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As Kentucky Derby Becomes a Bigger Business, Locals Feel Left Behind
Locals say rising ticket prices and a late start time for the Oaks race on Friday are hurting residents and restaurants. “The only thing I see is greed,” one steakhouse owner said.
Nashville business owners clash with property assessor over rising tax bills
Tensions ran high during a recent meeting in Nashville as local business owners voiced frustration over soaring property tax assessments, warning they are being
Don’t toss cannabis leaves: Scientists found rare compounds with medical potential
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new layer of complexity in Cannabis, identifying dozens of previously unknown compounds—including the first-ever evidence of rare molecules called flavoalkaloids in its leaves. These compounds, prized for their potential health benefits, were hidden among a rich mix of plant chemicals that vary dramatically even between just a few strains.
Costs are rising in Miami. See the latest on rent, gas, businesses
Check out these summaries if you missed the news.
Cold Plunges and Your Brain: The Surprising Science Behind a 2-Minute Ice Water Dunk
When first starting out, it’s OK to do cold plunges in short increments — even 30 seconds at a time — to build up your tolerance.
Surprising obesity discovery rewrites decades of fat metabolism science
A key protein involved in fat metabolism has been found to do more than scientists once thought. Instead of just releasing fat, it helps maintain healthy fat tissue and balance in the body. When it’s missing or disrupted, the results can be surprisingly harmful. This finding reshapes how researchers think about obesity and metabolic disease.
Octopus Energy Is Getting Into the Carbon Credit Business
British renewable-power utility said it is seeing growth in companies looking to find ways to offset rising emissions.
Latest Attack Threatening President Trump Reflects Rising Political Violence in US
For the third time in three years, Donald Trump has come under threat by an attacker. Many facts remain unclear after a gunman stormed the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.As the investigation into the shooting continues, Alfonso Serrano,...
Health care costs reach a breaking point
Embargoed until 5:00a.m. ET / 4:00am CT / 30, April 2026 Statement Highlights: New American Heart Association Presidential Advisory warns that U.S. health care affordability has reached a crisis point. Rising health care costs, driven largely by...
Healthy workers are ditching company insurance to save $1,000 a month
With premiums rising 6 percent in 2025 for company family plans alongside the growing cost of living, some workers are questioning whether their benefits are worth the cost.
TEDxBreckenridge to host talk on the science of wildfires
Keystone Science School and Summit Fire & EMS are partnering with TEDxBreckenridge to host a talk about the “surprising science” of how wildfires shape the ecology of forests. Summit Fire fuels specialist Hannah Ohlson will...
Key Business Trends for US Contractors in 2026: Navigating Uncertainty in This Year and Beyond
Contractors are under pressure from every direction. Softening demand, rising competition, workforce shortages, and policy uncertainty are all hitting at once. Our latest SmartMarket Brief with CMiC documents how 262 US contractors are responding, and what separates those holding their ground from those falling behind.
Rising premiums push younger workers to rethink employer health plans
Rising health insurance costs are prompting some younger, healthier workers to reconsider employer-sponsored coverage, creating new strains for workers and warning signs for employers, Bloomberg writes. As premiums climb and take-home pay tightens, some employees are opting for alternatives, such as medical cost-sharing plans, limited-benefit coverage or going uninsured altogether to save hundreds of dollars […]
How tariffs and war are hurting California small businesses
Small California businesses — facing tariffs and rising fuel and shipping prices from war — wonder how long they can survive.
Real estate market's summer rebound derailed: mortgage rates, Iran war
America's real estate market was set for a hot summer homebuying season. Then rising mortgage rates and the Iran war dashed everyone's hopes.
Fort Myers family construction business hit hard by soaring fuel prices
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A Fort Myers construction company says rising diesel prices are forcing them to spend thousands more each month just to keep their trucks on the road.
Texas report finds rising mental health struggles among teen girls, few getting help
A new report is raising concerns about the mental health of teen girls across Texas, with experts warning that many are struggling in silence—and not getting the support they need. Research from the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas highlights a troubling trend: nearly 3 in 5 teen girls say they feel persistently sad or hopeless. Despite that, only a small percentage are receiving professional help.
Waldrum warns “one-size-fits-all” health policy could harm rural patients and providers
ECU Health CEO Dr. Michael Waldrum testified before a congressional committee Tuesday, urging federal lawmakers to take targeted action to address rising health
Can ‘extinct’ volcanoes still erupt? A Greek peak holds surprising clues
Tiny crystals suggest extinct volcanoes could still grow underground, a finding that could reshape how scientists assess eruption risk.
