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Goldman loses House seat after NY-10 Democratic primary defeat to Lander
NBC News projects that Lander, a progressive backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won the Democratic nomination in the 10th District.
Brad Lander projected to win 10th Congressional District Democratic primary
The district covers Lower Manhattan and part of Brooklyn from downtown to Park Slope.
Maryland Democrats pick their U.S. House nominees as Moore wins primary for governor
Rising party star Gov. Wes Moore won the Democratic primary in his bid for reelection to a second term. Republican voters hope to return the state to GOP leadership by picking a candidate they think can unseat him.
NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S. and Local Angles
Go to NBCNews.com for breaking news, videos, and the latest top stories in world news, business, politics, health and pop culture.
Federal judge dismisses Justice Department lawsuit seeking detailed Maryland voter data
The Trump administration's attempts to obtain state-level voter data have suffered yet another legal blow.
Maryland Primary Politics
After months of campaign rallies, ads, mailers, endorsements, debates, and yes, some political mudslinging; maryland voters are getting the final say on this primary Tuesday. Polls will be closing soon and we could be just hours away from getting a clear picture of who won, lost, and what it all means for the future of […]
Baltimore businesses hope Sail 250 Maryland will boost sales
Businesses hope Sail 250 Maryland and Air Show Baltimore will bring a much-needed boost in sales.
Primary election 2026 live: Races to watch in New York, Utah, Maryland and South Carolina
Today’s primary elections will be a test of the influence of establishment Democrats, progressive challengers and President Donald Trump’s endorsement power.
New York primary night live updates as key House races test Mamdani's influence
Trump foe wins crucial Dem primary as 2028 presidential speculation swirls
Gov. Wes Moore wins Maryland's Democratic gubernatorial primary, moving closer to re-election amid 2028 presidential speculation and Trump feuds.
Governor Moore Announces Tenfold Expansion of Funding Database in Maryland Community Business Compass
Governor Moore Announces Tenfold Expansion of Funding Database in Maryland Community Business Compass
Detroit releases report with plans to tackle community health issues
Mayor Mary Sheffield and the Detroit Health Department released a comprehensive roadmap to tackle top health concerns identified by residents by 2028.
Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
The vast majority of Republicans indicated they had moved on from the bitter GOP primary and now support Paxton. Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.
AI’s money machine faces first real test in Manhattan primary
Industry spends millions to target candidate who supports greater regulation of the technology
Mamdani, AI industry flex political power in New York and what else to watch in Tuesday's primaries
There are a few races to watch on Tuesday as voters head to the polls for primaries in Maryland, New York, South Carolina and Utah.
Primary voting begins in New York, Maryland and Utah
In New York, Mamdani has thrown support behind three congressional candidates and Super Pacs have been pouring money into a single race
Mamdani and AI industry flex political power in New York, plus more to watch in Tuesday's primaries
Two factions in the AI industry are clashing in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. New York Assemblyman Alex Bores, a pro-regulation candidate, faces opposition from a group funded by OpenAI investors. The group spent over $7 million on ads against him. In response, groups partly backed ...
Trump endorses John James in Michigan governor race as GOP rival exits primary
President Donald Trump issues full-throated endorsement of U.S. Rep. John James for Michigan governor prior to the Republican gubernatorial primary
Polls open as New Yorkers vote in several contested congressional races
Several contests feature open seats, high-profile endorsements and millions of dollars in campaign spending, making this one of the most consequential primary days in recent years.
Zohran Mamdani’s influence over Democrats put to the test, and other things to watch in Tuesday’s elections
New York’s primaries on Tuesday will test just how influential Mayor Zohran Mamdani is with voters six months into his tenure — and offer a preview of the ideological battles to come as Democrats look ahead to the 2028 presidential primary.
Why prediction markets’ election picks are useful, even when they seem wrong
A Post analysis found that primary candidates ended up winning about as often as bettors thought they would.
