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We must go beyond box checking when it comes to teaching reading
The science of reading isn't enough for Ohio children. Effective reading instruction must address skill and confidence together.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Asking AI health questions? Use with caution, researchers say
Two newly published studies offer a flashing yellow light for anyone who searches for health answers on AI chatbots.
Learfield CEO outlines college sports business, acquisition by TPG
Learfield CEO Cole Gahagan comes on Asking for a Trend to talk more about the multimedia company's role in promoting college sports — especially in the new age of name, image, likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes — and its recent acquisition by TPG (TPG). breaks down its business
SPONSORED The future of farming depends on science
Now more than ever, the world is asking U.S. farmers to produce more while using fewer resources.
Taking Care of Business Program takes care of 460 trees along commercial corridors while growing green skills
In the past four years, the Taking Care of Business Program planted and maintained 460 trees on 60 blocks within 15 commercial corridors.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred will release earlier than expected in the US, and teams up with Overwatch for some of the coolest skins I've ever seen
The Diablo 4 developer chat just dropped a bunch of new info, Overwatch Skins, Twitch Drops, and a bucket of updates with Patch 3.0.0
Sports roundup: Southold tennis serves up a loss for Mattituck
Josh Uguna smashed an ace to clinch his third doubles match with partner Joe Moran, to give Southold an insurmountable 4-2 lead over host Mattituck in its Suffolk County boys tennis match on Thursday, April 16. The Settlers’ duo recorded a 6-2, 6-7, 9-7 win over Monte Lang and Matt Kuzman. Southold (5-2, 5-2) recorded...
SGMC Health Honors Ramsey with BEE Award
SGMC Health recognized Erskine Ramsey, a sonographer at SGMC Urology, as the April recipient of the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award.
Republicans fail to attach SAVE America Act to party-line funding package
Senate Republicans Tom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell voted against a voter ID amendment to the GOP immigration enforcement funding bill.
Dodgers Remain Hopeful Despite 2-Game Offensive Skid
The Los Angeles Dodgers have only scored one run over the past two games, but they remain confident in their offensive capabilities.
Live Nation's legal woes are masking the opportunity in this entertainment stock
Justin Zacks, senior equity analyst and correspondent at CNBC, explains why Live Nation is in a position to pop as legal overhangs could be overshadowing a large growth opportunity for the live entertainment company.
Newly surfaced photos reportedly show Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini at NYC bar in 2020
Russini resigned from her post at The Athletic on April 14, and Vrabel is skipping Day 3 of the NFL Draft to seek counseling.
Sporting Kansas City hosted its inaugural Goal Getters Career Prep Summit
On April 9th, Sporting Kansas City hosted its inaugural "Goal Getters Career Prep Summit" at Sporting Park from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This event was designed for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in sports, helping them to develop practical skills for professional success. The summit was
Fantasy Baseball: It may be time to sell high on Munetaka Murakami, plus more skill vs. luck verdicts for key hitters
Thursday Morning Links
Morning, all! Wyatt Langford has a grade 1 flexor strain in his right arm, which marks the fifth IL stint for a soft tissue injury in the first two years of his career. Skip Schumaker says it’s because he “has more muscles than most people.” Langford is hoping to spend no more than the minimum […]
MN lawmaker takes action to get answers on Omar's alleged fraud ties after she skips key hearing: 'Ghosted us'
Rep. Ilhan Omar faces scrutiny after skipping a Minnesota hearing on her potential links to the massive Feeding Our Future pandemic fraud probe.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel skipping Day 3 of NFL Draft to seek counseling after Dianna Russini photos
U.S. Senate votes to advance $70 billion funding plan for ICE, Border Patrol
Two Republicans - Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski - opposed the measure.
Asking Patients to Decide on Treatment When Side Effects Can Include Death
Patients must weigh their own values in deciding care.
Crimson Desert Gets Its Biggest Patch Yet, Adds Difficulty Settings, Much-Needed Storage Improvements, and Even Birds as Pets
Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss has released update 1.04.00, which makes significant improvements to the game. Chief among them is the addition of difficulty settings, new storage improvements, new pets, keyboard/mouse and controller preset options, new category tabs for the inventory, new skills, improvements to distant scenery quality, and a lot more.
