The Maine Democrat was accused of sexual assault. Stephen King and others took up his cause, as men often do – all while women work to set it right, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
News & Commentary
Reporting, analysis and opinion from The Story Exchange covering politics, culture, science and global affairs.
Planned Parenthood Can Once Again Bill Medicaid, Offering Some Relief
The policy shift, which comes as a 2025 Trump mandate expires, won’t re-open the facilities that had to close due to the added financial burden – but it’s a start, experts say.
Women’s Barbershop Quartet Makes Harmony History
Singing group GQ became the first women’s ensemble ever to win the Barbershop Harmony Society’s contest in its almost-100-year existence.
There’s Now a Way to Celebrate Women’s Financial Independence for America’s 250th
Despite scrapped plans to build a museum site under Trump, the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum went ahead with an oral history project.
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Appeal of E. Jean Carroll Case
The president tried to appeal a lower court’s verdict, which found he assaulted Carroll in 1996. But the Supreme Court upheld the decision – and the $5 million fine.
Olivia Rodrigo Announces an All-New, All-Women Music Festival
Proceeds from the event, called Daisy Chain Fields, will be donated to progressive charities that lift up girls and women, the singer added.
What Does It Really Cost to Plan Summer Care for Kids? These Moms Show Us the Receipts
Moms take us behind the real cost of summer break, from finding caregiving to staggering time off work and even traveling out of the country.
Serena Williams Is Going to Make Wimbledon A Must-Watch Event
The tennis pro made up her mind to compete in the tournament after Wimbledon held open its final singles wild card spot.
Iranian Women Continue to Defy Hijab Laws — Despite Significant Risks
Throughout 2026, women living in the Middle Eastern nation have been pushing back against the oppressive Islamic Republic currently holding power, reports find.
Study: Representation for Women, Minorities on Streaming Services Going ‘In Reverse’
New UCLA research shows that platforms like Netflix, once a solid home for stories made by and featuring marginalized people, are moving to a white, male standard.
Sheryl Crow Decries Trump’s Birthday Spectacle as ‘Disgraceful’
The White House lawn was transformed into a UFC cage-fighting arena to celebrate the president’s 80th birthday, to the tune of over $60 million. The singer had words.
Trump Oversees Historic Exodus of Women Cabinet Officials — And Replaces Them with Men
After a string of firings and exits, there aren’t many women left in Trump’s Cabinet.
The Real Tradwives of America
As evidenced by the popularity of “Yesteryear,” a subculture of “traditional wives” is making big waves in the culture wars.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell Set to Become Billionaire
The hyper-focused executive has been described by former colleagues as “the glue” holding Elon Musk’s aerospace company together.
Qween Jean Becomes the First Openly Trans Person to Win a Tony Award
The history-making costume designer used her acceptance speech to advocate for LGBTQ acceptance, and the need to “shift the paradigm” toward equity and openness.
Joan Baez on the Silence of Celebrity Women Amid Attacks on Democracy
The musician and activist reminds the rich and prominent – and everyone else – that privilege is a platform, and should be used for more than seeking personal glory.
DOJ Reportedly Opens Criminal Investigation Into Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll
The Justice Department’s pursuit of Carroll, who successfully sued Trump for sexual assault in civil court, is the latest in a string of investigations into Trump’s opponents.
Talking Dogs, Dudes Named ‘Chris’ Get More Lead Roles Than Women Over 60, Study Finds
The new research is bleak when it comes to who (or what) is far more likely to star in films than older women. Actresses like Emma Thompson are speaking up.
Financial Stress Takes a Toll on Women’s Health. A New Report Shows How Dire It Is
“Women are in crisis,” says Cleveland Clinic women’s center co-founder Maria Shriver.
She’s the First Woman to Win This Grueling Ultramarathon — Even Beating the Guys
Rachel Entrekin eliminated the competition in her historic win in one of the world’s most punishing races, the Cocodona 250 through Arizona.
Online Violence Against Women is Getting More Sophisticated — And More Frequent
A new report from UN Women says female public figures are being subjected to more sexualized “deepfakes” and other forms of digital harassment than ever.
Supreme Court Temporarily Restores Access to Abortion Pill As Patients Scramble for Options
The order comes after patients and providers sought alternatives, such as misoprostol-only abortions, after the FDA restricted access to mifepristone.
Abortion Isn’t *The* Issue in 2026. But It’s Still Definitely *An* Issue.
Affordability is leading voters’ concerns heading into the midterms. But Democrats are still embracing abortion as a top issue in some state Supreme Court and downballot races.
Washington Will Finally Have a Women’s Monument. But What Should It Look Like?
The committee behind an historic new monument honoring women’s suffrage is seeking ideas from the general public for its design.
Dedicated Teachers in NYC Spark Love of Reading In Bronx Bodegas
The familiar convenience stores in New York City are carrying free books along with their chips and candy.
