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‘The Pitt’ star Noah Wyle to lead healthcare rally on Capitol Hill
Noah Wyle is taking on the real-life role of advocate — “The Pitt” star is making a return trip to Capitol Hill to lead a rally pushing for bipartisan legislation focused on healthcare …
Wethersfield fourth graders make discoveries at science fair
***This article was written by Aundrea Serna, a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Fund. Curiosity, creativity and perseverance were on full display during the fourth-grade science fair at Wethersfield Elementary School last Tuesday. Students presented projects across multiple branches of science, including physical science, life science,… Continue reading Wethersfield fourth graders make discoveries at science fair
Elon Sports Hall Of Fame 2026-27 Nomination Period Open
Members Of Elon Community Encouraged To Participate
Sports Daily Live: NBA Western Conference Finals open with thriller; Royals stumble again
In NBA action, the first game of the highly anticipated Western Conference Finals didn’t disappoint, as a battle between the top two seeds went into two overtimes.
Op-Ed: Student mental health program NJ4S must be preserved
Cutting funding would cause struggling youth to 'lose the very services that keep them safe, stable and ready to learn,' a principal writes
What Flutter Entertainment (FLUT)'s Strong Q1, Leadership Shuffle and Buyback Completion Means For Shareholders
In early May 2026, Flutter Entertainment plc reported Q1 2026 revenue of US$4,304 million versus US$3,665 million a year earlier, alongside lower net income of US$218 million, refreshed full‑year revenue guidance, leadership changes at FanDuel and the international division, and completion of a US$1,241.88 million share buyback program. At the same time, stronger‑than‑anticipated Q1 operating performance, new FanDuel loyalty and product features, and a reconfigured management team sharpened...
Scientists found a smarter Mediterranean diet that slashes diabetes risk by 31%
A large European study revealed that a lower-calorie Mediterranean diet paired with exercise and coaching dramatically reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes. Participants who made these lifestyle changes were 31% less likely to develop the disease over six years. They also lost more weight and trimmed their waistlines compared to those following a standard Mediterranean diet alone.
Kudos to Cheer Club, College of Business faculty, Cybersecurity team and more
Becky Cottrell, Ph.D., Department of Social Work, and Bridget Arend, Ph.D., School of Education Becky Cottrell from the Department of Social Work and Bridget Arend, Ph.D., from the School of Education co-authored an article recently published in an international journal. Read the article. Biff Baker, Ph.D., College of Business Biff Baker, Ph.D., received a Best in Track award from the Society for Advancement of Management for research examining bureaucratic inefficiencies within Section 8 subsidized housing programs. The study focuses on how administrative delays and communication breakdowns can create housing instability for families and discourage landlord participation. It also offers recommendations to improve accountability and trust in public housing systems. Brendan Fry, Ph.D., Department of Mathematics and Statistics Brendan Fry, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, co-authored the article “Modeling the Impact of Venous Collapsibility on Retinal Oxygenation,” published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology. The interdisciplinary research brought together scholars from the University of Delaware, Indiana University Indianapolis, McGill University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Access the article. Bridget Arend, Ph.D., School of Education Bridget Arend, Ph.D., professor in the School of Education, co-published the book “Facilitating Seven Ways of Learning: A Resource for More Purposeful, Effective, and Enjoyable College Teaching, Second Edition” with James R. Davis. The book explores practical approaches to improving college teaching and student learning experiences. Buy the book. College of Business Faculty At the 2026 Western Decision Sciences Institute international conference, Sally Baalbaki-Yassine, Ph.D., Debora Gilliard, Ph.D., and David Lynn Hoffman, Ph.D., from the College of Business received the Best Case Study Paper Award for “Oreo: A Global Success Story in Brand Evolution and Market Leadership.” Lisa McVicker, Ph.D., and Apryl Brodersen, Ph.D., also had their paper, “Electronic Performance Monitoring: Employer Panacea or Legal Quagmire?” accepted for publication in the Journal of Business Leadership. Community Engagement Exchange Program Metropolitan State University of Denver was selected to host international Fellow Aleja Henao Espitia of Bogotá, Colombia through the Community Engagement Exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State. View Espitia's LinkedIn profile. David Varel, Ph.D., College of Letters, Arts and Sciences MSU Denver historian David Varel, Ph.D., has been awarded a 2026 ACLS Fellowship by the American Council of Learned Societies. The fellowship program supports outstanding scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, and selected just 63 scholars from more than 2,000 applicants this year. Varel’s project, “The Black Chicago School: Academic Activism in the Age of American Apartheid,” explores the work of Black scholars who challenged scientific racism, built alternative institutions and helped lay the foundation for the modern civil rights movement. The fellowship provides up to $60,000 to support full-time research and writing. Learn more about the fellowship. MSU Denver Office of Financial Aid Team Several MSU Denver employees were recognized for leadership and service during the Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA) conference held in May in Crested Butte. Don Holtzen, interim associate director of systems, chaired the conference and was recognized for his service as CAFAA conference chair and technology chair during the 2025-26 term. Holtzen also received the Postsecondary Institution Professional of the Year award, which recognizes financial-aid professionals who have made significant contributions to their institutions and to CAFAA. Tori Pacheco, associate director of Student Services, helped design décor and facilitate the conference and was recognized for her service as CAFAA secretary during the 2025-26 term. Destiny Candelaria, call center coordinator, served on the conference planning committee and presented on One Stops during the event. Michael Nguyen, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, assisted as a CAFAA board member and was recognized for serving as president-elect during the 2025-26 term. Richard Balbag, program assistant I, received the Distinguished Support Staff Member of the Year award, honoring staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their financial-aid offices. Military Friendly Recognition Military Friendly has awarded MSU Denver Gold Status as a military-friendly university and ranked the University No. 7 nationally for military spouses. The recognition reflects MSU Denver’s strong support systems for veterans and military spouses, including transfer credit assistance and retention-focused resources. As of 2026, 1,050 military-connected students are enrolled at the University, advancing institutional priorities around serving veterans and supporting student retention. MSU Denver Cheer Club The MSU Denver Cheer Club earned third place in the 4-Year College Small Coed Intermediate division at the USA Spirit Nationals. Celebrate the win on Instagram. MSU Denver Cybersecurity Team An MSU Denver cybersecurity team earned first place in the Strategist category at the 2026 CYBER RECon National Competition hosted at Fort Meade, Maryland, by U.S. Cyber Command. Led by Jeffrey London, Ph.D., and undergraduate student Matthew Bopp, the team competed against universities and law schools nationwide with its 30-page legal analysis on cybersecurity and free speech titled “Freedom of Speech and MDM: Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malinformation.” The paper also earned Bopp a personal invitation to apply to the University of Maryland School of Law. MSU Denver Debate Team MSU Denver Debate won the 2026 Sierra Sustainability Summit hosted at Yosemite National Park in April. Students Kat Conte and Simon Bernhard bested teams from George Washington University, Gallaudet University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the University of San Francisco and Tennessee Tech in the modified present-and-defend style competition. Their proposal recommended adapting Colorado’s Keep Colorado Wild Pass model to support California state parks facing budget constraints. Learn about the summit. MSU Denver Women’s Golf MSU Denver Women’s Golf was represented on the national stage this month as junior Neige Dunn competed as an individual at the NCAA West Regional. She became the first Roadrunner in 10 years to qualify for NCAA Regionals as an individual. Get the details.
