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Google's putting Pixel Glow front and center in the latest Pixel 11 Pro teaser
Google's highlighting the new notification LED system arriving with the Pixel 11 Pro, launching in two weeks.
FDA authorizes first AI tech for visualizing coronary inflammation in CT scans
Cardiac imaging experts have been anticipating this news for quite some time. The belief is that it could help transform how clinicians evaluate cardiovascular risk.
Former Genesco Inc. chairman William S. 'Bill' Wire II dies at 94
In addition to business community leadership, Wire served on boards of more than a dozen nonprofits, including the YMCA and PENCIL foundations
Check out the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 color that just leaked in an early retail listing
A new leak gives us our first glimpse of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a never-before-seen dark green colorway.
Nearly 800 employees cut from one of GA's largest healthcare system
Wellstar Health System announced a nearly 800-employee layoff, targeting corporate offices. The company is based in Marietta, Georgia.
US lawmakers press Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccine settlement
The letter notes that Merck earlier this year agreed to pay $50 million to settle litigation over Gardasil.
Agent Business Models May Be Shifting: What I Fear Will Happen
When the new AALA Canon of Ethics goes into effect, authors must be more diligent and sharp in evaluating who they partner with.
Consumer confidence falls on worse business, labor views
An indicator of present conditions dropped to the lowest since 2021, while a measure of expectations for the next six months was unchanged.
Explosive diarrhea parasite cases rise by thousands, now in 45 states
There have been 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of the explosive diarrhea illness since May 1, the CDC said July 28.
Exclusive: NCAA flags second Tennessee athletics student worker for sports gambling
For second time in a year, a student worker in the University of Tennessee athletics department was flagged by the NCAA for online sports gambling.
Exclusive: NCAA suspends Tennessee football star Arion Carter two games for $427 flight
Tennessee star LB Arion Carter has been suspended for two games by the NCAA because he returned to college after his NFL agent paid for a $427 flight.
Gina Hinojosa closes gap on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in new poll
A new poll shows Democrat Gina Hinojosa within 3 points of Gov. Greg Abbott, while the Texas AG race between Middleton and Johnson sits at 1 point.
Israel's decades-old US support risks losing Democrats
This month, nearly half of House Democrats voted for a failed amendment to cut off aid to Israel.
Teamsters nurses, Corewell Health East reach tentative union contract
This would be the first contract after nurses voted to unionize in 2024.
Sussex County restaurant, a 'local favorite,' for sale after 48 years
One of Sussex County's most unique restaurants is on the market after nearly a half-century in business.
In Oregon, big grocery, retail companies have highest number of employees on Medicaid
Multi-billion-dollar grocers and retailers such as Walmart and Amazon were among the most listed employers on Oregonians’ applications for publicly-funded health insurance last year, according to a Capital Chronicle analysis of Oregon Health Authority data.
What's the Antidote to Political Polarization?
As the United States commemorates 250 years of independence in 2026, the landmark event has arrived during a time of increased political polarization. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 69% of Americans are dissatisfied with how things are going in the U.S., and 59% believe the country’s best days are behind it. Yet a majority (68%) still feel hopeful about the nation’s future. Bestselling author, social scientist, and Vanderbilt University professor Dr. Arthur Brooks shares that optimism—in part because he sees a clear path out of the divisiveness.
Forever Chemicals Are Uninsurable. Here's What That Means for Business.
This blog was authored by: Roya Alkafaji, Manager, Healthy Communities, and Abhinand Krishnashankar, Manager, Economics and Policy. Photo credit: iStock zoomstudio Every year, new lawsuits reveal the shocking scale of PFAS contamination. These common and long-lasting synthetic “forever” chem
Sketch comedy, coming-of-age stories part of new IF Theatre season
IF Theatre, the organization that puts on IndyFringe each year, has a packed year-round schedule with a variety of stories for 2026-27.
