Lydia O'Neal
Reporter, Political Capital
Lydia is a reporter on the Political Capital Team from Philadelphia and an Emory University graduate in French and economics. Previously an IBTimes breaking news writer specializing in business, she has written for CNN, Consumer Reports, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Allentown Morning Call.
A Democratic ‘Disconnect’ Could Threaten The Party’s Future
Democrats' move to block a health care initiative they once supported spotlights the party’s populist challenge in the Trump era.
Watch What Alcohol Does To Your Wallet
New studies reveal the financial impact of heading to the bar after work.
Food Stamp Funding For Jeff Bezos?
As Whole Foods opens stores in low-income neighborhoods, it's likely gaining access to billions of taxpayer dollars — adding to the sizable bundle of government subsidies that already goes to Amazon.
Job Losses Hurt How A Community’s Children Perform In School
Two authors of a recent study discuss the harmful effects of layoffs on children and adolescents — even those whose parents weren’t directly affected.
Here's Why The Koch Bros Have So Much Influence On Trump
Of the 23 senior White House officials with direct policy influence, 16 have some connection to the billionaire political donors, says a new report. Vice President Pence is a longtime Koch ally.
Study Points To Single-Payer As The Answer To High Drug Costs
As the Trump administration's health care bill was making its way through the Senate, a research study looked at how different developed nations' health care systems affect drug prices. They didn’t even bother to examine the U.S. system.
After Graduation, Women Hope To Close The Wealth Gap
Listen up, female millennials: It's time to get "financially naked."
Trump's Businesses Have A History Of Money-Laundering Charges
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller is reportedly looking into possible money laundering by associates of Donald Trump. If true, it wouldn't be the first time his associates would be accused of such practices.
Campaign Spending Caps Could Level The Election Playing Field
Using Brazilian elections for data, researchers found that a limit on campaign spending led to more candidates, and, on average, less-wealthy ones, too.
The Law Stopping Trump From Firing Mueller Expired In 1999
A law that passed, and expired, nearly two decades ago would've kept Trump from eliminating the special prosecutor investigating alleged Russian attempts to sway the 2016 election.
Why Millennials Shouldn't Worry About The Fed
The Federal Reserve is about to raise interest rates, but the economic threat to young Americans is not as serious as you might think.
There's Another Paris Agreement The US Is No Longer A Part Of
Washington refused to sign a multilateral accord to clamp down on the use of tax havens and “treaty shopping” by companies that operate outside their home countries.
How Top Democrats Help Big Pharma Keep Drug Prices High
Connecticut state senators fighting alleged price-gouging by insurers faced resistance from the state's executive branch, where conflicts of interest abound.
A New ‘Citizens United’? The Trump Plan That Could Shake Up Political Fundraising
The president's vow to "destroy" the Johnson Amendment could bring more tax exempt donations into the kind of group that helped launch Steve Bannon's career.
Why Even Energy Companies Accepted The Paris Climate Agreement
Exxon, Shell, Peabody Energy, Arch Coal and Statoil together put millions into lobbying efforts related at least in part to the Paris Climate Agreement — and have also invested in preparations to comply with new strictures.
Credit Rating Agency Downgrades Are 'A 21st Century Form Of Redlining'
The same credit rating agencies that propped up grades of mortgage-backed securities prior to the 2008 financial collapse are set to cost predominantly black, low-income municipalities millions.
A Few Foreign Firms Are Winning Major Bids For American Infrastructure Projects
President Donald Trump's budget blueprint includes a measure unleashing a public works program that has served as a boon for a handful of infrastructure and investment firms from Spain, France, Australia and the U.K.
Women Have More College Debt Than Men And Take Longer To Pay It Off
There's another gender gap in our midst, and it's hurting female graduates, even as they enroll and earn degrees at higher rates than men.
Obama Interior Secretary Helping Anadarko After Deadly Blast
Ken Salazar contacted Colorado governor’s office on behalf of the company, documents obtained by IBT/Maplight indicate.
Trump's Likely FBI Director Pick Is A Strong Proponent Of Mass Surveillance
Joseph Lieberman's conflicts of interest aside, his appointment as FBI Director would likely be a boon for post-9/11 government surveillance and monitoring of its citizens and individuals overseas, and a blow to whistleblowers.
