Voting is 'preservative of all rights.' We can't let Trump make it harder to access the ballot Almost exactly 140 years ago, in an April 1886 decision, the Supreme Court called voting the "fundamental political right, because [it is] preservative of all rights." That right is now in danger, writes Traci Griffith of the ACLU.

"The Trump administration is aggressively seeking to restrict access to the ballot box and undermine public confidence in elections, posing a serious threat to our democracy," writes Traci Griffith of the ACLU of Massachusetts. spr.ly/63324B6fCDe

Michelle Wu: Hope alone can't get you through a marathon — or to a more perfect union I remember the first time I watched the Boston Marathon, writes Mayor Michelle Wu. I'd moved to Boston for college and I'd never seen anything like it: an entire region turning out to cheer for people they had never met.

At first glance, a person in a tri-corner hat and 30,000 people in running shoes don’t seem to have much in common. But as we mark 250 years of America, I’ve been thinking about what connects them, writes Mayor Michelle Wu. spr.ly/63325B6hiy3

Finding running again in midlife helped me find my people, too "I had always thought of running as an individual sport, a place to measure myself against a watch," writes Mike Dlott. "But by midlife I was slower, and the old definition of success no longer fit. I thought I was coming back to running for fitness. I didn't realize what I was missing was a team."

"I grew up in Massachusetts and watched the Boston Marathon every year near the top of Heartbreak Hill. Back then, I thought the story was about toughness. Now I think it is about being seen, the simple miracle of people showing up for one another." spr.ly/63323B6f72z

My twin brother was disabled, but I don't consider myself a 'glass child' "Sometimes I had to be my brother’s arms, legs, eyes and voice," writes Brian Trapp. "It often didn’t feel like a burden, more like an alternative way of moving through the world."

“Sometimes I had to be my brother’s arms, legs, eyes and voice,” writes Brian Trapp. “It often didn’t feel like a burden, more like an alternative way of moving through the world.” spr.ly/63326B6fCZj

Nuclear power should be part of New England's energy mix A 100% renewable energy grid isn’t realistic in New England, given increased demand, weather and other factors, writes Frederick Hewett. We need an approach that includes nuclear power.

"I now see nuclear as an enabling technology for renewables," writes Frederick Hewett. "Solar and wind are the lead singers; nuclear is the rhythm section." spr.ly/63327B6NlwN

Too many young athletes die from sudden cardiac arrest. Does your kid's team have an emergency plan? Most schools in Massachusetts now have AEDs. But ownership is not the same as access, writes Courtney Desy. “If the device is locked in the nurse’s office or in a different building across campus instead of on the field, you lose valuable time that could be the difference between life and death.”

“If the device is locked in the nurse’s office or in a different building across campus instead of on the field, you lose valuable time that could be the difference between life and death," writes Courtney Desy. spr.ly/63326B6fCJe

Michelle Wu: Hope alone can't get you through a marathon — or to a more perfect union I remember the first time I watched the Boston Marathon, writes Mayor Michelle Wu. I'd moved to Boston for college and I'd never seen anything like it: an entire region turning out to cheer for people they had never met.

I remember the first time I watched the Boston Marathon, writes Mayor Michelle Wu. I'd moved to Boston for college and I'd never seen anything like it: an entire region turning out to cheer for people they had never met. spr.ly/63326B6AZMY

Voting is 'preservative of all rights.' We can't let Trump make it harder to access the ballot Almost exactly 140 years ago, in an April 1886 decision, the Supreme Court called voting the "fundamental political right, because [it is] preservative of all rights." That right is now in danger, writes Traci Griffith of the ACLU.

Almost exactly 140 years ago, in an April 1886 decision, the Supreme Court called voting the "fundamental political right, because [it is] preservative of all rights." That right is now in danger, writes Traci Griffith of the ACLU. spr.ly/63327B6f7hB

Finding running again in midlife helped me find my people, too "I had always thought of running as an individual sport, a place to measure myself against a watch," writes Mike Dlott. "But by midlife I was slower, and the old definition of success no longer fit. I thought I was coming back to running for fitness. I didn't realize what I was missing was a team."

"I watched as, after years of soccer, my son tried cross country in middle school and found his place and his people. Through him, I found mine too," writes Mike Dlott. spr.ly/63320B6f7xj

Nuclear power should be part of New England's energy mix A 100% renewable energy grid isn’t realistic in New England, given increased demand, weather and other factors, writes Frederick Hewett. We need an approach that includes nuclear power.

