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Viet Nguyen helped lead an effort urging Brown and other elite universities to rethink their legacy admissions policies. “Now more than ever, there’s no justification for allowing this process to continue,” he said. (Steven Senne/AP)

Local Coverage

Jul 1, 2023

Affirmative action for white people? Legacy college admissions come under renewed scrutiny

The next big fight over college admissions already has taken hold: Long seen as a perk for the white and wealthy, opponents say the practice of legacy admissions is no longer defensible in a world with no counterbalance in affirmative action.

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U.S. and world news

Rice mill workers start their day at the break of dawn. Some of them boil the paddy rice. Others carry it and spread it outside the rice mill to dry in the sun. To make sure that it dries properly, they rake it out, then sweep it back. (Md Tanveer Hassan Rohan)

Drone Photo Award winners capture the extraordinary beauty of the ordinary

Ret. Lt. Col. Bob Alexander stayed closeted in the Air Force for 20 years because of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He came out when the policy ended, and when he retired, he decided to help those who weren't discharged honorably because of their sexual orientation. He resides in Washington D.C., and works as a cybersecurity attorney. (Keren Carrión/NPR)

Discharged over sexual orientation, military still owes thousands of vets

CIA Director William Burns called the short-lived Russian mercenary rebellion "a vivid reminder of the corrosive effect" of Putin's regime. Burns is pictured testifying at a House Select Committee on Intelligence annual open hearing at the U.S. Capitol in March. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

CIA Director Burns says the Wagner uprising's fallout 'will play out for some time'

People stand near the wreckage of vehicles after a fatal accident in Londiani, Kenya, on Friday. (AP)

At least 51 killed and 32 injured in vehicle crash in Kenya, police and Red Cross say

A crowd gathers in front of the Ibn Badis mosque where mourners gathered to pay respects Saturday in Nanterre, France. (Rebecca Rosman)

Hundreds gather to mourn Nahel M., a teenager whose death sparked protests in France

Twitter wasn't working for thousands of users on Saturday. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

Twitter users report problems accessing the site as Musk sets temporary viewing limits

More Boston Headlines

Supporters wave a pride flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

The Supreme Court doesn’t think my daughter deserves to be safe

It’s a slippery slope from sanctioned discrimination to serious harm, and we’re sliding down it, writes Laura McTaggart.

Cognoscenti

Jun 30, 2023

Inside the Somerville Theatre. (Courtesy Marissa Fiorucci)

Your guide to the Boston area's indie theaters and film festivals

Here’s a curated list of our coolest indie theaters, as well as several of the major festivals you should keep on your radar.

Arts & Culture

Jun 30, 2023

U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley speaks during the “Just Majority” Bus Tour Kick-off event in Copley Square on April 23, 2023. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Mass. lawmakers urge Biden to continue fight for student loan forgiveness after Supreme Court ruling

Massachusetts lawmakers delivered quick condemnations of the 6-3 Supreme Court ruling blocking President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness plan.

Local Coverage

Jun 30, 2023

Students in the Affirmative Action Coalition march from Harvard through Cambridge, chant in support of diversity and affirmative action on college campuses. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Affirmative action is overturned. What's next for Mass. universities?

Universities across the country will have to look for ways to ensure diversity and a sense of belonging on campuses.

Radio Boston

20:19Jun 30, 2023

Boston group wants to create an inclusive space for fans of Formula 1 racing

We speak with two local women who have created a Formula 1 online and in-person community meant to cater to fans of all interests and levels of knowledge.

Radio Boston

13:32Jun 30, 2023

Laughing at the news of the day with two Boston comedians

Radio Boston

13:06Jun 30, 2023

Johnston Gate at Harvard University. (Joe Difazio for WBUR)

After affirmative action: 3 ways Mass. colleges can still pursue diversity

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action, Massachusetts elected officials and college leaders were quick to reaffirm their commitment to promoting diversity in higher education....

Education

Jun 30, 2023

Unraveling the impacts of the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling

Jonathan Feingold, a Boston University School of Law professor and co-author of an amicus brief in support of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to...

Education

04:16Jun 30, 2023

Wet weather, but not a washout for the Fourth

Our unsettled pattern continues into the Fourth of July holiday, but don't cancel your outdoor plans just yet.

Local Coverage

02:39Jun 30, 2023

Nat Werth at the South Boston Green Space (Credit: Nat Werth)

Pup Play: Finding freedom in a dog mask

Earlier this year, a Redditor wondered who uploaded pictures of himself posing in a dog mask and rubber suit to the South Boston Green Space location in Google Maps. Take...

Endless Thread

23:29Jun 30, 2023

Radio Boston

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Robotics companies eyeing construction for next expansion

Radio Boston

12:47Jun 29, 2023

Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., speaks during the news conference after the House Democrats caucus meeting in the Capitol on Sept. 14, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rep. Katherine Clark reacts to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action

Radio Boston

19:35Jun 29, 2023

Chef Tiffani Faison won Food Network's Tournament of Champions in 2022. (Courtesy of Aram Boghosian)

Tiffani Faison on climate and food, Pride month, and the new season of 'The Bear'

Radio Boston

14:12Jun 29, 2023

Celtics guard Marcus Smart looks to pass past Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis. A person with knowledge of the deal says the Wizards have agreed to trade Porzingis to the Celtics. (Steven Senne, AP)

Celtics make 'hard' decision to trade fan-favorite Marcus Smart to boost title chances

Radio Boston

14:19Jun 28, 2023

More Boston Headlines

Firdous Bamji, Steven Skybell and Joshua David Robinson in "The Lehman Trilogy" at the Huntington Theatre Company. (Courtesy T Charles Erickson)

A provocative 'The Lehman Trilogy' at the Huntington — amassing a fortune, but at what price?

