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After Another Attempt on Trump’s Life, Is Political Violence on the Rise in the U.S.?
A conversation with Sean Westwood, a professor at Dartmouth who tracks political violence and Americans’ perceptions of it.
'Toy Story 5' faces tech age as a Pixar legend comes full circle (exclusive)
'Toy Story 5' faces the tech age more than 30 years after the first movie, while animation legend Andrew Stanton contemplates his final Pixar film.
Opinion | Assassination Attempts Have Unforeseen Political Consequences
Assassination attempts against sitting presidents have tended to compound their political problems and isolate them from the public.
Democratic Governor Candidates Break with Mills on Data Centers
Four out of five candidates running to replace Janet Mills said she was wrong to veto a temporary moratorium.
FanDuel Sets the Tempo, Deepening Investment in Women's Sports as Toronto Tempo's First Sportsbook and Casino Partner
/PRNewswire/ -- FanDuel, North America's #1 Sportsbook and Casino announces a new partnership with the Toronto Tempo becoming the first official iGaming...
Supreme Court will hear Trump's bid to end legal protection for up to 1.3 million immigrants
Since President Trump returned to office last year, his administration has repeatedly revoked or sought to deny the extension of temporary protections for immigrants from numerous countries.
Federal appeals court allows Pentagon to temporarily require escorts for journalists
A federal appeals court on Monday ruled the Pentagon can require escorts for journalists inside the building while litigation over the Defense Department’s restrictive press policy continues.
Kentucky Derby 2026: Thoroughbred trainer says Younghoe Koo's whiffed field-goal attempt saved his life
Jasmine Crockett's social media posts about WHCD shooting show different tones
Rep. Jasmine Crockett made social media posts condemning the shooting at the WHCD while also suggesting assassination attempts against President Donald Trump may be fake.
Small business owners concerned about proposed pause in South Carolina liquor liability law
Business owners think the law's temporary change will hurt business
Riven Tides - Patch Notes 1.26.0
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure, set in a lethal future earth, ravaged by a mysterious mechanized threat known as ARC.
Scientists capture electrons forming strange patchy patterns inside quantum materials
Researchers have, for the first time, directly visualized how electronic patterns known as charge density waves evolve across a phase transition. Using cutting-edge microscopy, they found these patterns form unevenly, breaking into patches influenced by tiny structural distortions. Unexpectedly, small pockets of order persist even above the transition temperature. This reveals that electronic order fades gradually rather than disappearing all at once.
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?
Torrance man charged with attempt to assassinate Trump; records detail alleged 'manifesto'
The suspect in the White House correspondents' dinner shooting faces numerous counts related to his alleged attempt to assassinate numerous Trump administration officials.
Pirro warns against political violence in DC: ‘Not the place’
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., warned against attempts at political violence in the nation’s capital at a press conference Monday announcing charges against the alleged Whit…
Allyson Felix attempting Olympic comeback at 40: Most decorated women's track athlete eyes 2028 Games
Felix would be 42 when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begin
Record-breaking Sun Devil 100 class recognized during honoree luncheon
An abundance of maroon-and-gold pride filled the second-floor ballroom of the Omni Tempe Hotel on Friday, April 24, as a record-breaking cohort of alumni business leaders gathered to celebrate their Sun Devil roots.Each year, the Sun Devil 100 recognizes the fastest-growing Arizona State University alumni-owned or -led businesses across the globe, spanning all industries and sizes.
Talarico torched after pastor's 'disgusting' Trump shooting remark as Cornyn says 'Texans should be outraged'
Sen. Cornyn demands Texas Senate candidate James Talarico condemn his pastor, who Cornyn says made light of the Trump assassination attempt at a sermon.
Leavitt blames 'left-wing cult of hatred' for political violence
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt excoriated what she described as the “left-wing cult of hatred” for fueling political violence in the wake another alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Supreme Court takes up appeal from Trump administration over living conditions for migrant farmworkers
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether the US Department of Labor is empowered to enforce working conditions for foreign farm laborers, delving into an immigration program that the Trump administration is attempting to expand.
How did America’s political violence get so bad?
The third assassination attempt on Donald Trump in two years shows attacks are becoming a ‘feature’ rather than an ‘outlier’
Scientists discover how to freeze transplant organs without cracking them
Scientists are making a major leap toward freezing organs for future use without damaging them. A new study reveals that one of the biggest obstacles—cracking during ultra-cold preservation—can be reduced by carefully tuning the temperature at which tissues enter a glass-like state. This breakthrough builds on recent successes in cryopreserved organ transplants and could bring the long-imagined idea of “banking” organs for later use much closer to reality.
