Unlike countries with parliamentary systems, where governing with pluralities rather than majorities is the norm, the United States has only two major parties, meaning usually one or the other is in charge of one or both houses by reasonably comfortable majorities.

That changed after the 2020 election, with the Democrats only barely in control of Congress by about 10 votes in the House of Representatives and, by virtue of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote, just an official majority in the Senate, which is divided 50-50.

• Read more about Pressure for reelection acts as an obstacle for legislative compromise, ASU professor says

An Arizona State University alumna has been on a decades-long mission to provide housing for people with autism, and her collaboration with ASU on a new research report will make it easier to address the crisis.

• Read more about ASU alum on mission to create communities for adults with autism

Maricopa County residents realized a $4.85 return on investment for every dollar the county Parks and Recreation Department spent on operating costs at its eight parks in 2019, according to an ASU economic impact study. 

• Read more about Research finds taxpayers get more than 4 times return on investment in Maricopa County parks and recreation

Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Science degree program in nonprofit leadership and management this fall became the world’s first undergraduate degree curriculum to be accredited by the international Nonprofit Academic Centers Council.

• Read more about ASU bachelor's degree program in nonprofit leadership and management is world’s first to receive NACC accreditation

A Maricopa County COVID-19 case investigative team consisting of Arizona State University students, assisted by faculty and staff from the ASU School of Social Work in Tucson, has closed nearly 15,000 cases since June through extensive interviews and contact tracing.

Effective contact tracing involves identifying infected individuals and anyone with whom they’ve been in contact, then working with those people to halt further spread of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Read more about COVID-19 contact-tracing team of ASU students closes nearly 15K cases in 6 months

Arizona State University is conducting coronavirus testing for a vulnerable population — those who work with people experiencing homelessness — with help from a $45,000 grant from the BHHS Legacy Foundation.

The testing is funded as a result of the generous support of the BHHS Legacy Foundation, an Arizona charitable organization whose philanthropic mission is to enhance the quality of life and health of those it serves.

• Read more about Grant funds coronavirus testing for those working closely with individuals experiencing homelessness

• Read more about Solutions to affordable-housing crisis must also address education

• Read more about ASU team analyzes data as part of state effort on missing, murdered Indigenous women

• Read more about ASU's Public Service Academy building a movement

Two professors in ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions have received another grant to study homicide among intimate partners in two more states.

• Read more about 2 Watts College professors receive another grant to study homicide among intimate partners