New York's primary will test NYC mayor's political power
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces the biggest test of his political power since taking office with Tuesday's congressional primaries. Voters will decide if they back candidates he endorsed.
Cunard strengthens entertainment partnerships
Cunard announces 2027 entertainment programme with four Event Voyages on Queen Mary 2 and new Entertainment Residencies across fleet.
Rep. Dan Goldman addresses Brooklyn coffee shop banning him over his views on Israel
Rep. Dan Goldman called it “sad” that a Brooklyn coffee shop apparently banned him with a viral social media post amid a heated Democratic primary election that has focused heavily on the politics of the Israel-Gaza war.
Mamdani and AI industry flex political power in New York, plus more to watch in Tuesday's primaries
Two factions in the AI industry are clashing in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat
Mamdani and AI industry flex political power in New York, plus more to watch in Tuesday's primaries
Two factions in the AI industry are clashing in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat.
Mamdani and AI Industry Flex Political Power in New York, Plus More to Watch in Tuesday's Primaries
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two opposing factions in the artificial intelligence industry square off in a Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani tests his political clout by backing fellow democratic socialists. And President Donald Trump, after two of his chosen ...
Sen. Dan Sullivan’s same-name challenger sues to stay on ballot
A man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan on Monday challenged a decision by a top state elections official to disqualify his candidacy and remove him from the August primary ballot.
Silicon Valley spent big in California's primary election. Did tech money influence the results?
California's June primary delivered a mixed verdict on Silicon Valley's growing political influence.
Small Business Owners Back 11 Candidates for Kansas Legislature in August Primary
NFIB Kansas PAC endorses 11 pro-small business incumbents ahead of August 4th Primary
Baptist Health opens SilverLeaf outpatient medical campus to serve growing St. Johns County
Baptist Health is opening a new outpatient medical campus on Tuesday in the SilverLeaf community to expand access to primary and specialty care as western St. Johns County grows.
Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital receives Primary Stroke Center certification
Certification recognizes one of Vanderbilt Health’s regional hospitals for exceptional efforts in providing safe, high quality stroke care.
Monthly BAT Days Initiative Connects Residents to Free Health, Recovery and Support Services
On the second Wednesday of each month, these organizations come together at the Centers for Addiction and Mental Health Programs (CAMP) on Orange Blossom Trail to provide HIV and Hepatitis-C testing, connections to affordable or free primary care providers, mental health resources and case management services.
Politician behind 'top two' primary has second thoughts
The man who brought California the top-two open primary now thinks it needs a drastic overhaul.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Utah’s state primary
Utah voters will nominate candidates for Congress Tuesday using a new map that created a Democratic-friendly district in Salt Lake City and scrambled the reelection plans of the state’s all-Republican delegation
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in South Carolina’s state primary runoff
Two of South Carolina’s top officeholders will compete one-on-one for the Republican nomination for governor in a primary runoff election on Tuesday
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in New York’s state primary
Democratic nomination contests for New York’s seats in the closely divided U.S. House take center stage Tuesday in a state primary
Science Over Tradition: Plymouth South Middle Schoolers Advocate for Later School Start Times
PLYMOUTH - June 15, 2026 - In a powerful demonstration of student advocacy, a delegation of eighth-grade students from Plymouth South Middle School presented compelling, science-based research to the School Committee, urging district leadership to push back school start times to improve adolescent mental health, well-being, and academic performance. The presentation sparked immediate commitment from the administration to formally evaluate the district’s schedule over the coming school year. Subscribe The Full Story The final in-person meeting of the academic year opened with a celebratory outdoor ceremony honoring dozens of elementary, middle, and high school student artists whose work was chosen for the biannual Central Office Artwork Awards. However, the evening’s primary policy focus quickly shifted to student-led civic action when eighth graders Sophia Scarini, Skye Togun, Leah Mansfield, James Moore, Avery Mahan and Lily Simpson took the podium. The students revealed that their presentation was the culmination of a year-long civics project involving local community assessments, interviews with former officials, and extensive literary analysis. The research sharply highlighted the biological mismatch between adolescent sleep patterns and current school schedules. Under the district’s current framework, Plymouth High Schools open at 7:20 a.m., Middle Schools at 8:12 a.m., and Elementary Schools at 9:05 a.m.. “The high school start times directly contradict students’ natural sleep patterns,” student Leah Mansfield explained, noting that the teenage brain does not naturally produce melatonin until around 11:00 p.m.. The student presentation underscored a harrowing correlation between sleep deprivation and severe mental health struggles, citing data that adolescents with insomnia are ten times more likely to develop depression. Conversely, data shows that just one additional hour of sleep results in a 28% reduction in students reporting feelings of depression or sadness.
