Author: Henry

Monday marks both the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day and the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th President. We reflect on this with scholars Tressie McMillan Cottom and Eddie Glaude.

After Virginia Squier’s young daughter accidentally boarded a train without her, a stranger stepped in to help.

(Image credit: Virginia Squier)

Once, they were everywhere—in laugh tracks for “The Big Bang Theory,” in breathless think pieces about social-media narcissism. Then—poof! Gone like yesterday’s avocado toast.

Victor Willis of the Village People says their music is for everyone, defending the group’s choice to perform at Trump’s inaugural celebrations as a message of inclusivity.

(Image credit: Andrew Chin)

“New Year, New Me” Episode 3: beef tallow & natural skincare

According to Pew Research Center, 79% of New Year’s resolutions are about one thing: health. It’s Been a Minute is kicking off 2025 with a little series called “new year, new me.” We’re getting into some of the big questions and cultural confusion around our health and wellness.

For our final installment, we’re getting into a new skincare trend: using beef tallow as a moisturizer. That’s right – beef fat rendered from suet is one of the trends du jour. Brittany Luse sits down with Marie Claire senior beauty editor Samantha Holender and beauty journalist Jennifer Sullivan to understand why the beef tallow trend has taken off, what it says about what we value in our skin care, and whether we should be using beef tallow at all.

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NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Weekend Edition puzzle master Will Shortz and Susie Woodward of Sherwood, Ore.

Sunday, January 19, is national popcorn day. A century ago, the ultimate movie snack was actually banned from theaters. A saleswoman in Kansas City Missouri helped create a new movie tradition.

The US-Mexico border is often depicted as a place of destitute migrants, razor wire, and men with guns. A new spoken word and music project in Texas aims to challenge that portrayal.

Barring a last minute sale by its Chinese parent company, TikTok could soon go dark in the U.S. Now, creators on the Chinese-owned platform pay tribute to it — and talk about what’s next.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)