election, the number of state legislatures under one-party control is at a historic high -- and half have partisan supermajorities. What does this mean for the future of politics nationally?

November 15, 2012 - Three days after an election that saw numerous attempts to suppress the minority vote, the high court agreed to hear Shelby County, Ala.'s challenge to the Voting Rights Act.

November 9, 2012 - According to an election night survey, 9 percent of white voters had to wait 30 minutes or more to vote, compared to 22 percent of African Americans and 24 percent of Hispanics. In its war on voting, who is the GOP fighting against?

November 2, 2012 - Scientists say man-made global warming contributed to Hurricane Sandy's impact. How will this shift the U.S. policy debate about dealing with the worsening climate crisis?

October 26, 2012 - With True the Vote and other tea party-affiliated groups planning a massive poll-watching effort for this election, voting rights advocates are mobilizing in unprecedented numbers to fight back against intimidation.

October 19, 2012 - Corporate cash flowed to both the 2012 Republican National Convention held in Tampa, Fla. and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.