This is one of those stories you don't want to end.

You want the words to keep popping up -- for them to keep telling you more about Markelle, to answer the questions you have for him, to paint the images you are conjuring just a little more clearly. You want to keep reading because it is that good. 

Patricia Leigh Brown gives us the story of Markelle Taylor,  a marathon runner who spent 18 years in the San Quentin state prison. 

Brown, who completely coincidentally lives in Hamden (at least, according to LInkedIn she does), is a contributor to the Times, publishing about once a month. Her work is well worth your time.

These are the kind of stories that make journalism so special. This is a human story. And, if not for the journalist, then how do we ever learn this story? We don't... and that makes us less human. 

I've been absent for a month, but since no one is knocking down the door about that, I'm going to roll along. Two days ago, I read this harrowing story of the sexual assaults suffered by advice columnist Jean E. Carroll. The most brutal of those "assaults" is a rape she says was committed by the sitting U.S. President. 

This essay is powerful, devastating, disgusting, scary and, ultimately, sad. 

My political leanings are no secret -- I'm a liberal democrat and I vote that way. I never in a million years thought a former reality TV host with a history of bankruptcies, public adulteries and divorces and crass comments on regular visits to a crass radio show (The Howard Stern Show)  would be the leader of my country. 

Carroll is the 22nd woman to accuse him of a range of unwanted sexual advances. This accusation is the most brutal and, as hard as it is to read, the best thing I've read this week. 

Now that finals, end-of-semester grading, graduations and summer class prep are finished, let's get back to the blog -- and mix it up just a bit.

In addition to teaching and researching this summer, I have undertaken a new project that puts me back on press row -- I will be covering the Connecticut Sun for The Athletic's WNBA vertical. 

It has been a decade since I served as a full-time sports reporter when I covered the Washington Huskies football program for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.  In the 10 years since, I have earned master's and doctorate degrees, got hired and earned tenure at Quinnipiac University and had the pleasure (and pain) of teaching hundreds of students. 

I got my professional start in professional women's basketball, serving as an editor of WNBA.com in 1998 and '99. I worked for the Seattle Storm in its inaugural season -- as my friends and students know -- a short, rocky foray into public relations. (Live and learn!) 

My excitement level over the opportunity to cover the local WNBA team could not be higher. The Athletic has a unique brand of storytelling I plan to add to and enhance. 

So, with this announcement, I give you the best thing I've written this week -- my 2019 Connecticut Sun preview.  And, that will be the end of my self-promotion on this blog.  However, if you are new to The Athletic, go on over, check out the launch page and get yourself a subscription for 40 percent off at theathletic.com/wnbalaunch.  You can always follow me on Twitter, too, @mollyyanity.