All Society
First LookWhoopi Goldberg suspension spurs reflection on Holocaust historyOn Tuesday, Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of the ABC talk show 鈥淭he View,鈥� was suspended for two weeks for her statement about the Holocaust, for which she has apologized. The remark has stirred broader conversations about history, racism, and Jewish identity.
First LookWhy are fans so mad about NYT鈥檚 Wordle acquisition?Wordle, the ad-free website game with no sign-ups and simple gameplay, has taken the internet by storm. Now with the recent acquisition by聽the New York Times fans are up in arms, fearing access to their daily simple joy will go to live behind a paywall.听
First LookPittsburgh bridge collapse: What is larger message on bridge safety?Thousands of bridges across the U.S. have the same poor designation as one that collapsed in Pittsburgh Friday. There are few instances of collapse, yet safety advocates say funding has not kept up with repair needs.
For Black LGBTQ 海角大神s, storytelling is a tool of resilienceBy sharing their stories, Black LGBTQ people are bridging a gap between faith and identity. The effort is leading some of them back to church, where acceptance is growing.
First LookNative American tribes resume full stewardship of redwood forestA land conservancy group this week gave 500 acres of remote redwood forest to a confederation tribes in Northern California. The tribes have lived in the region for thousands of years, and the giant trees play an important role in their culture and traditions.
Sacred spaces: Church buildings repurposed as community hubsAs membership in the U.S. decreases, churches聽are closing their doors. But some聽of the聽buildings continue to be community hubs for new 鈥渃ongregations.鈥�
As pandemic hits another pivot point, so do many AmericansAmid the recent omicron surge, more people seem to be questioning the value of continued restrictions 鈥� and concluding they鈥檙e not worth the cost.听
First LookHistoric Black churches receive $20 million donation on MLK DaySome historic Black churches in the United States are set for demolition or struggling with inadequate funding. Now, a major donation launched on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will help them rebuild so that their congregations can continue to share their stories.听
First LookOn Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the battle over voting rightsIn a Martin Luther King Jr. Day video speech, President Joe Biden called upon Americans to stand up for voting rights. But Mr. King's eldest son criticized Mr. Biden and Congress for failing to pass voting rights legislation.听
First LookRachel Balkovec makes baseball history as first female managerRachel Balkovec has been appointed the new manager of the New York Yankees鈥� Tampa Tarpons, making her the first female minor league baseball manager in history. She will oversee the development of future big leaguers for the world-renowned sports franchise.
No landlord: Mobile home community finds stability in self-governmentFor some mobile home park residents, a stable home comes with self-government. In one case in Colorado, it brought a stronger sense of community too.听聽
First LookParents say US pandemic lockdown brought family togethernessFor many, the pandemic has brought greater isolation. But a new U.S. Census Bureau survey shows that, for some parents, greater seclusion during the early months of the pandemic opened up space for something else: quality time with their children.
First LookOne polarized town finds face-to-face civility in a local cafeIn one small Virginia town, neighborly ways and social ties persist. Trump supporters, radical lefties, and 鈥渙rdinary people鈥� are creating community inside a local cafe where they can have conversations about their differences without raising their voices.
A year of resilience: Monitor photographers reflect on 2021When Monitor photographers returned to the field in 2021, they聽found a society eager to come back together 鈥� and a newfound joy of their own.
Why the 鈥�70s are a blueprint 鈥� but not a destiny 鈥� for the 2020sThe 鈥�70s were infused with a feeling that the United States was on the wrong track. So it goes today. Can leaders handle things better this time around?
First LookBiden shifts US plan to address surge in COVID-19 casesPresident Joe Biden on Tuesday announced plans to purchase and distribute for free 500 million聽coronavirus rapid tests starting in January, and to help staff hospitals.
Remembering bell hooks, a beacon of light 鈥� for Black women and beyondBy imploring feminism to be something other than thin and white, she forced America to take a look in the mirror at how it treats the most vulnerable part of its population.
First LookFull belly laughs: How a comedy influencer is feeding thousandsOne of YouTube鈥檚 most popular influencers, Jimmy Donaldson, is using his fame to help fight hunger 鈥� and millions of people are watching. So far, through his Beast Philanthropy channel, Mr. Donaldson has distributed over 1.1 million pounds of food.
First Look'You can persevere': Young Americans most optimistic about futureThe majority of younger Americans, especially those between the ages of 13 and 24, are highly motivated to make positive change and are optimistic about the future, despite the economic and social problems they face,聽says a new Associated Press poll.
A lesson in tornadoes鈥� wake: Warnings work, but human response is keyRare and unusually strong December tornadoes in Kentucky have put a focus on safety 鈥� how warning systems have improved and what more can be done.
