Published Jan. 1 Photograph by Brandon Watson
“This week has been incredibly hectic. We were not prepared for the storm, but we’re doing the best we can. The community has been really supportive. Everybody saying thanks, stopping by, praising us. It’s nothing out of the ordinary for us. It’s who we are. This is what I signed up for. They say Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors, and I’d like to live up to that.”
— Matthew Tyson, Buffalo
Published Jan. 8 Photograph by Clara Mokri
“I’ve been a trainer for just over 10 years. A lot of people set big goals for themselves in January. Sometimes we make fun of it — ‘new year, new me’ — but there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you’re realistic. Just try to enjoy the journey and give yourself some grace.”
— Erika Wilson, West Hollywood, Calif.
Published Jan. 15 Photograph by Yuvraj Khanna
“It’s a big deal to have a dispensary in New York. Personally, I used cannabis when I was in college, and I loved it. But because it wasn’t legal, I switched to alcohol. I’m 73 now, and my doctor says I should stop drinking. Hopefully this will help. It’s a big step forward for our country. I think it will make people healthier in the long run.”
— Mary Jean Braun, New York City
Published Jan. 22 Photograph by Erin Brethauer
“I helped establish Bristol Women’s Health Center. We’re right on the state line with Tennessee, and when Roe v. Wade was overturned, women started crossing the border to get care. Some come to us from as far as Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. For many, we’re the closest option. We try to accommodate every patient and get them in quickly. It’s already such a stressful experience, and we want to make it as easy on them as we possibly can.”
— Olivia Nickels, Bristol, Va.
Published Jan. 29 Photograph by Karolina Karlic
“In the last few weeks, we were evacuated three times. We brought the most important things with us — our birth certificates, photo albums and, obviously, our pets. But it’s scary not knowing what you’re going to come home to. A lot of the neighborhoods in my area got completely flooded. Our house, thankfully, didn’t get water on the inside. And our community really came together to support one another. I’m very grateful for that.”
— Xena Allen, Watsonville, Calif.
Published Feb. 5 Photograph by Gem Hale
“I’m a Black man in America, and Tyre Nichols’s murder is a reminder that — as messed up as it may sound — this country still doesn’t like us. But this week has also been a reminder that Tyre’s life had a purpose and an impact. He had a voice, whether you heard it while he was alive or it sang to you after his death.”
— Courtney Whitaker, Memphis, Tenn.
Published Feb. 12 Photograph by Fabiola Ferrero
“I have been growing roses for seven years. Each flower is special to me in its own way. Each one has its own personality, and it can hold a particular meaning and feeling, depending on the person who receives it. Valentine’s Day is our biggest season. We pick every single flower we have. Most of them go to the U.S. I’m proud that the work we do here in Colombia is traveling across the world and making people happy.”
— Claudia Marcela Cantor, Facatativá, Colombia
Published Feb. 19 Photograph by Sasha Arutyunova
“We’re out here protesting the new pension bill. I’m 24 years old, and I’m still in college. If this bill passes, I will not be able to retire before the age of 64. But with climate change and the general state of uncertainty we live in, I am not even sure I will live that long. That’s Emmanuel Macron’s game. He wants my generation to work longer than the previous ones, when the reality is that it’s just getting harder for us to see the finish line.”
— Iman Pamphile, Paris
Published March 5 Photograph by Flo Ngala
“My partner is currently at Rikers Island. We talk on the phone, and he tells me about his day and what’s going on inside. I’ve submitted dozens of complaints to 311 about the conditions. I’ve even engaged a civil rights lawyer. I know he’s a ward of the court, but he still has rights. He deserves to be treated with dignity. I’m advocating for him every day, but not everyone inside has someone looking out for them.”
— Robyn Nieuelder, New York City
Published March 12 Photograph by Briana Vargas
“I’m a first-generation Mexican American, and I run an asylum shelter to help people who are coming into the country in search of a better life, like my parents. Immigrants are important to our country, and the main thing that we offer is a sense of welcome. Many of these people have been through a lot, and they are so full of hope and bravery. We take the time to listen to their stories without judgment or fear.”
— Ana Reza, El Paso
Published March 19 Photograph by Jill Frank
“We’ve been Taylor Swift fans forever — since, like, first grade. We know the lyrics to all her songs. When she announced the Eras Tour, we knew we had to go, but it was really hard to get tickets. Our mom waited online for hours and hours, and we eventually got them. It was super lucky. We can’t wait. As the concert gets closer, time feels like it’s starting to slow down, like the way it does in the days before Christmas.”