These are the best things to do in Brevard this weekend, July 31-Aug. 6
Find your weekend adventure: Pops concert, 'Dear Evan Hansen' and pub crawl top our list of Brevard's best things to do.
The Science Behind the AI Panic Is Shakier Than You Think
A column by Sascha Lobo Is AI making us dumb? So asked DER SPIEGEL on its cover a while ago. After a few weeks of recovery and a therapeutic intervention with the help of my AI, I feel able to respond. That’s a bit unfair, of course; the article itself is more nuanced than the loud cover, the image of a schoolkid with dull prompt questions, or the subtitle: “AI is conquering the schools, and educators fear a disaster.” The short answer to “Is AI making us dumb?” is: no. The long answer is more interesting, and even carries a preliminary glimmer of the spectacular. Unfortunately, it requires a detour into the sphere of artificial intelligence, into the mogul-field terrain of technology assessment, the attention economy, and the destructive virus of cultural pessimism. Along with narrowing the scope to AI’s effects on education and work rather than on intelligence. Because the honest version of the question would be: Does AI help us learn and work, or not? Generative AI, which set off the still-ongoing hype with ChatGPT, has only existed in relevant distribution since late 2022, early 2023. For a technology-driven transformation of people and society, that is extremely short. For that reason alone, research is still in its infancy. And technology assessment is not a fast discipline anyway. Prominent voices from Elizabeth Eisenstein to RAND to Tom Wheeler say we still cannot conclusively judge the consequences of the printing press. Its invention is a mere 580 years back, and some scholars would rather not circulate assessments that might have to be retracted in two or three hundred years. We’re Going Through Growing Pains A phenomenon that already caused upheaval in social media research makes serious assessment of AI’s consequences even harder: the “moving target” problem of LLM-ology, as the linguist Sean Trott called it in 2025. AI develops so quickly and so unpredictably that researchers often end up studying snapshots of the past. There are concepts, from morphological analysis to anticipatory governance, for keeping research, planning, and regulation halfway meaningful anyway. But even with those, universally valid statements are rare. DER SPIEGEL - The German View is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe We should therefore treat findings about the interplay between humans and AI as far more procedural and situational. Unfortunately, this challenge comes at the worst possible time. We are going through growing pains: AI’s everyday impact has grown very large very fast, and with it the longing for guidance. Annoyingly, the body of solid knowledge has not exploded along with it. Experts cannot be moved to broad consensus on even banal statements about AI. Sascha Lobo, born in 1975, is an author and strategy consultant focusing on the internet and digital technologies. Together with Jule Lobo, he explores the debates of the day in the podcast “Feel the News – Was Deutschland bewegt” (”What Moves Germany”). Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says software developers are dying out. Bill Gates considers coders one of only three professions that will survive the AI tsunami. Top tech economists find virtually irrefutable arguments both for and against an AI bubble. The same naturally applies to the structurally youth-hostile debate over whether AI is good or bad for young people. The gap between the demand for insight and the supply of solid knowledge creates an orientation vacuum. This vacuum of AI cluelessness is filled, as the attention economy described by Georg Franck in 1998 would have it, with half-knowledge (funnily enough, often AI-generated), marketing, and self-marketing. After all, infinite money is at stake, along with academia’s best current shot at global fame. But this iridescent froth of interpretation operates more by the algorithmic principles of the digital public sphere than by seriously earned insight. That is why dramatized, fear-feeding claims about AI are so promising. It tempts parts of academia into distorted drivel, and parts of the media then sensationalize the published drivel once more. Was the Research Aimed at a Desired Result? How badly this can influence academia and public perception is demonstrated by one of the most-discussed studies on AI’s effects: “Your Brain on ChatGPT.” The MIT study by Nataliya Kosmyna also gets plenty of space in the SPIEGEL cover story. What was measured and interpreted: lower brain activity in people who write with AI assistance, compared to people who only google or write without any tools. As is common with preprints, the study has not yet been peer-reviewed, and it contains substantial weaknesses that experts have sharply criticized. The first round had 54 participants in three groups, the second only 18, who reportedly also came from MIT’s own orbit. There was no preregistration (committing in advance to what you want to find out with which data). In their analysis, Stanković et al. even discovered an opposite effect that the study does not further explain. Some measurement data has not (yet) been published. And the EEG analysis method used is