Smoke Shrouds Northern Thailand
Seasonal fires have darkened skies over Southeast Asia.
Janet and Paris Jackson skipped the 'Michael' premiere
Janet Jackson isn't portrayed in the 'Michael' biopic and she skipped the premiere along with Paris Jackson. Here's why they both bowed out and what the cast is saying about leaving sexual assault allegations on the cutting room floor.
‘I Can’t Talk to Anybody.’ One Air-Traffic Controller’s Mental-Health Struggle.
Controllers say the FAA’s medical-reporting system discourages them from seeking treatment. The federal agency says its protocols keep skies safe.
Concerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence
Calls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered
Learn Grow Lead conference held at CVTC’s Business Education Center
Wednesday at Chippewa Valley Technical College, local professionals gathered to connect and sharpen their skills.
Juan Soto officially returns to Mets, admits he hasn't talked to teammates amid 12-game losing skid
DoD seeks to split Defense Health Program into two accounts in fiscal 2027
Prioritization of payments to health insurance companies degraded medical readiness platforms and military medical staff skills," DoD wrote.
AI-driven sports technology from Carnegie Mellon students draws interest from Mark Cuban
More than 68 million Americans play a racquet sport, but improving their skills can be difficult. Costs for lessons are becoming increasingly expensive, and feedback for technique isn’t always individualized. But three Carnegie Mellon University students think they have an answer. They launched a company called ServeSense. Pitching their technology
Malicious KICS Docker Images and VS Code Extensions Hit Checkmarx Supply Chain
Malicious KICS Docker tags and VS Code versions 1.17.0, 1.19.0 enabled data exfiltration, risking exposed infrastructure secrets.
Data Science vs. Artificial Intelligence: Everything You Need to Know
Compare data science and AI career paths, degree options, and skills. Learn which field matches your goals with expert guidance from Pace University.
CBL Scholars Program Opens Pathways to Business Law Careers - UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings)
First-year law students and 2026 CBL Scholars Deniz Masjedi, Alvaro Flores, and Tavia Pappaly gain mentorship connections with leading industry professionals as they prepare for careers in business law. Created by the UC Center for Business Law San Francisco (CBL), the CBL Scholars Program aims to develop the next generation of business law leaders, supported by contributions from individuals and corporate sponsors. The highly competitive program provides funding along with academic and professional mentorship to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Scholars gain exposure to the Bay Area’s technology and venture capital ecosystems and access to UC Law SF’s broad network of senior legal professionals. Now in its sixth year, the CBL Scholars Program provides a scholarship and academic and professional mentorship to students entering the business law community from disadvantaged educational, economic, social, or physical backgrounds. The program is generously sponsored by the law firms Gunderson Dettmer and Goodwin Procter. Meet this year’s CBL Scholars: Deniz Masjedi, Alvaro Flores, and Tavia Pappaly. All three have secured summer associate positions at prestigious law firms. Deniz Masjedi: A Passion for Helping Founders Grow Companies Deniz Masjedi, who was born in Iran and moved to Southern California as a teenager, traces her interest in law to her family’s immigration journey and her desire to advocate for herself and her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, where she studied political science and sociology. At UC Law SF, she serves as a 1L representative for the Iranian Law Students Association and is active in the Business Law Society and Technology & Law Society. Next fall, she will serve as director of mentorship for the Technology & Law Society and director of professional development for the Business Law Society. She will join Sidley Austin this year as a 1L/2L summer associate. Q: What draws you to business law? A: Prior to law school, I worked in Cooley LLP’s Private Companies practice group as a corporate paralegal for three years, supporting over 100 venture-backed startups and venture capital funds. I found purpose in helping founders transform their vision into successful companies. It was incredibly rewarding being part of their journeys—from company formation and initial financing to major transactions such as M&A deals. What excites me most about this field is the potential for a small, innovative company to become the next Google or Zoom, shaping how people communicate and access information. I hope to continue supporting entrepreneurs and investors as a corporate attorney. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: As the first person in my family to attend law school in the United States, receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor. My parents and I left everything behind so that I could enjoy the freedom to practice my religion without persecution and pursue a career in law as a woman. This award is an acknowledgment of my dedication to business law and motivates me to continue pursuing excellence in this field. It also recognizes years of hard work—learning a new language, navigating the college and law school application process, and ultimately building a career in the legal profession. Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: This scholarship will provide access to mentorship from leaders in the field, enabling me to develop the skills necessary to offer practical advice and effective representation to future clients. It also eases the financial burden of law school, letting me focus on my coursework and deepen my commitment to corporate law. As an immigrant, breaking into the legal profession has not always been easy, and the time that mentors have invested in me has been instrumental to my progress. This scholarship will allow me to continue building those relationships while positioning me to one day mentor others pursuing similar paths. Alvaro Flores: Inspired by Entrepreneurs The son of Mexican immigrants raised in San Antonio, Texas, Alvaro Flores says he has long been interested in how policy, markets, and culture shape society. He studied international relations and global economy at the University of Southern California, with minors in business finance and legal studies. His experiences span local political organizing, venture capital and startup work, and teaching entrepreneurship. At UC Law SF, he is involved in the Business Law Society, Technology & Law Society, and the Latinx Law Student Association. He will join Perkins Coie as a 1L/2L summer associate with the firm’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice. Q: What draws you to business law? A: I’m drawn to stories of entrepreneurs whose simple ideas become companies that shape the economy and society. Spending time in venture capital and working directly with founders has shown me that many important decisions in the scaling process are ultimately legal ones, particularly how companies are structured and how capital is raised. Business law sits at the intersection of innovation and equity. It offers a way to stay close to the pace of technological change while also helping expand who gets to participate in it. There is something special about being part of that process here in the Bay Area, where the American Dream feels like it is reimagined in real time. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: I am truly grateful for the support and belief this scholarship represents. I see it not just as recognition, but also as alignment. The CBL Scholars Program’s focus on developing individuals who engage deeply with the business and technology ecosystem reflects the path I have been intentionally building. More than anything, it feels like an investment in that journey. I have been thoughtful about each next step–whether teaching, working in venture capital, or building multidisciplinary experiences–and this scholarship reinforces that those efforts come together in a meaningful way. Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: It allows me to focus more on developing as a business lawyer, without the distraction of financial constraints. Beyond that, the mentorship and access to the Bay Area network are just as valuable. I’m especially interested in working with early-stage companies and investors, so the opportunity to learn directly from people operating at a high level in that space is huge. Tavia Pappaly: Working in the Wine Industry Sparked Interest in Business and Law Tavia Pappaly spent five years in the wine industry before deciding to pursue law school with a goal of becoming a corporate transactions attorney. Pappaly says she wants to use her legal skills to help business grow and thrive. A first-generation law student from Fairfield, California, she is a member of the Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP) and will serve as vice president of social planning for the UC Law SF Sports Law Society in her 2L year. She plans to work as a summer associate at Gibson Dunn in San Francisco after her 2L year. Q: What draws you to business law? A: Business law brings together many of my interests and personal experiences. As the daughter of immigrants who grew up around a family-owned small business, I saw firsthand both the opportunities and challenges of building something from the ground up. That perspective, combined with my experience in the wine industry, solidified my interest in helping businesses of all sizes tackle evolving legal challenges. I’m excited to grow within the corporate law space and develop the skills and experience to support businesses at every stage. I’m deeply motivated to give back to immigrant communities and small business owners, whose experiences often intersect. By building a strong foundation in corporate law, I hope to support those working to create generational stability and to contribute in a meaningful way to the communities that have shaped me. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. I take great pride in my background as a first-generation student and a woman of color, so being recognized for my potential in a field that has historically underrepresented those communities is both affirming and empowering. This program will help connect me to the resources and committed mentors that will help me succeed. Beyond that, it is no secret that law school is a significant financial commitment. This scholarship helps ease both the financial burden and the stress that comes with it, allowing me to focus more on my education and long-term goals. I am incredibly grateful! Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: This scholarship has already connected me with an incredible network of faculty, business law professionals, and like-minded students. The community fostered by the Center for Business Law is deeply supportive, and I’m excited to grow alongside my cohort. I truly believe this network will play an important role in helping me thrive in law school and position me for success in business law. As I have seen firsthand how impactful both financial scholarship and mentorship are, I hope to give back in this same way later in my career.
