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Tiny structures in cells called speckles were first discovered more than a century ago.

In her new collection of essays, "On Witness and Respair," Ward reflects on the importance of storytelling, bearing witness to racism, and finding healing and hope.

American kids are in a “reading recession” as test scores fall across the country, but researchers say the pandemic isn’t completely to blame.

It’s graduation season again, and amid the pomp and circumstance, and it's time for many grads to start managing their financial lives.

An Iranian man who was buried under rubble in the U.S.-Israel bombing campaign says he wants the war to go on and destroy the regime.

Theft in the oil fields in Texas is a growing problem, just as the price of crude oil continues to rise.

The first Shrek movie came out 25 years ago on Monday.

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie will see if he can survive Trump's wrath in what's being called the most expensive primary race in the country. 

Kurt Campbell is a former Deputy Secretary of State and has had an important role in shaping U.S.-China policy for many years.

On Sunday, the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a global health emergency.

“Dancing on the Wall” is a departure from MUNA’s previous work, trading the sunshine-y pop instrumentals, country influences and sweeping ballads of their self-titled album for gritty, atmospheric tracks influenced by 1990s punk and rave scenes.

Ukraine has launched its biggest strike campaign against Russia in over a year, using long-range drones to target the heart of Moscow and bring the war home to Russians.

Implemented in January 2025, New York's congestion relief program charges vehicles to enter Manhattan's central business district during peak hours.

Because Bostonians haven't had time to acclimate to the heat yet, this early spike can be tougher on the body than a 90-degree day in July. Here's what to know about the forecasted heat and how to keep safe.

New Hampshire appears to be the epicenter of a global criminal operation involving stolen gift cards, rented warehouses, and millions of dollars' worth of Apple products, authorities say. A murder in Derry is among the fallout.

Flyers heading out of Boston can now check security line wait times before they arrive via a new tracker. And come June 1, there's the option to skip the lines at the airport entirely by going through TSA at a new "remote terminal" in Framingham.

Hampshire College will close its doors in the fall. The school held its final graduation ceremony over the weekend, with students, alumni and faculty joining together to commemorate the college.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the growth of inequality in the U.S. is creating a new political order willing to embrace raising tax rates.

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed Hamas military wing leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad. The Israeli military said Saturday that al-Haddad was one of the last surviving architects of the Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel that triggered the war on Oct. 7, 2023.

A large fire and explosion at a lumber mill in Maine’s midcoast region has killed a firefighter and injured at least 11 other people. Maine officials say the firefighter was found dead at the mill. The firefighter was part of a huge emergency response.

When it comes to love, money is supposed to be no object. But there’s no disentangling love from anything in our lives, and income is no exception. So how do you assess the role money should play in a relationship, and what happens when your desires and means change over time?

In this episode, five letter writers want to know how to discuss money with their romantic and familial partners. How do I stop resenting my husband for his low income? How do I ask my stay-at-home wife to get a job? Should I feel obligated to share the wealth with my fiscally irresponsible parents? The Sugars answer these questions and more in rapid-fire style on today’s episode.

From WBUR, here's a new kind of story, one that's all about the big questions and decisions we face. The Midnight Rebellion is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It's fiction rooted in real science, built for the kids in your life (ages 7 and up) — and the whole family.

You're listening to Chapter 1 of The Midnight Rebellion. Each chapter ends with a choice. YOU decide what’s next. Choose wisely.

And if you liked what you heard, listen to the rest and follow The Midnight Rebellion wherever you get your podcasts.

Spirit Airlines, known for cheap flights, suddenly closed earlier this month. Budget airlines seem to do fine in Europe. Why can’t they survive in the U.S.?

In Luis Alfaro’s sharp and vigorous play, the the bones of Sophocles’ tale remain intact. Set in Los Angeles, the characters are Chicano, and the King is the most powerful man in the barrio. The small cast is "ferociously talented," reviews critic Jacquinn Sinclair.

Here are six ways to spend your day at the 2026 WBUR Festival — with itineraries shaped around personal interests like national politics, journalism, sustainability, health and more.

This summer, the MBTA begins a push to make more of its Green Line stations accessible to people with disabilities, and MassDOT hopes to complete a round of repairs to the Storrow Drive tunnel.

