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A working man's poet

Apr 2, 2020
A 2009 conversation with Philip Levine about "What Work Is."
United States Poet Laureate Philip Levine wrote about working-class Detroit.
Courtesy Academy of American Poets

Condom sales lag as millennials have less sex

May 3, 2019
The country’s biggest brands — Trojan, Durex and Lifestyles — have taken most of the hit.
Millennials are having less sex, which means fewer sales for condom makers.
rorrororro/Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

What happened to the rom-com?

May 2, 2019
Wesley Morris, writer and New York Times critic, reflects on its seeming demise.
 
Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Many Americans foregoing vacation

Apr 30, 2019
A new survey suggests that 35% of the American workers with paid vacation time plan to use less than half of it this year.
A new survey suggests that 35% of the American workers with paid vacation time plan to use less than half of it this year.
JulNichols/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Cocktail developers mix it up at the Kentucky Derby

Apr 23, 2019
The mint julep now has some stiff competition.
 A detail of mint juleps packed in pack ice during the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Creating the superhero comedy "The Tick" in a world of epic blockbusters

Apr 18, 2019
Ben Edlund talks about bringing back his creation to small screens and what it's like being on the fringe of superhero media.
Ben Edlund, creator of "The Tick," at his home in Echo Park.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

Moonshine enters the mainstream

Apr 16, 2019
The once-illicit beverage has a new following.
Brian and Laura Call make moonshine at the eponymous Call Family Distillers. They use family recipes and have turned the tasting room into a family museum. They say their stories pay homage to those who made moonshine to make ends meet.
Irina Zhorov

For public good, not for profit.

He brought "Game of Thrones" languages to life

Apr 10, 2019
David Peterson created the Dothraki and High Valyrian tongues.
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in "Game of Thrones" season 8.
Helen Sloan/HBO

NFL competitor punts before the end of its first season

Apr 3, 2019
The Alliance of American Football suspended operations three weeks early.
Marquise Williams #12 of the San Antonio Commanders passes during an Alliance of American Football game against the Arizona Hotshots at the Alamodome on March 31, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas.
Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images