Columbia Business School’s Community Impact Club Builds on a Legacy of Student Volunteerism in Harlem
The club’s co-presidents, Leticia De Mattei Goncalves (BUS’26) and William Szczecinski (BUS’26), discuss making a local impact while pursuing their MBAs.
As Trump proposes further cuts to science spending, this Pittsburgh researcher is moving to China
Amid uncertain federal funding for science research, an infectious disease researcher is trading the hills of Pittsburgh for the mostly flat terrain on the outskirts of Shanghai.
Microsoft Patches Critical ASP.NET Core CVE-2026-40372 Privilege Escalation Bug
CVE-2026-40372 scores 9.1 due to cryptographic flaw in ASP.NET Core 10.0.0–10.0.6, risking SYSTEM access.
Sisters, Science, and Spirit
Sisters Danielle, Adrienne, and JoJo Safranski, chose Gonzaga to prepare for careers in the health sciences.
Dallas County Republican Party sues over precinct-based voting
The lawsuit is asking that a judge force the county to conduct the May 26 runoff election using precinct-based voting.
Smith hits fifty as Rawalpindiz misery continues
Steve Smith's half-century helped Multan Sultans inflict an eighth straight defeat on Rawalpindiz. Australia's Smith struck 56 from 31 balls at the top of the order to set up Multan's chase of 167, while his compatriot Ashton Turner hit an unbeaten 37 to see them over the line with eight balls to spare. Rawalpindiz, who are already eliminated from the PSL, immediately struggled after choosing to bat first as Shahzaib Khan fell in the first over before skipper Muhammad Rizwan trudged to 26 from 29 balls.
Warsh vows to keep monetary policy independent of politics
STORY: :: Fed chief nominee Warsh vows to keep monetary policy independent of politics:: Washington, D.C. / April 21, 2026:: Kevin Warsh, Federal Reserve chief nominee“Monetary policy independence is essential. Monetary policymakers must act in the nation's interest. Their decision is the product of rigor, deliberation and unclouded decision-making. And as Senator Warren said, I do not believe that independence of monetary policy is threatened when elected officials state their views on rates. Fed independence is up to the Fed." // :: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Democrat on Senate Banking Committee“So, independence takes courage. Let's check out your independence and your courage. We'll start easy. Mr. Warsh, did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election?”WARSH: “Um, we try to keep politics, if I’m confirmed, out of the Federal Reserve.”WARREN: “I’m just asking you a factual question. I need to know. I need to measure your independence and your courage.”WARSH: “Senator, I believe that this body certified that election many years ago.”WARREN: “That’s not the question I’m asking. I’m asking did Donald Trump lose in 2020?”WARSH: “And I’m suggesting to you in 2020…”WARREN: “I’m suggesting you can’t answer that.”WARSH: “… the Fed had a huge inflation problem, and you certified the election…[crosstalk]… let’s keep the politics out of monetary policy.” //WARREN: "Just one little place where you disagree with Donald Trump.”WARSH: “Well, I do have a disagreement actually, Senator, with the president. I think even this morning, he said that he thought I was out of central casting. I think central casting, I'd look older, grayer, maybe show up here with a cigar of sorts.”WARREN: “Quite adorable. But, you know, we need a Fed chair who is independent. That's the only way we preserve the independence of the Federal Reserve. If you can't answer these questions, you don't have the courage and you don't have the independence.”In a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee that quickly hinted at major changes to come at a Warsh-led Fed, the 56-year-old lawyer and financier blamed the central bank for an inflation surge in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to hurt U.S. households.Warsh's hearing quickly turned contentious. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Warsh on his independence and "courage", saying President Donald Trump had made clear Warsh would be his "sock puppet".
Where Are All These Meteors Coming From?
The frequency of fireballs in our planet’s skies seemed to grow in recent months. NASA and other meteor experts can’t agree on what explains it.
At ‘Thrift Lab,’ Museum Of Science And Industry Explores Sustainable Fashion — And Invites You To Shop
The April 30 event will feature speakers on sustainability and clothing, stitch-themed cocktails, a hub to learn sewing and embellishment skills and a vintage market with “tchotchkes galore.”
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
In new memoir, Bottoms says hardships shaped her political identity
The Democratic contender for governor writes about private trauma and public slights, arguing those hardships forged the leader now asking Georgians for a promotion.
