The news cycle is fast and furious—which is why we shifted through the recent noise and found a few articles we believe matter. These thoughts and ideas made us pause, think and, most importantly, consider what is happening in the world. We hope they do the same for you.

Sunday’s attack in Las Vegas was one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. Here are the victims and their stories. And, 7 actions you can take to help prevent gun violence.

Gabby Giffords on our national crisis: “And it’s why we need to work to create a different Congress and different state legislatures, where champions for laws that reduce gun violence are the majority. That starts at the ballot box. And it starts with us.” (Vogue)

Gun violence in America, explained: “Among developed nations, the US is far and away the most violent — in large part due to the easy access many Americans have to firearms.” (Vox)

Trump reverses Obama rule on birth control: “On Friday, the administration made one of its boldest moves yet, with two memos from multiple agencies that would dramatically curtail women’s access to birth control through their employers.” (The Atlantic)

Why did FEMA remove stats about Puerto Rico’s recovery?: “As in the case of data about climate change and occupational safety, the Trump administration has quietly pulled down bleak numbers about electricity and drinking water after Hurricane Maria.” (The Atlantic)

The secrecy undermining the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Russia probe: “In recent decades, there have been very few congressional investigations affecting a sitting President that don’t descend into partisan combat, with one side working as a defense lawyer for the President and the other acting as an overzealous prosecutor.” (The New Yorker)