Is it time to consider prosecuting AI models for breaking the law? Some say it's time. Others say that would be an insult to humanity.

The Supreme Court put a hold on a lower court order that would have restricted how the abortion pill mifepristone is prescribed.

In 2025, the Trump administration began dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the funding that was distributed around the world plummeted.

Oklahoma now has its first official "dark sky park" where people can look at the stars without light pollution.

The summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded on Friday.

Federal Reserve Kevin Warsh's predecessor, Jay Powell, endured extreme political pressure from President Trump to lower interest rates.

"Silent Honor" is a popular Chinese television show, a drama based on real events.

Frank is now in hospice care but is urging his party to refocus its priorities to defeat President Trump's brand of right-wing populism.

President Trump's said that he "doesn't think about Americans' financial situation" in trying to end the war in Iran that has caused gas prices to soar. 

"The Simpsons" is the longest-running sitcom on television, but some of its self-proclaimed biggest fans stopped watching decades ago.

Seven World Cup matches will be played this summer at Gillette Stadium, about 25 miles outside Boston, and just getting there could become part of the story.

The Japanese automaker posted its first annual loss since it became a publicly traded company in 1957.

A new interactive WBUR podcast called "The Midnight Rebellion" reframes the climate crisis as an epic adventure -- one that listeners can choose how it ends.

Myrieme Nadri-Churchill is a psychotherapist and the executive director of Parents for Peace. She believes we should treat the radicalization of youth as a public health issue: “We cannot fix what we don’t understand,” she explains. “We have to study extremism."

A Cambridge startup company is working on an autonomous torpedo-shaped drone to help find people overboard in the water.

The man accused of opening fire on Memorial Drive and wounding two people pleaded not guilty yesterday to armed assault with intent to murder. As the case against Tyler Brown moves forward, questions persist.

The Trump administration is threatening to sue Massachusetts over the Registry of Motor Vehicles' policy against issuing confidential license plates to ICE for civil immigration enforcement. But Gov. Maura Healey's office says the state will not change its policy.

Harvard faculty are voting this week on a proposal to cap the number of A grades awarded in undergraduate courses in order to address the rampant issue of grade inflation at the vaunted institution.

Healthy communities are not built through obligation alone, writes Emily Isaacson. They are sustained through shared joy — and shared joy has a skill set.

What hit me hard as I went to bed Monday night is how few people I heard from that day, writes Anri Wheeler, a Cambridge resident. Perhaps the news of what happened on Memorial Drive didn’t make it into my friends’ algorithms?

Crossword puzzles have taken over screens in school, at work and on the T. What used to be a morning tradition completed in print newspapers has found a new generation of fans. Fully 50% of people aged 18 to 29 — those in Gen Z — say they regularly complete crossword puzzles, more than any other generation.

After 30 years teaching Haitian folkloric dance, Jean Appolon's studio has opened in Nubian Square. The founder keeps the glass window open during rehearsals, inviting passersby to watch dancers move to drumbeats. "Sometimes people even knock on the door and ask to come in and watch," Appolon says.

Of all the internet communities in all the world, you walked into ours.

Hosts Ben and Amory pay homage to the magic of chance encounters with producer Grace Tatter. Together, they explore the ways in which the internet fuels random yet delightful meetings between strangers online, from a website where you can impersonate ChatGPT to Craigslist's beloved Missed Connections page.

Show notes:

• YourAISlopBores.Me
• What Craigslist’s missed connections are still good for  (The Bold Italic)

Vice President JD Vance took shots at Maine's Gov. Janet Mills during a campaign-style rally Thursday. He also advocated for former Gov. Paul LePage's bid for a seat in Congress.

Massachusetts residents who need cancer screenings, diabetes medications and other essential care will soon face shorter waits for care, Gov. Maura Healey said Thursday.

The Supreme Court on Thursday preserved women’s access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion, rejecting lower-court restrictions while a lawsuit continues.

Since taking office, President Trump’s wealth has grown by at least $1.4 billion. There have been overseas real estate projects, a Trump phone that doesn’t exist and a Trump-branded cryptocurrency. Conflicts of interest or corruption?