Riven Tides update - Reclaim the coast
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure, set in a lethal future earth, ravaged by a mysterious mechanized threat known as ARC.
Allied Gaming backer says no share sales through 2026—with no lock-up
Primo said it will not transfer or sell Allied shares through Dec. 31, 2026. The company said the commitment is non-binding and has no written lock-up.
Why Consumer Reports Says The Best Monitor Size For Your Home Office Isn't 27-Inches
It may be tempting to go for the biggest monitor you can find for your home office, but Consumer Reports actually has a different suggestion.
Steam Game Allegedly Developed by Suspected Gunman at Trump White House Press Dinner Is Being Review-Bombed
The suspected gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel allegedly identified himself as an “indie game developer” and released a video game on Steam.
Newcastle interested in signing Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich decide to end loan in summer
Mondays top stories include: Nottingham Forest want the Championships top man Hayden Hackney to replace Elliot Anderson; Arsenal are monitoring Brazil forward Endrick; Man Utd have added Atalanta star Ederson to their shortlist as they attempt to sign a replacement for Casemiro
Look back at Trump's major security scares and assassination attempts
Trump has faced multiple assassination attempts, security incidents and violent threats throughout his political career, most recently in Washington.
Cutting Science Out: Trump Administration Fires National Science Board Members
This is an attempt to silence independent scientists, shut down evidence-based decision making, and keep the public in the dark.
Trump calls for unity and bipartisan healing after another violent incident
President Donald Trump was somberly contemplative and unusually conciliatory after confronting what he saw as a third attempt on his life in less than two years.
Sunday Science: Spring leaf out
It's been quite the rollercoaster ride this spring season in terms of temperatures, and we aren't the only ones who think that.The USA Phenology Network tracks
Acadiana Center for the Arts hosts annual Sunny Side Jazz Brunch
The Acadiana Center for the Arts recently hosted its premier fundraising event under sunny skies and cool temperatures. The aptly named Sunny Side Brunch lived up to its moniker. The
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…
What We Know About the Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
A gunman carrying multiple weapons attempted to break into the dinner that President Trump was attending. Police have taken a suspect into custody.
Again, a Gunman Got Perilously Close to Trump
After two previous assassination attempts, the effort by an armed man to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is sure to raise questions about security and political violence.
Correspondents’ dinner chaos hits high-profile guests already marked by political violence
Trump spoke about repeated assassination attempts after chaos broke out Saturday, with RFK Jr. and Steve Scalise among those escorted from the room.
A timeline of assassination attempts and threats against Trump
Donald Trump has faced multiple assassination attempts and security threats during his political career, including a confirmed shooting.
Raptors 'expect the unexpected' from Cavaliers in Game 4
The Toronto Raptors understand they must be ready for anything Sunday afternoon when they attempt to even their Eastern Conference first-round series with the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.
DCSO: Suspect arrested while shipping drugs at local business
Detectives arrested 41-year-old Ryan Lehan of Owensboro while he was attempting to ship out those drugs at a local business.
As state, Maui Health decide future of damaged Kula Hospital, another long-term care facility nears capacity
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said the options for the damaged Upcountry hospital could include a mobile unit designed for disasters or a temporary modular clinic like the one Kaiser built in Lahaina after the 2023 wildfires.
Ocean Casino Resort unveils $20M upgrades for summer entertainment
Among the additions is a temporary “America’s Birthday Bar” planned for June at the resort’s 1927 Lounge.
Trump's disdain for wind projects creates a political storm for Republicans in coastal Virginia
President Donald Trump’s attempts to cancel offshore wind projects have drawn opposition not only from environmentalists but also from Republicans. One of them is Jen Kiggans, a congresswoman who represents a coastal district in Virginia where an $11.5 billion wind farm is expected to create 1,000 jobs. Her support for a project targeted by Trump shows the scrambled politics of clean energy in an election year where Republicans are at risk of losing the House. Kiggans could be even more at risk after Virginia voters approved on Tuesday a new congressional map that makes her competitive district more Democratic than before.
Royals attempt to build steam vs. Angels
The Kansas City Royals entered Saturday as one of four teams that have yet to reach 10 wins this season.
Former Durham student attempts 10 Ironmans in 10 days for charity
Fergus Crawley is raising money for a mental health charity to mark 10 years since his own crisis.
Trials season 4: What’s on the horizon
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure, set in a lethal future earth, ravaged by a mysterious mechanized threat known as ARC.