The Klamath River Dam Removal: How the Yurok Tribe Won a Historic Environmental Victory
After decades of advocacy, the Yurok Tribe secured the largest dam removal project in U.S. history — restoring salmon to the Klamath River and reshaping a devastated ecosystem.
These 6 Women Just Won the ‘Green Nobel Prize’
This year’s winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize are all women, and they’re tackling climate change through research efforts, activism, policy proposals and more.
What It’s Like to Go Through Perimenopause and Menopause in Prison
Limited information and a lack of informed health care providers make this life transition even more difficult for incarcerated people.
Women’s Sports Are About to Hit $3 Billion — Here’s What’s Driving It
Global revenues in women’s elite sports (think basketball and soccer) are expected to hit a milestone this year after raking in $2.4 billion in 2025, a new report says.
Why Climate Action Needs to Focus on Women
With women more likely to be killed or injured by extreme weather, UN Women says it’s critical to apply a gender lens to policy prescriptions.
Pam Bondi Reminds Us: Women Can’t Save Themselves By Selling Their Souls
The former AG’s ouster follows years of loyalty to Donald Trump – the latest example of how kowtowing to sexist leaders will only take women so far, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Woman Astronaut Is Ready to Make History on Moon Mission
“Things are starting to feel real,” says Christina Koch, who is poised to become the first woman to fly around the moon.
New Research Offers Better Clitoral Knowledge — and Better Outcomes for Patients
Taboos around women’s sexuality have long hampered research into the clitoris, which plays a key role in achieving orgasms. But new imaging has brought new clarity.
Ms. Rachel Adds Getting Kids Out of ICE Detention Centers to List of Causes
The popular children’s entertainer has become more political as she takes on prison-like ICE detention centers holding families.
Survey Says: Women Are (Still) Doing More of the Housework
A new Pew Research Center study shows that women continue to spend more time on unpaid tasks like cleaning and cooking than men do – and the disparity exists at every age.
Women’s Relationship to AI Is Complicated. This Could Impact Their Career Success
As more companies rush to adopt AI, women are 25% less likely than men to use the tech tools, according to a new report.
Reports: Cesar Chavez Assaulted Dolores Huerta, Girls in Farmworkers’ Movement
The now-deceased labor leader has been accused of sexually abusing girls and women who worked with him in defense of farmworkers’ rights, including fellow leader Huerta.
Meryl Streep Gives Seven Figures to Women’s Museum to Ensure ‘Truthful’ History
The star, who has portrayed dozens of iconic women on the big screen, made a not-so-subtle dig at federal policies that have removed references to women.
‘We’re All People’: First Out Trans Woman to Lead New NYC Office
Taylor Brown, who works in the state Attorney General’s office, will head the newly created Mayor’s Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs in New York City.
Single Women Are Driving Today’s Housing Market, Buying Record Number of Homes
Even amid an affordability crisis, more single women are snapping up homes.
Activist Goes on Hunger Strike to Fight Corporate Contributions to Climate Change
The award-winning Diane Wilson has refused to eat for weeks now, in protest of a proposal to legalize water pollution by a company with operations in her hometown.
15 Women in Politics to Watch, as Midterms Loom and Chaos Swirls
These are the women who – for better or worse – are running for critical elected offices, drafting potentially impactful policies and driving discourse in troubled times.
Uber Rolls Out “Women Drivers” Option for Women Passengers
The new feature, now accessible across the country, is a response to the steady flow of sexual assault reports.
The Growing Chorus of Resistance, and The Women Holding the Baton
Protests against the Trump administration have been increasingly scored by voices joined in song. It’s a return to form for U.S. movements – and it’s largely women leading the way.
Kesha Blasts ‘Perverts’ In White House for Using Her Song In Military Strike Video
The pop star had a simple response for Trump officials after her song “Blow” was used in a military video posted by the White House.
New Taliban Rule Allows Husbands to Beat Their Wives in Afghanistan
As long as women’s bones aren’t broken, and their wounds aren’t visible or lasting, men in the central Asian nation may hurt them with impunity, according to an alarming new Taliban decree.
Over 100 Girls Killed After US, Israel Strikes Hit School in Iran — Reports
Parents had already dropped off their kids at school in Iran on Saturday morning, the start of the workweek there, when an explosion hit and black smoke rose from a building with pastel-painted walls. More than 100 children were killed as the U.S. and Israel carried out strikes against Iran, according to Iranian officials. The … Continued
Impacted By The Estrogen Patch Shortage? Here Are Your Options
A lot of people are reporting trouble finding estradiol patches used to address perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
A City in the South Brings Back an Old-Time Practice for New Moms and Babies
For those who have just given birth in a New Orleans, a new program offers free house calls, regardless of insurance status of income levels.
The U.S. Men’s Hockey Team Reminds Us How Complicit — and Lame — Men Can Be
President Donald Trump invited the team to appear as honored guests at this year’s State of the Union address. They accepted – and that’s the problem, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.