Netflix turned heads in Hollywood by giving Greta Gerwig’s "Narnia" an exclusive theatrical release, a move that could signal a shift in the streamer’s relationship with movie theaters.

Tyler E. Brown was arraigned Thursday via Zoom from his hospital bed, where he’s being treated for gunshot wounds.

In the ashes of Spirit Airlines, which shut down in early May, JetBlue has risen anew.

Underneath the excitement is a deeper story about affordability, immigrant communities, and who gets to participate in soccer culture in places like San Francisco and San José.

In each of the complaints, landlords or brokers appear to be skirting the spirit of the law, which is aimed at requiring landlords to shoulder the cost of renting out their properties.

Politico's Kyle Cheney finds that the White House has only won about 10% of cases, but critics believe the administration's real goal is to wear down immigrants who don't want to risk sitting in a detention facility for months.

Iran has set up a new agency to collect tolls from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Thursday's meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded with a banquet, including cordial toasts and a few surprises.

Melinda Liu moved to Beijing in 1980. She later opened Newsweek's Beijing bureau and has made Beijing her home for decades.

A substantial pattern shift is underway, bringing Greater Boston's first real taste of summer heat and humidity over the coming days.

The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair.

The Trump administration is shaking up how the federal government manages wildfires ahead of what could be a historically destructive fire season.

Veterans dealing with war trauma often heal through finding a new passion: art, fishing or yoga.

 President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened their two-day summit on Thursday, focused on trade, security, and stability.

The album pays tribute to former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo's Musogee heritage and her musician mom.

He never met his grandfather, who was a political prisoner and died in a labor camp. It was seen as a shameful chapter in his family's history and was never talked about, but 70 years later, Scott tells the story.

In the early 1900s, Hadley, Mass. was known as “the asparagus capital of the world.” A local ice cream and dairy story honors this history with a special spring flavor called “Hadley Grass.”

John Lam joined WBUR Morning Edition host Tiziana Dearing ahead of his dance company's spring showcase this weekend at the Emerson Paramount Center.

He says Democrats have a chance to defeat President Donald Trump's brand of right-wing populism, but only if the party embraces core economic issues instead of polarizing culture fights.

The northeastern United States and southern Quebec are expected to see more rain due to climate change, but more of that rain will likely fall in large storms like the ones that have caused flooding in recent years, according to new research. This trend is leading to more flooding and more frequent “flash” droughts between storms.

If traffic and ticket prices weren't already on your mind when it comes to the World Cup, may we add in infectious disease? With millions of visitors expected in and around Boston for the matches at Gillette Stadium, public health officials say the risk for transmission significantly increases.

Vance, who chairs the administration’s anti-fraud task force, is scheduled to deliver remarks at Bangor International Airport, the White House and the Maine Republican Party announced.

Citing concerns about data privacy and impacts on LGBTQ+ youth, advocates gathered Wednesday to oppose House social media legislation. The House passed a bill in April that bans student cellphone use in schools and bans social media use for kids under the age of 14, adding the regulations onto a Senate cellphone ban bill passed last year.

"I’ve spent my career as a mediator sitting across from people who are convinced the other side will never understand them," writes Seth Izen. "What I’ve learned, again and again, is that they’re usually wrong."

Writer-director Curry Barker and creative partner Cooper Tomlinson parlayed their YouTube channel “That’s a Bad Idea” into this big-screen debut about a guy who wishes his dream girl would love him back. While a rollicking ride, "this is not a film for food critics or cat lovers," warns critic Sean Burns.

Nonprofit Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción's new nearly 26,500-square-foot center is the largest Latino arts center in New England. " La CASA is about showing how community can be built through the arts."

Photographer Azadeh Akhlaghi's exhibit "From Iran: A Visual Testimony" features 16 staged images from pivotal incidents in Iran's modern history. Each photograph sheds light on events where there are little to no visual records in existence.

“Boston’s policing resources go to criminal law enforcement,” said Sam Dinning, one of four lawyers representing the city. “That is what the Trust Act protects.”

Students in wealthy school districts are nearing their 2019 performance, according to an annual report released Wednesday. At the same time, students in low-income districts remain far behind, especially in reading.