Trump's disdain for wind projects creates a political storm for Republicans in coastal Virginia
President Donald Trump's attempts to cancel offshore wind projects have drawn opposition not only from environmentalists but also from Republicans. One of them is Jen Kiggans, a congresswoman who represents a coastal district in Virginia where an $11.5 billion wind farm is expected to create 1,00...
Trump's disdain for wind projects creates a political storm for Republicans in coastal Virginia
President Donald Trump's attempts to cancel offshore wind projects have drawn opposition not only from environmentalists but also from Republicans. One of them is Jen Kiggans, a congresswoman who...
Trump’s rejection of wind projects scrambles GOP politics before midterms
President Donald Trump's attempts to cancel offshore wind projects have drawn opposition not only from environmentalists but also from Republicans.
Trump's disdain for wind projects creates a political storm for Republicans in coastal Virginia
President Donald Trump's attempts to cancel offshore wind projects have drawn opposition not only from environmentalists but also from Republicans.
What the heck is the AMOC, and why are scientists worried about it?
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) helps nourish aquatic ecosystems and is part of the reason Europe has milder temperatures than places in Canada at the same latitude. But lately scientists are concerned that it is slowing down and could even potentially collapse.
The healthcare paradox of more options, less access
Together, we can promote healthier living by using technology to expand access to care.
Gallia County Fair announces 2026 entertainment lineup
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — Organizers have announced the full entertainment lineup for the 2026 Gallia County Junior Fair, bringing a mix of contemporary Christian, gospel and country music acts to the
Temporary Entertainment Zone On Hilltop Drive
This year for the first time, you can buy and drink alcoholic beverages in a 'Temporary Entertainment Zone" as long as you have a wristband from a participating business.
Christmas concert announced for Hershey’s Giant Center
The concert will include classic and contemporary holiday songs performed by Christian music icons, along with worship and celebration.
Will this be the year CT lawmakers curb private equity in health care?
Legislators will try for a third time to address fallout from the private equity ownership of 3 CT hospitals. Previous attempts have failed.
El Niño could be here by May, new forecast reveals — here's what it means for summer weather
The climate event is poised to supercharge weather extremes and push global temperatures to new highs.
$119 Polymarket bet becomes $21K after unusual Paris temperature spike
A Polymarket trader made a long shot bet on the highest temperature in Paris shortly before an unexplained spike, reaping a $21,000 profit.
Indiana hospital systems meet benchmark on direct-to-employer health care deals
The report comes as Indiana hospitals attempt to address widespread criticism — including from state leaders — over high prices.
Scene One Entertainment opens Market Arcade 8
Scene One Entertainment, alongside Benchmark Management Group, opened the Market Arcade 8 on Wednesday in downtown Buffalo - the latest for the Schenectady-based entertainment company, and its first foray in Western New York.
Sorrell College of Business Student Research Showcase highlights student work
From beef cattle to sports to physical fitness and weddings, students revealed their findings during the Sorrell College of Business Student Research Showcase on April 21 as part of Trojan Research Week. “I discovered that you can depreciate beef cows as assets,” said Kearston Clancy, who along with Rachel Temples presented “Determination of Individual Tax...Read More
Oceanfront businesses participating in ‘Take Back Our Beach Day’ following curfew by offering $9.30 specials on Saturday
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — More than 80 businesses along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront are planning a Take Back Our Beach Day Saturday as the temporary emergency curfew for everyone comes to an end....
Oceanfront businesses participating in ‘Take Back Our Beach Day’ following curfew by offering $9.30 specials on Saturday
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — More than 80 businesses along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront are planning a Take Back Our Beach Day Saturday as the temporary emergency curfew for everyone comes to an e…
Stanford Health Care and the American Cancer Society plan a Hope Lodge for patients and family members
Stanford Health Care commits $10 million to help the American Cancer Society build a new Hope Lodge to provide temporary lodging for cancer patients traveling to the Bay Area for treatment.
Cognitive Science student building a platform to help stroke patients
Initially motivated by a stroke in her family, Cognitive Science student Tvisha Nepani wanted to improve health outcomes for stroke patients. She developed the idea for a remote AI-powered physical
Pa. Senate makes another attempt at passing transgender sports ban
While 27 states have passed transgender sports bans since 2020, these proposals have repeatedly faltered in Pennsylvania.
Ecco the Dolphin Complete announced, containing the first two games and a new ‘contemporary’ game
The collection’s development is being led by Ecco creator Ed Annunziata…
What to expect at Topeka's 61st annual Blintze Brunch
The annual Blintze Brunch from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 26 at Temple Beth Sholom, 4200 SW Munson Avenue, will feature Jewish food and entertainment.
