Local guides share spine-chilling stories — and an electromagnetic field reader — on a recent night in the historic city.

The post What’s the most haunted place in Salem? appeared first on Boston.com.

Town Clerk Ben Kaufman said the new design featuring Brookline's bird "celebrity" is to encourage turnout.

The post New Brookline ‘I voted’ stickers will feature a familiar face: a turkey appeared first on Boston.com.

By the time they return, Needham native Suni Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will have logged more than eight months in space.

The post SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year appeared first on Boston.com.

It won’t search for life, but rather determine whether conditions there could support it.

The post NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will scour Jupiter moon for the ingredients for life appeared first on Boston.com.

Vermont’s unemployment rate was 1.9% in September, among the lowest in the country, and the labor force is still thousands of people smaller than before the pandemic.

The post Vermont may be the face of a long-term U.S. labor shortage appeared first on Boston.com.

Here's why Boston was just named one of the most beautiful places for a winter getaway by Afar in a recent travel article.

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The post Where is the most beautiful place in Boston in the winter? appeared first on Boston.com.

Flying out of the US? You might have to go through a facial scan at the airport. We discuss the implications of that.

Plus: we find out why a selfie app that drastically alters the way you look is all the rage in China; we get introduced to the women artists of the Renaissance who have been hidden in the archives; we meet a man who survived the Holocaust by drawing portraits of his Nazi guards; plus comedian Dean Obeidallah discovers that for a moment he was literally the face of fake news. (Image: Passengers have their luggage screened at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Karolina Chorvath grew up caught between different countries and languages. She’s a third culture kid, which can mean lots of things; some are the children of mixed marriages, some are refugees or the children of immigrants. One thing they have in common, is that they tend to feel like they don’t fully belong anywhere.

Migrant families are being released to communities around the US. They often have no money and no support. Volunteers are stepping in to help. Also: the White House is considering a plan that would send immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities; climate refugees arrive in a small city in the state of Georgia; a peek inside a KGB Spy Museum in New York City, and the Turkish embassy in Washington DC was once a place to hear jazz legends. (Image: A sign welcomes arrivals at the Refugee Coffee Shop in Clarkston, Georgia. Credit:Jason Margolis)

A US hacker faces criminal charges for allegedly helping North Korea launder money through cryptocurrencies, but those who know him have a different story to tell. Also, President Donald Trump’s long obsession over tariffs; the long, tempestuous history of NATO; the fight against drug cartels smuggling narcotics across the US-Mexico border; plus the band Che Apalache wants to make bluegrass music more inclusive.

(Photo: In this photo illustration a double exposure picture with bitcoin coin and American flag. Credit: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The technology to put a name to a face is now free or cheap to use, so it is mostly a matter of ethics and propriety about whether to exercise the ability or not.

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Plus: New England's scariest attractions, a cruise with celebrity chefs, and Kennebunkport Hotel Week.

The post There is no place like Salem during Halloween appeared first on Boston.com.

One is in Massachusetts.

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“My body has changed a little bit, but I weigh the same.”

The post Needham native on International Space Station says she’s healthy after media report that she’s dropped weight appeared first on Boston.com.

There are very clear lines drawn for a Black person in White evangelical spaces that are not often addressed. Speaking openly about these realities can be hopeful, yet tricky and difficult; however, the call, for me, is very missional and fully aligns with the ministry of the disciples after Christs’ commissioning. I don't speak for all Black people who operate in these spaces, but I believe that my experiences and relationships, coupled with the research I've conducted in this area, allow me to bring a broad perspective to certain realities surrounding this subject matter.

(Note that when I refer to evangelical churches, I'm referring to predominantly white churches, thus the exclusion of the language, engagement with black churches and vernacular used within the Black church.)