Anne Brensley said her campaign relied partly on an outside firm to collect the required 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but that they failed to do so. She claims she was defrauded.

Omer Bartov was born on an Israeli kibbutz, grew up committed to Zionist ideals, and is now professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University. But in his new book, Bartov argues that Zionism has changed and he can no longer support it.

The Trump administration is trying to kill an ambitious plan to decarbonize global shipping.

John Cephas and Phil Wiggins were modern ambassadors of a fingerpicking regional acoustic blues style developed mainly in Virginia and the Carolinas: the Piedmont blues.

In her new book, "El Paso: Five Families and One Hundred Years of Blood, Migration, Race, and Memory," New York Times reporter Jazmine Ulloa recounts the history of the town she grew up in, which she believes speaks as much or more to the immigrant experience than Ellis Island.

When Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping meet on Thursday in Beijing, trade, tariffs, and business deals will be a major focus.

Republican Charlie Dent and Democrat Jamal Simmons weigh in on what it's going to take for their party's candidates to win in the midterm elections in the middle of an unpopular war with Iran and a redistricting race that favors Republicans. 

Crews are still working on President Trump’s controversial renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, coating the basin in what he calls “American flag blue.”

The urban legend called the "Tonganoxie Split" is said to spare Missouri's Kansas City from tornadoes. Scientists are split about its accuracy.

The podcast "StoryFM" is modeled after "This American Life."

All eyes will be on Atlanta on June 15 when the Cape Verde Blue Sharks take on Spain.

Artificial intelligence can be a game changer for people looking to synthesize complicated information. But consumers should be careful sharing sensitive information.

The two leaders are expected to cover a number of of issues, including trade.

Dr. Marty Makary served as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration for just over a year.

The collapse of Spirit Airlines means travelers have fewer options for flying out of Logan Airport. It also has big implications for JetBlue, one of the largest carriers in Boston.

Voters asked about a measure that would reduce the state's income tax from 5% to 4% initially supported it. But once they were told more about it — namely critics' concerns that it would reduce funding for the state's budget and mostly benefit the state's wealthiest residents — support dropped.

By 2031, 68 of the Green Line’s 70 stops are set to meet accessibility standards for riders with disabilities, according to the MBTA. The plans include modernizing stops across all branches and consolidating some stations.

The study’s preliminary results support the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe’s belief that Burying Hill is an ancient burial ground for their ancestors.

Joule doesn’t trust Cap’n Cutthroat as far as she can throw him—which is not far. (He’s huge!) So she makes something up. The bad news? She’s not the best liar. The other bad news? Puzzles.

Listen to the next episode using the password at wbur.org/midnightcode.

Script: Read along!

Bright must not keep the machine! Joule continues the journey alone and slips inside Bright’s shipping vessel. But, squid suckers, it is hot, and she did not bring a water bottle. Can she borrow yours? Wait, that doesn’t make sense.

Learn more and take the survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey

Script: Read along!

Shocked by the big news, Joule decides to trust Cap’n Cutthroat and tell him she lost the machine. (Twice.) Does he keep his cool? We’re going to let you figure that one out on your own. P.S. There’s something in the water.

Learn more and read about Fin at wbur.org/midnight.

Script: Read along!

Joule goes back for Buggy and Nico, Bright gets away with the machine, and the trio comes face-to-face with a tattooed pirate in desperate need of anger management classes.

Learn more and read about the characters at wbur.org/midnight.

Script: Read along!

The mission is greater! The stakes are stakier! Joule and the others race to Black Marsh — but they are not the only ones searching for the machine. (There’s also a seagull.)

Take the survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey

Script: Read along!

Jake Rosmarin, from Boston, is one of 18 Americans under observation at specialized healthcare facilities after a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship. He expects to spend 42 days at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

"We think humans are different from non-human animals — with our clothes and cars and houses and ability to destroy or save the world — but here we are, affected by the length of days like every other living thing," writes Tove Danovich.

Plus, a live art battle in Cambridge and Boston Ballet's "Spring Experience."