Virginia votes yes on proposed congressional redistricting, AP projects
Virginia voted to approve a plan to temporarily redraw the Commonwealth's 11 congressional districts ahead of November's midterm elections, the Associated Press projects.
Atlanta City Council approves entertainment district for World Cup fans
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches this summer, the Atlanta City Council has approved designating parts of downtown as a temporary “Public Entertainment District” for fans.
Visiting Fulbright scholar from Poland joins INL researcher to study actinide physics, unlock atomic secrets
For Adam Piotr Pikul of the Polish Academy of Sciences, there is always more to understand about the basic physics of uranium atoms. That’s why Pikul, a professor at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research in Wrocław, is studying actinide quantum materials at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) on a Fulbright Senior Award. Actinides are a group of 15 radioactive elements, including uranium.
3 business owners file lawsuit to end Oceanfront curfew
Five Oceanfront businesses joined together on Monday to file a temporary restraining order in Virginia Beach Circuit Court to block the enforcement of the Virginia Beach City Council’s curfew. The com...
Mason County Fair announces 2026 entertainment lineup featuring national acts
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — The Mason County Fair has unveiled its entertainment lineup for the 2026 event, bringing a mix of contemporary Christian and country music talent to the stage
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
A bizarre new state of matter may be hiding inside Uranus and Neptune
Deep inside planets like Uranus and Neptune, scientists may have uncovered a bizarre new state of matter where atoms behave in unexpected ways. Advanced simulations suggest that carbon and hydrogen, under crushing pressures and scorching temperatures, can form a strange hybrid phase—part solid, part fluid—where hydrogen atoms spiral through a rigid carbon framework. This unusual “superionic” structure could reshape how heat and electricity flow inside these distant worlds, potentially helping explain their mysterious magnetic fields.
4 things athletes know that business often ignores
Sustained, long-term performance requires recovery to come back stronger.
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar - U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Arnold today provided critical maternal and newborn health equipment that will reach healthcare facilities across Madagascar, demonstrating how U.S. foreign assistance builds a safer, healthier world by helping recipient countries build self-reliant health systems in line with the America First Global Health Strategy. Under President Trump’s America First foreign assistance policy and the America First Global Health Policy, U.S. support serves as a tool of strategic engagement – not global charity. Every U.S. taxpayer dollar is subject to rigorous oversight to ensure measurable results, maximum efficiency, and accountability, with zero tolerance for fraud, waste, or abuse. Through the bilateral Global Health Memorandum of Understanding with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, both governments agreed on shared priorities and responsibilities, including a strong focus on maternal and newborn health and Madagascar’s increasing co-investment in its own health system. Madagascar continues to face major challenges in maternal and newborn health, including high maternal mortality rates and significant gaps in access to quality delivery care. In rural regions, many women still give birth at home or in facilities without adequate infection-prevention supplies. Through the U.S.-funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership Project, the United States is providing essential equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide: calibrated reusable drapes for infection prevention in approximately 1,000 community health centers (CSBs), single-use calibrated drapes for 35 hospitals, and management tools for health workers to improve data collection and care coordination. “U.S. foreign assistance makes America safer by preventing instability and strengthening health systems that can detect and contain infectious diseases before they cross borders,” said Chargé d’Affaires Arnold during the handover ceremony. “Our support is temporary and targeted, designed to help Madagascar build greater self-reliance and reduce long-term dependence on U.S. taxpayer resources.” This U.S. support will help standardize safe delivery practices, strengthen infection prevention, and improve data management systems. Used effectively, these materials will contribute directly to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where access to quality delivery care remains limited. From major hospitals to remote health centers, U.S.-funded equipment is already delivering results. The nationwide scope of this support ensures that women and newborns across Madagascar benefit from improved infection prevention and safer delivery practices. This targeted assistance helps save lives today while supporting Madagascar’s transition toward a self-sufficient health system, ensuring that today’s U.S. support leads to Madagascar’s future independence from foreign assistance.
Nike's comeback attempt: better shoes, more retail sales, sports focus
The sportswear giant got lapped by competitors like New Balance, On, and Hoka. Now Nike is racing to catch up.
Car drives into Bama Health Foods overnight
Car drives into Bama Health Foods overnight
Scientists unveil how heat-loving enzyme could help improve plastic recycling
Cutinases are fungal enzymes that naturally degrade plant cuticles and show promise for recycling plastics. However, they must balance structural rigidity to withstand high temperatures with flexibility required for catalysis. Now, researchers have investigated the structural basis of catalytic activation in a heat-tolerant cutinase, CtCut, from the fungus Chaetomium thermophilum and found that a rigid core supports stability while a flexible lid is associated with catalytic function, offering insights for improving enzymes for plastic recycling.