Democrats’ Great Alaskan Hope
Mary Peltola, the Democrat most likely to win a red-state Senate seat this year, is largely unknown outside her home state. That’s not a coincidence.
The 2026 legislative update of health care laws
Commentary: Maryland's 2026 legislative session introduced laws affecting healthcare staffing, insurance coverage, nursing homes, and data privacy.
What is there to teach a Kennedy about politics? As Jack Schlossberg has found out, a lot
If multiple polls and the wariness of friends who have been helping him are proven right, Jack Schlossberg is facing not just potential rejection in Tuesday’s primary but the prospect of letting down the Kennedy name and all the people who still get excited about it.
Voters weigh what kind of Democrat they want for Utah's new, blue Congressional seat
The reliably Republican state has its first blue-leaning seat and Utah Democrats are excited for the pickup opportunity. They just have to make it through the competitive primary, first.
New York's congressional candidates make final case in last day before primary
New York’s congressional candidates will deliver closing arguments ahead of primary elections Tuesday, as an ascendent progressive left takes on establishment Democrats.
New York's congressional candidates make final case in last day before primary
New York’s congressional candidates will deliver closing arguments ahead of primary elections Tuesday, as an ascendent progressive left takes on establishment Democrats.
NVIDIA Vera Rubin Delivers World-Class Supercomputers for Science
With 7 Exaflops of AI for Science and 5 Petaflops of Native FP64 Performance, Vera Rubin Packs TOP500 Supercomputing in a Single RackNews Summary: NVIDIA Vera Rubin accelerates the world's ...
Up Close: Incumbent congressman, Mamdani-backed community organizer run in NY-13 primary
Up Close: Liz Cho speaks to the Democratic candidates running for NY-13 and the ABC News political team about the week in politics.
How the 2026 primaries are reshaping the Democratic Party
The struggle over control of the Democratic Party’s direction has roared to new heights this year, with New York’s primary on Tuesday looming as the next major battlefield between left and center.
Pro-Israel and crypto money roils House Democratic primary
Dark money — and complaints about it — have become the central issue in the 24-candidate field to replace Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland).
Boyle Heights warehouse fire: What are the impacts of the smoke on your health?
Dr. Ali Jamehdor with Saint Mary's Medical Center discusses what people should be doing to protect themselves.
Measles case confirmed in Maryland resident who passed through Dulles and DC clinic
A confirmed measles case has been found in a Maryland resident who traveled through Dulles Airport and went to an urgent care office in the District.
Maryland resident with measles traveled through Dulles, DC clinic
Maryland and DC health officials are investigating a measles case tied to international travel and warning of possible exposures at Dulles and a DC clinic.
Measles case reported at Dulles Airport, Adams Morgan clinic
A measles case has been reported in a Maryland resident who traveled internationally, the Maryland Department of Health said on Saturday.
Last weekend of early voting underway in NYC primary races
More than 115,000 votes have been cast across the five boroughs so far during early voting.