considered too imprecise to support such far-reaching conclusions. The biggest criticism, though, is the suspicion of an activism-driven study. In an interview with Time, lead author Kosmyna said she published the study immediately, rather than after full peer review, because she feared politicians might otherwise decide to put ChatGPT in kindergartens. She considers that absolutely harmful. It is legitimate to hold such a view. It just seems unscientific to approach a study with it, and then to design the setup so that the chance of a fitting desired result remains as high as possible. Ideologies Collide It is not easy to separate genuine AI insights from studies that trivialize and weaken well-founded AI criticism. The same goes for the opposing, AI-enthusiastic narratives, because the pro-AI side works against it with billions in resources. Ideologies collide, fed by egos, PR strategies, moral posturing, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Doomsday marketing makes the search even harder: AI companies can profit from warnings about the dangers of AI, whether through the notoriety of apocalypse narratives or because, in some target groups, danger translates into power. Some seemingly negative findings are therefore quite welcome in the AI industry. If you try to get at the findings presumably less influenced by interest groups, the picture in education seems relatively clear: AI can improve educational outcomes when the right AI is used the right way, namely pedagogically. Simply dumping an AI chatbot into a classroom, by contrast, accomplishes little. Huge surprise. But something else is also obvious: whether they are allowed to or not, kids use AI for school, which is why the controlled integration of AI tools into education is, in the medium term, entirely without alternative. In the world of work, the landscape of findings is more complex and requires more differentiation. A series of serious studies points to an AI effect that suits neither the alarmists, regulation fetishists, and AI opponents, nor the trillion-dollar corporations with their armada of paid scientists, PR professionals, and ecosystems: working with AI helps the inexperienced (at least for now) considerably more than it helps the pros, in certain fields of work, and provided they know how to use it correctly. Missing Domain Knowledge Among the experienced, the professionals, and the high flyers, by contrast, despite frequent time savings, partially negative effects and new problems are emerging. Take the jagged frontier problem: AI solves task A brilliantly and fails completely at task B, even though both look similar even to professionals. Or the verification-cost problem, in which AI’s greater productivity gets eaten up by the enormous effort of checking its output. Or the illusion of competence, because AI makes new domains seem easily penetrable, until you painfully discover that deep domain knowledge is missing. Taken as a whole, the effects of working with AI do lean positive. But the promise that AI works as a turbocharger for everyone and boosts practically everything simply refuses to materialize. The AI magic the world has been feeling since ChatGPT arrived in late 2022 has so far barely shown up in most companies’ numbers. The consulting firm McKinsey has coined a term for this, the “gen AI paradox,” and believes that work processes and corporate structures would have to be rebuilt quite fundamentally to realize AI’s benefits at scale. Reuters just reported that only 3.3 percent of Microsoft’s customers have subscribed to the AI package Copilot. That may be down to the product; in other areas we continue to see soaring successes and new AI triumphs. But after the first quarter of 2026, disillusionment is the word for all too many AI projects at traditional companies: because the promised revolution of AI agents has so far failed to arrive or been postponed, and because of the leveling effect that many of the studies cited here suggest. Against Inequality The societal effects, on the other hand, appear rather encouraging. Many previous technologies operated on the Matthew principle, named for the Gospel verse about giving to those who already have: they tended to reward the more competent and more privileged. AI, however, seems more often to have an equalizing effect once a threshold of access and education is crossed. Some anecdotal insights point in this direction, for example, how an unemployed man in Leipzig successfully defended himself in court in 2025 against fraud accusations from Germany’s federal employment agency — without a lawyer, armed only with ChatGPT. The AI made mistakes and cited invented court rulings, but in the end the man walked away unpunished. And a key capability of artificial intelligence is its capacity to learn: set up correctly and fed with data, it can keep getting better. It is a question of time, or more precisely of AI innovations and training data, until even free AI chatbots write better legal briefs than law graduates with perfect exam scores. Whether that will make anyone dumb is something the world’s press will surely inform us of in due time. Subscribe Leave a comment
'Don't Make Me Think' author Steve Krug says social media is terrible
Steve Krug invented the frictionless internet with his book "Don't Make Me Think." Now he's in the frictionmaxxers' corner.