New study reveals how maze-like magnetic patterns form and evolve in materials
Maze magnetic domains in soft magnetic materials strongly influence energy loss in electric motors, particularly at high temperatures. However, existing models struggle to explain their complex, temperature-dependent behavior. To address this gap, researchers developed an entropy-extended Ginzburg-Landau model combined with data-driven analysis to study these structures. The approach reveals how entropy and energy interactions drive magnetization reversal and increasing domain complexity, providing new insights into magnetic energy-loss mechanisms.
Arsenal at Manchester City match thread: our time
Arsenal head to Manchester City for a match that feels like a title-decider. It isn’t. But it feels like it is. The team has been in this position before. We’ve been in this position before. In the first two attempts, the Gunners have fallen short. But the third time is the charm, right? Arsenal shouldn’t […]
Known in New Orleans, multimedia artist will take the world stage in Venice Biennale
For decades, the 73-year-old conceptual artist has been creating art that explores the universe’s most pressing questions. Now she’s preparing for what is arguably the contemporary art world’s most important show.
Davidson Community Players stage contemporary plays
'The Lifespan of a Fact,' and 'Actually' at Armour Street Theatre
Cher files for conservatorship of son Elijah Blue Allman again after arrests: 'His drug dependency is at its worst'
Cher has filed to place her 'gravely disabled' son Elijah Blue Allman under a temporary conservatorship after he was arrested in New Hampshire: 'His drug dependency is at its worst.'
Ohio Judge Temporarily Pauses Hemp Product Ban For Two Businesses
“The judge here is concerned about retailers that have made big investments in inventory, and they can’t move it, they can’t transport it, they can’t sell it.” By Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal A Franklin County judge granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) to allow two smoke shops to sell off their products less than […]
Sharks and tuna are overheating and running out of options
Some of the ocean’s fastest and most fearsome predators—like great white sharks and tuna—are running hotter than expected, and it’s costing them dearly. New research shows these warm-bodied fish burn nearly four times more energy than cold-blooded species, forcing them to eat more while also struggling to shed excess heat. As oceans warm, this creates a dangerous “double jeopardy”: rising temperatures push them closer to overheating, while shrinking food supplies make survival even harder.
Archaeologists discover perfectly circular ancient Egyptian temple that may have been used for sacred water rituals
The temple included a network of water infrastructure, revealing the importance of the ancient city and the Nile.
Iron Galaxy Slashes More Developers In An Attempt To Survive
Iron Galaxy is cutting employees to "evolve" with the changing game industry
Virginia Beach Oceanfront curfew raises concerns for local businesses
Visitors and locals alike enjoyed a picturesque morning at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, hours before the temporary emergency curfew takes effect.
Judge temporarily pauses Ohio’s marijuana law changes for two businesses
A judge approved an emergency motion Thursday to partially pause the enforcement of a new Ohio law with major changes to recreational marijuana.
A Triumphant Exit
ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure, set in a lethal future earth, ravaged by a mysterious mechanized threat known as ARC.
House approves short-term extension of surveillance law in blow to Republicans’ long-term plan
The decision to extend a warrantless security law until 30 April came after 20 Republicans worked with House Democrats to defeat attempts to pass five-year and 18-month renewals
Listen: With Little Federal Regulation, States Are Left To Shape the Rules on AI in Health Care
As artificial intelligence embeds itself into health care, some physicians and patient advocates worry it could be used by insurance companies to refuse payment for care. Maryland passed one law banning AI from acting alone on a denial. Meanwhile, Virginia’s then-governor vetoed that state’s attempt at regulating AI in health insurance.
Franklin County judge temporarily blocks Ohio’s intoxicating hemp ban for two businesses
26 Cheap And Easy Home Upgrades And Projects To Do
"It was supposed to be a temporary solution until I saved some money — but I like it so much I still haven't changed it three years later."
Erica Schwartz, former deputy surgeon general, nominated to be next CDC director by Trump
The Atlanta-based CDC, which is charged with protecting Americans from preventable health threats, has been in turmoil since Trump returned to office more than a year ago, with a succession of mostly temporary leaders.
Judge temporarily pauses Ohio’s marijuana law changes for two businesses
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A judge approved an emergency motion Thursday to partially pause the enforcement of a new Ohio law with major changes to recreational marijuana. Judge Jeffrey Brown in…
Cuba Tried to Deliver Secret Letter Directly to Trump Via a Cuban Businessman
Analysts saw the missive as an attempt to go around Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though it’s unclear whether the message reached the president