I, like many of my Black friends, fall in love with the new language, liturgies and sermon content occupied by the evangelical church. In modern evangelical churches, there is great pride in the authority of Scripture, accurate hermeneutics and appropriate exegesis of Scripture. At times, there are historical facts and liturgies presented that are not always found in Black churches. When I began attending and working at my first evangelical church, this new language and preaching style became very attractive to me. I felt my love for this new experience grow as I continued to learn. Consequently, to my detriment, I grew further away from my own culture. I started to feel that everything I loved about church, while growing up in the Black church, was a lie. For a short season, I grew bitter, hurt and angry with the Black church because I felt they kept from me the truths and historical facts that I began learning in the evangelical church. My frustration with the specific lens through which the church communicated and the lifestyle that was promoted grew as well. Boy, was I wrong. As I gained more influence within the [evangelical] church and increased my knowledge and understanding of God, I started seeing the gaps in my church, and the church as a whole. I later enrolled in seminary and it changed my life. I will never forget watching a sermon by Dr. Tony Evans where he stated that he was one of only four Black’s to attend the Dallas Theological Seminary in the 1980’s, and that those four were some of the first to attend in DTS history. I found this information inexcusable and devastating, and it affirmed what I've known my entire life - Black churches were not holding anything back from me; they didn't have access to the same information as their white counterparts. This realization began shifting my view of my culture and my Black church experience. The idea of Black people not being able to attend “accredited” seminaries until the nineteen-eighties became a real issue and tension for me. It also brought a greater appreciation for the Black church and its ability to have such powerful services and accurate sermon content. This reflects the narrative of not only the church, but our dearest America. 

Many of us grew up being taught that America was built so that equality for all human beings could be attained. We have a certain historical view of Christianity; however, if we take a closer look at history, we'll learn that many of our brothers and sisters failed us in this regard. The tricky part that comes with this is diving deep into motives while highlighting the gaps within not only the country, but the evangelical church. The church, historically, segregated congregations based on preferences. To this day, churches continue to segregate, and have zero conviction about it. Many white evangelical churches adhere and fully affirm the work of Martin Luther and the Reformation while also ignoring the ramifications of this movement. While I believe Luther’s work was great and indeed needed during sixteenth century, I do, however, realize that many evangelicals overlook the other parts of Luther. We often think of Luther as the great catalyst of the Reformation, the re-discoverer of the doctrine of justification by faith and the one who stood up to a corrupt Roman Catholic Church, but we fail to acknowledge his overlook on the importance of reconciliation and the equality of all mankind. Condemnation, bondage and hierarchy were prevalent then and because it was not addressed during the Reformation period, it damaged, and continues to damage many people. The language of the Reformation and Luther's work is exclusively used in evangelical churches.

This highlights not only a historical tension, but the difficulties that come with it. There is no denying the good in Luther's work; however, it's made the journey of forward progression more challenging. The difficult challenge and frustration that I find hard for many of my white friends to grasp, is the need to repent for their beliefs and inattentional blindness acquired while growing up. Inattentional blindness, as Walter Bruggerman states, is known as perceptual blindness. It's due to a lack of attention that is not associated with any vision defects or deficits. In other words, it means missing or negating to perceive what is right in front of you. Working in white spaces and getting white people to see the oppression they cause, theologically, is quite difficult. Many evangelicals, if they're being honest, approach oppression as Black employers would call a 'misnomer.' They often negate the real pain and frustration that Black's endure because they choose to be colorblind and fail to see hierarchy and white supremacy as a great cause for concern. As a result, tensions arise at some point with Black’s who grew up in different denominations or church environments. Although, this may not always be the case for those who grew up in suburban white culture and those adopted into a white family. 