Top 10 events this weekend: Paddlefest, Chris Stapleton, more goetta
Jam out with Chris Stapleton, cool off at Ohio River Paddlefest, or try a goetta-based creation this weekend.
See which Livonia restaurants failed health checks
Wayne County inspectors found microbial growth and improper storage at several Livonia restaurants this summer.
What parents should know about ultra-processed toddler foods
More parents are beginning to scrutinize the foods they give their children early in life, and a new study suggests they're right to do so.
'Love, Simon' author Becky Albertalli announces new YA love story
Get ready for “Something Unpredictable” from the author of “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.”
Jay Clayton confirmed as director of national intelligence
Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the US intelligence community who was confirmed in a 51-47 vote on Tuesday night, steps into his new job inheriting a diminished office whose authority and relevance are at a historic low point.
Area surrounding north suburban hospital evacuated amid police activity involving drones
People were asked to avoid the area surrounding a north suburban hospital amid police activity involving drones on Tuesday, authorities said.
Opioid funds may save a closing Shasta County health hub
A vital Burney mental health center closes July 31, but officials hope opioid settlement funds can keep it open.
Gemini can now make your Google Docs look a lot less boring
Need some visuals? Gemini can now create and edit images, diagrams, and infographics directly inside Google Docs.
Pixel Watch 5 shows up early in an official Google app
The Google Health app is already listing the Pixel Watch 5, weeks before the wearable is due to be officially unveiled.
Billy Bob Thornton inducted into SC Hall of Fame for 'meaningful impact'
Billy Bob Thornton was inducted into the SC Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame following his performance with The Boxmasters on July 27 in Liberty.
Highlights from the 2026 SC Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame
Watch highlights from the 2026 SC Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
See stars at SC Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame 2026 inductions
Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters performed at the Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame concert in Liberty, S.C. July 27, 2026.
Google finally lets Find Hub users delete their old devices
Google has quietly rolled out a new feature to Find Hub that lets users delete old or duplicate devices from the app.
This eating habit could help boost brain health, study finds
The study was a six month clinical trial and its findings were presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
Moments from Nancy Pelosi's four-decade career in politics
Nancy Pelosi is the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives with a four-decade career as a progressive Democratic icon.
Moments from Nancy Pelosi's four-decade career in politics
Nancy Pelosi is the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives with a four-decade career as a progressive Democratic icon.
Will DC hospitals have to give Trump, Konza Health your ER records?
A federal agency is reportedly demanding hospitals to turn over ER records of patients. Could it affect Washington DC-area patients?
See progress of CyTown and the new McFarland Clinic in Ames
Plenty of progress is being made at the Cytown development in Ames, anchored by McFarland Clinic's new building between Jack Trice and Hilton.
Pistons teaching sports business aspects through Youth Council
The Pistons Youth Council will host its fourth annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, executing the lessons learned about the business side of sports.
Lobbying ban tackles one gap in Michigan ethics and transparency laws
Michigan is a laggard on ethics and transparency, but a waiting period for lobbying by former public officials brings the state in line with others.
3 Mexican restaurants receive low health inspection scores: See list
El Paso health inspectors released new scores for restaurants. Find out which spots earned a perfect grade.
The issue that put Abdul El-Sayed on offense debating Haley Stevens
Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens clashed over campaign finance and experience in a key Democratic Senate debate.