German economy under pressure
Competitiveness is waning, exports are weakening, costs are rising: More and more companies in Germany are moving production abroad. Does structural decline loom?
Ranking each team's 2026 NFL Draft class: Chiefs, Browns, Jets crush it; Steelers, Rams, 49ers raise questions
Keep reading to see how your team did -- everything from our favorite picks to best values to most surprising selections
Report: Studio Behind Unique RPGs Shutting Down After 18 Years
Spiders will reportedly have to close its doors after failing to find a buyer amid its parent company's ongoing insolvency
Army Veteran finds new purpose through VA Adaptive Sports
Army Veteran Katie Verderber finds new purpose through adaptive sports, rising from injury to become a Paralympic wheelchair curler for Team USA.
White House blames Democratic rhetoric for surge in political violence
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., joins 'Mornings with Maria' to react to the White House shooting, warn of rising political violence and urge swift DHS funding as Republicans clash with Democrats on security.
Politics & Power: Rising tariffs, gas prices squeeze small business margins across the South
Florida State University business analyst Wayne Hochwarter joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on this week's episode of Politics & Power to discuss whether tariffs should be adjusted to shield small importers; what short‑term relief (tax credits, grants, fuel support) would help Main Street; and how state budgets should adapt to tourism and construction slowdowns.
Politics & Power: Rising tariffs, gas prices squeeze small business margins across the South
Florida State University business analyst Wayne Hochwarter joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on this week's episode of Politics & Power to discuss whether tariffs should be adjusted to shield small importers; what short‑term relief (tax credits, grants, fuel support) would help Main Street; and how state budgets should adapt to tourism and construction slowdowns.
Does Beer Have a 'Surprising Health Benefit'? Here's What The Science Says
Those 'healthy beer' claims aren't quite what they seem.
Does Beer Have a 'Surprising Health Benefit'? Here's What The Science Says
Those 'healthy beer' claims aren't quite what they seem.
NASA Curiosity rover finds mysterious life linked molecules on mars
Curiosity has detected a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including compounds tied to the chemistry of life. Some of these molecules may be billions of years old, preserved in ancient clay-rich rocks that once held water. One standout find resembles building blocks of DNA, raising exciting questions about Mars’ past. Although not proof of life, the discovery suggests the Red Planet may have once been far more biologically promising than we thought.
Social media's role in rising political violence in America in spotlight
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, discusses the explosion of violent political rhetoric on social media platforms.
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Nuclear Dispute Stalls Ending War
Trump faces political pressure to bring the Iran war to a close, as rising fuel costs weigh on public sentiment.
Thousands of Marylanders downgraded health plans on ACA marketplace amid rising premiums
As fewer Marylanders qualify for federal tax breaks that used to keep health care costs down, state officials report that higher monthly premiums have led thousands to opt for lower-coverage healthcare plans than in previous years.
New Steelers WR shares surprising connection with Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers shares a surprising similarity with one of the Pittsburgh Steelers rookies from the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Political violence is rising. Can we stop it? Tell us.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting is the latest in a string of assassination attempts and killings of political figures. Can we stop it?
Rectal cancer deaths rising up to three times faster in specific age group, study finds
Researchers say that rectal cancer mortality is rising significantly faster than colon cancer in younger Americans — and the trend may worsen through 2035.
From Casual to Costly: How Rising Prices Make Entertainment Less Accessible
The rising costs of entertainment make it difficult for consumers to afford media and leisure.
Scientists Discover Why Cats Suddenly Stop Eating Their Food
It may depend on one surprising sense.
White House condemns 'political violence' after correspondents' dinner shooting
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt began a press briefing by thanking the law enforcement response to the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and condemning "political violence" and rising rhetoric in the country.
Why Craig Breslow fired Alex Cora: Inside Red Sox's startling decision, which left some players in tears
Breslow made the surprising managerial change on Saturday, and one source said the front office leader's 'back is against the wall'
Stratospheric nanoparticles’ surprising abundance is a game changer
Another discovery from NOAA's high-altitude research
Rising credit card fees prompt businesses to explore new payment methods
For the decade that Dana Jones has run NailChic in Dormont, she has been happy to let customers pay by credit card. But rising fees over the past two years have pushed her to make changes: She launched a loyalty program rewarding customers who pay via Venmo, Zelle or Cash
Texas leads U.S. in business bankruptcies as filings rise
Inflation, tariffs and rising debt are driving a surge in commercial filings nationwide. One in six of all U.S. cases in the first quarter was filed in Texas.
