Introducing Smart News!

Here you’ll find Smithsonian.com’s take on breaking events in history, culture, science, politics, economics, travel, cities, sports, technology, the natural world, and more.

Smart News will put the events of the day in context, highlight new developments in science and technology and track the most inspiring accomplishments in every area of human endeavor. We hope you’ll enjoy our curated take on the day’s most interesting developments.

Your guides on this journey:

Rachel Nuwer

Rachel Nuwer is a science writer and producer based in New York. Her love for nature and science began at the bayous and beaches of her native South Mississippi. She earned a bachelor’s in biology from Loyola University New Orleans, followed by a master’s in ecology from the University of East Anglia in England. She also picked up a second master’s degree in science journalism from New York University. She writes for venues such as the New York Times, Science and Grist. When she can, she enjoys traveling and photographing her adventures. So far, she’s at 43 countries and counting.

Sarah Laskow

As of this fall, Sarah Laskow will be a writer, reporter and editor living not just in New York City, but in Brooklyn, bringing to an end the disturbance in the space-time continuum caused by a 20-something freelance writer lingering in Manhattan. Her work has appeared in print and online for Grist, GOOD, Salon, The American Prospect, Newsweek, New York, and other publications. Before quitting her job to work from a tiny East Village apartment, she lived in Washington, D.C., and worked as an investigative journalist at the Center for Public Integrity. She is learning how to make pie from scratch.

Rose Eveleth

Rose Eveleth is a producer, designer, writer and animator based in Brooklyn. She switched from studying krill as a scientist to studying scientists who study krill as a journalist. Now, she tries to explain sciencey stuff for places like The New York Times, Scientific American, Story Collider, TED-Ed and OnEarth. In her spare time she makes weird collages, bikes, and day dreams about hanging out with a pack of foxes.

Colin Schultz

Colin Schultz is a science writer and editor based in Ontario, Canada, who moonlights as an amateur photographer, videographer, communications theorist, and gamer. He has a bachelors degree in physical science and philosophy, and a Master’s in journalism. He’s a proud member of the web-obsessed generation, and spends far too much time glaring at glowing pixels.