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Revealing the Smithsonian’s ‘racial brain collection’

The Smithsonian’s human brains collection was led by Ales Hrdlicka, a museum curator in the 1900s who believed that White people were superior.

By Nicole Dungca and Claire HealyAugust 23, 2023
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Confidential affidavits detail reasoning for police raid of Kansas newspaper

The search of the Marion Record’s offices had its origins in a dispute between a restaurant owner and her estranged husband, records and interviews show.

By Jonathan O'Connell and Jon SwaineAugust 19, 2023
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Inside the Russian effort to build 6,000 attack drones with Iran’s help

Leaked documents show that, despite delays, Moscow is progressing toward its goal of mass producing drones that could be used against Ukraine.

By Dalton Bennett and Mary IlyushinaAugust 17, 2023

How The Post reported on the Smithsonian’s human remains

From the Philippine Exhibition at the 1904 World’s Fair to a collection of human remains at the Smithsonian, here’s how ‘The Collection’ project developed.

By Joy Sharon YiAugust 17, 2023

Clues point to identities of ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in alleged Coffee County breach

In an attempt to learn the identities of those tied to the copying of elections data in rural Georgia, The Post compared the descriptions of events in the indictment against Trump that was unsealed Monday with other records related to the alleged breach.

By Jon SwaineAugust 16, 2023

Paghahanap kay Maura

Mula Pilipinas, nagtungo si Maura sa 1904 World’s Fair para maitampok. Nang pumanaw siya, maaaring kinuha ng antropologo ng Smithsonian ang bahagi ng kaniyang utak.

By Claire Healy, Nicole Dungca and Ren GalenoAugust 16, 2023

How The Post reported Maura’s story

The Washington Post reported Maura’s history and the legacy of Ales Hrdlicka’s Smithsonian brains collection using archival photography and newspaper clippings.

By Nicole Dungca and Claire HealyAugust 16, 2023

Searching for Maura

Maura, a Filipino woman, died after coming to the U.S. to be put on display at the 1904 World's Fair. A Smithsonian anthropologist likely took part of her brain.

By Claire Healy, Nicole Dungca and Ren GalenoAugust 16, 2023

'Brain desirable,' Part 2

Who is Mary Sara, the Sami woman whose brain was taken for the Smithsonian’s “racial brain collection”? Today, we find her descendants. And we find out how the Smithsonian is addressing the dark legacy of its “bone doctor,” Ales Hrdlicka.

By David Fallis, Monica Campbell, Reena Flores, Lucy Perkins, Sarah Childress and KC SchaperAugust 15, 2023

The Smithsonian’s ‘Bone Doctor’ scavenged thousands of body parts

Ales Hrdlicka was the head curator of physical anthropology for the Smithsonian. Aided by a global network, he collected human brains to support racist beliefs

By Nicole Dungca, Claire Healy and Andrew Ba TranAugust 15, 2023

'Brain desirable,' Part 1

When Mary died in 1933, her brain was sent to Ales Hrdlicka, the Smithsonian’s ‘bone doctor.’ We couldn’t find any records that Mary or her family consented to this. So what happened to Mary’s brain? And what is the extent of the Smithsonian’s “racial brain collection”?

By Monica Campbell, David Fallis and Reena FloresAugust 14, 2023

What we know about the Smithsonian’s human remains

The Smithsonian’s human brains were taken mostly from Black and Indigenous people and other people of color. Read key findings from The Post’s investigation.

By Nicole Dungca, Claire Healy and Andrew Ba TranAugust 14, 2023
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Influential activist Leonard Leo helped fund media campaign lionizing Clarence Thomas

Leo is well-known for shepherding conservative judicial nominees, but the public relations campaign shows how he has continued to exert influence in support of right-leaning justices after helping them secure lifetime appointments.

By Shawn Boburg, Emma Brown and Ann E. MarimowJuly 20, 2023
The Washington Post
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Tracing a tragedy: How hundreds of migrants drowned on Greece’s watch

A Washington Post investigation retraced the route of the Adriana and how Greek coast guard decisions contributed to a preventable tragedy.

By Imogen Piper, Joyce Sohyun Lee, Claire Parker and Elinda LabropoulouJuly 5, 2023

Scenes from Wagner’s mutiny: Coffee in camo, street sweeping between tanks

As armed Wagner mercenaries took over the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, in a shocking rebellion, some Russians appeared unfazed.

By Dalton BennettJune 25, 2023
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FBI resisted opening probe into Trump’s role in Jan. 6 for more than a year

In the DOJ’s investigation of Jan. 6, key Justice officials also quashed an early plan for a task force focused on people in Trump’s orbit.

By Carol D. Leonnig and Aaron C. DavisJune 20, 2023

Senators propose crackdown on retired military work for foreign powers

The bill, which includes stiffer penalties for lawbreakers, comes in response to The Post’s investigation on the issue.

By Craig WhitlockJune 20, 2023

Takeaways from The Post’s examination of DOJ’s Jan. 6 investigation

More than a year elapsed from Jan. 6 before DOJ began actively probing key actions by Trump and those around him to steal the election. Here's why:

By Aaron C. Davis and Carol D. LeonnigJune 19, 2023

Khashoggi’s widow sues Israeli firm over spyware she says ruined her life

Hanan Elatr says Saudi Arabia used NSO’s Pegasus spyware to track her and her husband’s whereabouts before he was murdered.

By Dana PriestJune 16, 2023

The Survivors

She was told she had to take steroids to compete in bodybuilding. He ignored health warnings and nearly lost his life.

By Desmond Butler and Alice LiJune 14, 2023