Trump’s Iran showdown is becoming Europe’s political nightmare
Energy prices are rising, growth is slowing and Europe’s cash-strapped governments have few tools left to protect voters from the fallout.
MIT researchers find self-organizing “pencil beam” laser could help scientists design brain-targeted therapies
After a surprising discovery that overcomes a longstanding problem in fiber optics, MIT researchers demonstrated a biomedical imaging technique that is faster and more precise than other methods, which could help scientists and clinicians study new brain therapies.
This one change to your exercise routine could add years to your life
Mixing up your workouts might be the real secret to a longer life. Long-term research tracking over 100,000 people for more than three decades suggests that doing a variety of physical activities—rather than just more of the same—can significantly lower the risk of death. Interestingly, the benefits don’t keep rising endlessly; they seem to level off after a certain point, hinting at a “sweet spot” of activity.
Latest attack threatening President Trump reflects rising political violence in US
The moral dimension of political polarization in the US, where each side views the other as immoral, helps fuel attacks like the one against Trump at the Washington Hilton.
‘All INdiana Politics’
Congressman Jefferson Shreve is optimistic about federal funding for a new Roudebush VA hospital, while voters back home are more concerned with rising costs of living.
Scientists Discover a Surprising Reason Intermittent Fasting Extends Life
How the body efficiently shifts metabolism after fasting may be key to improving health, UTSW-led research suggests.
10 Lowe's Gadgets Under $50 Users Say Are Worth Buying
The gadget holds a special place in our hearts with its niche problem-solving abilities. These under-$50 gadgets from Lowe's offer surprising utility.
Congress must deliver substantive health care reform in 2026
Lawmakers are attempting to address the rising health care costs by redirecting funds from insurance companies and hospital systems to patients, as supported by the organization Fund The Patient an…
Sooo ... About Last Night
Last night (Sat., April 25, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned home to Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 116. In the main event, former Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looked to take a step closer to Featherweight gold by turning away red-hot rising star Youssef Zalal. The co-main event was another potential […]
From syringes to stents: Iran war exposes NHS dependency on petrochemicals
NHS chiefs fear rising costs and healthcare shortages due to the shipping standstill in the Gulf
DNA research just rewrote the origin of human species
Scientists have uncovered a surprising new picture of human origins that challenges the long-held idea of a single ancestral population in Africa. By analyzing genetic data from diverse modern African groups—especially the highly distinct Nama people—and comparing it with fossil evidence, researchers found that early humans likely evolved from multiple intermingling populations over hundreds of thousands of years. Rather than a clean split, these groups stayed connected, exchanging genes even after beginning to diverge around 120,000–135,000 years ago.
Liverpool fans turn Anfield crowd yellow with protest against rising ticket prices
Banners and leaflets with principal owner John Henry's face on were shown by the home crowd in the 13th minute of their Crystal Palace game.
New “optical tornado” technology could transform quantum communication
Scientists have created tiny “optical tornadoes” — swirling beams of light that twist like miniature whirlwinds — using a surprisingly simple setup based on liquid crystals. Instead of relying on complex nanotechnology, the team used self-organizing structures called torons to trap and manipulate light, causing it to spiral and rotate in intricate ways. Even more impressively, they achieved this effect in light’s most stable, lowest-energy state, making it far easier to generate laser-like beams with these unusual properties.
Scientists just discovered Africa is closer to breaking apart than we thought
Beneath East Africa’s Turkana Rift, scientists have found the crust is thinning to a critical point, suggesting the continent is gradually breaking apart. This “necking” process marks an advanced stage of rifting that could eventually lead to a new ocean forming millions of years from now. Surprisingly, the same geological forces that are splitting the land may also explain why the region holds such a rich fossil record. Instead of being the birthplace of humanity, Turkana may just be where the story was best preserved.
Health care worker numbers rising in North Dakota
Doctors, physician's assistants and other categories have seen increases. Demand remains high, however.
The surprisingly simple way to improve your cholesterol
High cholesterol is strongly linked to serious health risks. Here's how to stay healthy.
Philadelphia museum brings Rocky statue inside after decades of tension
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is embracing a statue it once kept at arm’s length. A new exhibition, “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,” brings the bronze figure
Students react to Mamdani's veto of protest 'buffer zone' bill
City Council Speaker Julie Menin says the bill is about public safety and is needed to combat rising antisemitism at schools in the city.
