These are the stories of babies born too soon. They're about love and sorrow, triumph and resignation, medical miracles and social failures. And together they reveal the bigger story -- the baffling, relentless increase in premature births, and the price we all pay.
Enter this special report by Felice J. Freyer, Journal medical writer
Take the quiz: Are you at risk? What's known -- and what isn't -- about the factors that contribute to premature birth
Explore the graphic: Every day matters: Track the week-to-week development of the heart, lungs, brain and digestive system in the womb
Your turn: Share your experience with premature birth
At RISD: Maeda, Moneo, Chihuly
Video: RISD's 'outward looking' Chace Center poised to open
Video: Major Chihuly glasswork exhibit part of new RISD museum kickoff
The 2008 fall art season can be summed up in two words: Chace Center
New president Maeda will keep it simple at RISD / Video
RISD inauguration speaker sought to spread laptops
Renowned designer Maeda to take helm at RISD -- in his own way
Continuing Reports
Borrowing Trouble

State of the Mob
Journal investigative reporter and mob expert W. Zachary "Bill" Malinowski takes an in-depth look at the history of organized crime in Rhode Island.
Operation Dollar Bill A wide-ranging corruption case involving at least seven politicians and seven corporations that began late in 2003.
The Immigration Debate
DOT Investigation
Does Ginger Collins belong in prison?
Your Turn: Is society less compassionate in its treatment of the mentally ill?
Gallery: Photos from Ginger Collins' album
The Washington County Fair
Extra: Aerial view of the fairgrounds
Gallery: Opening day at the fair
Videos: Judges gear up for Washington County Fair || A mini history lesson at the fair || It all depends on where you point your pig || Persistence pays off at egg toss
Colorful parade caps the weeklong SoundSession
Gallery: Lots of photos of Saturday night's carnival parade
Video: SoundSession '08 culminates with carnival parade
Your Turn: What did you think of SoundSession?
Labor's voice is among loudest at State House
Labor’s power hangs in balance
R.I. labor guru George Nee cut his teeth on grape boycott and caught the union bug
Labor able to wield political influence far beyond its membership
Charts
2008 Olympic Games: N. Kingstown swimmer training for Beijing
Your Turn: Send messages of good luck
Gallery: More photos of Beisel || Read Beisel's athlete bio at USA Swimming || Video: Beisel's Blue Fish Swim Club teammates 'still can't believe it' || Beisel's HS Game Time All-State page
The new state budget
Slowly, Rhode Island budget cuts begin to take hold
Budget graphic: A snapshot of spending cuts
Your turn
What do you think of this year's budget?
Will this year's General Assembly action influence your vote for your legislator in November?
Johnson & Wales seeks higher profile in downtown expansion
Graphic: Johnson & Wales' designs on expansion
Your Turn: How do you think the land uncovered by the relocation of Route 195 should be used?
A Team Effort
For teachers, there’s a tradeoff
Your turn: Do you think the Learning Community's strategy could be effective if implemented elsewhere?
Charter school puts kids on the college track
Rhode Island is examining purchase of Macera family properties in Johnston
Your turn: React to this story
Garden City Boys reunite, amid tragedy
Gallery: More photos of the Garden City Boys
Extreme Makeover: The Warwick reveal
Galleries: Day 1 || Day 2 || Day 3 || Day 4 || Walk through the Silvas' new home
Your turn: Rate the transformation
U.S. Sen. Reed: A Humble Path to Power
Your turn
How would you like to see Senator Reed wield the power he holds?
Chat: During an April 28 chat, Senator Reed answered your questions. Read the transcript.
Multimedia
Audio slideshow: From Cranston to West Point
Fuel Shock: A spring series
Your turn: The ripple effect of gas prices: Where are you seeing it?
Multimedia
Lives Interrupted
Multimedia
Pushed to the Limit
The smoke-shop trial:
A split decision
Your turn: React to the verdict in the smokeshop case
40 years later:
Race in Rhode Island
Your turn: How has Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and death affected you?
Audio slideshow: Rhode Islanders remember Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years later
In the classroom, King's dream
Audio slideshow: All for diversity at Providence school
The luck of the draw: Parents learn whether their children win spots at charter schools
Q&A: What, why and where are these schools?
Gallery: Students at, and who want to be at, charter schools
Your turn: Do you think Rhode Island needs more charter schools?
Mapping the violence: An interactive map of 2007's gang related shootings and murders
Gang profiles: The graffiti, symbols, colors and codes of Providence's most visible gangs
Your turn: What can be done to keep young people out of gangs?
Your turn: What, if any, recognition should there be of same-sex relationships in R.I. law?
Interactive timeline: Local and national events in gay history
M. Charles Bakst: Reflections on the long struggle for gay rights
Remembering the Blizzard of '78
2007: Year in Review
Auld Lang Syne, Rhode Island
State government is broke, Rhode Island was one of only two states to lose population in 2007, the schools lag those of its New England neighbors, college grads tend to flee the day they earn their degrees, our bridges are crumbling, some pols are in cahoots with crooked businessmen, and a felon hosts a show on the state's biggest talk radio station.
From Our Archives
More Special Reports
News Extras: Enhanced reports and the big stories
Sights & Sounds: Featuring multimedia narratives, imagery and audio
Galleries: A collection of photo slideshows
Audio Reports: Stories you can hear
Art Specials: Galleries with an artistic touch
Big Stories of 2007
The artist and the underground
Audio: Hear excerpts of an interview with Townsend and Mercer (MP3, 5 min., 25 sec)
Graphic: See a map of where the apartment was
Your Turn: Is living in a hidden corner of Providence Place art?
Chat: Miller hosted Bishop Tobin for an hour-long chat Monday afternoon, in which many readers participated. Read the transcript.
Your turn: What does it mean to be a Catholic?
Rough Seas
Journal staff writer Paul Davis's five-part series -- with four audio slideshows -- examining the struggle for control of the sea.
Your turn: What should be done to save this industry?
Back from the Brink: Cpl. Murray's Story
Guestbook: Send a note to Corporal Murray
Video: Joining the Marines, losing his leg, getting a new one
Video: Murray posted this 'MTV Cribs'-style video on YouTube
2007: The Year in Review
Gallery: A Look Back at Cities & Towns
Readers' choice: Pick the top local news story of the year
Projo Patriots: Game by game, take a look back at this historic season's stories, galleries, box scores and play-by-play accounts
Projo Red Sox: Flip through photos, game by game, from the team's World Series season / Multimedia: A photographer's look at the 2007 season
HSGameTime: Vote for your favorite high school sports photos


