While the two actors have never worked together, they've made surprisingly similar career choices. The Somerville Theatre screens 24-film series of double features May 17-July 11, and what's delightful is "how perfectly their movies tend to complement each other," writes film critic Sean Burns.

Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio said she plans to have a former political rival of Attorney General Andrea Campbell represent her in a lawsuit against the Legislature.

The Boston Pops celebrate America's 250th anniversary with the Fireworks Spectacular, featuring Grammy winners Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, and Trombone Shorty at the Hatch Memorial Shell. All three performers will take the stage there for the first time, with conductor Keith Lockhart leading the orchestra.

Tyler E. Brown previously served time in prison for shooting at a Boston police officer in 2020. He's now accused of firing up to 60 rounds from an assault-style rifle on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, seriously wounding two people.

Scientists have taken the largest ever image of the Milky Way. The image shows spectacular detail of our home in the universe, and offers scientists a color-coded guide to some of the most mysterious corners of our galaxy.

Carolyn Michelle (Familiar Touch, The Chi) and Christopher Rivas (Brown Enough, Rubirosa) headline a Maya tale about lies having short legs... and long tails!

The existence of auto-brewery syndrome, and emerging research on how the gut microbiome may affect human behavior, could have ramifications for the criminal legal system.

In late April, about 114 of every 100,000 visits to the emergency room were for tick bites. It's the highest rate for the time of year since at least 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The founder of the National Baseball Poetry Festival, Steven Biondolillo, and one of this year's winning poets, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, talk about the bittersweet emotions they feel while celebrating America's pastime as a fan or as a player.

How and dry conditions could increase wildfire risk.

American writer Jacob Dreyer has lived in China for 13 years.

The city in the heartland is the smallest of the 11 U.S. host cities chosen and will host six matches, including a quarter-final.

The subject of Taiwan is one of the main priorities for Beijing in the upcoming talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi.

The Labor Department reported on Tuesday that consumer prices increased by 3.8% in April compared to a year ago.

Joe Macken's fascination with buildings and landscapes started as a child after visiting the Panorama of the City of New York, the massive model that debuted at the 1965 New York World's Fair.

Republicans in the South have been working quickly to redraw congressional maps to gain an advantage in this year's midterms.

University of Nebraska, Lincoln political science professor Kevin Smith explains why Democrats have a tough time winning statewide office in red-state Nebraska.

eBay called the big from GameStop“neither credible nor attractive.”

Kaine, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, argues the administration still lacks a clear strategy for ending the conflict and warns Americans are already paying the price through rising inflation, extended military deployments, and growing tensions with China and Taiwan.

David Delvalle began studying through the Tufts University Prison Initiative nearly a decade ago while in prison. This weekend, the 32-year-old will graduate with his bachelor's degree in civic studies and receive the presidential award for civic life.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is celebrating Fidelity Investments' recent announcement that it will bring its 8,000 Boston employees back to the office five days a week.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she's happy to see Fidelity and other big employers calling employees back into the office more often, calling it "great news" for downtown businesses. She said she also hears workers' concerns, from issues with child care availability to public transit reliability.

The individuals are in the United States, but have not returned to New Hampshire, according to the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services. State health officials said there is “no current health risk to residents” and that it would share additional information as it is made available.

Think out-of-the-box scoops, the ones you cannot find in other ice cream parlors. Burnt caramel. Espresso chipotle. Lobster. We want to hear about your favorite scoop and where you ordered it from.

The Republican Party has a highly sophisticated online and social media operation. Meanwhile Democrats focus on their traditional political talking points. Could the Dems take a page out of the GOP's messaging playbook? Democratic influencer Emily Amick sure thinks so.

Cambridge police said its officers first were alerted to the apparent incident at about 1:30 p.m. Less than an hour later, the department posted a notice on Facebook saying there was "no on-going danger to the public," but residents should avoid the area and authorities remained at the scene.

The April employment report was better than most analysts expected.

Milk Street has TV and radio shows, a magazine, cooking classes, an online blog and a store.

At Russia's annual Victory Day parade, for security reasons, Russia's military might was displayed on video instead of in the streets.

Tong shares some of his impressions of how China has changed since he was there last.

Public health workers say there is very little risk to the public, but the outbreak still raises bigger questions about what the country learned from COVID-19.