Nursing student developing as empathetic health care leader
Slippery Rock University’s nursing program provides students like Mylah O’Hanlon the opportunity to gain the hands-on technical skills…
4 questions with Carrie Ask
“Sports is where I learn to really play my position, master my skills, be a great teammate, and continually adapt to the game. That has implications for life, for business, and how we show up for each…
From novices to advocates: Stanislaus County parents want more computer science classes in schools
After learning basic computer skills, a group of parents hopes their efforts will lead to increased access to computer science, which remains uneven across the state.
Stanislaus health officials watchful as serious skin rash cases rise in California
“This reinforces how important it is for people at higher risk to get both doses of the mpox vaccine.”
Dunlap students learn agriculture and business skills on school farm
Students in Dunlap are getting hands-on experience in agriculture while learning how to turn their work into a business through a school farm program.
Scientists discover skincare compound that kills drug-resistant bacteria
A popular Korean skincare ingredient may be far more powerful than anyone realized. Scientists have discovered that madecassic acid—derived from the herb Centella asiatica—can stop antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their tracks, including dangerous strains of E. coli. By targeting a bacterial protein that humans don’t have, the compound disrupts the microbes’ ability to survive, making it a promising new type of antibiotic.
Politics, Activism Focus Of ‘End Of The World’ Event In Wheeling
WHEELING – Community organizers are asking the public to come get to know each other, make friends, and meet this year’s political candidates at an “End Of The World” party happening this week in Wheeling. The community improvement group “Where Do We Go From Here?” is organizing the event, set for 7-9 p.m. Thursday at […]
Miranda Kerr: Ingredient transparency isn’t just about beauty
The model and founder of KORA Organics chats with Know Your Value founder and "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski ahead of a special Earth Day event in Los Angeles.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski seeking contract extension in offseason
Brandin Podziemski is hoping to secure a long-term contract extension with the Golden State Warriors this offseason.
Small business owners to connect, upskill at Vend Con
In celebration of National Small Business Week, the Women & Minority Small Business Market Inc. (WMSBM) will host Vend Con: Market Ready. The full Vend Con experience is offered at a founding year rate of $45, providing access to all three components. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, visit www.wmsbm.org/events.
Google Photos adds new touch-up tools for 'quick' fixes
You can use the new tools to remove blemishes, refine skin texture, brighten eyes, or whiten teeth in photos.
College basketball rankings: Why UConn is moving up in preseason way-too-early Top 25 And 1
Braylon Mullins is heading back to the Huskies and Duke's Nikolas Khamenia has committed to UConn coach Dan Hurley
Recently-sued Highgrove Holdings president defends himself, business
The lawsuit, filed by the Milwaukee City Attorney on March 26, is asking a judge to declare Highgrove properties a public nuisance.
He Sold His Grass-Fed Jerky Company for Millions. Then He Started One of the Hardest Businesses in Food.
Robby Sansom didn't need another company after Epic Provisions. But visitors to a Texas ranch kept asking one question he couldn't answer.
Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Scott Pianowski's rest-of-season risers and fallers as of April 20
Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic for $250 Million Over Article Claiming Excessive Drinking
Mr. Patel sued the publication for defamation, asking for $250 million in damages. A spokeswoman for The Atlantic called the suit “meritless.”
AI in health care: Experts discuss the future of AI practices and policies
Jim VandeHei, CEO of Axios; Marc Boom, M.D., AHA board chair and president and CEO of Houston Methodist; Anne Klibanski, M.D., president and CEO of Mass General Brigham; Jonathan Perlin, M.D., president and CEO of Joint Commission; and Ladd Wiley, senior vice president of global corporate affairs, public policy and advocacy for Epic, all participated in the panel discussion “AI in Health Care: Navigating Policy, Regulation, and the Road Ahead."
ECU art students showcase artwork, practice business skills
ECU’s School of Art and Design held its second Studio Crawl, when students open their studios to the public, showcase and sell their artwork.
Pinwheels and the ‘lobster district’: How Virginia Democrats drew up a US House map to all but lock out Republicans
Virginia Democrats hope the new congressional map they’re asking voters to approve Tuesday will flip four Republican House districts, delivering 10 of 11 seats in a state Vice President Kamala Harris won with just 52% of the vote in 2024. To do it, they want to dramatically rework entire sections of the state, slicing up deep blue districts in the Washington, DC, suburbs and around Richmond, and creating a new district running along the Blue Ridge Mountains that connects liberal cities. That’s required something called the “lobster district,” stretching from northern Virginia into two “pincers” grabbing up rural territory.
