https://www.voanews.com/z/5589 Exploring American culture, history and ideals, as well as places of interest in the United States. https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com/z/5589 en 2026 - VOA 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:20:36 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Oyssey uses public data to help homebuyers make informed decisions https://www.voanews.com/a/new-app-lets-homebuyers-know-about-future-neighbor-s-politics-/7988658.html https://www.voanews.com/a/new-app-lets-homebuyers-know-about-future-neighbor-s-politics-/7988658.html Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:42:22 -0500 All About AmericaUSAwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) After Donald Trump is sworn in as president, there will be a swirl of activity at the White House. Over about six hours, the belongings of outgoing President Joe Biden and family will be removed and the residence will be made into a home for the new chief executive. VOA's Dora Mekouar reports. https://www.voanews.com/a/what-happens-on-moving-day-at-white-house-/7941194.html https://www.voanews.com/a/what-happens-on-moving-day-at-white-house-/7941194.html Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:26:18 -0500 ArchiveUSAAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) President-elect Donald Trump wants to slash government spending. A proposed advisory commission called the Department of Government Efficiency will lead the effort. It’s not a new concept. American leaders have tried to reduce the role of government almost since the beginning. https://www.voanews.com/a/7925116.html https://www.voanews.com/a/7925116.html Sun, 05 Jan 2025 13:55:53 -0500 All About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) It’s a marketing tradition that dates back more than a century. Each year, New York City’s most famous retailers unveil their opulent holiday window displays. VOA’s Dora Mekouar explores why the old-fashioned marketing device is still relevant in the modern world. https://www.voanews.com/a/why-new-york-s-biggest-retailers-stick-to-century-old-holiday-marketing-gimmick-/7903209.html https://www.voanews.com/a/why-new-york-s-biggest-retailers-stick-to-century-old-holiday-marketing-gimmick-/7903209.html Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:21:40 -0500 All About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Brendan Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates communications in the United States. Carr, an FCC commissioner since 2017, has taken aim at big tech and China’s influence on U.S. communications. VOA’s Dora Mekouar reports. https://www.voanews.com/a/incoming-fcc-chair-is-big-tech-critic-who-worries-about-china/7902069.html https://www.voanews.com/a/incoming-fcc-chair-is-big-tech-critic-who-worries-about-china/7902069.html Sun, 15 Dec 2024 11:43:28 -0500 USATechnologyAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Approximately 70,000 animals are buried in the oldest working US pet cemetery https://www.voanews.com/a/at-america-s-oldest-pet-cemetery-humans-spend-eternity-with-faithful-companions-/7888899.html https://www.voanews.com/a/at-america-s-oldest-pet-cemetery-humans-spend-eternity-with-faithful-companions-/7888899.html Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:25:07 -0500 All About AmericaUSAwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) For nearly 100 years, Americans have enjoyed watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The spectacle is an annual tradition that aims to make millions of consumers feel connected to the department store. VOA’s Dora Mekouar looks at the parade preparation. https://www.voanews.com/a/behind-the-scenes-at-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/7877024.html https://www.voanews.com/a/behind-the-scenes-at-the-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade/7877024.html Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:18:39 -0500 All About AmericaUSAwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) More than 300,000 people in the state of Georgia cast their ballots for U.S. president on the first day of voting in the battleground state. These people were among the millions of Americans who are eligible to vote before Election Day, November 5. https://www.voanews.com/a/most-americans-can-vote-before-election-day/7848638.html https://www.voanews.com/a/most-americans-can-vote-before-election-day/7848638.html Fri, 01 Nov 2024 21:46:23 -0400 2024 US ElectionAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar, VOA Graphics) If Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris makes history by being elected America’s first female president, her husband Doug Emhoff would also break barriers as the country’s first 'first gentleman.' https://www.voanews.com/a/is-america-about-to-make-history-with-its-first-first-gentleman-/7844781.html https://www.voanews.com/a/is-america-about-to-make-history-with-its-first-first-gentleman-/7844781.html Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:00:06 -0400 2024 US ElectionAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) The Southwestern state of Arizona traditionally favored Republican candidates, but Democrat Joe Biden won