Uganda's health minister declares country free of Ebola
Uganda's health authorities declared the country Ebola-free on Tuesday ending the East African nation's latest outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic disease that infected 20 people and killed two of them since it was declared in mid-May.
Rebelle Media & Magic Hour Entertainment Execs On Romance - Comic-Con
Rebelle Media Magic Hour Entertainment founders weighed in on romance on the big screen with authors Christina Lauren & more at Comic-Con 2026.
Trump says he's done more for Michigan autoworkers than their parents
President Donald Trump told Michigan autoworkers he's done more for them than their own parents in a speech at a GM facility outside of Detroit.
See Winter 2025-26 Section 1 high school sports champions
These are state and Section 1 sports champions from the Winter 2025-26 season.
WXYZ-TV names new sports anchor, Tina Nguyen
The reporter previously worked in Chicago and Las Vegas.
Kolbe hosts renowned sports writer at celebrity breakfast
Author and sports reporter Gene Wojciechowski covered major sporting events, and hosted Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School’s eighth annual celebrity breakfast.
Has AI reached the singularity? Experts disagree with Sam Altman
Sam Altman says we're in the singularity. Most of the AI academics and authors Business Insider spoke to say the bar has not been met.
The 'it' toy for Christmas 2026 dropped today (and it'll probably sell out soon)
The Toniebox Lite just launched, offering a smaller and cheaper way for kids to enjoy screen-free entertainment from their favorite characters.
Mitch McConnell's office releases new photo of senator amid health questions
The 84-year-old lawmaker was first hospitalized on June 14 after a fall and subsequently treated for pneumonia.
Mitch McConnell provides health update, new photo as rehab continues
Sen. Mitch McConnell will miss the Fancy Farm political picnic, as he is \
Savannah Guthrie speaks out on 'agony' of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance
Savannah Guthrie has released an emotional new video statement as authorities in Arizona continue to search for her 84-year-old mother.
Inside a GOP rift: Why Ron DeSantis refuses to endorse Byron Donalds
Gov. Ron DeSantis is rebuffing Byron Donalds' bid for governor, fueling talk of a deep rift in the Florida GOP.
Trump coming to Michigan for speech on economy: Live updates
President Donald Trump is slated to visit Michigan on Monday, July 27 for a speech at GM Proving Grounds in Milford. Get live updates here.
Carly Simon reveals Parkinson's disease and cancer diagnoses
Carly Simon revealed in a new interview with People magazine that she's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Iowa to use $10.5M for rural residency programs to fill doctor gap
Iowa is allocating $10.5 million towards creating rural residency programs as the state faces a physician shortage.
Legal fight over churches endorsing candidates renewed as midterms near
The so-called Johnson Amendment has long barred houses of worship from direct involvement in politics. But an ongoing legal fight could change that.
Provincetown Carnival names whale-saving group as grand marshal
Center for Coastal Studies will lead the Provincetown Carnival parade in honor of 50 years of research and conservation in Cape Cod Bay and beyond.
Community searching for answers after several business burgarlized
Savannah police are seeking help identifying a suspect after a string of burglaries hit Starland Strange and Bazaar.
Political action committees swarm incumbents with donations
The two incumbent Tennessee lawmakers from Knox County who are facing primary challengers have PACs on their side.
Fancy Farm is back. Here's what to know about the Kentucky tradition
Kentucky's political \
Will Newport residents say 'enough is enough' to tourism this election?
Tourism brought the city back after the Navy fleet left, but how many tourists can residents endure?
How much sweating is too much? Here's what you can do about it
Many things can cause someone to sweat more easily than others. Here’s what to consider if you're worried about excessive sweating.
Pennsylvania budget boosts mental health funding. Will it be enough?
Pennsylvania increased funding in the 2026-27 budget for key mental health programs while communities continue to face service gaps.
Amid the social and political panic about falling birthrates, why not ask new mothers what they think?