UC faculty and staff rally for state investment in science
UC President James B. Milliken and other leaders urged state lawmakers to pass SB 895, bipartisan legislation that would place a $12 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot.
Science behind sobriety field tests
Albany High students in Elizabeth Lopatniuk's health classes participated in a dynamic lesson about the effects of alcohol on the body. After taking an in-depth look at the science behind why and how alcohol slows the activities of the brain and central nervous system, students learned about how a variety of factors can impact the level of intoxication and how blood alcohol concentration can impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Albany High Student Resource Officer Nick Schuler led students through an overview of field sobriety tests that are routinely performed during a traffic stop when an officer suspects a driver may be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Schuler explained the three elements of a physical sobriety test, including walking a straight line with turns and checks for motor skill patterns, standing on one foot to check for balance and following a moving stimulus with eyes only to check for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), an involuntary, rhythmic jerking of the eyes as they look to the side. Students volunteered to try walking a straight line both with and without alcohol impairment simulation goggles. Officer Schuler pointed out particular behaviors and patterns that would lead to a failed field sobriety test during the simulation. As prom and graduation festivities approach, we applaud our Albany High staff for empowering our Falcons with valuable lessons so they can make wise and safe choices.
Science behind sobriety field tests
Albany High students in Elizabeth Lopatniuk's health classes participated in a dynamic lesson about the effects of alcohol on the body. After taking an in-depth look at the science behind why and how alcohol slows the activities of the brain and central nervous system, students learned about how a variety of factors can impact the level of intoxication and how blood alcohol concentration can impair one's ability to operate a motor vehicle. Albany High Student Resource Officer Nick Schuler led students through an overview of field sobriety tests that are routinely performed during a traffic stop when an officer suspects a driver may be under the influence of alcohol. Officer Schuler explained the three elements of a physical sobriety test, including walking a straight line with turns and checks for motor skill patterns, standing on one foot to check for balance and following a moving stimulus with eyes only to check for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), an involuntary, rhythmic jerking of the eyes as they look to the side. Students volunteered to try walking a straight line both with and without alcohol impairment simulation goggles. Officer Schuler pointed out particular behaviors and patterns that would lead to a failed field sobriety test during the simulation. As prom and graduation festivities approach, we applaud our Albany High staff for empowering our Falcons with valuable lessons so they can make wise and safe choices.
NASA Transfers Management of Lunar Science Instruments
NASA has transferred management of two lunar science instruments to Intuitive Machines, due to the instruments' principal investigators and science team
Pete Hegseth boosts Trump-backed challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie ahead of Kentucky primary
It’s highly unusual for the defense secretary to participate in a political event. Massie has opposed the Trump administration’s handling of the war in Iran.
Apple Readies AI Writing Help, App Shortcuts and Wallpapers for iOS 27
Apple Inc. is preparing a wave of artificial intelligence features for its next iPhone and iPad operating systems, including a grammar checker and new shortcut options, part of an effort to narrow the gap with capabilities available on rival devices.
Trump eyes new White House lawn project that could reshape presidential travel
President Trump is weighing whether to install a helipad on the White House South Lawn to protect the grass from newer Marine One helicopter engines.
The Impact of Proposed Changes to the HIPAA Security Rule for Business Associates
A final rule updating the HIPAA Security Rule is due for release as early as May 2026. According to HHS/OCR, the modifications to the Security Rule will The final rule implementing changes to the HIPAA Security Rule is due in May 2026. The final rule will have major implications for business associates of HIPAA-covered entities.
How to Reduce Phishing Exposure Before It Turns into Business Disruption
Phishing links exposed in 40 seconds across U.S. sectors, helping SOCs cut MTTR by 21 minutes and triage 94% faster.
What’s top of mind for your business owner clients right now
Drawing on findings from the 2026 Principal® Business Owner Insights survey, this panel discussion covers the evolving priorities shaping financial planning decisions.
How Dallas Clinics Overcome Mental Health Stigma
Counselors passed out art supplies at a Dallas mental health workshop last month, encouraging participants to express their emotions. One woman held up a collage with an image of a bare tree, witho…
Patriots assistant coach participating in NFL accelerator program
Terrell Williams will be among 16 coaches participating in the revived program.
The Foldable iPhone is Finally Real: 6 Massive Upgrades Revealed
Apple's iPhone Ultra Fold combines an iPhone and iPad into a single titanium device featuring a crease-free display, A20 Pro chip, and iOS 27 multitasking.
President Trump Remarks on Health Care Affordability
President Trump participates in a health care affordability event at the White House.
Exclusive | Trump’s Latest White House Renovation Plan: A Helipad on the South Lawn
The helipad would prevent powerful new Marine One helicopters from damaging the South Lawn.
ZTE Showcases at GSMA M360 LATAM 2026, Driving Future Business Model Restructuring -- AI & Network Two-Way Integration
/PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, participated...
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte isn't participating in offseason workouts
🚨 Confirmed line-ups for Pumas v Pachuca
Pumas hosts Pachuca at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario for the second leg of the Clausura 2026 semifinal, a match the university side enters trailing 1-0 on aggregate. Pumas Starting XIPachuca St...