In May 1996, a blizzard struck as multiple climbing teams were attempting to summit Mount Everest.

Musk wants to oust the company’s CEO and president and force the company to turn back into a nonprofit, as it was when he co-founded it.

As the highly anticipated summit in Beijing approaches, bringing Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump together, we look at what China's foreign policy priorities are.

Experts and preservationists are pushing back on President Trump’s proposal to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, warning it could permanently damage the historic granite.

On Monday, Trump said the ceasefire is on "life support."

Cornwell writes about her tumultuous childhood, her struggles to become a writer, and her commitment to realism in her books about forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta.

Monday is the deadline for the Supreme Court to decide whether to keep telehealth access to the abortion medication mifepristone, which is one of two drugs given for most medication abortions.

The Haitian community in Miami is celebrating being a host city and having their team back in action after more than 50 years.

Doctors spend years becoming experts in how the body works, how it can break down and how to recognize and treat various illnesses. Their training rarely involves what’s known as “nature-based medicine.” Dr. Susan Abookire has made it her mission to change that.

The event series, funded through a $175,000 grant from the state, features soccer tournaments, a family-friendly "Field Day" and over a month of Spanish-broadcast World Cup watch parties in Chelsea Square.

The new charges from federal prosecutors allege Rep. Christopher Flanagan laundered stolen money through his campaign account, filed false tax returns and used misappropriated funds for personal expenses like "psychic services," menswear and a home air conditioner. The indictment supersedes charges prosecutors made last year.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty has questions about how money is being raised for the  Democratic National Committee and Democratic candidates and how that money is being spent.

Michela Cava scored at 1:12 of the second overtime to lead Ottawa to a 4-3 win over the Boston Fleet, winning the best-of-five semifinal series in four games.

From big public watch parties to tried-and-true soccer bars, the Boston area has a lot of options for getting in on the 2026 World Cup excitement — even if you aren't going to the games itself.

"In 2020 — after three years of immunosuppression — when I learned of mRNA vaccine research for MS, I was relieved," writes Lindsay Karp. Then came the cuts to the federal government's budget for medical research.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed confidence in victory in Ukraine during a military parade in Moscow marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Security was tight as Putin and foreign leaders attended the event. The parade Saturday took place without tanks or heavy weapons, a first in nearly two decades.

You’ve heard the phrase "think outside the box." But what if constraints and limitations actually make us happier and more creative?

Jewel has a new single "Upon Meeting the Goddess of Love."

Seeing your life clearly is a prerequisite toward making positive change.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he will not step down after his Labour Party got pummeled in the country’s local elections held Thursday.

Is the new report an indication of resilience in a period of economic uncertainty?

Or has the fallout from the Iran war just not hit the labor market yet?

Democrats are facing election headwinds as Southern states begin to redraw voting maps ahead of November elections. 

Oralia Terrazas wants to honor her late mother, Gloria, with her life, not flowers.

The court said lawmakers violated constitutional procedures when they rushed the measure onto the ballot. The decision is a major setback for Democrats.

Nearly 460,000 people in Arizona who’ve been kicked off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program since Congress passed a law last summer tightening the rules for eligibility.

A man who says he has been foraging for food for a year recently taught a group of people in Charlotte, N.C., about the plants that you can find and eat on a walk.

The FEMA Review Council set up by President Trump is recommending major changes to the country's top disaster agency.

The proposal for a one-time tax on California billionaires is dividing state Democrats.

This week, a separatist group in Alberta announced that they have more than enough signatures to put an independence referendum on the ballot this fall.

Alabama is one of a handful of states in the South moving forward with redistricting after the Supreme Court's decision last week, dealing a blow to the Voting Rights Act. 

Whether a mother-child relationship is healthy and attached, difficult and estranged, or somewhere in between, mothers and motherhood is good fodder for the page, writes Cog editor Cloe Axelson.

There are nearly 40 Porchfests coming to cities and towns across Massachusetts this spring and summer. But few can compete with Somerville Porchfest, which remains the largest and most popular in the area.