Theater critic Jacquinn Sinclair salutes the 2022 Tony-winning play about American capitalism though she notes that the play doesn't delve deeply enough into issues of enslavement.

Arts & Culture

Jun 30, 2023

A commuter boards an MBTA Green Line shuttle bus. Shuttle buses will replace Green Line B Branch service for 12 days in July. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Shuttle buses will replace some Green Line trains starting July 17

The MBTA is shuttering train service from Kenmore to Boston College for 12 days while crews work to replace 2,800 feet of track.

Local Coverage

Jun 29, 2023

A file photo of an Orange Line train. (Joe Difazio for WBUR)

Fire on Orange Line tracks caused by overheated insulator, MBTA officials say

The operator of a southbound Orange Line vehicle "reported flames within the track area in front of the train" at Tufts Medical Center around 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, T spokesperson...

Local Coverage

Jun 29, 2023

A screenshot of the video response by Harvard President-elect Claudine Gay. (Screenshot Harvard's Twitter)

Harvard, other Mass. universities express anguish over SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

Poised with a video rebuke, Harvard University had braced itself for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down its affirmative action policy. The school, along with many other local...

Education

08:47Jun 29, 2023

President Biden delivers remarks on the economy, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

VIDEO: Biden addresses Supreme Court decision on race-based admission policies in colleges

President Biden addressed the nation following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down broad-based affirmative action in college admissions.

Education

Jun 29, 2023

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., speaks during a news conference on protecting women's reproductive health care.(Mariam Zuhaib/AP)

Democratic Mass. lawmakers deliver swift rebukes of Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling

Massachusetts lawmakers are condemning U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found overturned affirmative action in college admissions.

Education

Jun 29, 2023

A bumble bee pulls itself into a foxglove beardtongue flower at the Weld Hill Research Building of the Arnold Arboretum. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Want to help local pollinators? Here are 15 tips

Pollinator insects are declining due to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Pollinator gardens can help support beneficial insects in New England.

Environment

Jun 29, 2023

Boston Children's will acquire Franciscan Children's in move to increase mental health care

Boston Children’s, the biggest health care provider in the region, plans to spend more than $500 million to upgrade facilities and construct a new building at the Franciscan campus in...

Health

Jun 29, 2023

One of Massachusetts' new Pride billboards. (Gov. Maura Healey, via Twitter)

'These things matter': Healey elaborates on Pride billboards in Florida and Texas

The Massachusetts governor refuted the idea the billboards are meant as a jab at Govs. Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott, stressing that the ads are geared toward people in Florida...

Local Coverage

Jun 29, 2023

Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio speaks during a campaign rally in support of the statewide Massachusetts Democratic ticket, Nov. 2, 2022, in Boston. DiZoglio announced Wednesday, that her office has estimates that MassHealth wrongly paid over $84 million to out-of-state residents. (/Mary Schwalm/AP)

MassHealth paid over $84 million to out-of-state residents, audit finds. But state leaders criticize results

The executive branch criticized the findings and methodology by Auditor Diana DiZoglio's office as "overly broad" and "misleading."

Local Coverage

Jun 29, 2023

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Affirmative action for white people? Legacy college admissions come under renewed scrutiny

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Drone Photo Award winners capture the extraordinary beauty of the ordinary

Discharged over sexual orientation, military still owes thousands of vets

CIA Director Burns says the Wagner uprising's fallout 'will play out for some time'

At least 51 killed and 32 injured in vehicle crash in Kenya, police and Red Cross say

Hundreds gather to mourn Nahel M., a teenager whose death sparked protests in France

Twitter users report problems accessing the site as Musk sets temporary viewing limits

The Supreme Court doesn’t think my daughter deserves to be safe

Your guide to the Boston area's indie theaters and film festivals

Mass. lawmakers urge Biden to continue fight for student loan forgiveness after Supreme Court ruling

Affirmative action is overturned. What's next for Mass. universities?

Boston group wants to create an inclusive space for fans of Formula 1 racing

Laughing at the news of the day with two Boston comedians

After affirmative action: 3 ways Mass. colleges can still pursue diversity

Unraveling the impacts of the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling

Wet weather, but not a washout for the Fourth

Pup Play: Finding freedom in a dog mask

Robotics companies eyeing construction for next expansion

Rep. Katherine Clark reacts to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action

Tiffani Faison on climate and food, Pride month, and the new season of 'The Bear'

Celtics make 'hard' decision to trade fan-favorite Marcus Smart to boost title chances

A provocative 'The Lehman Trilogy' at the Huntington — amassing a fortune, but at what price?

Shuttle buses will replace some Green Line trains starting July 17

Fire on Orange Line tracks caused by overheated insulator, MBTA officials say

Harvard, other Mass. universities express anguish over SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

VIDEO: Biden addresses Supreme Court decision on race-based admission policies in colleges

Democratic Mass. lawmakers deliver swift rebukes of Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling

Want to help local pollinators? Here are 15 tips

Boston Children's will acquire Franciscan Children's in move to increase mental health care

'These things matter': Healey elaborates on Pride billboards in Florida and Texas

MassHealth paid over $84 million to out-of-state residents, audit finds. But state leaders criticize results