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Mary Magdalene’s lost diary will completely change the way you see her
In "The Lost Diary of Mary Magdalene," Johnny Teague brings to life the hidden thoughts and emotions of one of history’s most misunderstood figures.
The story begins with an archaeologist, Giuseppe Campise, stumbling upon a clay pot containing Mary Magdalene’s personal diary in the ruins of Magdala. What should have been a groundbreaking ...Read more

At 2:30 a.m., he told his wife to call 911. A heart attack soon caused 2 cardiac arrests
Mac Cheek's dad died of a heart attack at age 56. So as Mac neared that age, he took precautions.
He regularly saw a doctor in his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. He knew his cholesterol and blood pressure numbers and took medication to keep them in safe ranges. He enjoyed not only his 57th birthday but also his 60th and 65th.
Then ...Read more

Page Getz delivers Frank Capra for the 21st century in Goodnight, Kansas
Given their long gestation time, it’s stunning how some novels feel preordained to speak to the moment in which they’re published. "A Town with Half the Lights On" by Page Getz truly is one such book. Which is ironic given that it takes place in 2003, but the quirky, engaging and often maddening town portrayed in the book — Goodnight, ...Read more
Parents Seek Encouragement As Daughter Graduates
Q: Our daughter is about to graduate from high school. We're somewhat concerned that she doesn't seem to be overly enthusiastic about the values we've tried to teach her. This is discouraging to us as parents. Is it too late?
Jim: I'd say most parents struggle at some point with this kind of concern. Here's my advice: Be patient. You've planted...Read more
Are We Losing Our Humanity Along With Our Empathy?
On the night of May 21, someone shot two young Israeli Embassy employees walking out of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., after an event. Police said the suspect shouted, "Free, free Palestine," after he was arrested. In a New York Times post about the attack, one commenter suggested giving the shooter a medal. Another replied, "...Read more

Profound poetry examines our shared experiences of love and pain
It’s been said that “To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving.” Truer words have never been spoken.
This is the essence of Joanne Sherry Mitchell’s latest collection of contemporary poetry, "The Pain We Call Love," in which Mitchell digs into the harsh realities of love.
Love is ...Read more

Her chest pain kept being labeled heartburn or anxiety. Then came 2 heart attacks and 6 cardiac arrests
The first chest pain hit Heather Bardeleben as she pored over a spreadsheet while working late into the evening at her suburban Chicago home.
When her husband, Bill Bardeleben, suggested she lie down, she brushed off the pain with "I'll be fine."
But throughout the evening and night, Heather noticed her arms felt heavy. Meanwhile, the pulse ...Read more

Where grief meets grace on the road to understanding
Kathleen Somers’ "Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism" is a deeply moving memoir that chronicles one mother’s emotional journey through grief, motherhood and the challenges of raising a neurodivergent child. With unflinching honesty, Somers invites readers into the most intimate corners of her life, offering a ...Read more
Lunch Lady for a Day
Sometimes, I pretend to be a lunch lady.
I volunteer for shifts helping out at my boys' elementary school, work that entails helping the other lunchroom workers get set up for the rush, dishing out the food when the kids get there, and then helping restock the fresh fruit and veggies before I take off my apron and gloves and sit down next to ...Read more

This Florida downtown is having a baby boom as families with young kids take over
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s newest residents enjoyed a sunny stroll on the Riverwalk. The weather was warm, neighbors walked their dogs and downtown’s many construction sites boomed with noise.
None of the hubbub seemed to bother Jade and Journey. They’re 5-week-old twin sisters who napped peacefully as ...Read more
More States Making It Legal to Play Outside
It's spring -- a great time for kids to play outside, walk to the store or even climb a tree. And three states -- Florida, Georgia and Missouri -- have just passed legislation declaring it is not parental neglect or child endangerment to let kids do that.
Hallelujah!
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed his state's bill into law this week. The ...Read more

Family guide to new movie releases
'FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES'
Rated R for strong violent/grisly accidents, and language.
What it’s about: The sixth installment in the 25-year-old franchise sees an extended family plagued by freak accidents because their ancestors escaped a disaster decades earlier.
The kid attractor factor: There might be appeal for teens who enjoy ...Read more

Ex-etiquette: He went back to his family. But what about our baby?
Q. I need advice. When I met my ex-boyfriend, he said he was divorced, but I found out that he wasn’t divorced, only separated. He said he was going back for the kids; he has two. But he also wanted to continue to see me. I told him to make up his mind. He chose his wife. Now, there’s an even bigger problem. I found out I am pregnant with a ...Read more

Lori Borgman: Watt is my best choice?
I have come to the realization that I do not have the time nor patience for all the high-tech innovations designed to make my life more marvelous. I have all the marvelous I can handle right now.
This morning, I replaced a burned-out kitchen light bulb. It was 9:16 when I started the process. Replacing the old bulb took less than a minute, ...Read more

Romance novel captures the magic of second chances and new beginnings
Joanne Henning’s "Deceptive Images" is a beautifully crafted novel that blends romance, self-discovery and artistic passion into a compelling narrative. Set against the backdrop of the dance world, the story follows Rosa, a determined and talented woman navigating the complexities of her career, relationships and personal growth.
Henning’s ...Read more

The dead don’t stay buried in Lindy Ryan’s Southern horror series
With "Another Fine Mess" upon us, now is the perfect time to revisit Lindy Ryan’s chilling Southern horror series. If you haven’t yet stepped into the eerie world of the Evans family, you’re in for a fun, unputdownable experience. These novels are more than ghost stories — they’re a reckoning with history, grief and the ties that ...Read more

A heart artery tore weeks before her due date, putting the lives of mom and baby at risk
Nearly nine months pregnant, Nefertari Nelson-Williams sunk into her sofa after a long Sunday caring for her four kids. She clicked on the TV and flipped to her favorite show of late, TLC's "A Baby Story."
Although she was an experienced mom, watching episodes of pregnancy complications was a good reminder that every birth and baby are ...Read more
JD Vance Might Not Be a Fan of the Pope, But Chicago Sure Is
I don't know if you've heard already, but there's a new pope in town.
Not only is he American -- the first U.S.-born head of the Catholic Church -- but he's also from Chicago, which is close enough to where I live to have sent a thrill of victory through me when I heard the announcement.
For Greek people, it's like hearing someone famous is ...Read more
Make Every Day Mother's Day
With Mother's Day upon us like a tray of eggs and coffee accidentally spilled on the blanket, it is time to ask the equally burning question: What do moms want?
The answer: a little less.
A little less perfection. A little less worry. A little less time in the car. We want a way of parenting that is not quite so overwrought.
That's a tall ...Read more

Family guide to new movie releases
'FIGHT OR FLIGHT'
Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some drug material.
What it’s about: A washed up Secret Service agent has to protect a hacker from a plane full of assassins.
The kid attractor factor: This is a hyperviolent action film for adults only. Not any appeal for kids.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Trust ...Read more