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An example of a human precision grip — grasping a first metacarpal from the thumb of a specimen of <em>Australopithecus africanus</em> that's thought to be 2 to 3 million years old.

Maybe Early Humans Weren't The First To Get A Good Grip

The opposable thumb you use to hold a pencil was long thought to be a defining aspect of humans. But an analysis of finger bones suggests stone tool use by pre-humans — perhaps 3 million years ago.

Charley Patton was the grandaddy of the Delta blues musicians, according to Jack White: "He's the one that all the other blues musicians looked up to. He's almost the beginning of the family tree."

In A Few Fateful Years, One Record Label Blew Open The Blues

Music was an afterthought for Paramount Records, a short-lived label founded by a furniture company. But in its final years, it gave vital exposure to the artists who would come to define Delta blues.

Families hang out at the Mueller farmers market in Austin, Texas, on a Sunday. In a state where cars are king, planners designed Mueller with pedestrians in mind.

With Porches And Parks, A Texas Community Aims For Urban Utopia

Austin's Mueller neighborhood is a new-urbanist dream, designed to be convivial, walkable and energy-efficient. Every house has a porch or stoop, and all the cars are hidden away.

Rep. Mia Love of Utah is one of three black Republicans in Congress — the largest class since Reconstruction.

At Critical Juncture, GOP Honors Largest Class Of Black Lawmakers

The Republican National Convention held a gala marking the historic elections of three lawmakers, as the GOP continues its efforts to reach out to communities of color.

Pope Encounters Resistance On Some Reforms

At the Vatican this week, the pope's G9 — a committee of nine cardinals — is working on how to overhaul Vatican governance.

Pre-Election, Chicago Mayor Emanuel Loses African-American Support

School closings and high crime in some neighborhoods are big issues as Rahm Emanuel battles four challengers who want his job. President Obama is headed to town to give his former top aide a boost.

Yonkers community activist Hector Santiago demonstrates the "stop-and-shake" with Lt. Pat McCormack of the Yonkers Police Department. The idea, Santiago says, is to get people to introduce themselves to cops on the street.

Instead Of Stop-And-Frisk, How About Stop-And-Shake?

In a speech last week, FBI Director James Comey addressed racial tensions between police and minorities. A new effort in his hometown of Yonkers, N.Y., tries to get officers and young people talking.

A doll depicting a flying, superhero version of jazz pianist and composer Alice Coltrane is on display at the Black Doll Show. The show, which has been running for 34 years, was inspired by "The Doll Test," which revealed that children tended to assign negative qualities to black dolls.

Black Doll Show Inspires With Wakandan Heroes And Jazz Superstars

For 34 years, the William Grant Still Arts Center in Los Angeles has showcased diverse dolls for children. This year's theme, Jazz Superheroes, incorporates Marvel characters and musical giants.

'Ghettoside' Explores Why Murders Are Invisible In Los Angeles

In her new book, journalist Jill Leovy studies the epidemic of unsolved murders in African-American neighborhoods and the relationships between police and victims' relatives, witnesses and suspects.

Race In The River City

The shooting deaths of young black men including Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis have raised difficult questions about race and justice in the United…

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