Despite having affirmation from peers, congregants and certain church leaders, I was viewed as a liability because of my theology prior to working in the evangelical church. All that I attained while growing up in the Black church would ultimately keep me from excelling higher within the evangelical church. By limiting my role in leadership while still allowing me a certain level of influence, they'd do just enough to keep my voice quiet. This would, however, keep the church from ultimately becoming diverse. I began asking my church hard questions in an attempt to understand why they wanted to be diverse. I came to learn that my perception was accurate in that the church didn't want diversity in leadership; they only wanted it in certain areas like entertainment (worship) and family ministry - departments that were merely limited to freedoms of expression and custodial services. While many white parishioners would deny that this is their intention, I would argue that it is and point them to the term 'inattentional blindness.' Many say that there are systems in place to protect the unity of the church and that if someone disagrees, they should “seek God’s call elsewhere,” meanwhile, making this situation very difficult for Black’s who operate in White evangelical spaces as they live with these realities and tensions. To say that the gospel is inclusive and that you want diversity while failing to accept the culture within the Black people that are hired negates their perspectives, giftings and who they are in Christ. 

I want to send a message to my evangelical friends: It's important to remember that sound hermeneutics, appropriate exegesis and historical content is very subjective. I'm afraid that many evangelical churches explicitly view the interpretation of these principles as absolutes. To view these principles dualistically or as absolutes is not only dangerous, but quite damaging. Churches that practice communion should be reminded of its meaning, power and purpose - to unite and remind us all of the work of Christ. It's purpose is ultimately to bring us together. Diversity should not be viewed as a threat, but as a gift from God. Moreover, there needs to be a clear understanding that God has not given us all the same gift(s). I believe that Black's do more than add value to diversity and that Black culture itself is indeed diverse. Black people and culture are embedded in every continent, and this is not only our nature -- it's our gift. As Black people, we are a strong race that knows how to persevere, and there are many things that can be learned from us. It's important that we, the church, reject the notion that black people are a threat, unable to be trusted in leadership; a lie that America taught us. I recently held a conversation at my house with a diverse group of friends who came together to talk about these very things. Many of them were surprised by the stories shared by Black people who felt discouraged and faced the same challenges I endured while working at a White church. That night, we all encouraged each other. We rebuked anger, frustration and hurt. We broke bread together to be reminded of our union. It's time for us all to seek the kingdom and stop building our city. It's time for us to stop feeling threatened by different perspectives and start embracing the gifts that are all essential to a healthy body. It's time to truly embrace our duty to love. 

With the Final Senate Races Now Settled, Eyes Turn to House - Who Will Be in Charge?

Seth Dahl’s passion for creating a thriving family culture fuels his ministry as a writer, public speaker, and children’s pastor. He and his family recently completed a move from California to Austin, Texas. Big city opportunities with small town values was just what Seth and his wife Lauren wanted for their kids. He describes the cross-country move as “a full operation,” which included three dogs, two horses, and a cow.  They’re closer to cowboys and nature now. But the Dahls are also facing...

Christina and I have counseled couples in crisis, couples in premarital times, couples who’d grown distant, and everything in between. Over these past twenty years of marriage and ministry, we’ve realized that with all the hurts of life, for marriage to last, the marriage relationship must be a healing place.   Here are 4 ways to increase the sacred vitality of your marriage as a healing place. 1. Cast off worldly illusions. If twenty years of marriage has taught me anything it is that the most...

Israel's new Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar warns that Israel is battling a level of antisemitism not experienced since World War II, and says international countries have to take steps to protect Jews, and Sa'ar says there's been progress ...

Rustling of leaves, sploshing of water, birds calling, bees buzzing. Wherever you live — city or country, East coast, West coast, or in between — we share common, contemplative experiences on our walks outside. In this hour, we assemble a sonic guide to finding solace in nature.

Original Air Date: May 09, 2020

Guests: 

William Helmreich — David Rothenberg — Laura Dassow Walls — Robert Moor — Nate Staniforth — Andreas Weber

Interviews In This Hour: 

The Great Urban Nature Explorer — Why The Walden Pond Experiment In Self-Reliance Is More Relevant Than Ever — The Wisdom of Trails — Lose Yourself In The Sky — Finding Love In The Ecosystem

AGING NATURALLY AND GRACEFULLY  Now in her 60’s, Kim is determined to age as naturally and healthfully as possible, and to help others to do likewise. Through personal research, she’s learned a lot about what’s beneficial to put in and on our bodies, and what’s not. For example, she’s decided not to color her hair, use fillers (e.g. Botox), or have plastic surgery. Kim believes we can all age more naturally through daily choices about food, avoiding toxins, exercising, and educating ourselves...

