| Why Texas ban on 'sanctuary cities' divides local law enforcement Posted: 12 May 2017 12:16 PM PDT ![Why Texas ban on 'sanctuary cities' divides local law enforcement]( "Why Texas ban on 'sanctuary cities' divides local law enforcement") From his 844-square mile territory of Texas cordgrass marshes and mesquite prairies, Jackson County Sheriff Andy Louderback responded to a ban on "sanctuary cities" in his state with a virtual tip of the Stetson. A number of Texas sheriffs and most major city police chiefs opposed the groundbreaking law signed on Sunday by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
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| Detroit charts a public-private path to its future, with streetcars Posted: 12 May 2017 12:04 PM PDT ![Detroit charts a public-private path to its future, with streetcars]( "Detroit charts a public-private path to its future, with streetcars") When a fleet of bright red-roofed and turquoise-roofed streetcars begins service tonight along three miles of this battered city's central spine, a lot will be riding on the outcome. The privately run QLINE is Detroit's first streetcar service since the 1950s, when it tore up its rails in favor of highways. It comes as the Motor City emerges from bankruptcy and blight, amid a pickup in investment in downtown property and the construction of new sports stadiums and waterfront parks.
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| How a European song contest offers a glimpse of the Russian psyche Posted: 12 May 2017 09:44 AM PDT ![How a European song contest offers a glimpse of the Russian psyche]( "How a European song contest offers a glimpse of the Russian psyche") For most Americans, Eurovision is not of much interest. The 61-year-old song competition, a forebear of shows like American Idol, was originally started to underline a common sense of cultural identity among Europeans. Today, it is one of the most popular TV events on the continent, with the contest finals airing Saturday night.
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| Is edgier political comedy making America worse? Posted: 12 May 2017 09:11 AM PDT ![Is edgier political comedy making America worse?]( "Is edgier political comedy making America worse?") When late-night comedian Stephen Colbert hurled a string of crude insults at President Trump on "The Late Show" last week, it didn't take long for the leader of the free world, a former reality-TV star, to respond. Conservative critics and others were calling for Mr. Colbert's ouster this week after the nation's most-watched late-night host used a lewd metaphor to close out his litany of scornful president-dissing puns. An insult of the "locker-room banter" variety, Colbert's final quip was criticized by LGBT advocates, some of whom said his joke was a symptom of a wider culture of still-accepted homophobia and joined the #FireColbert furor. From political cartoons a century ago to the conventions of parody and satire on late-night TV, insults hurled are hardly anything new in American politics.
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