Politics: Cook Political Report shifts IA-02 race to “Lean R”
Just three weeks on from Iowa’s primary election, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has shifted the race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District from “Likely Republican” to a tighter “Lean Republican,”
David Jolly banks $255K more as Dotie Joseph launches late long-shot gubernatorial bid
The former Republican is in good shape with less than two months before the Primary.
From New York to Seattle to DC, more cities are picking democratic socialist leaders
On the night of the Democratic primary to be the next mayor of Washington, DC, Janeese Lewis George pushed back on those who doubted the movement that had formed behind her.
Judges’ races have been injected with more politics. Here’s what to know.
The Placer County judicial race in the primary election included attack text ads. One consultant called this election cycle for judges “vitriolic.”
‘The Cardinal Countdown: 78 Days Until Kickoff’
CHARLIE EDGEWORTH #78 Height: 6’7” Weight: 320lb Position: OL Class: Freshman Hometown: Chattanooga, TN Summary: While its not right, and should not be acceptable in our country, I’m out here fighting the good fight and have yet to gain the momentum I need to avoid this blatant hate and bias. I’m of course talking about […]
Business leaders urged state to buy Preakness brand, back $85 million deal
Maryland business leaders quietly urged Gov. Wes Moore to buy Preakness trademarks months before the state’s $85 million deal.
Video: How a New York Politics Reporter Sets Priorities
Nicholas Fandos explains how he navigates coverage of the primary races this month and what he’s watching in New York politics.
NY-12 candidates make last push for early votes
Early voting continues through Sunday. Primary Day is Tuesday, June 23.
Does low primary voter turnout indicate low general election turnout?
Election officials and poll workers across the Empire State are preparing for Tuesday for whoever wants to cast their ballot.
Politics Unusual: Mayor Mamdani, NYC primary roundtable
In this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY's political reporter Morgan McKay speaks exclusively with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to discuss the city's budget, the rent freeze vote and the upcoming primary election. Then, two political strategists talk hot races in the primary, and the impact of the mayor's endorsement.
Get Real With SOMD Politics: Delegate Matt Morgan Focuses On Taxes, Housing And Protecting Southern Maryland’s Rural Character
ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Republican Delegate Matt Morgan says rising taxes, government overreach and housing affordability remain among the most pressing issues facing Maryland residents as he seeks another term representing District 29A in the Maryland House of Delegates, according to a recent appearance on The BayNet’s podcast, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics” […]
New movies to watch this weekend: See 'Toy Story 5' in theaters, rent 'Pressure,' stream 'Project Hail Mary' on MGM+
The "Toy Story" franchise still holds up, but Brendan Fraser's World War II weather drama is ho-hum.
The quiet end of identity politics
California’s primary election showed that candidates of all backgrounds should be judged on their merits, not their visibility.
Mamdani, Sanders rally for congressional candidates ahead of primary
Early voting runs through June 21, and primary day is June 23.
Why democratic socialists like Lewis George in D.C. keep winning in cities
Janeese Lewis George's sweeping victory in the Democratic primary follows a trend of urban voters turning to candidates to the left of mainstream Democrats.
Matt Dunlap Wins Democratic House Primary in Maine’s Swing District
Mr. Dunlap, a progressive Democrat, is set to face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, in a competitive general election in November.
