Few people can claim their birth informed the ending to one of the 20th century’s most iconic novels, writes Tom Putnam. But that was the case for Patrick Hemingway, who died recently at the age of 97.

What many misunderstand about Día de los Muertos is that it isn’t a celebration of death, nor a denial of how much it hurts, writes Evy Peña. It’s a way to make space for grief — for the ache and joy that cohabit in remembrance.

I have no idea what made me ask for Bruce Springsteen’s new boxed set for Christmas in 1986, when I was 14, writes Kate Neale Cooper. But I do know my life was never the same.

I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.

I never deliberately set out to raise a daughter attuned to death. But given my professional background, perhaps it was inevitable, writes Anita Hannig, a cultural anthropologist who studies the end of life.

It can be easy to forget pain that is no longer present in our lives, writes Jodie Noel Vinson, of the four-year battle with long COVID she and her husband endured. Now, every fall, she's eager to get the latest COVID vaccination. But that was more complicated this year.

" ... [S]ometimes, I lie to myself. Quietly."

Diane Keaton possessed the comfort and grace to be herself -- to blithely accept her shortcomings as an integral part of her character, her persona. I wanted to do that too, writes Joanna Rakoff.

In the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta, Frank and Caitrin Lynch, father and daughter, will help row an eight-person racing shell between boathouses on the Charles River, delivering it to an “A-squad” of octogenarian rowers. For Frank and Caitrin, rowing has been an opportunity to do something new – and a little bit daunting – together. 

In November, New Mexico will become the first state to offer free daycare for children as young as 6 weeks. On the other side of the country, child care is a key issue in New York City's mayoral election. The U.S. has come close to enacting a federal child care program before — maybe it's finally time.

I was shocked to learn that a sizable subset of hardcore Swifties hate Taylor's latest album writes Joanna Weiss. Maybe it’s because they're viewing the new album, not just as a work of art — a work of fiction — but as a primary-source artifact in the Personal History of Taylor Swift?

Susan Stamberg was one of one, writes Margaret Low, WBUR’s CEO, in this reflection about a "founding mother" of NPR who died this week at 87.

In the 19th century, urban planners and engineers did what we’ve all been guilty of doing with our problems: They buried them, writes Cog editor Kate Neale Cooper. Sometimes, rivers once poisoned by industry — like the James in Richmond or the Charles in Boston — make a comeback. But not always.

Instinctively, with my toes covered in surf, I grabbed Sarah’s hand. And she grabbed back. The water taught me how to do that, to reach beyond worry to trust, and hold it in the palm of my hand, writes Libby DeLana, in this excerpt from her book, "Cold Joy."

In the 19th century, urban planners and engineers did what we’ve all been guilty of doing with our problems: They buried them, writes Cog editor Kate Neale Cooper. Sometimes, rivers once poisoned by i...

The word “daylighting” appeals to the poet in me, writes Jan Donley. Bringing something out of the shadows and into the sun is, after all, a poetic story. So standing there, watching the flow of the river that had once been buried moved me.

If you use Google, one way to ensure that its algorithm is surfacing the best and most relevant of WBUR’s journalism is to set WBUR as a “preferred source.”

On the heels of $186 billion in cuts to SNAP, the Trump Administrations announced plans to cancel a long-running annual report on food security. But stopping the count doesn’t stop the suffering, writ...

On the heels of $186 billion in cuts to SNAP, the Trump Administrations announced plans to cancel a long-running annual report on food security. But stopping the count doesn’t stop the suffering, writ...

Since I was a teenager, I’ve jumped at any opportunity to watch Jean Valjean break parole, Fantine dream a dream and Javert swear by the stars, Karen Wilfrid writes. She’s seen “Les Mis” 14 times, but it was the most recent one, a high school production, that took her by surprise.

The first week in October is Banned Books Week, and it prompted Hannah Harlow to reflect on her younger son’s love of dragons, how following his interest helped him gain a foothold in reading, and the unexpected realm it took them both to this past summer.

I served on the Navy’s first combatant ship to have women permanently assigned, and all of us on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were completely qualified for our jobs, writes Laura McTaggart. No combat standards were lowered for women, and it’s misleading and ignorant of Hegseth to say so.

Unlike in March, when Democrats caved to keep the government open, this time around they are holding the line, betting that voters will reward them for showing some backbone, writes Steve Almond. Good on them.

The distance between Kathmandu and Washington is vast, but the warning is shared: without credible rules and accountability, even old democracies wobble, writes Monik Bhatta.