PITTSBURGH — When Katelyn Collins spotted a Harry Potter costume in August, she envisioned how perfect a lightning bolt would look peeking out from beneath her 7-year-old son’s Harry-like dark brown hair on Halloween night.

But the mental snapshot faded quickly as she inspected the costume for far more important qualities than looks.

She ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Gottfried's relatives never know what to get him for his birthday.

That changed a few years ago, when Gottfried began researching his family tree. He started with his father's parents — Jews who fled hardship and persecution in Europe — and managed to document, in minute detail, their arrival at Ellis Island. He loved ...Read more

A 4-year-old – I’ll call him Popeye – had a habit of hitting other children in his preschool program. His teachers tried various approaches, including rewarding him with a treat on days when he didn’t hit. That backfired, as such silly approaches to discipline nearly always do.

At wit’s end, Popeye’s mom asked my advice, which I ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Pamela Mack Jr. has spent much of the last two years launching a grassroots community organization she calls A Million Minds March. She's planning a spring gala fund-raiser to help raise money to buy a building from which she wants to provide mentoring, job training, and grief counseling for young people from parts of ...Read more

CHICAGO — A bouquet and votive candles with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe sit near the wedding portrait of Gardenia Rangel’s parents on a small table in the living room of their old home.

The electric candles haven’t been turned off since her mother and father both died of COVID-19 last February. Every so often, Rangel plays mariachi...Read more

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jason Browning's 10th marathon will be extra special this year.

As he lines up to run in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon on Sunday, Browning's running bib will have his race number, but instead of his name, it will simply say "Nora's Dad."

And at the 7-mile marker, there will be signs bearing his 3-year-...Read more

Before Tyler Blaylock died of COVID-19, his mom said he wished he had been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Tyler’s family wishes that, too.

He died following his bout with COVID-19 on Sept. 16 at the University of Kansas Health System - St. Francis Campus in Topeka, Kansas.

Tyler tested positive for coronavirus on Aug. 16, WIBW reported....Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — With Pfizer officially requesting emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, the process has started for the company’s COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized for children ages 5 to 11.

Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for emergency use only in those age 12 to 15. It received full approval from ...Read more

Q: Our 13-year-old eighth-grader says he doesn’t like the small private school he attends and wants us to put him in public high school next year. His grades are fine, he’s got several close friends, and he’s on the basketball and track teams, but he says that he’s bored and wants to attend a bigger school that offers more in the way of ...Read more

It’s still a kid thang, baby!

Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg is working on a children’s album at Def Jam Recordings, the iconic record label that championed LL Cool J, Slick Rick, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.

The Long Beach-bred rapper, who began his new role as the label’s executive creative and strategic consultant this year, ...Read more

Facebook Inc. is pausing work on rolling out an Instagram Kids site after the social networking company came under criticism for its negative effect on children, especially on teenage girls.

Facebook said it’s not abandoning the idea to create a dedicated experience for kids under 13, but will take time to discuss it with experts, parents ...Read more

Facebook Inc. said it’s pausing work on rolling out its Instagram Kids site after the social networking company came under criticism for its negative effect on children, especially on teenage girls.

Facebook said it’s not abandoning the idea to create a dedicated experience for kids under 13 in a blog post Monday, but will take time to ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The Cookies chain of cannabis dispensaries says its marketing efforts and company name have been misunderstood and distorted by local officials who have criticized the company, saying it targets youth.

The chain, which operates stores in La Mesa and Mission Valley, got approval in June to open a third location in Sorrento Valley. ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA 19—John Kelly and his wife, Christina, had held on to their son's childhood belongings, his Lego blocks and Beanie Babies, thinking that if they ever became grandparents, the kids might like to play with their father's old toys.

That "someday" vanished in November, gone with their only child, Thomas, age 30.

His dresser, bed, ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Empty liquor bottles rest like grave markers on a Baltimore street corner. Here, men show their love for the departed with expensive bottles.

Crown Royal whisky. Limited edition Hennessy cognac. Imported tequila. Top shelf for Anthony Covington.

In the mornings, however, city crews clear out the bottles left to mark the spot ...Read more