After the Fact

Faith in America Today

Americans' views of religion have been changing for decades. And in 2026, the share of people who identify as "religious nones" (people who say they have no religious aff

The American Family: Postponing Parenthood

The fertility rate in the U.S. hit another record low in 2025, with 20% fewer babies born that year compared to 20 years ago, indicating that women are continuing to wait

Scientists at Work: Studying Volcanic Eruptions—When, How Big, and How Fast?

Nearly 800 million people around the world live within 62 miles of a volcano. But what if scientists could better predict a volcanic eruption before it begins? In this re

From Lab to Life: What AI Tells Us About 'Long Covid'

This summer, we're revisiting the ways that scientists are using artificial intelligence in their health research. Keyla Sá, a researcher at Yale University School of Med

What's Next for America at 250?

America has a milestone birthday coming up: This July, the nation will turn 250. As many pause to reflect on the past 250 years, there's also an opportunity to think abou

The Butterfly Effect of Apartment Vacancies

The U.S. housing shortage has rapidly increased rents in lower-income neighborhoods—making secure housing hard to find. But how does building high-end apartments address

The Next Generation of Lawmakers: Young, Scrappy, and… Bipartisan?

With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the youngest generation of lawmakers is demonstrating how they're working together more effectively and rebuildi

What Does a Barbie Pig Have to Do With Seabed Mining?

Meet the "barbie pig," "gummy squirrel," and "headless chicken monster": These fantastical-sounding nicknames belong to real creatures living in the deep sea—one of the m

When the Electric Grid Goes Down, One Campus Stays Powered

At Gallaudet University, one of the world's only universities designed to serve deaf and hard of hearing students, a groundbreaking project is underway: a campus-wide mic

You're Probably Wrong About Seagrass

One of the most powerful natural tools we have to protect our environment lives out of sight, just beneath the ocean surface: seagrass. It exists on every continent excep

What Happens When You Invest Money in Nature

How much does it cost to protect a forest, an ocean, or an entire ecosystem? And where does that money come from? This special crossover episode between "After the Fact

Message Received: A Solution for Missed Court Hearings

Text message reminders help many of us manage our busy, day-to-day lives—especially for important appointments. But what happens when that appointment is a court date? Th

How Civil Discourse Can Help the U.S. Find Common Ground

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Americans are growing more concerned about the state of the nation's democracy. According to Pew Research Center, 8

How Parental Stress Fuels Doomscrolling

Getting a first smartphone has become a modern rite of passage for many children and teens. And with the rise of social media and the constant need to stay connected, tod

From Lab to Life: Making Cancer Treatment Less Toxic

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. And the chemotherapy that often follows can be particularly rigorous. The American Cancer Society projects that 2.1 million people

Do Fewer Homes Mean More Fire Risk?

Last year, a devastating and deadly fire in Milwaukee forced residents to confront a painful reality: The places where many people can afford to live are often the least

What's the Deal With State Budgets This Year?

Each January brings legislators back to their statehouses, where budget decisions once again take center stage. In the past few years, state budgets have been bolstered b

The Treaty That Could Save the Ocean

For the first time in history, the world has formally agreed to protect nearly half the planet. In September 2025, the United Nations ratified the high seas treaty, offic

Protecting the Pantanal and Gran Chaco

In the heart of South America, the Chaco-Pantanal region holds the planet's largest tropical wetland. It's a place that's teeming with colorful birds, capybaras, anteater

In Conversation With Ken Burns: America's Story of Revolution, Liberty, and Democracy

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Ken Burns offers the nation his latest documentary, "The American Revolution." In a conversation with "After