Sony drops “PC”, adds “AI” to official PlayStation business strategy summary
Sony had made some conspicuous edits and updates to its description of PlayStation’s “business environment and strategy,” in a new annual report filed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today. These changes are part of a 379-word overview of Sony’s strategy for its Game & Network Services (G&NS) division, which is another name for PlayStation. The chunk about PlayStation strategy is part of a voluminous financial report filed by Sony each June. This year’s is 229 pages long. Differences to any part of the filing—word changes made from year to year, as Sony provides a breakdown of its business for investors—can be illuminating. For example: A line from 2025 about how the PlayStation team “aims to achieve sustainable and profitable business growth” has been changed in the 2026 version to “aims to achieve sustainable business growth.” Notice which word they cut? That’s a pretty clear tell about how Sony expects its profit margins to be squeezed this year, due to rising chip costs for its hardware, among other things. A line from 2025 that stated “Sony plans to continue its efforts to deploy its first-party titles to multiple platforms such as PC” had been cut from the 2026 version. That appears to be Sony’s admission by omission that it has backed off releasing its biggest games on PC. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported in March and again in May that Sony’s big single-player marquee games are no longer planned for time-delayed release on PC.1 A whole new chunk has also been added about how “Sony is utilizing AI to unleash the creativity of studios and further enhance the PlayStation experience.” A full breakdown of the changes made from the 2025 version to the 2026 version is below. I’ve redlined them for you…
Mamdani tests his political clout in New York's primary as he looks to reshape the Democratic Party
Not long ago, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was demonized by leaders of both political parties. Today, just six months after taking office, the 34-year-old democratic socialist's political strength is surging.
Jordan Wright faces primary challenge in 30th Assembly District
Early voting is underway, and Primary Day is Tuesday, June 23.
The Politics Hour: A historic D.C. primary election and Montgomery County voting on new leadership
We break down D.C. primary elections with Democratic nominee for D.C. Delegate Robert White, At-Large Councilmember-elect Elissa Silverman, and WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma. Plus, we preview Maryland's primaries with WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu.
Janeese Lewis George wins the Democratic primary for mayor of Washington, D.C.
In an overwhelmingly Democratic city, Lewis George is likely to take the top spot in November's general election, replacing moderate Muriel Bowser, who decided not to run again after three terms.
Two Maryville restaurants fail initial health inspections
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The restaurants with the failing scores are in Maryville. It was a customer complaint that sent the inspector to a pizza place. The second restaurant is a cafe that serves…
Dem Senate hopeful under fire for resurfaced comments calling cops 'opportunistic cowards'
Graham Platner's anti-law enforcement Reddit posts resurfaced as the far-left populist seeks to unseat Sen. Susan Collins in Maine's Senate race.
The unwanted return of tetanus; why soccer makes people so happy; breast cancer in men; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
Women’s Health interviewed Kathryn Edwards, MD, Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics, for a story about her JAMA Viewpoint article on tetanus making a comeback. Women’s Health interviewed Colin Armstrong, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, for a story tied to the World Cup about why soccer makes people so happy. An NBC News story about the announcement by “X-Men” actor and former wrestler Tyler Mane that he has breast cancer quotes Ben Ho Park, MD, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The story focuses on how a prominent man with breast cancer may help remove some stigma from a cancer that is rare in males. Prevention magazine interviewed Caitlyn Mooney, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, for a story about a BMJ study that suggests 90 to 120 minutes per week of strength training may lower the risk of death. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted by several news outlets about public health issues, including: Women’s Health (norovirus is more common this summer); SFGate (measles in San Francisco just before the World Cup crowds); Travel + Leisure (how to avoid getting sick on a cruise); and Fox News (mosquito-borne diseases). Reporter Liz DeSantis from WKRN News 2 aired a story on the rehab unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Kat Hedden, PT, DPT, PCS, CBIS, Acute Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Team Lead and Mary McLanahan, MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were interviewed, as well as the family of patient Will Terry. Reporter Nikki Hauser from WTVF News Channel 5 interviewed Graden Knapp, Gaming and Technology Specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt about his 3-D wheelchair project. Tennesseanreporter Sandy Mazza covered the announcement of the latest Leadership Nashville class, which includes Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy CEO, and Chief Health Systems Office for Vanderbilt Health; and also the announcement of the latest Leadership Tennessee cohort, which includes Jeff Upperman, MD, Surgeon in Chief at Monroe Carroll Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Challenger concedes to democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George in Washington, D.C., mayoral primary
NBC News has not yet projected a primary winner. But Kenyan McDuffie’s concession sets up Lewis George to lead the city for the last two years of the Trump administration.
