Health officials say a rise in COVID cases looks more like a ripple than a wave COVID-19 cases are ticking up in much of the country as unmasking continues, but declines in hospitalizations and deaths are fueling optimism that the U.S. won't see another big surge. Rachel Martin
The pandemic inspired a cartoonist to explore their Wuhanese roots and queer identity In the funny and heartfelt coming-of-age graphic memoir 'Messy Roots,' artist Laura Gao unpacks their relationship with their Asianness, queerness and their ever-changing home city of Wuhan. Malaka Gharib
Their mom died of COVID. They say conspiracy theories are what really killed her Stephanie was usually careful about her health and regular vaccinations. But then she got into sharing far-out videos and fringe ideas. When COVID hit, misinformation put her and her husband at risk. Geoff Brumfiel
Firearms overtook auto accidents as the leading cause of death in children The change occurred in 2020, researchers say. Overall firearm-related deaths increased 13.5% between 2019 and 2020, but such fatalities for those 1 to 19 years old jumped nearly 30%. Dustin Jones
Why the government's slow move to appeal the mask decision may be a legal strategy One law professor has a theory about the Justice Department's slow response — and it all goes back to a case involving "heavy knitted underwear" from the 1940s. Selena Simmons-Duffin
More states are restricting the shackling of pregnant inmates, but it still occurs Nearly 40 states ban the practice medical experts say is dangerous for pregnant inmates and fetuses. But many of those states have exceptions for public safety, and others have no laws at all. Joe Hernandez
These airlines are letting passengers banned for mask violations back on planes The cases will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the company. Here's a look at where each of the major U.S. airlines stands. Jonathan Franklin
Why the CDC issued an alert on liver damage in children A cluster of children in Alabama were found to have liver damage. Dustin Jones
Battle over CDC's powers goes far beyond travel mask mandate A federal judge's decision to strike down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mask mandate for travelers is only the latest in a series of challenges that seek to rein in the agency. Pien Huang
A Palestinian man's request to leave Gaza for surgery was a matter of life and death A Palestinian man in Gaza gets a glimmer of hope for treatment for his heart condition when Israel grants him a permit to travel to seek care in the West Bank. Daniel Estrin