— Emily and Chloe Stathopoulos, Atlanta
Published March 26 Photograph by Christopher Lee
“Flaco the owl is definitely a celebrity among birders in Central Park, no question. Everyone just loves his story — I mean, an owl that was bred in captivity and lived in a zoo his whole life and escaped to defy all the odds and live in the wild. It’s a great survival story. And he’s also just a beautiful, beautiful bird. Owls are very special. They’re mysterious, secretive creatures, beautiful gaze, incredible eyes. So, yeah, I’m in awe. Completely.”
— Paul Beiboer, New York City
Published April 2 Photograph by Ofir Berman
“I have lived in Tel Aviv for most of my life, and I’ve always been socially involved. I went to my first protest when I was 6. What is happening in Israel now is the outcome of 75 years of neglect. Our position as the only democracy in the Middle East has kept our alliances with other nations intact, but we have to resist this extremist tyrannical government, or we’ll end up the way Poland, Hungary and Iran did.”
— Yaara Better Pocker, Tel Aviv
Published April 9 Photograph by Damon Winter
“Before the tornado, this was a community center, where all the kids from the neighborhood came together. This place helped me become a man, by teaching me discipline, self-respect, morals, how to love one another. But I can’t sit and dwell on what was there. All we can focus on is what we’re going to build next, to make it better.”
— Desmond Breakfield, Wynne, Ark.
Published April 16 Photograph by Meron Tekie Menghistab
“I worked at Amazon for eight and a half years before I was laid off. Mine was one of thousands of jobs cut since 2021. I started in an entry level role, just out of college, and worked hard to get promoted. It’s not ending the way I would have wanted, but I’ve had a good run. I’ll miss the smart people I worked with, and I’m hopeful that I’ll find something in the fall, after I enjoy the break with my newborn, to do something impactful.”
— Marion Desmazières, Seattle
Published April 23 Photograph by Amy Powell
“I’ve been a car salesman since 2017. A lot of people, I find, are still hesitant to purchase an electric car. If the government wants to speed up the transition to electric, one thing we need is more charging stations. If I live in an apartment complex that doesn’t have a charging station, where am I going to charge my car? If I can’t charge it somewhere nearby, then guess what? I’m not going to buy one.”
— Annas Alkanawi, Dayton, Ohio
Published April 30 Photograph by Jenica Heintzelman
“I’ve loved Harry Belafonte’s music ever since I was a girl, when my parents used to play his records in our home in Haiti. I live in America now, and I’m a U.S. citizen, but his song ‘Island in the Sun’ always brings me back to my childhood. When he sings, it’s like he was talking about me and my island. It keeps the Caribbean in my heart, wherever I go. I salute him for all he did in his wonderful life, and I’m grateful for his music.”
— Yolande Leger, New York City
Published May 7 Photograph by Sarah Rice
“I adopted my horse Gallo from Kentucky. There’s a whole industry there that breeds and trains horses, with the hope of racing them in the Derby. If he hadn’t gotten injured, he might have gone all the way. He was really promising. But training takes a big toll on their bodies. I’m helping him recover and hope he will regain his full athletic ability. But for now, it’s important that he just gets to be a horse. I want him to have a happy life.”
— Asia Rivett, Holly, Mich.
Published May 14 Photograph by Emily Monforte
“I’m a television and film writer with the Writers Guild of America. I’ve worked in comedy, animation, live action, late night. Part of what led to this strike is that studios are acting like tech companies — trying to optimize by replacing humans with computers. My hope is that the strike ends with writers being valued for their creative work and not seen as expendable. We should be treated as people. Because we are.”
— Demi Adejuyigbe, Los Angeles
Published May 21 Photograph by Melody Melamed
“As someone with long Covid, learning that the Covid emergency was officially declared over this month was devastating. My life has been inextricably changed by this virus. Many of us who have long Covid look normal, but we are struggling physically and mentally. A lot of people isolate themselves, and that worries me. I’m still participating in life. I’m much slower and more careful than I was before. But I’m still here.”
— Ericka Clinton, New York City
Published May 28 Photograph by Tailyr Irvine
“I’m one of the five plaintiffs suing the State of Montana over the Tik Tok ban. The state’s decision clearly violates our First Amendment right to free speech. I think social media, when used positively, is a powerful tool for connection. Through TikTok, I’ve had experiences that have shown me that we have a lot more in common than we would ever think. And to discover that proximity, I think, strengthens our humanity.”