the state in 2020, and its electoral votes are up for grabs again in 2024. From Arizona, VOA’s Dora Mekouar has our story. Videographer: Miguel Amaya https://www.voanews.com/a/demographic-changes-shake-up-arizona-presidential-politics/7828699.html https://www.voanews.com/a/demographic-changes-shake-up-arizona-presidential-politics/7828699.html Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:15:33 -0400 2024 US ElectionImmigrationAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Since early 2000s, the Western state hasn’t tilted heavily toward any political party https://www.voanews.com/a/how-republican-leaning-nevada-became-a-swing-state-/7823539.html https://www.voanews.com/a/how-republican-leaning-nevada-became-a-swing-state-/7823539.html Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:12:01 -0400 2024 US ElectionAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Scientists worried predator fish from Asia threatened to overwhelm Washington-area waterways https://www.voanews.com/a/after-20-years-killer-invasive-snakehead-fish-haven-t-devoured-the-competition-/7762116.html https://www.voanews.com/a/after-20-years-killer-invasive-snakehead-fish-haven-t-devoured-the-competition-/7762116.html Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:54:28 -0400 All About AmericaUSAwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Access to nature isn’t just good for your mental health. A long-term study suggests that spending time in green spaces, or by water, can help prevent heart disease. VOA’s Dora Mekouar has more. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam. https://www.voanews.com/a/hanging-out-in-urban-green-spaces-helps-prevent-heart-disease-study-finds-/7745224.html https://www.voanews.com/a/hanging-out-in-urban-green-spaces-helps-prevent-heart-disease-study-finds-/7745224.html Fri, 16 Aug 2024 08:57:23 -0400 USAAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) U.S. President Joe Biden speaks out against Monday’s Supreme Court decision giving former presidents immunity from prosecution for actions falling within their official job duties. The ruling doesn’t dismiss former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case. Dora Mekouar reports. https://www.voanews.com/a/how-us-supreme-court-s-immunity-decision-could-impact-presidential-race/7683182.html https://www.voanews.com/a/how-us-supreme-court-s-immunity-decision-could-impact-presidential-race/7683182.html Tue, 02 Jul 2024 20:36:02 -0400 USA2024 US ElectionAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley continued to draw support from Republican voters long after she dropped out of this year’s U.S. presidential race. VOA’s Dora Mekouar looks at how Haley supporters may help determine the winner of the presidential election. https://www.voanews.com/a/nikki-haley-voters-could-swing-us-presidential-election-/7681340.html https://www.voanews.com/a/nikki-haley-voters-could-swing-us-presidential-election-/7681340.html Mon, 01 Jul 2024 19:49:06 -0400 2024 US ElectionUSAAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) In Washington, the garden of former President Woodrow Wilson’s historic home is being reimagined to accommodate a changing climate. VOA’s Dora Mekouar reports. Camera: Adam Greenbaum. https://www.voanews.com/a/historic-washington-garden-gets-eco-friendly-makeover-/7676179.html https://www.voanews.com/a/historic-washington-garden-gets-eco-friendly-makeover-/7676179.html Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:24:27 -0400 USAAll About Americawebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) The US foreign-born population rose by 12 million from 1990 to 2000, but by contrast only by 6.2 million during the 2010-2022 period https://www.voanews.com/a/number-of-foreign-born-people-hits-record-in-us-despite-slow-population-growth/7643941.html https://www.voanews.com/a/number-of-foreign-born-people-hits-record-in-us-despite-slow-population-growth/7643941.html Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:00:08 -0400 All About AmericaUSAwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Insects have been underground for 13 and 17 years https://www.voanews.com/a/trillions-of-cicadas-descend-on-parts-of-us/7633831.html https://www.voanews.com/a/trillions-of-cicadas-descend-on-parts-of-us/7633831.html Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:52:07 -0400 All About AmericaUSAScience & Healthwebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) Study finds 1 in 3 secretly travel while working remotely https://www.voanews.com/a/remote-workers-quietly-take-workations-without-telling-the-boss-/7624385.html https://www.voanews.com/a/remote-workers-quietly-take-workations-without-telling-the-boss-/7624385.html Fri, 24 May 2024 07:34:45 -0400 All About AmericaUSAEconomyTechnologywebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar) General public gets to visit White House grounds in spring, fall https://www.voanews.com/a/take-a-stroll-through-the-president-s-backyard-white-house-rose-garden/7613024.html https://www.voanews.com/a/take-a-stroll-through-the-president-s-backyard-white-house-rose-garden/7613024.html Thu, 16 May 2024 02:21:16 -0400 All About AmericaUSAArts & Culturewebdesk@voanews.com (Dora Mekouar)