Florida​ recently​ passed a scholarship program called Hope Scholarship Program, to offer scholarships to children who have been bullied at school. Parents can take action immediately to keep their children safe by transferring them to another school, where the student feels safe. The program is completely financed privately. If schools begin to lose students, they will have an incentive to improve safety at the school.

Independent Institute Senior Fellow James Tooley's presentation at the "Good Profit: How Profitable Business Can be a Force for Good" Conference, co-sponsored by the Independent institute with the Napa Institute at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2017.

Research Fellow Robert Whaples, editor of Pope Francis and the Caring Society appears on WMT Radio in Cedar Rapids, IA on the fifth anniversary of the selection of Pope Francis. Whaples discusses how the Pope's ideas on the environment and capitalism are more well known than most of his predecessors. The discussion touches on social justice and how the Pope doesn't see how a market economy can help poor people and also help save the earth's resources.

Research Fellow Robert Whaples, editor of Pope Francis and the Caring Society is interviewed on The Josh Tolley show. What is the best way to help our brothers and sisters who are in need? Trading voluntarily shows how free markets have the power to lift others out of poverty, which is one of the major themes of the book. More than governments, markets can help the less fortunate through the action of individuals. Over the last few decades, more than a billion people worldwide have been moved above the absolute poverty line, mostly through capitalism, property rights and by worldwide trading, says Whaples. The Pope doesn't see this because of his "blind spots" in regards to capitalism.

Research Fellow Robert Whaples, editor of Pope Francis and the Caring Society appears on The Mike Siegel radio show to discuss the Pope's comments on poverty, the environment, economics and charity. Whaples talks of the Pope's mistrust of capitalism to solve some of the world's pressing issues today. Private charity is unleashed by applying natural-law, moral and economic principles and can be far more effective and efficient than the government redistribution favored by Pope Francis, says Whaples.

Professor Robert Whaples talked about the latest jobs numbers and the Trump administration’s trade policies.

Sr. Fellow Ivan Eland appears on WGN radio to discuss the latest in proposed talks between the US and North Korea and the goal of denuclearizing North Korea. Eland talks about the different scenarios for talks including the history of similar negotiations in other countries. He also discusses the role of China as an ally of North Korea and the role of US support and defense of South Korea.

President Trump says he will meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to discuss denuclearization of North Korea. Sr. Fellow Ivan Eland, author of Eleven Presidents: Promises vs. Results in Achieving Limited Government talks about the history of negotiations with North Korea and what the proposed meeting might mean for stabilization of the Korean peninsula and future relations with the U.S.