The quiet end of identity politics
California’s primary election showed that voters are prioritizing competence, results, and accountability over identity politics, and that candidates of all backgrounds should be judged on th…
Penn State Health names vice president, Primary Care Service Line
Penn State Health has named Naomi Shreiner vice president, Primary Care Service Line, a newly established leadership role designed to strengthen and coordinate primary care across the health system.
Defense Health Agency Outlines Joint Force Blood Therapy Strategy at National Forum
Medical logistics and prolonged field care in austere environments present significant challenges for the military health system. To address potential Large-Scale Combat Operations in remote locations across the globe, Defense Health Agency experts presented a strategy update for novel blood replacement therapies during the Strategic National Forum on Blood and Biotherapies, June 12, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland.
Mary Means Business: Indoor pickleball venue opens July 1
It’s hard to find an available pickleball court in Starkville. Even harder to play pickleball in Starkville with this heat at 5,000% humidity. Well, that all changes next week.
Hegseth announces 6-month review of American forces in Europe, blasts NATO allies for putting troops 'at risk'
War Secretary Pete Hegseth announces six-month review of U.S. force deployment in Europe, pressing NATO allies to take primary responsibility for defense.
In politics: Hoyer votes a Hoyer-free ballot, Percy convicted, Schmoke steps down
Rep. Steny Hoyer votes for a congressional candidate not named Steny Hoyer, one-time Annapolis lobbyist Davion Percy convicted in federal court, and Kurt Schmoke sets a retirement date from the University of Baltimore, in political notes.
Mamdani tests his political clout in New York’s primary
Always a darling of the far left, he has earned praise from both President Trump and former Democratic critics like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Mamdani tests his political clout in New York's primary as he looks to reshape the Democratic Party
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is testing the limits of his newfound political muscle in a bid to reshape the Democratic Party, even if it means challenging his own party’s leadership
Mamdani tests his political clout in New York's primary as he looks to reshape the Democratic Party
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is testing the limits of his newfound political muscle in a bid to reshape the Democratic Party, even if it means challenging his own party's leadership.
Why best place in Florida to visit is 30A, according to locals
Florida locals swear 30A is the best gem to visit in the state. Here's why I agree after one trip to great places like Rosemary Beach and Seaside.
Rep. Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, governor's race heads to runoff
The primary had Republicans picking their preferred successor to outgoing Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and a nominee for the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Naomi Shreiner named Penn State Health’s first vice president, Primary Care Service Line
Penn State Health has named Naomi Shreiner vice president, Primary Care Service Line, a newly established leadership role designed to strengthen and coordinate primary care across the health system.
Where do things stand in the DC primary races?
Janeese Lewis George is holding a large early lead in the Democratic mayoral primary in Washington, DC, based on initial election results, but CNN has not projected a winner yet.
Trump-backed candidate wins primary to face Jon Ossoff in Georgia midterms
Republican primary runoff voters chose US representative Mike Collins to face Ossoff in November
Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George opens up lead in Washington, D.C., mayoral primary
Lewis George, a member of the city council, has a significant edge over her nearest rival, Kenyan McDuffie, with about two-thirds of the vote counted and the race too early to call.
Billionaire Rick Jackson defeats Trump-backed Burt Jones for the GOP nomination in Georgia governor’s race
NBC News projects that Jackson has won the primary runoff and will move on to the general election in the battleground state against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
Oklahoma begins choosing a new U.S. senator and governor in crowded primary
If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote, the top two will have a runoff Aug. 25.
Dems pick potential successor to DC's congressional delegate after decades-long incumbency
An at-large D.C. council member won the Democratic primary Tuesday for the district's non-voting House seat after Eleanor Holmes Norton's retirement.
Hillary Clinton Says Biden’s Re-Election Bid Was a ‘Terrible Mistake’
If the former president had “passed the torch” and allowed a competitive Democratic primary in 2024, she said in a new interview, the winner “would have beaten Donald Trump.”