Screenwriters overwhelmingly approve a 4-year contract with Hollywood studios
Members of the screenwriters union have ratified a four-year agreement with Hollywood studios. Union leaders said Friday that 90% voted to approve the deal. This move ends a surprisingly smooth
The ROC Podcast Episode 50: Second Chance Hiring As a Business Strategy in Idaho
In this episode, Right On Crime Idaho State Director Molly Lenty joins Britt Allen to explore the connection between reentry, employment, public safety, and why second chance hiring is becoming a key part of the conversation in business. From rising incarceration rates despite declining crime, to the real barriers people face when returning to rural
Florida named second highest state for business bankruptcies
A new study by The Kaplan Group found that commercial bankruptcies are rising faster in Florida than in every state but Texas.
Breaking Point: Why the Affordable Housing Business Model Is Unraveling
With rising insurance, debt, and operating costs outpacing rents and subsidies, affordable housing is becoming harder to finance.
Meet two JPMorgan tech dealmakers who just made managing director
JPMorgan just announced its newest class of managing directors — including two former members of Business Insider's Rising Stars of Wall Street list.
This Rare Sports Car Sold by Jim Farley Has a Surprising Ford Backstory
The 1972 DeTomaso Pantera recalled Ford’s work with Italian carmakers from the 1970s, which brought Detroit muscle to European exotics.
Blue state residents 'fleeing in droves' after ‘insane’ progressive takeover, says top state attorney
Maryland state attorney says he is fleeing the state over what he calls an insane ultra-progressive takeover, sanctuary policies and rising taxes.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Surprising things about visiting
I went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and was surprised by free entry, a scenic tram, and difficult stargazing.
Scientists just uncovered a 3 million-year climate mystery in Antarctic ice
Ancient Antarctic ice is revealing a surprising new chapter in Earth’s climate story, stretching back 3 million years. By analyzing tiny pockets of trapped air and rare gases, scientists have discovered that while the planet cooled significantly—especially in the oceans—levels of key greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane changed only modestly. This unexpected mismatch suggests other powerful forces, such as shifting ice sheets, ocean circulation, and Earth’s reflectivity, played major roles in driving long-term climate change.
Stunning 132 million-year-old dinosaur tracks are rewriting history
A long-standing mystery in southern Africa’s fossil record is beginning to unravel. After massive lava flows 182 million years ago seemed to erase evidence of dinosaurs in the region, scientists have now uncovered surprising new clues along the Western Cape coast. Dozens of dinosaur tracks, about 132 million years old, have been discovered in a tiny stretch of rock near Knysna—making them the youngest ever found in southern Africa.
2026 NFL Draft: Meet Ty Simpson, the Alabama QB the Rams Surprisingly Selected
Here's what Rams fans should know about Ty Simpson.
The One Gala is a record-breaking $1 million success
COLORADO BALLET Denver News: In the 20 years that Gil Boggs has been the artistic director of Colorado Ballet, the company has been on an upward trajectory; its stature rising from mixed local reviews to the national acclaim it now enjoys. Boggs’ tenure was celebrated at the company’s April 16 fundraiser, The One Gala, a black-tie fete where the 655 guests raised a record $1 million. Chairwoman Jill Anschutz and mistress of ceremonies Lauren Whitney were just […]
Meta plans to layoff 10% of its entire staff in May
Meta told employees it plans to lay off 10% of staff in May, citing efficiency and rising costs. Staff will get severance and extended benefits.
The surprising health benefit that could be in your pint
Drinking the odd pint of beer can provide "substantial levels" of an essential brain-boosting vitamin in your diet, according to new research in a respected journal.
Exploring The Workloads Where The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Makes A Lot Of Sense Review
With this week's launch of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition I've found some of the commentary quite surprising among those arguing it's really not a competitive or interesting product.
Are Health Insurance Companies the Reason for Our Health System’s Ills?
In this JAMA Health Forum column, KFF's Larry Levitt examines the criticism that health insurance companies are facing from political leaders, and explores the industry's role in both causing and addressing some of the health systems' biggest problems, including rising costs and prior authorization review.
Rising costs stunt Michigan’s small business growth despite stable foundation
Those constraints contribute to lower growth among small businesses, an area of the economy that accounts for more than half of the private sector jobs in Michigan.
