District of Columbia

President Barack Obama on Tuesday won a second term, powered by a coalition of minority and youth voters. In a rousing speech to his supporters, he told Americans the “best is yet to come.” The Democrats retain control of the U.S. Senate, while Republicans control the House of Representatives.

George McGovern, in 1972, lost his bid to be elected president in a landslide. But four years earlier, he led a commission that totally changed how presidential party nominees are chosen. That system remains in place to day and is, perhaps, one of McGovern’s most enduring legacies. He died this weekend, at age 90.

Some of America’s best public schools aren’t open to everyone. In fact, these schools often take just 10 percent of applicants — or less. These selective schools are part of a new trend in education to refocus attention on students at the top of the class, and make sure they get the education they need to succeed.

The U.S. Census Bureau released new data for 2011 that go a long way in describing the shifts in American demographics. We’re becoming more multicultural, we’re becoming younger, but only in certain places. In fact, white Americans are becoming less numerous, and certainly as a portion of the school-age group.

Mitt Romney needed convincing victories Tuesday to cement his status as the front-runner — and he got them. With big wins in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and a big enough victory in Wisconsin, the other Republicans still in the race will have a hard time convincing voters and donors they remain relevant.