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Announces Proposed Convertible Senior Notes Offering to Support International Expansion and Accelerate AI-Driven Platform Investment
Proceeds intended to be used to preserve financial flexibility as Hims Hers executes on its international expansion strategy, including the proposed acquisition of Eucalyptus, invests in technology and operational infrastructure to drive anticipated cost efficiencies, and enhances the consumer experience with AI and its closed-loop data ecosystem. Hims Hers Health, Inc. (“Hims Hers” or the “Company”, NYSE: HIMS) today announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $300 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2032 (the “notes”) in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Hims Hers also expects to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a period of 13 days from, and including, the date the notes are first issued, up to an
Alex Vindman is seeking bipartisan support to beat on Ashley Moody
Alex Vindman says he can beat Ashley Moody - with the help of Republicans.
Water Science, Community Conservation Efforts Hold Key To India’s Future: Experts
Nagpur: Padma awardees and experts said that water conservation cannot succeed through infrastructure projects alone and requires a deeper understanding of water science, grassroots participation and stronger public awareness.
Pro-Israel groups are spending big to sink Thomas Massie in the most expensive House primary in history
“AIPAC’s views on Thomas Massie are no secret,” the group's spokesman said. “We use different tactics in different districts. Our goal is to win.”
‘SNL’ Weekend Update Joke Swap Drops Jaws With Raunchy Punchlines
Colin Jost and Michael Che broke constantly during the highly-anticipated tradition in the Season 51 finale.
‘SNL’ Weekend Update Joke Swap Drops Jaws With Raunchy Punchlines
Colin Jost and Michael Che broke constantly during the highly-anticipated tradition in the Season 51 finale.
Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics
There's progress on the Rays stadium deal, while Alex Otaola and Angie Nixon put on a bipartisan display of ineptitude.
Rousey seals perfect ending with 15-second comeback win
Ronda Rousey rolls back the years as she submits Gina Carano with a trademark armbar inside 15 seconds of their much-anticipated comeback fight.
Iran's status for World Cup gains some clarity
Iran announced its preliminary World Cup roster on Saturday following meetings with FIFA that appeared to make progress toward the country participating in the tournament.
Bulgaria wins Eurovision after contest overshadowed by boycott over Israel’s participation
(CNN) — Bulgaria’s Dara has triumphed at this year’s Eurovision following a politically charged edition of the contest which has been roiled by several countries boycotting it over Israel’s ongoing
Future of hockey at Bridgeport arena unclear as bidders tour facility
The Wonderland of Ice manager joined the final tour of the municipal entertainment arena for potential new operators now that Islanders hockey is off to Canada.
Spain's Eurovision boycott over Israeli participation leaves contest fans torn
Spain is boycotting this year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, after repeatedly expressing disapproval over Israel’s participation | Talk 1370
Fuquay-Varina park plan faces pushback as demand grows for youth sports
Fuquay-Varina leaders are proposing the construction of four athletic fields at Hilltop Needmore Town Park to accommodate an increase in youth sports participation and prevent hundreds of children from being turned away.
Live Results: Louisiana midterm state and congressional primaries
Louisiana voters will participate in a revamped and stripped-down state primary Saturday and decide the political fate of an embattled Republican U.S. senator targeted for defeat by President Donald Trump.
Fuquay-Varina's youth sports are at a 'breaking point': Building new fields is fueling debate
Fuquay-Varina leaders are proposing the construction of four athletic fields at Hilltop Needmore Town Park to accommodate an increase in youth sports participation and prevent hundreds of children from being turned away.
New bipartisan Senate bill backed by White House set to be NCAA's best chance yet for college sports reform
A bipartisan Senate bill backed by the White House offers the NCAA its best chance to secure antitrust protection and codify rules
Esse Health Agrees to Pay 2.53M to Settle Data Breach Lawsuit
American Multispecialty Group, doing business as Esse Health, a Missouri-based independent physician group serving the greater St. Louis area, experienced Esse Health has agreed to pay $2,525,000 to settle class action litigation stemming from an April 2025 data breach that affected more than 521,000 individuals.
Health care's solvable problem: maternal mortality
Making a dent in maternal mortality stands out for its bipartisan support and lack of downsides.
How Munetaka Murakami is teeing up business for White Sox and Chicago companies
“As soon as we signed him we changed our thinking and moved our ticket sales targets up because we anticipated him bringing in more interest,” Sox chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer said.
Two orphan manatees begin rehab at Bradenton's Bishop Museum of Science
IN BRIEF: Special blessing for new Epiphany Cathedral church bells; SPD supports Special Olympics; new Venice Middle School principal; Pinewood Derby.
Chartbook 449: Voldemort on Threadneedle street. The Bank of England and the "haunted house" of English politics.