— Alice Held, Missoula, Mont.
Published June 4 Photograph by Clark Hodgin
“Because this is Dead & Company’s final tour and this is the last time we’ll see them, it’s special. I’m trying to soak in as much as I can. Very few bands reach the level where they have this kind of following. It’s almost like a religion of a kind, if that makes any sense. Their songs stick out because they’re about something. I like to think what they sing about are stories. It’s like you’re listening to a piece of someone’s life.”
— Dalton Pullon, Charlotte, N.C.
Published June 11 Photograph by Adam Riding
“I’ve been a golfer for a long time, and I wasn’t stoked when I heard about the LIV-P.G.A. merger. LIV is trying to grow the game, which is great, but through revenue rather than accessibility. What golf really needs is for greens fees and clubs to be more affordable so that more people are able to get out and play. We should spend money in those realms instead of throwing it at players to get them to come join a league.”
— Joey Maddon, Phoenix
Published June 18 Photograph by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
“Every June, a group of us gathers by the water at Coney Island to remember our ancestors who came from Africa during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. At sunset, we have a processional down to the water and make offerings to the ocean to collectively mourn and celebrate the spirits of those who have passed. It may be sad, but at the same time, it’s a joyful celebration of the resilience of our community. There’s an incredible amount of love here.”
— Shola Jones, New York City
Published June 25 Photograph by Alice Zoo
“I’ve come from London for the summer solstice celebration. Like the New Year, this is a good time to reflect on life — what you’ve done, where you’re going and your goals for the year. The stones in this area have been a ceremonial site for centuries. It’s meaningful to be here, and it’s an opportunity to get outside the city, reconnect with nature and the changing seasons, to enjoy life, meet new people and have a good time.”
— Alice Stewart, Avebury, England
Published July 9 Photograph by Andrea Wenglowskyj
“Plast is a Ukrainian scouting organization, and I am the fourth generation of my family to be a part of it. We spend a lot of time in nature, but we also inorporate our Ukrainian heritage into it. For the last two weeks, I’ve been training to become a counselor. It’s cool to help make memories for the younger kids. It’s more important now than ever to be surrounded by your Ukrainian heritage and have people to share it with.”
— Kalyna Mazepa, North Collins, N.Y.
Published July 16 Photograph by Mary Inhea Kang
“I got my first Barbie when I was 6. One day, I was shopping with my mom, and we were in the Barbie aisle, and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be crazy if someone knew every Barbie doll that was ever made?’ And that started my obsession. At one point I had over 600 Barbies and a room in my house with pink shag carpeting where I kept them. I love that people are getting into it again. Barbie has always been fabulous.”
— Sidney Morgan Petro, New York City
Published July 23 Photograph by Alfonso Duran
“I’m working on getting certified to guide scuba diving tours. We used to have a ton of tropical fish swimming through the coral reefs in the shallow water close to shore, but now with the temperature of the water hovering around 90 degrees, all those bright, fluorescent fish keep moving to deeper, colder water. To see them, we’ll have to adapt and do deeper, more difficult dives.”
— Scott Gandy, Miami
Published July 30 Photograph by Zach Callahan
“Being an IMAX projectionist is kind of a lost art form. When moviegoers are watching ‘Oppenheimer,’ they have no clue what’s going on behind the scenes. I mean, you’ve got 600 pounds of film speeding through a projector. If something goes wrong, it could be disastrous. But with film, the image is sharper and clearer, and there’s a depth to it. It’s an immersive experience and very intense, totally different from your average popcorn flick.”
— Charles Moss, Los Angeles
Published Aug. 6 Photograph by Ash Adams
“I subsistence-fished king salmon on the Yukon for many years. The kings are the great aristocrats of the salmon family, and the ones on the Yukon are the best in the world. Salmon is more than just food for the table; it’s important economically and culturally. Forty years ago, we thought the salmon would always be there. Now there are virtually no salmon left anywhere on the river. The loss is devastating.”
— Dan Weber, Anchorage
Published Aug. 13 Photograph by Lanna Apisukh
“People come to Fire Island beaches in the summer to escape the heat. The drones help keep those people safe. Last year, one of our lifeguards was bitten by a shark, and a couple of days later, someone in the next town got a very substantial bite. The drones help us spot sharks. A lifeguard will wave a purple flag with a shark on it and blow his whistle, and that gets people’s attention. They tend to be very cooperative leaving the water.”
