All Society
Why so many Gen Zers are saying, 鈥楶lay ball!鈥�Americans 鈥� especially young adults 鈥� are seeking more in-person connection. Board game clubs are聽all the rage. To create community bonds, more are turning to team sports from softball to kickball.
Room for a dorm? How a Boston neighborhood and college cope with a housing crisis.Boston鈥檚 housing crisis has college students and community members vying for space. As Northeastern University expands, both groups are asking, What makes a good neighbor?
FocusWhat keeps local reporters going? 鈥榃e live here and we want a better society.鈥�One in 3 U.S. counties no longer has a single full-time reporter, depriving communities聽of a reliable mirror. Meet Margaret Coker and the other journalists fighting to keep local news alive.
FocusHow the birthplace of Black Lives Matter rebuilt trust after Trayvon Martin鈥檚 killingTrayvon Martin鈥檚 killing launched the movement that became Black Lives Matter. Whether the protests have brought lasting change to the U.S. remains an open question. But in Sanford, Florida, change has taken root. Part of a series.
The ExplainerAs Corporation for Public Broadcasting shuts down, what will that mean on airwaves?The Corporation for Public Broadcasting鈥檚 imminent shutdown, as Republicans in Congress cut funding, resets key aspects of the U.S. media landscape.
The pandemic divided the US. Could a full accounting help the nation heal?Why a diverse range of voices says a pandemic reckoning is needed 鈥� and how to get there.
Braille libraries offer community. What happens when funding cuts close them?Braille and talking book libraries are a lifeline for people who are blind. But budget cuts mean these services face an uncertain future. How are staff working to help patrons stay connected to reading, education, and daily life?
A veteran Monitor correspondent鈥檚 farewell letter: 鈥業t was love at first write鈥�In a letter to readers, correspondent Francine Kiefer offers a fresh take on how reporters do their jobs and what really matters in the end.
Other nations had a pandemic reckoning. Why hasn鈥檛 the US?The pandemic exacerbated growing distrust between elites and citizens. That has made it hard to take stock of why the United States fared worse than many other countries. Those calling for a pandemic reckoning say it could help rebuild trust.
Embracing loose AI policies, Trump seeks edge in US race against ChinaUnder President Trump鈥檚 new AI plan, America鈥檚 strategy has moved from cautious to bold, though critics are concerned that key safeguards are missing.
鈥楽tanding with the vulnerable鈥�: Why communities are rallying around immigrant neighborsVolunteer-led efforts to support immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are similar to those happening around the United States. For many of the people stepping up, it鈥檚 a way to help fellow community members have some control over their lives.
Beep Ball World Series is a home run for blind players. 鈥業 want to play forever.鈥�The World Series of adaptive-sport beep baseball is about to kick off 鈥� offering blind players the opportunity to hit, field, and build community while participating in the national pastime.
Can Ken Griffey Jr. and the HBCU Classic bring Black players back to baseball?The HBCU Swingman Classic in Atlanta brought out Hall of Famers, comedians, and fans for an afternoon celebrating the sport and its players.
鈥榃hat community looks like鈥�: Oakland volunteers haul away 25 tons of trashAn effort to clean up Oakland started small: one man trying to make a park safe for a little boy to play in. Today, volunteers say the cleanups are meant to remind people of the importance of community.
Walking, talking, and bonding: Why social strolls are on the upswingFor a club of women walkers in Las Vegas, even the desert heat doesn鈥檛 deter their weekly gathering. Many of them have sought out the conversation and companionship 鈥� a sneaker-clad effort to strengthen the social fabric of the area.
Southern border crossings are down. A sea of shoelaces remains.Illegal border crossings between Mexico and the U.S. have dropped precipitously, yet left-behind items still linger. One property owner sees border security through the objects left on his property.
鈥楾hat鈥檚 the warrior spirit.鈥� Why Valerie Castile is determined to honor her son.Nine years ago, Valerie Castile lost her son, Philando, at a traffic stop gone horribly wrong. She is determined that his life will not be forgotten. Part of an聽occasional series.
How Medicaid cuts may endanger US progress battling opioid addictionOne North Carolina city offers a window into how Medicaid cuts may affect national efforts to address opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
鈥楩resh brewed news鈥�: Community caf茅 offers locals a chance to sip with reportersIt鈥檚 no surprise that news outlets are struggling for both dollars and trust. In Camden, Maine, a local newspaper opened a caf茅聽to welcome in the community.
Trump sees budget bill promoting a baby boom. Others say more is needed.A record-low U.S. birth rate is sparking a movement to encourage people to have more babies. A challenge is unlocking why people are having fewer children than they say they want.