'I wasn't told to give up non-veg food,' says Mumtaz on marrying a Hindu: 'We never differentiated between religions'
Veteran actor Mumtaz, who began working in films as a child artist in 1952, had a challenging start before rising to stardom. In her early years, she .
6 foods with hidden health benefits — including a 'surprisingly nutrient-dense' fan favorite
Inside JPMorgan's efforts to track its engineers' AI use
At JPMorgan, the pressure on developers is rising. New documents reveal the inner workings of the bank's systems to track AI use.
UK government borrowing narrowly undershoots forecasts; oil rising over $100 amid strait of Hormuz deadlock
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Rectal cancer rates rising rapidly among people in their 30s and 40s: 'A medical crisis'
By 2035, rectal cancer death rates could exceed deaths from colon cancer, new research suggests.
Focus at Four: College Station rising as a Summer sports destination
College Station is leveling up its summers. From the Savannah Bananas to international soccer, the city is landing big-time events to boost its local economy and put itself on the map beyond Aggie football.
Behind every crunch: The surprising science of potato chips
Behind the humble potato chip are researchers constantly thinking up new ways to make potatoes tastier, hardier and more adaptable.
This is the surprising science behind the potato breed in your bag of chips
Michigan professor David Douches explains why the perfect chipping potato is so hard to find.
The Comeback of the Physical Store—and What It Means for Your Business
Brick-and-mortar retail is not declining but evolving, as stores take on new roles as logistics hubs, experiential destinations, and powerful drivers of demand and brand equity. Rising digital acquisition costs and operational challenges are pushing companies to integrate physical and online channels, using stores to improve fulfillment, customer engagement, and marketing effectiveness. The broader lesson for leaders: assets once viewed as liabilities can become competitive advantages when their role is reimagined and aligned with changing economics and customer behavior.
With vaccine skepticism rising, Utah health officials face uphill battle on measles education
How the lessons Utah health officials learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are shaping how they respond to the state's measles outbreak.
Local businesses feel the pressure of rising diesel prices as the war on Iran continues
"Not surprising at all" - analysts see Xbox Game Pass price cut as inevitable shift that will drive subscription growth in 2026
Price drop expected to aid growth in platform users, while opinion is divided on the impact on Call of Duty revenues
Alliance Entertainment: Higher Margins And A Low Float
Alliance Entertainment is demonstrating clear margin expansion, with gross margin rising to 13.5% and EBITDA tripling since FY23. Learn more about AENT stock here.
OnePlus Watch 4 makes a surprise debut with a major software upgrade
OnePlus has soft-launched the OnePlus Watch 4, revealing a titanium design, 3,000 nit display, and a surprising jump to Wear OS 6.
From politics to portfolios: the market impact of rising populism
Populism has become part of the global landscape, rooted in frustrations over inequality, stagnant mobility, and a sense that mainstream policymakers have failed to adapt to shifting economic realities.
World's biggest airlines cancel flights due to rising fuel prices
Jet fuel prices have spiked and supplies have dwindled as the US and Israeli war on Iran drags on, forcing some airlines to cancel flights.
Here's What's New in iOS 26.5 So Far
iOS 26.5 has been in beta since late March, with a third beta released this week. The update is relatively minor so far, which is not too surprising given that Apple is starting to shift its focus towards iOS 27. Apple will unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and the update should be released in September. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for two changes, including end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app.
Scientists Found a Way to Grow Potatoes Under Solar Panels Without Losing Yield
Potatoes under solar panels can do surprisingly well, especially with a responsive system.
ChatGPT's new Images 2.0 model is surprisingly good at generating text
ChatGPT Images 2.0, the newest image generation model from OpenAI, shows just how much AI capabilities have evolved over the last few years.
Bernie Sanders' anti-billionaire group defends surprising endorsement of billionaire for CA governor
Bernie Sanders' grassroots group Our Revolution endorses billionaire Tom Steyer for California governor, marking the anti-oligarch group's first such move.
Mason County Fair announces 2026 entertainment lineup featuring national acts
Rising star Avery Anna will serve as the fair's closing act.
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
Inside Montclair State's Red Hawks Rising
Danbury, Conn. —The race is on as the inaugural ECAC/Jets Flag Football season barrels toward an electrifying finish, and Montclair State is making sure every moment is remembered. The Red Hawks have been rolling cameras all season long, capturing the highs, the grind, and the defining moments of their very first campaign in a behind-the-scenes documentary series