Topic: Gloria Goodale

Unveiling of Pottermore and J.K. Rowling's secrets: worth the wait?

Saturday's launch of J.K. Rowling's Pottermore, the new website about all things Harry Potter, comes after an extended test drive. Some see crass commercialism. Others see 'amazing' world.

Is the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement being hijacked by newcomers?

More people and organizations are joining Occupy Wall Street or expressing solidarity every day. Whether it's an infusion of vital energy or a force that tears at cohesion is up to the movement.

Does America really need 'X-Factor'? In two words, 'heck yes.'

'The X-Factor,' another singing reality competition, debuts Wednesday. At what point will the US public hit singing TV saturation? Not yet, suggest experts and critics.

Good Reads: Libya's oil, WikiLeaks' hit list, and Rwandan cyclists

Was the Libyan war really all about oil after all? Statements by France and Libya's interim government suggest it was a consideration, at the least. Today's Good Reads also shouts out pieces on WikiLeaks and a New Yorker piece about cycling enthusiasts in the hills of Rwanda.

America's new culinary renaissance

We're becoming a nation of food fanatics, signing up for cooking classes, turning into gourmets in the kitchen, and making dining in or out the equivalent of a cultural event. Is America the new France?

Rally to Restore Sanity: National Mall filled for the Stewart-Colbert event

From around the country, tens of thousand gathered for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear organized by comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Will it make any difference once the harsh midterm elections are over?

WikiLeaks Q&A with Daniel Ellsberg, the man behind the Pentagon Papers

Daniel Ellsberg, the man behind the most significant leak in Pentagon history – the 1971 Pentagon Papers – spoke to the Monitor about how important the WikiLeaks documents are and whether WikiLeaks is the Afghanistan war's Pentagon Papers.

Mexicali earthquake: What are the damage reports in LA?

The 7.2-magnitude Mexicali earthquake, centered in Mexico near the border city, rattled LA for nearly a minute. One researcher says she hopes it is a wakeup call for southern Californians.

Harry Reid links unemployment to rise in domestic abuse

Men's groups are demanding an apology after Harry Reid's comments linking a rise in unemployment with a rise in domestic abuse. But some studies support the Senate majority leader's claims.

How's the Monitor doing? Here's where to hear an update

You can get an update on the Monitor and a view of global news from its correspondents during an 8 p.m. (CST) Friday audiocast.

2009 Gift Guide

Monitor picks for TV, movies, music, and games.

War of technologies in California speeding case

Parents of a teen driver use data from a GPS vehicular tracking device to fight a speeding charge based on radar guns.

Firefighters' battle to save California town 'truly amazing'

Mega-hot fires race up and down the steep canyons near La Canada, fanned by wind, and fed by the angle of the geography.

Remembering Merce Cunningham, technology pioneer

Friday's coverage agenda: Iran votes, China censors, Security Council meets

California now faces budget cuts "beyond draconian"

One of the first targets is 200 state parks, already causing a public outcry as summer approaches.

Too many 'straws' sucking water out of the Colorado River

Is the economy a factor in recent shootings?

Recent incidents differ, but experts say there could be a trend.

Artists in survival mode as market crumbles

As galleries cut back and sales plummet, many artists are struggling to scrape by with odd jobs.

Broadway leaps into spring

Some big-name actors return to the stage and stir up the classics.

Guilty verdict in MySpace suicide case could chill Internet speech

The jury convicted a Missouri mother on three counts, but not conspiracy.

How Estonians sang their way to freedom

A new documentary tells story of how the national tradition of singing helped unite the masses against the Soviet occupation.

Tubegazing: 'Carrier'

PBS's monumental 10-hour documentary about the USS Nimitz goes below decks during its recent deployment to the Gulf.

Tubegazing: The Car of the Future

Will tomorrow's vehicles resemble something from 'The Jetsons'? A PBS show by the hosts of radio's 'Car Talk' aims to find out.

Tubegazing: 'Human Footprint'

The debate over global warming has raised awareness about the impact of human behavior on our planet, but National Geographic bores into details of how many products we consume in our lifetime.