New research reveals deep anxieties. Medals and cash bonuses have been mooted as incentives, but the real need is for women to have their feelings valued, says author and journalist Lucy Jones
What England's local councils tell us about fragmenting politics
Even the most ardent advocate for local democracy would concede that council chambers are not always the most exciting places. Subscribe Whether it’s planning meetings, motions or resolutions, you’d be forgiven for switching off. Unless it’s lockdown and we’re talking about standing orders, of course. Remember Jackie Weaver, who infamously “had no authority here” at a chaotic parish council Zoom call in 2021? Yet, as a general rule since then, council meetings rarely make the headlines beyond local papers and news websites. Reform’s success After Reform’s stunning success at the local elections in May though, the leader of the party’s group on Kirklees Council suddenly found she’d gone viral online for admitting that she didn’t actually understand council procedures. “I don’t understand the constitution”, Councillor Sarah Wood, pictured above, told the council chamber. “I have not had sufficient time to read that as yet. I don’t understand what standing orders are, what they’re made up of, nor do I understand what an amendment is.” Share Channel 4 News Councillor Wood later defended her comments to the BBC, and said that “new councillors and not just us, are coming from jobs”. She claimed that the sharing of the clip mocking her online was an example of “Reform-bashing”. She added: “Yes, we need to know procedures. Yes we need to do the homework. And we have addressed that now and we have put that right.” So, with standing orders getting another moment in the spotlight, not to mention the fracturing and fragmentation from May’s results, we set out to find out how new councillors are doing across England in this new political landscape. New political landscape Where better to start then than Kirklees, in West Yorkshire. Reform is the largest party, the council is under no overall control and has chosen a new leader - Sarah Wood - after two failed attempts to elect one. It is difficult to secure interviews with new Reform councillors, but John Hardie, pictured below, told us it’s been a “whirlwind” since being elected in May. He represents the Dalton ward and told us the party’s lack of political experience hasn’t been a hindrance. “We’ve come with lots of experience, lots of business experience and life experience, and it’s been good, actually, too. And to mix with other councillors who have been in the political world, and we can learn from each other.” Indeed, more parties are now having a say than ever before. In Manchester, the Green Party followed up their victory in the parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton by gaining 17 seats on the city council. That makes them the official opposition to Labour, who have long dominated Manchester City Council. [ ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-landmark-green-by-election-win) [ How landmark Green by-election win could change British politics ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-landmark-green-by-election-win) Krishnan Guru-Murthy · Feb 27 [ Read full story ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-landmark-green-by-election-win) Thirza Amina Asanga-Rae, pictured below, is one of those new councillors, representing Moss Side. We asked her how being the official opposition can make a difference. She said: “I think even the fact that we’ve made history in what we’ve done, it’s been a 50-year stronghold of Labour in Manchester, and now that we’ve broken that and chipped in that, there’s real hope that we can not only run the council in the future, but currently hold them to account. So, I think that’s powerful. It’s just going to help shape and build what I call the green wave.” The reality, though, is that several newly elected councillors across the country have already left their roles through resignations, suspensions or defections. ‘It’s a slog’ Asanga-Rae adds: “It’s a job, it’s a slog. Obviously, we’re going through hard times. Austerity is real. We’re talking about food, child poverty, furniture poverty. The list is endless, and I think people who come into a councillor role need to be willing to help, really roll the sleeves up and get involved and help, and I think a lot of the career politicians, who think it’s the ‘la-di-da’ position, get in and realise I’m not going to do this work and bounce.” Share Although Manchester still has a clear majority, many councils, including Kirklees, are now under no overall control. That is perhaps the strongest sign of the political fragmentation we are seeing. Burnley is another example of this. Reform is now the largest party, yet they’re not part of the power-sharing coalition on this council - the Liberal Democrats and a local group of independents. Zulkernehn Hayat, pictured below, is part of The Independent Group. He represents Queensgate ward and told us all councils can benefit from having more independent councillors. ‘This is where I was brought up’ He said: “This is my home. This is Burnley. This is where I was brought up. Why do I need to get approval from somebody in a head office down south somewhere, you know? “This is my biggest argument. If okay, my neighbour comes to me with an issue, I can then take that straight to the council, because I don’t need to get approval from anywhere else. And this is the benefit of being independent.” So, while voters will always inevitably want quick results, perhaps spare a thought for the newly-elected councillors who are still navigating local government - one standing order at a time. 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Google could flip Watch Unlock around with a new Pixel feature
Google appears to be working on a new Phone to Watch Unlock feature that flips that works in reverse of the existing Watch Unlock feature.