Imagine the scene: In some Harry Potter version of 21st-century London, a group of deathless UK Treasury officials gathered from across the last century huddle over warm pints and glasses of Chardonnay. Around the table there are officials from the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1970s, 2022 and today. Inevitably, in May 2026, the subject of conversation is the disintegration of the current Labour government. Despite its huge majority in parliament, it has been reduced to tatters by catastrophic local election result. These exposed the fact that rather than having a government with a clear popular majority, the UK is like most other modern societies divided into 5 segments each of which commands between 26 and 16 percent of the vote. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the leadership at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street - where the Prime Minister and the Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) work - seem paralyzed. They are caught between mounting discontent over unfairness and the cost of living, and tough fiscal strictures that push them into making unpopular spending decisions. In the London pub, the Treasury officials from across the ages, can barely hide their satisfaction at the latest display of democratic politics caught in the vice-grip of financial logic. “Remember the mur d’argent and the banker’s ramp?” “Just like yesterday!” There are smirks around the table. Then the representative of 2026 pipes up: “One thing you have to say about the current lot (referring to the latest hapless Labour government), you don’t have to teach them about the bond market!” There is a murmur of ascent from the Treasury Mandarins. The trauma of the fiscal crisis of September-October 2022 sits deep. Back then, in the final stages of Tory decay, a ‘mini budget’ that challenged fiscal orthodoxy led to a brief but fierce panic in one of the oldest government bond markets in the world (aka gilt market). Now all you have to do is to mention the “bond market” to hush debate. [ Paul Mason@paulmasonnews In the name of public service, and as ex-economics editor of BBC Newsnight, I offer to do a zoom call, tonight, with any Labour MP who wants to understand why bond markets do not "fall into line" with governments. 1/ 3:57 PM · May 12, 2026 · 466K Views 224 Replies · 674 Reposts · 3.93K Likes ](https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054229532404519082?s=20) “And the funny thing is”, the young man in the huddle continues, “they don’t even want to talk about … ”. There is a sudden hush. Significant looks are exchanged around the table. About? One of the senior figures puts down his glass with a decisive “clink”. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has entered their thoughts. Meanwhile, a few miles away in a grubby pub in Bloomsbury, two conspirators from the camp of Critical Macrofinance huddle over cans of low-alcohol IPA. They look at each other and blurt out loud: “The Bank!” “Everyone in the bloody Labour party is talking about the bond market. But why aren’t they even mentioning … the Bank of England!?” “Why is no one talking about Voldemort?” In Paul Mason’s blogpost, after much chest-thumping about basic fiscal logic, the basic point about the Bank of England is buried in the fine print at #3 in his list of suggestions as to what a radical Labour government might actually be able to do! [ Conflict & Democracy Down with the bond market! Down with gravity! It may seem unfair to focus on Labour MP Paula Barker for her off-the-cuff assertion that the bond market would have to “fall in line” with Andy Burnham, should he replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. But Burnham himself told the New Statesman that Labour had to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets… Read more 2 days ago · 100 likes · 3 comments · Paul Mason ](https://htsf.substack.com/p/down-with-the-bond-market-down-with?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Back in Bloomsbury they shake their heads and ask: “Didn’t we learn anything from the Eurozone crisis?” Meanwhile, as if summoned to the conversation by some higher force, the “pink pages” announce: “The days of ultra-cheap government borrowing have come to an end” and Martin “Whizzard” Wolf publishes the graph of the season Look at the UK in 2026, perilously positioned on the upper edge of the pack. No wonder no one in London needs any lessons about the “bond market”. But, look again. Imagine how they feel in Rome. What is London’s nightmare in 2026? The nightmare is that you end up like Italy in the early 2010s during the Eurozone crisis. Once comfortably situated in the middle of the pack, watching with horror as your ten-year yields explode to 7 percent and “spreads” become a national nightmare. One of the largest economies in Europe, a founding member of the euro, stigmatized. But the message of the Italian experience is ambiguous. After all, the stigma didn’t last. In 2026, Italy borrows at rates lower not only than the UK but the US. The US, which, as everyone knows, enjoys the “exorbitant privilege” of being the issuer of reserve, safe asets. What kind of magic is this? How did Italy, in the space of fifteen years, go from being good, to bad and back again? Which brings us back to our dissident friends in their Bloombury boozer and their memories of the Eurozone crisis. Italy never was Britain - with its ongoing fiscal deficits. Without interest payments, on primary balance, from 2000 to 2020 Italy ran a tight fiscal ship. Even in 2008 it barely went into deficit and when it was being put on the rack in the early 20210s its primary surplus matched that of austere Germany. So, what happened? How did it end up stigmatized? Of course Italian politics didn’t help. Berlusconi was at the helm and he had legal issues. But amongst friends in the Bloomsbury pub, Berlusconi is a sideshow, the name we whisper to each other is “Trichet”. From 2004 to 2011 the ECB was headed by Jean-Claude Trichet, ex of the French Treasury, more German than the Germans. After 2009 as the news of the Greek fiscal disaster broke, the European bond markets wento into panic mode and Trichet began a brutal game of cat and mouse. Between 2009 and 2011, Trichet intervened in the bond market to help, only when he thought he had compliance with austerity. When he thought they were uncooperative, he withdrew. In the summer of 2011, he even made direct suggestions to his Italian counterparts in Rome, as to how Italy should be governed. It was this cat and mouse game that drove the bond markets crazy and exposed Italy to a violent squeeze. When Mario Draghi took over the ECB at the end of 2011 and declared “whatever it takes”, the pressure on Italy, gradually eased. It is that starring role that has made Draghi into the towering figure in European politics that he remains today. So now you see why voices in London hush when it comes to the Bank of England. “The bond market” isn’t an irresistible objective force like the weather or an avalanche. It can appear like that. But that depends on the way it is being handled, or not handled by the central bank. Which is why the silence about the Bank of England in London right now is so significant. If you think this all sounds a bit fishy, coming from a left-liberal Keynesian like myself, well, let me introduce you to Robin Brooks, who, to put it mildly, plays on a different quidditch team to me. Here, from the position of a fiscal hawk is Robin’s celebratory account of the Bank of England’s role since 2022; In October 2022, at the height of the bond market blow-up in the UK, something incredible happened. Governor Andrew Bailey told British pension funds the Bank of England would end its support program for the country’s fragile gilt market, drawing a line under how much help the central bank was willing to give to exposed pension funds and - implicitly - the government. By the end of that week, Kwasi Kwarteng - the finance minister - had resigned. Prime Minister Liz Truss would soon follow. This episode is so incredible because it contrasts with what happened in the Euro zone earlier that year. Bond markets in Spain and Italy were under pressure amid high inflation and rising interest rates. In the middle of this, Mario Draghi - Italy’s Prime Minister - resigned, compounding pressure on bond markets of high-debt countries on the Euro periphery. Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB caved. It bought Italian and Spanish government bonds in an effort to cap yields and introduced a new tool that signaled to markets it might do such caps more frequently going forward. Faced with pressure on bond markets, the ECB capitulated to political pressure from high-debt countries like Italy and Spain. The Bank of England stood its ground and toppled the Truss government. This kind of thing has long-lasting consequences. It means markets price a higher probability of yield caps in the Euro zone, which keeps Italian and Spanish yields artificially low, while markets feel free to push up UK yields without fear of central bank intervention. As I flagged in yesterday’s post, this means you really can’t compare UK yields to those of other high-debt countries. The UK looks worse, but only because its central bank isn’t interfering with markets. There’s more to this than just that 2022 episode. The Bank of England has also been much more aggressive in its quantitative tightening (QT) than other central banks. If one motivation for quantitative easing (QE) is to lower bond yields - especially longer-dated ones - then it stands to reason QT pushes yields up. The left chart above shows a four-quarter moving average of UK government debt issuance (black line) in percent of GDP and which sectors absorb this issuance, including the Bank of England (blue bars). The right chart above compares the Bank of England’s accumulation or run-off of government bonds (blue line) with that of other central banks, where this blue line is the same as the blue bars in the left chart. The Bank of England was quicker and more aggressive than other central banks in downsizing its bond holdings, so UK yields will have risen more than elsewhere also for this reason, not just because of Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks in October 2022. Back in October 2025, after a conversation in New York with friends in British politics, my sense of dysphoria was such that I raised the issue of the Bank of England openly in the FT Since 2008, the UK has slid into a deep economic and political predicament. Growth has stagnated to a degree far worse even than in the 1970s. The Tory leadership’s wager on the Brexit referendum spectacularly backfired, leaving the UK isolated from Europe and at the mercy of its special relationship with the US, many of whose political class regard the UK as a basket case. After years of austerity, the Labour party lurched to the left and then back to the centre. The Tory party has been eclipsed by the populist nationalism of Reform. Any British government should be worrying first and foremost about how to restart growth. Instead, Keir Starmer is beset by shades of the gilt market panic triggered by the Liz Truss government in 2022. The debt level is higher than in recent years, but there is no cause for panic. UK debt is at far from critical levels and of long duration. Whether you want to “take back control” or launch progressive economic policy, a democracy dogged by fear of bond market vigilantes is unhealthy. In a country that is a monetary sovereign, this climate points to one thing: a disconnect between the government and the central bank. Since 1997, the independence of the Bank of England has become a sacred cow. But independence is what you make of it. And in the wake of the gilt market crisis of September 2022, relations between the Bank of England and the UK government need a reset. In normal times, there is no doubt that an inflation-targeting independent central bank can serve a country well. But since 2008, the UK and other advanced economies have not had the luxury of such simple problems. To their credit, central bankers around the world have not stood on orthodoxy. After 2008, the US Federal Reserve rescued the global banking system and, through quantitative easing, it stabilised the Treasury market in the face of huge deficits. In Europe, things were trickier. Both the Bank of England under Mervyn King and Jean-Claude Trichet’s European Central Bank played cat and mouse with national governments. This was a high stakes wager that between 2010 and 2012 escalated bond market tension and triggered a disastrous turn to austerity. Shaken by the impact of those shocks, their successors, Mark Carney and Mario Draghi adopted a more protective stance (assuming you were not the government of Greece). Recall that Draghi’s legendary slogan, “Whatever it takes”, was uttered to face down the City of London’s bond vigilantes. In 2015, Draghi launched QE — financial repression by another name. In 2016, Carney used the authority of the Bank of England to stabilise markets following the vote for Brexit, an exemplary demonstration of how central banks can underpin democratic choice, even when those choices are wrong headed. All these were independent central bankers steeped in the best practice of the 1990s, who recognised that historic crises demanded radical action. It was the price surge of 2021-2023 that poisoned the atmosphere. Though the shock came mainly from the supply side, central banks ended up in the dock. Nowhere more so than in the UK. The Bank of England reacted with aggressive normalisation. Faced with a cost of living crisis, the governor called for workers to accept real wage cuts. In early 2022, as gas prices were at record levels and Russia’s army was poised to invade Ukraine, the Bank adopted a stringent programme of quantitative tightening, elevating interest rates. When the Truss government got itself in trouble, the Bank took almost a week to come to the rescue. Rather than enacting a charade of normality, it is time to recognise that in 2025 the UK faces a period of historic transition. To meet this challenge, what is needed is a new concordat with the Bank. This should not ignore inflationary pressures or the long-run trajectory of debt, but should affirm the priority of reviving investment-led growth. One could follow Donald Trump in demanding interest rate cuts. The Bank could shadow the ECB in its commitment to capping Eurozone yields. But the top priority should be to lay the ghost of September 2022. The Bank’s slowing of QT last month was a concession. An immediate and complete end would send the right signal. Such a concordat will not by itself restore sanity to politics, solve the housing problem or rebuild the NHS. But it would help to lift the fear of bond market crisis, which is paralysing the effort by democratic politicians to answer the fundamental questions facing the nation. Now, that call for a new concordat between government and Bank of Englands seems more urgent than ever. The problem is that in October 2025, Starmer still had some authority. Today the government is in tatters. And when you are the “under the harrow” - to echo a phrase of Montagu Norman’s from the 1920s - it is the worst possible time to consider institutional change. To make general arguments at a time of crisis can only seem like special pleading rather than a general argument for long-term change. The same, unfortunately, is also true for the other basic institutional reform that Britain urgently needs i.e. the abolition of the out-dated first past the post electoral system and its replacement by a moderated form of proportional representation. And thirdly - whilst we are saying the quiet parts out loud - Britain needs to reopen the question of EU membership. What the local election results of 2026 show is that this remains a key issue. And what they also show is that there is a clear majority that would favor a return. Until these basic features of Britain’s political economy are addressed the country will carry on its politics as though in a haunted house, governed by governments that lack actual majorities, conjuring up false constraints whilst ignoring the real ones. This one is for DG and MI. I love writing the newsletter. If you enjoy it too and fancy buying me a coffee once a month, you know what to do. Click below! Subscribe
‘There’s science happening all around us’
MARSHALL — As another school year approaching the end, more than 900 area students and participants went on a field trip and made memories at the 2026 Science and Nature Conference on Tuesday at Southwest Minnesota State University, hosted by the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC). This was the SWWC’s 32nd annual Science and […]
Both sides of political aisle react to budget surplus deal failure
The bill passed with bipartisan support in the Assembly, but failed because of bipartisan opposition in the Senate.
How Education Leaders Can Overcome Political Divisions (Opinion)
"Bipartisan education policy is not only possible; it is already happening," say several leaders.
University at Albany opens up campus, and science exploration, to district students
The semester may be over at the University at Albany but the campus is still buzzing with student learning – it just may not be the students you expect. Junior Falcon scientists from North Albany Middle School, Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School and William S. Hackett Middle School presented their experiments, and findings, to professors and graduate students at UAlbany’s Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship (ETEC) Complex on Thursday. After the science fair, the sixth and seventh-graders explored ETEC – which houses researchers, educators and entrepreneurs – and the tour was followed by a discussion with a UAlbany atmospheric science researcher and the awards ceremony. Most will likely recognize one of the science fair judges – Damian participated in the project assessments and hopefully recruited some future Great Danes!