— Sgt. Andrew Becher, Ocean Beach, N.Y.
Published Aug. 20 Photograph by Thalassa Raasch
“This is about my 30th year at the Iowa State Fair. The Republican candidates are here. It’s part of the American process, and that’s a good thing. But mostly the fair isn’t a political deal. It’s about food and community. In the horticulture area here, we’ve got some really good produce. We’ve struggled with drought and floods in Iowa this year, weird weather. So it’s surprising how great everything is this year.”
— Rich Pope, Des Moines
Published Aug. 27 Photograph by Cydni Elledge
“I had postpartum depression really bad after I had my girls. I felt so sad and overwhelmed all the time. I didn’t know what was happening for a while. We need better education around it so people know the signs. The fact that they have a medication specifically for postpartum depression now is great. It could really help a lot of people. But aside from that, the biggest things that moms need are support and community.”
— Kourtni Graves, Southfield, Mich.
Published Sep. 3 Photograph by David Williams
“When I heard about the new ban on incandescent lightbulbs, I was really irritated. I hate LED bulbs. Incandescents are brighter, and they last just as long. And I like to have the choice. That’s why, a few years ago, when they first announced they were phasing them out, I got in touch with a factory in Pennsylvania that still made incandescent bulbs, and I bought a bunch. A lot. I’m down to probably a thousand.”
— Joanne Huspek, Colorado Springs
Published Sep. 10 Photograph by Jaime Molina
“When I planned this canoe trip, I had no idea it would coincide with the latest expedition to find the Loch Ness monster. The depth of the loch is as high as the mountains around it, and the water seems to go on forever. It can be terrifying, but it’s magical, too. Someone might prove that the legend isn’t real, but I hope they don’t. It would take away our opportunity to imagine what’s there. It’s nice to have that mystery.”
— Luis Parsons, Fort Augustus, Scotland
Published Sep. 17 Photograph by Clara Mokri
“I’ve been a school bus driver for 21 years. I almost never miss a day of work. I also train drivers, and there’s a lot of effort now to get new people in. I tell new drivers to take their time, stay alert, be safe. The school bus I drive is 40 feet long and weighs over 10,000 pounds. After all these years, I still drive this bus with respect. I know what it can do. And with me knowing that, it keeps me humble.”
— Marjorie Urbina, San Francisco
Published Sep. 24 Photograph by Stacy Kranitz
“Some friends told me about Appalachian Save a Life Day, which is an event where they give out free naloxone. For the last five years I’ve been fighting to stay sober. I have had to use Narcan a few times. I overdosed once at my uncle’s house, and it pretty much killed me. I was dead. They had to do chest compressions to work the naloxone through my body. I’ll be honest with you: It’s scary.”
— Jerry Scarberry, Charleston, W.Va.
Published Oct. 1 Photograph by Bryan Birks
“I moved to Kansas City in 2018 to work for the Federal Railroad Administration, and a few months later, the government shut down. Suddenly, I had no paycheck, and when you’re a single parent like I am, that’s scary. I mean, what are families supposed to do? I decided to stop doing government contract work because I couldn’t afford another shutdown. I’ve been following the news, and it takes me back to the panic I felt.”
— Julie Burr, Kansas City, Mo.
Published Oct. 8 Photograph by Koral Carballo
“I am taking part in this global day of action for safe and legal abortion because I believe that abortion is a human right to which everyone — cis women, nonbinary people, trans men and others — is entitled. Mexico has advanced a lot in terms of women’s rights in recent years, but that does not take away from what we are observing in other Latin American countries. We must not take our eyes off what is still left to do.”
— Arlen Molina, Mexico City
Published Oct. 15 Photograph by Da’Shaunae Marisa
“I’m the eldest daughter in our family, and I was the first to head to college. Even with student loans and financial aid, I could not cover the cost. My parents are hard-working, and they took out loans to help make up the difference. On the emotional side, I think it was worth it for them; they’re proud of me. But on the financial side, it’s questionable. They made the bigger sacrifice. I am hoping to get to a spot where I can help them to retire.”
— Paulina Solis, San Diego
Published Oct. 22 Photograph by DJ Carr
“I’m a member of the Army National Guard on the asylum-seeker mission. We are in Buffalo to keep the migrants who are housed here safe. I think in the beginning they were nervous around us because we’re in uniform. But now they know we’re here to help. The migrants come from harsh environments and take a leap of faith that it’s going to work out for them here. They’re good people. They’ve just been dealt a bad hand.”