A 100% renewable energy grid isn’t realistic in New England, given increased demand, weather and other factors, writes Fred Hewett. We need an approach that includes nuclear power. spr.ly/63323B6NlZF

$900 a year: That's how much climate change costs the average US household Climate change costs include higher home insurance bills, disaster recovery costs in the form of higher taxes and health damages from wildfire smoke and extreme weather. "In short, climate inaction isn’t just an environmental failure; it acts like a tax on every American household," write Kimberly Clausing, Christopher Knittel and Catherine Wolfram.

"In the debate over affordability, one major driver of rising household expenses is often overlooked: climate change." spr.ly/63320B6LpEg

Artemis II brought us 'full moon joy' "Out of all the remarkable feats of engineering and technology that make space travel a reality, the greatest tool these astronauts have is being human," writes Sara Shukla.

"In pre-launch coverage, I listened as each astronaut discussed not just their goals but the fears and doubts that are a part of being human," writes Sara Shukla. "And for me, that’s been the most astounding takeaway — how very human this mission is." spr.ly/63325B6LTgP

My taekwondo community is like family A few months ago, Linda Button traveled to Seoul for a Hanmadang, a taekwondo festival. Button, a black belt, has been practicing for 20 years. At 68, she was one of the older participants, but she loves to jump, kick and twirl — and is always working to get better.

"Twenty years ago I took my daughter to try a taekwondo class," writes Linda Button. " She was 12 then and we were trying to find her sport. 'It’ll be fun!' I said, not expecting to fall in love myself." spr.ly/63325B6LTsU

Artemis II brought us 'full moon joy' "Out of all the remarkable feats of engineering and technology that make space travel a reality, the greatest tool these astronauts have is being human," writes Sara Shukla.

"Out of all the remarkable feats of engineering and technology that make space travel a reality, the greatest tool these astronauts have is being human," writes Sara Shukla. spr.ly/63329B6Lr4N

$900 a year: That's how much climate change costs the average US household Climate change costs include higher home insurance bills, disaster recovery costs in the form of higher taxes and health damages from wildfire smoke and extreme weather. "In short, climate inaction isn’t just an environmental failure; it acts like a tax on every American household," write Kimberly Clausing, Christopher Knittel and Catherine Wolfram.

Climate inaction isn’t just an environmental failure; it acts like a tax on every American household, write the authors of research that will be published later this spring. spr.ly/63325B6xZjN

Send your friend a voice note. You’ll feel better "I realize we’re not going back to the days of frequent phone calls," writes Lauren Kleutsch. "So over the past year or so, I’ve tried something different: voice notes."

"I realize we’re not going back to the days of frequent phone calls," writes Lauren Kleutsch. "So over the past year or so, I’ve tried something different: voice notes." spr.ly/63327B6UTC5

Why so many young men are 'looksmaxxing' Young men are filming themselves reshaping their faces, chewing rock-hard gum for hours to build jaw definition and using meth to stay thin, writes Kaivan Shroff. "It isn’t about vanity. It’s about reducing uncertainty," he writes.

"When life’s outcomes feel beyond your control, the body offers something concrete to work on," writes Kaivan Shroff. spr.ly/63323B6UTNl

Send your friend a voice note. You’ll feel better "I realize we’re not going back to the days of frequent phone calls," writes Lauren Kleutsch. "So over the past year or so, I’ve tried something different: voice notes."

"A voice note makes it possible to talk about deeply personal things — relationship conflict, aging parents, miscarriages, toxic workplaces, parenting woes — in a way that a text message simply can’t." spr.ly/63326B6UTfY

Why so many young men are 'looksmaxxing' Young men are filming themselves reshaping their faces, chewing rock-hard gum for hours to build jaw definition and using meth to stay thin, writes Kaivan Shroff. "It isn’t about vanity. It’s about reducing uncertainty," he writes.

Young men are filming themselves reshaping their faces, chewing rock hard gum for hours to build jaw definition and using meth to stay thin, writes Kaivan Stroff. spr.ly/63324B6UTFn

After cancer, no place felt like home. A cardinal helped me find my way After cancer treatment in her early 20s, Madison Chapman found comfort in a cardinal who visited a feeder outside her window. "I’d come to rely on the bird feeder, each staccato 'chirp!' a reminder I was alive," she writes.

"Though my body had healed, my mind had not. Boston felt haunted now. I was locked in a battle with post-cancer PTSD and had convinced myself the city I’d previously adored was somehow to blame," writes Madison Chapman. spr.ly/63321B65i2H

My twin brother was disabled, but I don't consider myself a 'glass child' "Sometimes I had to be my brother’s arms, legs, eyes and voice," writes Brian Trapp. "It often didn’t feel like a burden, more like an alternative way of moving through the world."