Open Primaries Have Their Fans. The Parties Are Not Among Them.
New research claims that bipartisan primaries have broad societal benefit, but opposition is growing, and Louisiana voters this weekend will participate in the state’s first closed primary since 1978.
Senators vote to withhold their own pay during future government shutdowns
The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.
CMS announces first 30 health care organizations to join electronic prior authorization initiative
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 13 announced 30 health care organizations have pledged early participation in its electronic prior authorization initiative.
Scientists say a daily multivitamin may help slow aging
A daily multivitamin may help slow biological aging, according to researchers studying older adults in a large clinical trial. After two years, participants taking multivitamins showed slower aging in several DNA-based “epigenetic clocks,” with the effect equal to about four months less biological aging. People who started out biologically older than their actual age appeared to benefit the most. The findings hint that a simple supplement could play a role in healthier aging.
Atrium Health & Interim HealthCare Affected by Business Associate Data Breaches
Atrium Health Navicent and Interim HealthCare of Lubbock/Amarillo have recently announced that they have been affected by data breaches at third-party Atrium Health Navicent and Interim HealthCare of Lubbock/Amarillo have recently announced that they have been affected by data breaches at third party vendors.
Johnson and Jeffries appoint bipartisan task force to reform sexual harassment reporting process on Capitol Hill
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appointed a bipartisan task force that will work to reform the way sexual harassment claims are handled in Congress.
House launches bipartisan push to combat sexual misconduct in Congress
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are announcing a task force “to make Congress a safer work environment” following several high-profile cases.
AI uses 12-lead ECGs to predict long-term stroke risk
Stroke is still a leading cause of death all over the world. A new AI model showed early potential to anticipate such adverse outcomes up to a decade in advance, ensuring high-risk patients receive the care they need.
Joe Rogan podcast appearance tied to rise in demand for alternative cancer treatment
Ivermectin prescriptions spiked among cancer patients after Mel Gibson endorsed antiparasitic drugs on Joe Rogan's podcast, a new JAMA study reports.
Lawmakers & Trump Admin. Officials Discuss The Advancement of Health Care
Lawmakers and top Trump Administration officials, including Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, participate in discussions on U.S. advancement in health care.
At Cannes 2026, Gaza Becomes a Political Flashpoint
The event’s leaders immediately jumped into the debate over whether festival participants should speak out on issues like Israel and Gaza.
In a reversal, SC lawmakers now anticipating special session to redraw congressional district lines
South Carolina lawmakers are preparing for Gov. Henry McMaster to call them back to Columbia to consider redrawing Congressional District lines after they adjourn on May 14.
Colorado Democrat Jason Crow calls on House leadership to ban trading on prediction markets
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow on Monday joined a bipartisan call asking House Speaker Mike Johnson to adopt new rules banning the chamber’s lawmakers, their families and staff from participating in prediction markets, in a move the Aurora Democrat said can help restore public trust in Congress. The push comes less than two weeks after the […]
Sun Belt SAAC Participates in Spring 2026 Mentorship Initiatives
NEW ORLEANS – Sun Belt Conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) leaders conducted community engagement initiatives centered on mentorship during the Spring 2026 semester.
NAMRU Dayton spotlight: Driving Warfighter Health
Lt. Cmdr. Travis Landry's day-to-day responsibilities at NAMRU Dayton are incredibly diverse. On the clinical side, he maintains his operational skills by conducting submarine and physicals and supporting recruiters heading back to the fleet. Notably, he also provides essential medical care for a large, displaced population of Navy personnel in the Dayton area who are far from traditional Navy Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs)—ensuring that these sailors maintain their readiness even while stationed away from the fleet. On the research side, he plays a critical role in human subject safety. Before any study begins, he evaluates participants to ensure they qualify, reviewing their medical histories and medications to guarantee that the research will cause no harm and that the data collected will be accurate.
Bausch Health to Participate in RBC Capital Markets 2026 Global Healthcare Conference
/PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) today announced that Thomas J. Appio, Chief Executive Officer, and Jean-Jacques Charhon,...
Alignment Healthcare (ALHC) Climbs 7% Ahead of Business Updates
Alignment Healthcare Inc. (NASDAQ:ALHC) is one of the 10 Stocks With Stunning Gains. Alignment Healthcare bounced back by 7.11 percent on Tuesday to finish at $18.38 apiece, as investors positioned portfolios ahead of business updates from its participation in a health conference this week, while digesting changes in its leadership composition. In a notice on […]
Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) Business Expo 2026
The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) returns with their highly anticipated GWHCC Business Expo, taking place on Thursday, May 21, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. An event focused on connecting minority-owned businesses with corporate partners, business resources, and networking opportunities. Featuring more than 80 exhibitors, the event brings together entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and decision-makers from across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to support collaboration, visibility, and business growth.
Exclusive: CIA escalates secret war on cartels with deadly operations inside Mexico
Since last year, CIA operatives inside Mexico have directly participated in deadly attacks on several, mostly mid-level cartel members, the sources said.
What to pack for a Great Smoky Mountains trip with just a backpack
For my five-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I'm glad that I packed quick-dry layers and wipes, but I wish I'd left my iPad behind.
Hegseth faces bipartisan grilling about weapons drawdown during the Iran war
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing tough questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration’s end game for the Iran war, the cost of the conflict and its
Making sports and fitness accessible to Ypsi-area kids is this nonprofit's focus
The grassroots nonprofit Ypsilanti Community - The Village was created by Ypsilanti Community High School alumni who wanted to reduce young people's barriers to participating in sports.
Scientists reversed biological age in older adults with a 4-week diet change
A four-week diet change was enough to make some older adults appear biologically younger in a new University of Sydney study. Participants who reduced fat intake or shifted toward more plant-based protein showed improvements in key health biomarkers tied to aging. The strongest results came from a lower-fat, higher-carb diet, while people eating closer to their usual diets saw almost no change.
Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle launches this summer - News
Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle includes Mario Kart World or Donkey Kong Bananza or Pokémon Pokopia Starting in early June, participating retailers will offer the Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle for the suggested retail price o…
WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: WBTN) (“WEBTOON Entertainment” or “the Company”), a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms, today announced it will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences: J.P. Morgan 2026 Global Technology, Media and Communications ConferenceMay 20, 2026Presentation Time: 10:40 am ETLocation: Boston, MA UBS Asian Investment Conference 2026May 28, 202
NAVSUP Business Systems Center Meets the Fleet in Hampton Roads
NORFOLK, Va. -- Thirty-four military and civilian personnel from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) in Mechanicsburg, Pa., traveled to the Hampton Roads, Va., area of operation to participate in NAVSUP BSC’s Meet the Fleet event, May 4-7.
After-School Sports An Overall Boon To Children And Teens, Study Shows
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, May 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Children benefit in both body and mind when they participate in after-school sports, a new study says. Kids in after-school sports show measurable advantages in brainpower, mental health and physical fitness, researchers ...
Blackfoot's first Starbucks now open for business
BLACKFOOT — After months of anticipation, Blackfoot's first Starbucks opened on Wednesday, May 5, at 1221 Parkway Drive next to Walmart.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4886-4892: Ingenuity and Perseverance, Curiosity Style
Written by Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator
Dean Buntrock, Maestro of Waste Management, Dies at 94
Anticipating how the environmental movement would affect trash disposal in the United States, he built a 12-truck garbage company into a coast-to-coast behemoth.
Bipartisan panel highlights maternal health needs
The reported U.S. maternal death rate doubled over 20 years, and more than 80% of those deaths were preventable.
iOS, macOS, and iPadOS 26.5 updates arrive with encrypted RCS messaging and more
Probably the last big updates we'll see before the next versions appear at WWDC.
Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates
Apple today released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, the newest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The software comes nearly two months after Apple released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 16.7.16 and iOS 18.7.9 for older devices unable to run iOS 26.
2026 PGA Championship odds: Scottie Scheffler leads favorites on complete list of 156 players
Betting odds for all 156 players participating this week in the second major of the year at Aronimink Golf Club
April B shares the latest in entertainment headlines
Dua Lipa may be suing Samsung, and Chris Brown responds to critics about his new album.
UNC Health plans Wilmington hospital
UNC Health plans to create a community hospital on a 62-acre proposed site in New Hanover County, pending regulatory approvals, according to an announcement Monday morning. “Planned for the southeast corner of South 17th Street and Shipyard Boulevard, the site was selected for its accessibility and its geographic infill capacity in serving a rapidly growing region,” according to the release. “This project marks a significant step forward in UNC Health’s commitment to improving access to primary care and specialty care closer to home.” Officials said the proposed hospital would offer a range of specialties, including emergency care, cardiology, oncology, OBGYN and more. While the not-for-profit, state-owned health system’s officials are planning the hospital, the proposal still requires state approval through North Carolina’s certificate of need (CON) process before it can become a reality. UNC Health is targeting an opening date of 2030, the release stated, and “will continue to engage openly with local community leaders and residents and share updates as plans evolve and progress is made towards achieving CON approval.” The state’s CON law requires healthcare providers to obtain a CON from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services before developing or offering what the department’s website dubs “a new institutional health service.” The term encompasses a wide range of facilities, including hospitals. The news of UNC Health’s Wilmington plans follows the recent addition of Ernie Bovio to UNC Health. Bovio, who had served as president of the Novant Health Coastal Region since 2024, became regional president of UNC Health’s Southeast Coastal Region in April. “This is an important first step in our commitment to ensuring that families in Wilmington and the surrounding areas have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve – right here at home,” Bovio stated in the release. “As I’ve listened to my own neighbors and community members across the region, I’ve heard a clear message: Wilmington is ready for more choice in healthcare – and UNC Health is ready to deliver it.” According to the release, Wilmington Health – one of the largest independent, physician-owned practices in Southeastern North Carolina – also supports the project, and its providers are expected to participate on the medical staff of the new facility. “Wilmington Health has served this community for more than 50 years, and we know firsthand that our patients are interested in choice,” stated Jeff James, CEO of Wilmington Health, in the release. “We strongly support UNC Health’s plan to bring a new community hospital to our region – closing critical gaps in specialty care and ensuring families across our region have options to access the services they need, right here at home.”
Chairs Ask President to Raise Political Prisoner Cases in China
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-New Jersey), the Chair and Co-chair respectively, of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) released a letter today calling on the President to personally raise the cases of Americans, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and their family members, who have been unjustly detained in the People’s Republic of China, during his next meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping.The Chairs were joined on the letter by CECC Ranking Members Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative James McGovern (D-MA).
Learner spotlight: Vivian’s path to rights based mental health advocacy
For Vivian Anyango Aola, mental health is deeply personal. Growing up she witnessed people around her struggling with emotional distress without access to support, understanding or solutions. Those early experiences laid the foundations for her work today as a mental health advocate at St. Daniel Comboni mission in Nairobi, Kenya.“Mental health is about feelings – something we all experience every day,” Vivian explains. “Ensuring people are supported in those feelings is what drives my work.” Creating safe spaces and challenging stigmaIn her role, Vivian works closely with people living with mental health conditions and psychosocial, intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Through dialogue, listening and shared learning, she helps create safe spaces where people feel seen, heard and respected. However, stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers.“Witnessing stigma only strengthens my resolve to fight for inclusion, acceptance and equal treatment for all,” she says. Vivian enrolled in the WHO ‘QualityRights in Mental Health’ online, self-paced course available on the WHO Academy learning platform to strengthen her knowledge and advocacy skills. The six-module course provides the foundation for challenging stigma and discrimination and for promoting person-centred, rights-based approaches in mental health.“The course gave me a new perspective,” she says. “It showed me how to support people in ways that respect autonomy and promote recovery, rather than focusing only on treatment.”The importance of language and cultureSince its launch, more than 141 000 people have enrolled in the course globally, and it is now available in 17 languages on the learning platform – the highest number of languages of any WHO course. For Vivian, accessibility is key to transforming mental health systems. “Language is a bridge between professionals and communities,” she explains. “When mental health resources are available in local languages, they reduce misunderstanding, build trust and encourage people to seek help. It also empowers health workers to deliver care in ways that are culturally sensitive and relevant.”In a global evaluation of the course, which analysed data from over 3000 learners, attitudes toward people with mental health conditions improved by 22.78% overall after completing the course, with even greater shifts in low- and middle-income countries (29.18%) compared to high-income countries (20.58%)[1].“The course equips participants with the essential knowledge and skills to transform mental health into a more rights-based, inclusive and recovery-oriented system,” explains Vivian. “It reinforces that change is possible. When people understand rights, dignity and recovery, the entire system can begin to shift.”Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use[1] Breaking stigma, discrimination and promoting rights: global evaluation of the World Health Organization QualityRights e-training on mental health, recovery and community inclusion
GOP hardliners aren’t buying into U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s bipartisan immigration bill
The latest version of the El Paso Democrat’s Dignity Act includes a key change to make it more palatable to Republicans. Some have gotten on board, but others are firmly opposed.