— Sgt. Devin Colon, Buffalo
Published Oct. 29 Photograph by Taylor Johnson
“I started in real estate in 2004. Everybody’s hurting for business right now. There’s a lack of inventory, and the mortgage rate is creeping up to almost 9 percent, which is crazy. Who wants to buy with their payments being so high? We’re going through a big market shift, but we can survive it. It’s just that we’re going to be making less money. So you need to save, not spend every dollar that you make, and just be more mindful.”
— Samantha Tov, Elk Grove, Calif.
Published Nov. 5 Photograph by Hailey Ip
“I’m in the music program at Bishop Loughlin High School. Last year was my first time playing at the New York City Marathon. We play the theme from the movie ‘Rocky’ for three or four hours straight. I’ve played it hundreds, maybe thousands, of times to rehearse. It is a challenge, but the runners give you the momentum to keep going. You’re encouraging them, and they’re encouraging you, so it’s kind of going back and forth.”
— Jessica Toussaint, New York City
Published Nov. 12 Photograph by Michelle Groskopf
“I’ve always loved comedy. What I do onstage is a mix of things — one-liners, personal stories, characters and impressions. I don’t claim to have answers for any of the problems that are going on in the world right now. What I do know is that I can talk about things with an open mind and an open heart and dare to connect with the people that have decided to come to the show. That connection gives me hope.”
— Stuart Thompson, Los Angeles
Published Nov. 19 Photograph by Allison V. Smith
“This week is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John Kennedy. Each year, as we approach the anniversary, the mood at the Sixth Floor Museum, where the shots were reportedly fired from, can get emotional. Visitors who were alive when it happened remember it vividly. We’ve had guests cry. Some tell us everything — where they were and what they were feeling that day. In those moments we are here to listen. ”
— Christianna Reyes, Dallas
Published Nov. 26 Photograph by Mark Jayson Quines
“Airport wheelchair service is in very high demand right now. When you travel the week of Thanksgiving, there’s always problems. But we help everybody — blind people, people with aisle chairs, people who just need an escort to the gate. I often work with passengers that are immobile or have language barriers. Sometimes people are stressed, but if you give off good energy, they appreciate it. Sometimes just a smile makes a difference.”
— Kaylin Maysonet, New York City
Published Dec. 3 Photograph by Maureen Drennan
“My family has been coming to this Christmas tree farm for as long as I can remember. I always looked up to the guys who worked here, and now I’m one of them. It’s a motley crew. A few of the guys are carpenters and mechanics. One is a corrections officer. But for three weekends a year, we come together to work and banter and share our lives. I love the energy, the smell of the trees, the sun. It’s festive, the whole vibe.”
— Joshua Ried, Red Hook, N.Y.
Published Dec. 10 Photograph by Camille Farrah Lenain
“Here at Animal Rescue New Orleans, the senior dogs are close to our hearts. The incredible thing about seniors is they’re so grateful. They really just appreciate a warm bed and good food. I’m not an expert on the new longevity drug for dogs, but I think it could be a positive thing. Anyone who’s lost a pet knows they would do anything to have that pet live longer. We always think they’re gone to soon.”
— Ginnie Baumann Robilotta, Elmwood, La.
Published Dec. 17 Photograph by Cheriss May
“I have been organizing rallies for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian people have been sacrificing their lives for freedom and democracy, and Russia has to be stopped. It is very important for the United States to continue to provide military support. Ukraine is fighting at this very moment not only for its independence and liberty but for the entire free world. ”
— Nadiya Shaporynska, Washington
Published Dec. 24 Photograph by Bailey Rebecca Roberts
“The first time we went back after the fire, Lahaina was unrecognizable. The houses were still smoking. The trees were still smoking. But I needed to see it. It was the start of the healing process. I love Christmas. I love having a Christmas tree. For those of us in the shelters, though, the best you can do is put up a wreath. It doesn’t feel the same, but we are thankful. It means a lot more now to have your family close to you. ”
— Ekolu Lindsey, Lahaina, Hawaii
Publishing Dec. 31 Photograph by Allison Greene
“My first year with Florida State, in 2013, we won the national championship. We were so close-knit, like a family. I was upset when I heard that this year’s team got left out of the playoffs. You work hard to get that opportunity, and to have it taken from you is very disappointing. But you have to move forward and take advantage of what’s in front of you. Life isn’t always going to go your way.”
— Marquez White, Dothan, Ala.