Few would have expected pigeons to rise to heroic status this year. But Mother Jones, in its latest “heroes and monsters” list, has honored these resilient birds for bringing curiosity and joy to 2025.

Celebrated director Michael Mann, honored at Lyon’s Lumiere Festival, reflects on covering the 1968 student protests in Paris for NBC. His experiences from that tumultuous year, he says, continue to shape his outlook on America’s modern political climate—where “resistance” can emerge from unlikely places such as satirical television.

In the autumn of 1984, one particular rock anthem left a lasting impression on its listeners. Titled “Born in the U.S.A.,” it captivated the publisher’s attention and became a defining musical moment tied to that era.