By all accounts, Cindy Smith’s 92-year-old father was a man of humor and dignity. A World War II veteran and retired county planner, he...

In today’s hyper-connected world, screens are everywhere—from laptops and smartphones to tablets and TVs. This digital immersion brings countless benefits but also a growing health concern: digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Characterized by tired, dry, and sometimes blurry eyes, headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain, digital eye strain is now a widespread issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Thankfully, the latest research and expert recommendations show that small changes in how and when we use screens can dramatically reduce eye discomfort and protect our vision for the long haul. Here’s a closer look at why digital eye strain happens and five practical tips to keep your eyes happy and healthy. Why...

On a frigid January day blanketed in snow, thirteen citizens stood hand-in-hand in Sherborn, Massachusetts, forming a human chain in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. It was Inauguration Day—January 20, 2025—and also the Martin Luther King Day of Service. The symbolism could not have been more powerful. In this moment of transition, as the nation held its collective breath, these individuals engaged in peaceful civil disobedience, forming what they called the “Peace Chain,” to sound an alarm about the state of democracy. Among them were Quaker activists Bill Holcombe and Lewis Randa, whose refusal to simply go quietly has led them to face charges of “disturbing the peace.” Rather than accept a quiet dismissal...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), once a steadfast guardian of America’s air, water, and ecosystems, is facing an existential crisis. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election, more than 300 EPA career employees have walked out the door—not out of convenience, but in protest and fear of what the agency is becoming. Inside the EPA’s walls, a painful dilemma looms for many who remain: resign quietly, or stay and fight against an administration determined to dismantle the very mission they’ve dedicated their careers to upholding. A Mission Undermined Since its founding, the EPA has served as a bulwark against environmental degradation, enforcing laws that protect human health and the planet. But the agency’s direction under Trump’s second...