Christian Science Monitor | USA

Boston Marathon runners finally get to finish race

About 3,000 people gathered to run the final mile of the Boston Marathon Saturday. OneRun was intended to honor the victims of the Boston bombings, the emergency workers, and allow runners to reclaim the final mile of the race.

New Jersey Catholic church official resigns in sex abuse case

The second-highest official in the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., Monsignor John Doran, resigned Friday. An outside review found "operational failures" in the handling of the Rev. Michael Fugee, who was convicted in 2003 of fondling a boy.

Boy Scouts: Will anti-gay troops emerge?

Religious leaders are suggesting that religious Boy Scouts leave the organization after its leadership voted to welcome gay boys. Others aren't so sure that the status quo will change.

Clinton leads 2016 poll in Iowa, but Rand Paul is close (+video)

Clinton leads 2016 poll: Hillary Clinton tops the latest poll of potential 2016 presidential candidates in Iowa. Clinton comes out ahead of Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rand Paul.

Obama, Hagel tell young officers: You must lead in ridding US military of sexual assault (+video)

Sexual assault is growing in the US military, addressed by President Obama and Defense Secretary Hagel in speeches to young officers. 'This scourge must be stamped out,' Hagel said.

Six tornado survivor stories

They say you should never make a big decision when you're emotional. But what if there's barely a moment to think and a life-or-death choice looming?

In those last horrifying minutes before the EF5 tornado struck on May 20, 2013, there was no time for reflection or regret. Just questions needing answers, right now.

Does a pregnant woman go to find her daughter, or protect the life growing inside her?

Does a husband risk his life to go back for the family pets?

Do you listen to a spouse on the other end of the telephone, or to the still, small voice in your heart?

With a deadly tornado staring them in the face, many citizens of Moore, Okla., were faced with the biggest decisions of their lives. Here's how six people made those choices, and survived.

As Memorial Day arrives, Americans plan 'chill' vacations

More people are untethering from their electronic devices and frenetic lifestyles to take vacations this summer that revel in the pursuit of doing ... nothing.

Court smacks down Joe Arpaio: Turning point for 'America's toughest sheriff?' (+video)

A federal court found that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio systematically violated the constitutional rights of immigrants through 'saturation' sweeps targeting Hispanics.

Skagit River bridge collapse: Looking for a temporary fix (+video)

It may be months before the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River near Seattle is repaired. Until then, authorities are considering a temporary bridge of the type used in Europe during World War II.

Angel Flight: 2 dead and pilot is missing (+video)

Angel Flight: 2 dead after a plane crashed in Ephratah, N.Y. Angel Flight is a nonprofit that uses volunteer pilots to fly sick patients for free. The pilot of the flight, from Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass, is still missing.

Fired for word: 'Negro' in Spanish class

Fired for word 'negro'? A Bronx teacher has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for using the word 'negro' in class. 'Negro' is the Spanish word for the color black.

Brett Favre lawsuit over sexually suggestive texts settled

Brett Favre lawsuit: A lawsuit filed by two massage therapists over racy texts allegedly sent by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre has been settled.

Obama’s struggle: How free should the press be? (+video)

President Obama says he's trying to strike a balance between national security and essential freedoms. Now, after his own Justice Department accessed reporters' phone records, he wants to protect against 'overreach.' Some say he's trying to have it both ways.

Would a US 'drone court' to authorize drone strikes be a good idea? (+video)

President Obama this week tentatively opened the door to the establishment of a drone court, to provide greater accountability for drone strikes on Al Qaeda affiliates abroad. The idea is drawing mixed reviews.

Can Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez help GOP repair its image among Latinos?

Massachusetts' Gabriel Gomez says he wants to make the Senate’s 'Gang of Eight,' which has been working on immigration reform, a 'gang of nine.' Many Latinos were turned off by Republicans' anti-immigrant rhetoric in the 2012 elections.

In soggy North Dakota, hopes rise that floodwaters won't

Threats of flooding began to abate Thursday, as emergency steps to protect towns along the Tongue River in northeastern North Dakota appeared to take effect. The Midwest has had its challenges with spring floods this year.

Has Obama tightened US drone strike policy, or not?

Administration officials had said Thursday's address by President Obama would contain big changes on drone attacks. But some sections were so carefully worded as to be 'opaque,' according to one expert.

Obama vows again to close Guantánamo: What are the sticking points? (+video)

Questions remain about how President Obama will handle a controversial and complex closure at Guantánamo. One issue: ensuring that detainees transferred overseas do not return to the US to engage in terrorist activities.

Rand Paul's beef with immigration reform bill: the E-Verify system

A photo-based E-Verify system for checking workers' legal status – a key part of the Senate immigration reform bill – does not mesh well with the libertarian leanings of Sen. Rand Paul (R). His worry: a 'national ID.'

Collapse of I-5 bridge in Washington State: no fatalities, many questions (+video)

The collapse of a 'functionally obsolete' bridge on I-5 in Washington State plunged three, later rescued, into icy water. It's also reviving a debate on how to fund billions in infrastructure repair.