USA | Society
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 – 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’s farewell letter: ‘It was love at first write’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’t 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.
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Embracing loose AI policies, Trump seeks edge in US race against ChinaUnder President Trump’s new AI plan, America’s strategy has moved from cautious to bold, though critics are concerned that key safeguards are missing.
‘Standing with the vulnerable’: 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’s a way to help fellow community members have some control over their lives.
Beep Ball World Series is a home run for blind players. ‘I want to play forever.’The World Series of adaptive-sport beep baseball is about to kick off – 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.
‘What community looks like’: 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’t deter their weekly gathering. Many of them have sought out the conversation and companionship – 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.
‘That’s the warrior spirit.’ 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 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.
‘Fresh brewed news’: Community café offers locals a chance to sip with reportersIt’s no surprise that news outlets are struggling for both dollars and trust. In Camden, Maine, a local newspaper opened a café to welcome in the community.
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What 20 years of investigations tell us about the Epstein files
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The pandemic divided the US. Could a full accounting help the nation heal?
Trump’s tariff map takes shape, reordering global trade
What makes Finland the ‘world’s happiest nation’? In a word, simplicity.
