All Society
- Amid biking boom, more adults decide it’s finally time to learn
Adults in bike-riding classes are overcoming fear and embarrassment – gaining a new way to get to work and to exercise, as well as make new friends.
- First LookIn NHL milestone, Nashville Predators prospect comes out as gay
Luke Prokop, a prospect for the Nashville Predators, became the first hockey player signed to an NHL contract to publicly come out as gay on July 19. His announcement comes shortly after Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out last month.
- At Fellowship church, faith knows no creed or color
The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, founded in 1944, transcends barriers of race, color, and creed, uniting instead in a shared humanity.
- First Look‘No platform for hate’: Charlottesville Confederate statues removed peacefully
Statues of Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson come down in Charlottesville, Virginia, after yearslong effort.
- First LookConsignment and dry cleaning industries boom as pandemic wanes
James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUP, estimates that billions of hardly worn clothing items are sitting in shoppers’ closets. As restrictions loosen and people begin to purge their wardrobes of lockdown outfits, online resale sites and donation spots are seeing gains.
- First LookMeet the first African American spelling bee champion
Spelling is a “side hobby” for Zaila Avant-garde, who nonetheless practiced seven hours a day in preparation for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She also holds three world records for basketball dribbling and hopes to play in the WNBA one day.
- First LookIn a return to normalcy, 'Champa Bay' wins Stanley Cup with fans
In a rare back-to-back win, Florida’s Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Montreal Canadiens to win the NHL Stanley Cup. But this time the victory could be shared with the 18,110 hockey fans who filled the stadium, a stark contrast to its empty-stadium win last fall.
- First LookSha'Carri Richardson off US Olympic roster after marijuana test
Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who was suspended for a month after testing positive for marijuana use, was left off the Olympic roster released by USA Track and Field, foreclosing her possible presence in Tokyo later this summer.
- The ExplainerCanada’s Native schools have been exposed. What about the US?
Unmarked graves have been found at residential schools in Canada that forcibly assimilated Native children. These schools were based on a U.S. model.
- Cover StoryThe great outdoors has a diversity problem. Can it be fixed?
Parks and public lands are open to everyone, in theory. But racism doesn’t end at a trailhead. Why don’t children have equal access to the outdoors?
- First LookReport showed 'major' damage before Florida condo collapse
The cause of a deadly building collapse near Miami is still undetermined, but a 2018 engineering report found structural problems unaddressed.
- ‘No stopping New York’: City’s recovery is in full swing
New York City’s recovery from the pandemic isn’t uniform, but there’s a general feeling – among people and businesses – that the city is back.
- First LookBritney Spears speaks out. Will her 13-year conservatorship end?
Pop star Britney Spears said her court-ordered conservatorship is abusive and wants to manage her own affairs and assets worth $60 million. Ending the legal arrangement that has controlled her life since 2008 will be difficult, legal experts say.
- First LookRaiders' Carl Nassib becomes NFL's first openly gay player
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out on Monday via an Instagram post. Mr. Nassib, who says he has support from his coaches and teammates, adds "representation and visibility are so important."
- First LookUnearthing history: African American cemeteries remain at risk
Black cemeteries across the U.S. were often created on land associated with plantations or with questionable ownership. Today, activists and lawmakers are working to create a database to identify those cemeteries and fund education and preservation programs.
- The ExplainerHow the Stonewall Uprising changed the course of LGBTQ activism
The Stonewall Inn is a symbol of resistance for the LGBTQ community today. Here’s a look at the meaning and myths behind the landmark.
- The ExplainerJuneteenth and the belated message of emancipation
Juneteenth, recognized on June 19, celebrates the end of slavery across the Confederacy and is the first new federal holiday in nearly 40 years.
- First LookDespite economic downturn, US giving hits an all-time high
Charitable giving reached a record $471 billion in 2020 in the U.S., spurred in part by the pandemic and racial justice protests. So why did two nonprofit categories – arts and culture as well as health organizations – experience a decline in giving?
- First LookResilience hubs: A new approach to crisis response
From Minneapolis to Miami, some U.S. cities are bolstering the emergency response capabilities of existing community organizations. More than just buildings with generators, these hubs are designed to build communal trust ahead of crisis events.
- House divided: Can the Southern Baptists find a path forward?
America’s largest Protestant denomination faces deep rifts on race, gender, and politics. Can the Southern Baptist Convention continue to stand?