A day after a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, authorities are trying to figure out why a couple would embark on a deadly killing spree.

By the time I got to the chorus, my voice was completely gone. Suddenly, I was painfully aware of the lights, and the countless faces staring up at me. And how the song kept going even though when I opened my mouth to sing—barely a whisper came out.  I panicked. I’m not ashamed to admit it. On a team of people, and in front of the entire church, I felt completely alone. Isolated in my embarrassment. Drowning in my confusion. Almost as if a wave had exploded through the front doors of the...

Before Christ transformed my life, I walked a sad, lonely road. According to the world, I had it all. However, from an eternal perspective, I was a dead woman walking. Like the Apostle Paul—and all those who call Jesus Lord and Savior—I experienced the life transformative power of Christ and was never the same.  But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the...

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22 ESV) I love to study the construction of the tabernacle in the Old Testament. I can imagine its beautiful cloth woven from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, the shiny bronze lampstands and altars, and the swish of the holy garments that Aaron and his sons wore as they walked through the inner courts into the Most Holy Place.  God specifically instructed...

With over 1,000 years of collective industry experience among them, Ram Board, Surface Shields, Trimaco and Antinox are united under one parent brand: Icon Protection.

EIFS offers an option packed building model that first gained its appeal in Atlanta, and is now used in major cities all across the country. 

A wildland-urban interface area is, “that geographical area where structures and other human development meets or intermingles with wildland or vegetative fuels.” Approximately a third of all housing units in the United States are located within an area that meets this definition.

3A Composites USA announced that its ALUCOBOND FaceFastened system successfully passed third-party NFPA 285 testing on a wood-framed assembly, which is commonly used in low-rise, multifamily and mixed-use market segments.

OX Tools announced that it is working with Royd Tool Group on a potential acquisition of its Tracer Tools business.

Introducing the newest category of products from Federal Brace, catering metal stud construction projects with support brackets for vanities, desks, counters and more.

Vicky Browning succeeds Ndidi Okezie, who is stepping down after five years at the charity’s helm

Strategic communications is by no means a ‘silver bullet’, but it is a vital part of addressing the challenges we face

The SFIA’s well-known executive director has retired. We were fortunate to speak with him as he exited his role.

A series of webinars will confront the root causes of the racist riots that took place over the summer

MTIdry formally announced a major milestone in its journey: the launch of its newly redesigned website and refreshed company identity. The transformation from Masonry Technology Inc. to MTIdry reflects its evolution beyond traditional masonry into a comprehensive provider of high-quality moisture management solutions for all cladding types – as well as below-grade basement waterproofing and retrofit applications.

Silver Spring, MD — Three new resources from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training are intended to help prevent silica exposure among construction and surface mining workers who operate mobile equipment in enclosed cabs.

The system has offered running places in the race to charities since the 1990s

Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Systems has expanded its portfolio of acoustical solutions for exposed structure spaces with the introduction of SoundScapes Blades.

A team of Cal Poly architectural engineering (ARCE) students placed second in the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Seismic Design Competition (SDC) in early March in San Diego.

In the bustling world of health care, every detail matters, especially when it comes to creating spaces that promote healing and comfort. UCLA Health Center, renowned for its commitment to excellence in patient care, recently underwent a remarkable transformation.

From high-end malls to the best locations on Madison Avenue to premium destination centers on both coasts, Alexander Zilberman Architecture is leading in luxury retail design. The firm’s recent projects include works with Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and Versace, among many others.

The sector has to find and broadcast a refreshed sense of its role and value

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