"While I had my glass child moments when I didn’t feel seen, I am proud to have grown up in a special needs family. I am proud to be my brother’s twin. Indeed I often felt seen because of my brother." spr.ly/63325B65il1

The trouble with using technology to enforce traffic laws Speed cameras will open a Pandora’s box of risks: greater hardship for low-income drivers, deeper racial disparities for people of color, the persecution of immigrants and a disregard for civil rights, writes Iván Espinoza-Madrigal.

Automated enforcement creates a revenue-generating trap that disproportionately harms low-income communities, especially people of color, writes Ivan Espinoza Madrigal. spr.ly/63322B65idA

I had a blast at an esports tournament. No one is more surprised than me Jonathan D. Fitzgerald grew up playing video games, but he worried about modern gaming culture’s reputation problem when it came to his son — until just recently. “Having spent over 12 hours across two days inside the darkened arena watching round after round of Rocket League, I don’t think the old stereotypes still apply,” he writes.

"Over that weekend, as I rose out of my seat beside my son to cheer an amazing save or an improbable goal, I felt, for the briefest moment, the young gamer I once was come surging back," writes Jonathan D. Fitzgerald. spr.ly/63324B6gxAE

Lemons, a love story "Some people return from Italy with a leather bag or a Ferragamo scarf. Not me. I arrived home dreaming of lemon trees," writes Cog editor Cloe Axelson.

"I haven’t thought much about lemons before, but now, when I see one in the bowl in my counter, I remember how delightful it was to see a lemon in the wild, all yellow and bright, innocently hanging off its branch." spr.ly/63329B6gIMv

After cancer, no place felt like home. A cardinal helped me find my way After cancer treatment in her early 20s, Madison Chapman found comfort in a cardinal who visited a feeder outside her window. "I’d come to rely on the bird feeder, each staccato 'chirp!' a reminder I was alive," she writes.

After cancer treatment in her early 20s, Madison Chapman found comfort in a cardinal who visited a feeder outside her window. "I’d come to rely on the bird feeder, each staccato 'chirp!' a reminder I was alive," she writes. spr.ly/63326B65iIC

I had a blast at an esports tournament. No one is more surprised than me Jonathan D. Fitzgerald grew up playing video games, but he worried about modern gaming culture’s reputation problem when it came to his son — until just recently. “Having spent over 12 hours across two days inside the darkened arena watching round after round of Rocket League, I don’t think the old stereotypes still apply,” he writes.

Jonathan D. Fitzgerald grew up playing video games, but he worried about modern gaming culture’s reputation problem when it came to his son — until just recently. spr.ly/63326B6gxxs

My twin brother was disabled, but I don't consider myself a 'glass child' "Sometimes I had to be my brother’s arms, legs, eyes and voice," writes Brian Trapp. "It often didn’t feel like a burden, more like an alternative way of moving through the world."

“Sometimes I had to be my brother’s arms, legs, eyes and voice,” writes Brian Trapp. “It often didn’t feel like a burden, more like an alternative way of moving through the world.” spr.ly/63320B65ivC

The trouble with using technology to enforce traffic laws Speed cameras will open a Pandora’s box of risks: greater hardship for low-income drivers, deeper racial disparities for people of color, the persecution of immigrants and a disregard for civil rights, writes Iván Espinoza-Madrigal.

Speed cameras will open a Pandora’s box of risks: greater hardship for low-income drivers, deeper racial disparities for people of color, the persecution of immigrants and a disregard for civil rights, writes Iván Espinoza-Madrigal. spr.ly/63323B65iwP

March is for basketball — and family Cog editor Kate Neale Cooper isn't a big college basketball fan — she spent more time writing this than filling out her bracket — but she's a big fan of her family's March Madness pool. "I haven’t won – not once in these two decades – but I also feel like I’ve never lost."

For love of the casual March Madness pool: "In a world where everything could be a tradable asset, I appreciate the Neale Family Pool precisely because it offers plenty of interaction with zero transactions." spr.ly/63328B65igA

My friend, and my duck This is a most unusual story about an affectionate duck, grief and the signs nature provides when we need them. Journalist Phyllis Karas explains.

"When I resumed walking, [the duck] matched my pace, touching the heel of my sandal," writes Phyllis Karas. "When I increased my speed, she continued to match my pace, her peppy gray bill grazing the heel of my sandal with each of my steps. Was this odd duck stalking me?"