Michael Rattray & Robert Kiel: How Science Is Trying to Restore Santa Barbara’s Lost Kelp Forests
The Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) unanimously approved the next phase of the Goleta Bay Kelp Project on July 17. This
Business briefs, July 27
New CMS voting memo sparks concerns over resident assistance in nursing homes … Initial jobless claims decline 22K week over week, falling to a seasonally adjusted tally of 187K … House Energy and Commerce Committee passes package to streamline Medicare Advantage prior authorization … 1 in 4 US workers sticking with a job strictly for health insurance … Fitch Ratings affirms Greenwood Village South at BBB-; outlook stable
California leaders split over war in Iran
California lawmakers and leaders are divided over the war in Iran, now in its fifth month, as debates over funding and presidential authority continue in Washington D.C.
Q&A: Professor Gail Wyatt discusses mental health advocacy in marginalized communities
July is the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The month honors Campbell, an advocate and author who co-founded the National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban Los Angeles to help people from marginalized backgrounds seek mental health services.
Why the WNBA All-Star MVP wasn't able to enjoy any of it
Jonquel Jones broke down in tears as she addressed reporters following her MVP win in the 2026 WNBA All-Star game. The reason wasn't one you'd expect.
I paid $1,500 to upgrade to Delta One for my Paris flight; worth it?
The author was offered a $1,500 upgrade to Delta One at check-in. She bought the premium ticket and details whether the experience was worth it.
Why strawberries are one of the best fruits for health, weight loss
Strawberries pack an impressive amount of nutrition into every bite, with fiber being one of their standout nutrients.
Political turmoil, lower pay yield small candidate pool for HTA’s top job
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has attracted about 60 applicants in its search for a new president and CEO, a significantly smaller candidate pool than past searches as the agency tries to recruit a leader after years of political turmoil and uncertainty about its future.
Summer heats up arts, entertainment scene for Dispatch reporter
Dispatch reporter Belinda M. Paschal shares a look at the arts and entertainment beat, breaking/trending news and upcoming stories.
SEC football not just chasing Big Ten. It lags behind other SEC sports
The Big Ten has won the last three national titles in football. But the SEC is distinguishing itself in basketball, baseball, softball.
Revolutionary stories, Star Lab, more at Museum of Nature & Science
This summer the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science offers Star Lab, Backyard Club, Nerd Nite, Delaware 250 history & lots more
Polk County Republicans turn up the heat at Summer Sizzle rally
Polk County Republicans gathered for the Summer Sizzle fundraiser on July 25 to hear remarks from candidates up and down the ballot.
Court filing bolsters claims California targeted in Trump grant cuts
Federal attorneys acknowledged political criteria in grant selections, fueling claims California was unfairly targeted.
5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is here, and it's a powerful foldable. But is it the right one for you? Let's consider the best alternatives.
'Money out of Politics' initiative moves forward after signature inquest
The Michiganders for Money out of Politics proposal survived an inquiry into its signatures, with canvassers approving the proposal July 24.
What are we overlooking in kids' mental health? Playing outside!
Most young people spend less time in nature than previous generations. They need it for their health and development.
Lubbock business news includes best jerky, sheet metal, AI flyers
Business Reporter Alana Edgin reviews recent Lubbock area businesses news and hints at upcoming articles in the Around the Hub column.
