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Suspension of flag-stomping teacher upheld: Is teacher speech protected?The North Carolina teacher who stepped on a flag as part of a lesson on the First Amendment has said his action is protected under the Constitution. But campus speech codes often limit educators' speech.
Serena Williams letter: are female athletes achieving parity?Although female participation in sports at all levels is still less than that in boy's and men's sports, observers say that things are improving for young girls.
What do the SPLC's post-election hate-incident reports mean?The Southern Poverty Law Center's database is of limited use to statisticians, but it provides a great deal of anecdotal evidence to support the group's position.
Free speech vs. hate speech: How Reddit navigates the crosscurrentsReddit has announced new measures to crackdown on abusive users. Will that reduce hate speech, or hinder expression on one of the internet's freest platforms?
Why Jews are coming to the defense of mosques in AmericaJewish-Muslim cooperation is on the rise. Their ability to work together despite decades of conflict on issues of foreign policy could serve as a model for embracing shared American values.
First LookHow one Texas man offered a message of hope to Muslim-AmericansJustin Normand stood outside a mosque Thanksgiving weekend, one of numerous displays of compassion Americans have shown the Muslim community recently.
First LookWhy Obama says marijuana should be a public health issueIn an interview with Rolling Stone, President Obama said he believes marijuana should be treated, as a public heath issue, like cigarettes and alcohol.
Catholic universities pledge to support undocumented studentsThe letter, signed by dozens of presidents of Roman Catholic universities, is both an echo of student calls from secular schools to establish 'sanctuary campuses' and an extension of Catholic social teaching on immigration.
First LookJudge rules in favor of Craigslist sperm donor on child supportThe state had argued the donor was the child's legal father because the same-sex couple he donated his sperm to didn't use a licensed physician.
First LookWhy Hampshire College pulled down the American FlagThe controversy began after the flag at Hampshire College, a small liberal arts school in western Massachusetts, was burned.
Tom Brady 200 wins: Ties Peyton Manning for most wins in NFL historyThe New England Patriots to a 22-17 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday gave Tom Brady a tie with Peyton Manning for the most wins by an NFL quarterback.
NFL Week 12 picks: Denver Broncos defense vs. Kansas City Chiefs defenseThe Kansas City Chiefs are on the road for Sunday Night Football as they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos in a pivotal AFC West matchup.
First LookSolo climber sets new record conquering Yosemite's El CapitanAdam Ondra scaled the Dawn Wall of the famed El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park in eight days.
First LookIs the fashion world becoming more political?From designers saying they will or will not be willing to dress Melania Trump, to boycotts of Ivanka Trump's products, to an ideological embrace or rejection of New Balance sneakers, the worlds of politics and fashion seem more and more often to be on a collision course.
In change on abortion, Pope Francis sends big messagePope Francis' latest reform advances his effort to recast the ministering role of the Catholic Church.
In blue cities, new resolve to address hate crimesA handful of liberal-leaning cities and states are stepping up efforts to address a spike in hate crimes after the election.
Selfies: Latest tool in anti-doping campaign by athletesA campaign on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. Olympians and amateurs alike have been publicly pledging to live, train, and compete "clean" — totally free of banned performance-enhancing drugs.
Pot is legal in Massachusetts. What do opposing towns do now?Unlike most other state laws legalizing marijuana, Massachusetts requires all towns to sell pot. Opting out is difficult, but local leaders are finding other ways to push back.
US Jews grapple with election-year eruption of anti-SemitismReports of anti-Semitic vandalism and other attacks have risen in the last year.
Trump's election triggers flood of immigration questionsSince the election, Donald Trump's tough talk on immigration has stirred anxiety nationwide among immigrants regardless of legal status.
