These are today's best ideas
1. If you’re old or poor, bank branches still matter.
By Melvin Backman in Quartz
2. Street-by-street health tracking can help you avoid the flu.
By Patrick Kulp in Mashable
3. Is the U.S. Border Patrol above the law?
By Brian Bennett in the Los Angeles Times
4. How an ex-inmate turned entrepreneur helps families of prisoners stay in touch.
By Teodora Zareva in Big Think
5. The brain’s secret link to our immune system could unlock autism, Alzheimers and more.
By Josh Barney at UVA Today
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C.
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.