South Carolina is gearing up to hold its 2024 presidential primary. Republican voters in the state have a near-perfect record when it comes to picking the candidate that eventually becomes the nominee for the party. This year’s primary could be especially interesting as the state’s former governor faces former President Donald Trump. Gibbs Knotts, Ph.D., teaches American politics at the College of Charleston. He sits down with Soledad O’Brien to discuss whether Nikki Haley’s personal connection to the state could benefit her in the race for the White House.
This week Matter of Fact focuses on South Carolina as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Republican presidential primary. Plus, developers look to build a new basketball arena near Philadelphia’s Chinatown. And, an Iowa school district figures out ways to get students to class amid a bus driver shortage.
According to Pew Research Center, only about 2 percent of Black Americans identify as Muslim. Although Black Muslims represent a small portion of the population, first-time author Aaliyah Bilal believes their stories are an essential part of the country’s narrative. In her book “Temple Folk,” Bilal tells a series of short stories from the perspective of Black Muslim Americans. Producer Tamika Cody traveled to Cincinnati to learn how Bilal’s own life experiences contributed to the book.
American politics is becoming increasingly divisive. One political psychologist says this disturbing trend is creating more hostility and causing people to become more accepting of political violence against opposing parties. Lilliana Mason, Ph.D., has been tracking these changes in political identification for years. She sits down with Soledad O’Brien to explain her findings.
Resources in Denver are running low, as the city deals with an overwhelming number of asylum-seekers in need of shelter and assistance. In the last 14 months, more than 38,000 migrants arrived in Denver. While city leaders urge Congress to allocate more funding towards immigration, community members are stepping in to fill the gap. Correspondent Jessica Gomez travels to Denver to meet with the city’s mayor and a motel owner who has opened her doors to hundreds of migrants.
This week Matter of Fact travels to Denver as city leaders and community members look for ways to help an overflow of migrants in need. Plus, we take a look at how party identity is impacting how Americans view political violence. And, a first-time author sheds lights on an underrepresented community – Black Muslims.
Albina was once a thriving predominantly Black community near Portland, Oregon. That’s until the 1960s when the city claimed the neighborhood for so-called “urban renewal” – forcing residents to sell their homes and businesses, which were eventually demolished. Now, a non-profit wants to restore the area to its former glory by building a new community where the neighborhood once stood. Correspondent Alexis Clark travels to Portland to talk to locals and the architect behind the project.
This week Matter of Fact explores how an upcoming Supreme Court case pertaining to the 14th Amendment could affect the presidential primary. Plus, a non-profit looks to reclaim land for a Black community in Portland, Oregon. And, a Pennsylvania school helps students and their families avoid debt with free school meals.
The debate over whether former President Donald Trump can be on Colorado’s Republican primary ballot heads to the Supreme Court. A group of Republican and unaffiliated voters argue he should be disqualified because of the 14th Amendment, which states that anyone who has taken an oath to the Constitution and gone on to engage in insurrection, cannot hold office. Soledad O’Brien sits down with Kim Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, about how the Supreme Court could handle this case.
In 1974, Beverly Johnson became the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue. Now, on the 50th anniversary of that groundbreaking cover, she’s sharing her story through an off-Broadway, one-woman show called “In Vogue.” Johnson joins Soledad O’Brien in–studio to talk about the show, her career and the fashion industry.