DeSantis’s new House map sparks bipartisan anger in Puerto Rican hub in Florida
The governor said his state needed to redistrict to account for population growth. But in a majority-Hispanic area, that growth could work against him.
Politics for the Many: Democracy and Participation in the United States and Germany - Atlantik-Brücke e.V.
03.06., 18:30 - 21:00 - Berlin This evening brings together perspectives from the United States and Germany to explore how democratic representation can be strengthened.
Guelph, Ont., student's squirrel obsession earns her spot at Canada-wide science competition
Kira Egete and her family are obsessed with squirrels. Turns out, it's not such a nutty passion. Now, the Grade 10 student, whose project examines how squirrels see colour, will be among 400 participa...
Sanders, Moore tout bipartisan solutions to address maternal healthcare gaps
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Sunday stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation to address maternal healthcare gaps. On Mother’s Day, the two spoke …
NBA Draft lottery: Wizards secure No. 1 pick in one of the most anticipated drafts ever; Pacers lose selection
NBA Draft lottery: Wizards secure No. 1 pick in one of the most anticipated drafts ever; Pacers lose pick
NBA Draft lottery: Wizards secure No. 1 pick in one of the most anticipated drafts ever
Campaign finance disclosures should fight corruption, not fuel political voyeurism
At a time when civic participation is already under strain, expanding the public exposure of ordinary political activity risks discouraging it.
‘It has to be bipartisan’: Governors find solutions on maternal health
Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-Ark.) and philanthropist Olivia Walton join Meet the Press for a Common Ground conversation around maternal health.
Chicago Teachers Union wants $8.5 million dues hike to fund politics
“Has your brand become toxic?” This was a pointed question from WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley, posed to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in a recent interview. Her immediate response: “I don’t understand the question.” When pressed, Gates added, “The Chicago Teachers Union is not a political party, it is a labor union.” But internal union documents show CTU leadership is trying to skim $8.5 million more from teacher paychecks explicitly for politics, while trying to silence union members critical of Gates’ leadership. Under the proposed dues hike, Chicago teachers would see up to $800 more per year flow from their paychecks to union coffers. The union already takes in more than $40 million a year, mostly from dues. And it spends less than 18 cents of every dollar on teacher representation. The No. 1 reason for the proposed dues hike? Politics. “We must win a majority of the first 21 person fully elected school board in November,” reads the first point in CTU’s member FAQ document.1 This directly contradicts CTU’s promise to members about how leadership uses dues money. The official CTU handbook tells members that the union does not use dues money for politics, so if they are interested in funding political activity, they should consider voluntary donations to CTU’s political action committee. “Our dues are not used for political purposes,” according to the handbook. “So our PAC relies on extra contributions from our members to support progressive candidates and to impact elected officials at the city, county and state levels.” This kind of double-speak is one reason members are concerned about another constitutional change slipped into the dues hike vote, which will take place on May 20-21: an attempt to stop members from holding the union accountable. A proposed amendment to the union constitution tries to place limits on when members may bring a lawsuit against the union for violating members’ rights.2 This provision is clearly a response to members’ lawsuit against union leadership regarding Gates’ years-long refusal to publish audited financial statements. The judge in that case has repeatedly denied the union’s attempts to dismiss it. Teachers opposed to these changes have been circulating this flier, urging members to vote no. What will CTU members get in return for millions of dollars in additional dues? If the 2024 school board elections are any indication—not much. CTU leadership’s record on school board races may not inspire confidence among members. A Chicago Policy Center analysis of a dozen affiliated PACs found CTU spent nearly $2.9 million on school board races in 2024. Of that spending, more than $2.1 million (75%) went to losing candidates. And while CTU-backed candidates lost six of the nine competitive seats overall, they fared worse in their biggest-spending races, losing five of six contests in which the union and its affiliates put up more than $250,000 for their candidate. The Chicago school board elections take place Nov. 3.3 Is another $8.5 million enough to clean up a toxic reputation? Not likely. Update on federal tax credit scholarship: Last week, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. If Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker follows suit, Illinois could unlock $1 billion in donor money statewide for both public- and private-school students. If Illinois does not opt in, that money will flow to other states. The Last Ward reported in February on how Illinois Democrats could unlock at least $100 million in new resources for Chicago public-school students by opting in. Update on the investigation into how Chicagoans learned about a meeting to hike their property taxes: The Last Ward reported in January on an absurd, taxpayer-funded investigation into how local media learned of a planned Chicago school board meeting to hike the district’s property tax levy. That investigation is now complete. Lawyers interviewed two dozen witnesses, and found nothing. Update on Illinois’ muni debt crisis: My colleague Joe Tabor last week published a must-read piece in Crain’s Chicago Business about how Illinois recently rejected south suburban Harvey’s request to be designated a “distressed city.” The saga shows why the state must implement a better structure to assist insolvent local governments, including allowing for the option to pursue debt relief via Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The Last Ward reported in October on how Harvey is tipping the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis. Mincing Rascals: I joined the Mincing Rascals podcast to discuss the SAFE-T Act, the millionaires tax, and more. My “green light” recommendation: Force Majeure (2014). 1 Notably, the No. 2 reason cited is “resources to fund a state-wide millionaires tax campaign in order to fully fund the state’s school funding formula.” The constitutional amendment necessary to implement a progressive income tax in Illinois recently died in the Illinois House, meaning this question would not appear on the ballot until 2028 at the earliest. 2 There is seemingly no single-subject rule for CTU constitutional amendments. So members only get one vote on the full package. One cannot vote “yes” on the dues hike and “no” on the restriction of members’ rights, for example. 3 Illinois law grants far too much power over local government to unelected officials like Gates. State lawmakers should fix that.