A recycling nonprofit, though its New Bedford warehouse, puts used nets, ropes, and other marine debris in the hands of local artists.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday gave Attorney General Andrea Campbell 30 days to decide whether she will represent Auditor Diana DiZoglio in her attempt to sue the Legislature.

DJs Kyle Buresh and Steve Maling joins WBUR's Morning Edition to reflect on their tenth anniversary as collaborators.

I have no statistics to cite about the number of women who experience what is sometimes called "breastfeeding grief," writes Miriam Wasser. But I've come to believe that what happened to me, is, if not necessarily common, then at least quite prevalent.

The longtime Mother's Day tradition is typically the busiest day of the year for the Harvard-managed botanical garden. And unlike recent Lilac Sundays, the flowers are expected to be in "peak bloom" this year.

The state Senate passed legislation Thursday aimed at providing new protections for immigrants in Massachusetts. But the House and Senate have a lot of differences to hash out between their bills before a final version reaches Healey's desk.

"My mother's grocery list is the length of a CVS receipt. Mine is a folder of photos I texted myself consisting mainly of which frozen brand of saag paneer I like from Trader Joe’s," writes Namrata Patel. "Somewhere between her kitchen and mine, a generation of knowledge became silently displaced."

Comedian Ben Palmer set up a fake tip line for reporting immigrants in the United States suspected of not having legal status. He recorded the conversations, and things... got uncomfortable and, in some cases, disturbing. But for a lot of viewers, these calls were surprisingly funny. How does Ben Palmer withstand the awkwardness and maintain his deadpan delivery as he trolls unsuspecting Americans trying to get their neighbors deported? And how did he go from being your average stand-up comic, doing sets after his day job, to creating viral social commentary full-time?

Show notes:

• He made a fake ICE deportation tip line. Then a kindergarten teacher called. (Washington Post)
• God, Country, Family (YouTube)
• Ben Palmer's YouTube Channel (YouTube)

Dictators and authoritarian leaders often plaster their faces across the country they control. Is this happening in the United States?

Newborns are dying of a rare condition known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which can be fatal but is easily prevented by a vitamin K shot given at birth.

World Cocktail Day is on May 13.

Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

County commissioners gave the project a green light on Monday, but it still needs to obtain water rights at a time when the Great Salt Lake is nearing a new record low in water levels. 

Pope Leo XIV has criticized the war in Iran and President Trump has called out the Pope.

The book is a deep dive into the lives and music of the iconic band.

The U.S. is waiting for a response from Iran on the latest peace proposal to end the war.

None of these salads are simply a bunch of lettuce with various toppings. They are creative combinations of colors and textures and flavors for a new season.

New Orleans may have crossed a “point of no return” as rising seas, sinking land and stronger storms converge.

Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. intelligence analyst who served 30 years for spying for Israel, says he will run in the upcoming Israeli elections.

Ahead of the biggest day in birding, we take an inside look at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, home to millions of audio clips of birds from around the world.

Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna wrote the next chapter that comes 20 years after the original film.

In the leadup to Mother's Day, WBUR reporter Arielle Gray shares works and events that are reminders that there is no clean, tidy narrative arc to parenthood. "There’s only the messy and sacred work of showing up."

For our series "AI in the doctor's office," WBUR created an interactive that replicates the experience of a new user asking AI chatbots mental health questions. It then shows what licensed therapists and clinicians thought the chatbots did well — or not so well.

Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart previews the 140th spring Pops season.

Mental health clinicians have started asking clients how they use generative artificial intelligence chatbots to support their emotional well-being. Some clinician-researchers are building platforms to educate people about chatbots' strengths and weaknesses, and developing AI bots that are meant to deliver therapy.

Davy Rothbart talks about some of the local notes he's received over the years and what they've taught him about humanity. He'll be hosting a longer conversation about what he's found at WBUR's City Space on Friday night.

Supporters have framed the measure as a pro-democracy reform aimed at rebalancing power in a system that they say rewards loyalty to Democratic leadership. Lawmakers have pushed back harshly against that characterization.

Izzy Hoffman, an 11-year-old from Foster, Rhode Island, is helping revive a rare sheep breed, the Navajo-Churro. The breed was nearly wiped out during U.S. westward expansion

Experience hypothetical mental health conversations with ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Then, read takeaways from Boston-area therapists on what was good or bad about the chatbots' responses.