Erie KFC on Peach Street cited for 15 health code violations in 2026
Erie County is monitoring the Peach Street KFC restaurant's progress toward cleaning up after being cited for multiple health code violations in 2026.
Her quippy liberal sweater brand went left. Was it the right choice?
Rachelle Hruska launched Lingua Franca, her quippy cashmere sweater brand, two months before Donald Trump won in 2016. She didn't mean to get political.
Meet the blind SW FL singer who inspired America's Got Talent judges
Blind singer Sarah Hardwig earned a standing ovation on America's Got Talent. Here is her inspiring story.
A federal appeals court rejects Trump's bid to revive H-1B visa fee
An appeals court refused to revive Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas, after a lower court ruled it a tax to be authorized by Congress.
“Graphic Talk About Science: Adventures in Science Engagement”
Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history, welcomes the public to the third Saturday Evening Talks & Telescopes of the season on Saturday, July 25, 2026. MWO is honored to present “Graphic Talk About Science: Adventures in Science Engagement,” a lecture by Clifford V. Johnson, from UCSB. This lecture explores how graphic storytelling can make cutting-edge physics more accessible, as Johnson discusses the science and creative process behind his illustrated book, “The Dialogues: Conversations About the Nature of the Universe.” Tickets are available here: www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture072526 During the six-month season, each Talks & Telescopes event runs from 5:30pm to 11:30pm with the “talk” portion of the evening beginning in the Observatory’s Auditorium. The 60+ minute presentation is followed by picnic dining—bring your own, or purchase from a food truck or caterer—and then, after the sun goes down, stargazing through Mount Wilson’s immense telescopes, the largest in the world made available to the public. Additional stargazing around the grounds will be available thanks to members of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society. Both the 60-inch telescope and the 100-inch—the latter famously used by Edwin Hubble to discover the expanding universe—will be available for viewing the night sky. Priced at $50, this event series offers the most economical stargazing event option on the mountain. Tickets and more information are available on Mount Wilson Observatory’s website here: www.mtwilson.edu/lectures. Advance purchases are highly recommended. UPCOMING SATURDAY EVENING TALKS & TELESCOPES OF THE 2026 SEASON August 22: “Towards a Functional Cosmology” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture082226 Join artist Lita Albuquerque for a lecture on her multidisciplinary practice at the intersection of art, science, and cosmology. Drawing on decades of work across painting, land art, performance, and installation, she reflects on projects created in remote, astronomy-linked environments and how they shape her exploration of time, space, and human perception. September 19: “The Brightness of Stars: Henrietta Leavitt and the Transformative Nature of Attention in Art and Science” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture091926 Visual artist and author Anna Von Mertens explores the life and legacy of Henrietta Leavitt, whose study of variable stars enabled the first reliable measurements of cosmic distances. Working among the Harvard Computers, Leavitt laid the foundation for breakthroughs at Mount Wilson, including Harlow Shapley’s mapping of the Milky Way and Edwin Hubble’s discovery of an expanding universe. Drawing from her book “Attention Is Discovery: The Life and Legacy of Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt,” Von Mertens shares archival materials alongside her own artwork inspired by Leavitt’s life, to celebrate how careful attention leads to both scientific discovery and a meaningful life. October 17: “The Duality of Genius and Struggle: G.E. Hale” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture101726 This talk, presented by Sam Hale, explores the extraordinary life and legacy of his grandfather, George Ellery Hale—the visionary behind some of the world’s most important astronomical institutions. Drawing on both history and personal connection, Sam Hale offers insight into a legacy that continues to shape science and culture today. VISITING MWO The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum. The Cosmic Cafe (www.mtwilson.edu/cosmic-cafe), located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Cafe offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower. PARKING A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway (https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10007957-4530-angeles-crest-hwy/en_US). Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/visiting NOT ADA-COMPLIANT Please be advised that access to the 100-inch dome is via an open-air, 53-step staircase inside the building. There is no ADA-compliant access.
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