Between DOGE and the rise of AI bots, work is far more precarious than it used to be, writes Joanna Weiss. Amid so much uncertainty, it’s no surprise that people would flock to a movie that fetishizes work as much as Chanel boots.

"Motherhood and activism are not mutually exclusive," writes Victoria Livingstone. "Rather, they are categories of identity that inform each other."

The remarkable first feature from Canadian writer-director Sophy Romvari is "about how we can spend our entire lives trying to understand what happened to us when we were children," reviews critic Sean Burns.

The Supreme Court will soon rule on who gets to decide when a product needs a cancer warning – and who can sue if they’ve been exposed. At the center of the highly politicized debate is America’s most successful weedkiller, Roundup.

The central question: Do the statues represent religious iconography that elevates one sect over another — or are these widely held symbols of inspiration for police officers and firefighters that transcend any particular religion?

Water Quality Report Cards graded the Charles River, Mystic River and Neponset River slightly worse in 2025 than in previous years, with most grades falling in the B and C ranges.

It’s college graduation season for the class of 2026, and we want to know about how your job search is going.

Since 2021, MASARY has been developing a concept to animate the Tobin Bridge with vivid light that visualizes tidal patterns in the waters below.

The investigation is the latest action from the Trump administration targeting transgender people.

"Giant" is a painful exploration of famed children's author Roald Dahl's antisemitism.

The Pentagon tries to remind both allies and foes that it’s still focused on Asia, even with its big deployment to the Middle East.

It's been four months since the Trump administration ousted Venezualan President Nicolás Maduro.

President Trump say says U.S. will start bombing Iran again in earnest if there is a failure to reach agreement.

The film centers the perspective of a woman activist who was imprisoned there.

The Smithsonian Institution has a new exhibit documenting the history of salsa music in the U.S.

The color design company Pantone’s color of the year for 2026 is the poetically named Cloud Dancer. It's basically white.

Many public school teachers are struggling to afford living in their own communities, and advocates say it’s kids who end up paying the price.

Ted Turner, the bullish founder of CNN and a suite of other cable channels, has died. He was 87.

In Indiana, most Republican lawmakers who defied President Trump on redistricting lost their seats. In Ohio, Democrats are hoping a strong turnout and an important Senate race could put the state back in play.

The oil crisis resulting from the United States and Israel's war with Iran has led to countries around the world reevaluating their energy future. Some are turning to clean energy, whereas others are falling back on dirty fuels.

Colorectal cancer is treatable, yet it's becoming more lethal among younger adults, a minority of whom get screened.

Half of Massachusetts residents say housing is unaffordable for their household, making it the single biggest financial pressure point in a new poll.

Campbell’s motion to strike the lawsuit that DiZoglio filed earlier this year against House and Senate before the state’s highest court Wednesday morning. It's the latest in the long-running dispute over an attempted audit of the Legislature.

The Healey administration has given guidance to businesses on rounding prices up or down after the U.S. Treasury Department ceased production of the penny last year. The Division of Standards said rounding up or down is permitted if it's applied to the total transaction price. The Department of Revenue said rounding does not change the amount of sales tax owed.

Faced with rising costs on everything from gas prices to housing, to healthcare and childcare, a growing number of Massachusetts residents say they struggle to afford a middle class life, and feel insecure about their financial futures.

Researchers are studying a machine learning-powered warning system for breast cancer. It works by detecting subtle changes in a mammogram that humans can't spot, but could soon become cancer.

The investigation is based on whether Smith College’s policy of admitting transgender women violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination.

Shuttles are replacing Green Line trolleys on the C branch between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle from May 6 to May 17.

Like the House blueprint unveiled in April, the Senate Ways and Means Committee proposal would increase spending by about 3.6% and avoids new taxes or fees. Senate President Karen Spilka described the committee's proposal as "responsible and future focused" amid economic uncertainty.

Plus, a hot sauce festival and live music across Somerville.

Conjuring an immersive nightmare with gruesome ghosts, human cruelty and psychological twists that pierce like blades, “Japanese Gothic” strips readers to their primal fear response to stare down death across time and cultures.