Starwatch: Lyrid meteor shower returns to the spring skies
First recorded in 687BC, the meteoroids were once part of the tail of a comet discovered in 1861
Democrats are 'playing petty politics': GOP lawmaker
Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., condemns Democrats for playing 'petty politics' with DHS funding, risking national security, on 'Fox News Live.'
Multifunctional ligand engineering for pure-blue halide perovskite nanocrystal LEDs
Light: Science & Applications - Passivation with a bifunctional fluorinated ligand stabilizes mixed-halide perovskite nanocrystals, enabling high-color-purity deep-blue emission...
Baseball Falls in Series Finale at Jax State
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – FIU's baseball program fell 7-2 to Jacksonville State in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium in Conference USA (CUSA) play.
Defender knocks back Barcelona contract offer
Barcelona are gearing up for a huge summer, but before the transfer window opens, they have a number of contract situations to resolve. The big one centres on Robert Lewandowski, but another whose cur...
Appleton area high school sports results for Saturday, April 18
High school softball, soccer, baseball and golf teams were in action.
Unemployed for 7 months, wondering if I should go to grad school at 45
I'm struggling to land a job after months of unemployment. I know a master's degree wouldn't guarantee me a job, but maybe I should expand my skills.
Tigers fall to Seneca Valley
by: Lee Mohn Seneca Valley defeated North Allegheny on youth night, 12-2 in five innings on Friday night at North Allegheny High School The Raiders struck early, scoring five runs in the first inning. Abby Kolkowski and Harlee Hornik each hit a two-run home run along with an RBI from Hannah Hornick. Kolkowski would hit… More »
Lyrid meteor shower 2026: See spring's first rain of 'shooting stars' peak in moonless skies
Expect bright fireballs during the Lyrid meteor shower, which will peak in moonless skies on April 22, 2026.
Asking the Wrong Questions About Hasan Piker
The problem isn’t whether to engage with influencers, but how to.
University of Pittsburgh team's FRED model tracks measles
Pitt's Framework for Reconstructing Epidemiological Dynamics program was instrumental in convincing lawmakers to pass rare legislation that took away the ability of residents to skip vaccines because of religious or personal beliefs.
JD Vance could yet save his political skin. But it will mean turning on Trump
The vice-president has endured his most humiliating – and damaging – week as his boss’s fall guy. How much more can Maga’s great hope take? asks Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall
Rising health costs push some older adults to skip the doctor
Without federal financial help, some in the 50 through 64 age group say they’re wrestling with whether to delay care until they qualify for Medicare.
Flyers hold off Penguins 3-2 for Game 1 win
Travis Sanheim scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period and the Philadelphia Flyers announced their return to the playoffs with a 3-2 win over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Philadelphia pulled off a stunner in the opener when Sanheim split a pair of Penguins at the top of the zone, glided down the slot and then fired the puck by Stuart Skinner. Porter Martone, the Flyers’ 19-year-old rookie forward, provided some needed insurance when he beat Skinner on a wrist shot with 2:37 to play.
Can I trust health advice from an AI chatbot?
Abi has had very mixed results when asking a chatbot for guidance about her health issues.
Arc Raiders switches up Expeditions and now skill points are earned from damage dealt, not stash value
Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios has outlined what's coming up in its next Expedition Window, launching on 28th Apr…
Washington baseball falls 6-4 to Michigan State in opener
The Washington Huskies fell behind early and couldn't muster a comeback in a 6-4 loss to the Michigan State Spartans on Friday.
How an unusual coalition is rebuilding — and honoring
Seattle's Memorial Stadium once hosted sports, concerts, civic events and even water skiing. Why the Kraken are helping to build a new stadium might surprise you.
Stop asking AI for life advice
Recent studies confirm that you're better off finding a human therapist.
Two star quants at HFT giant Jump Trading have exited
Yiming Zhang and Darko Kirovski were foundational leaders in the vaunted Jump Core Strategies trading group.
Trump envoy faces 'sweeping' investigation over business ties, diplomatic role
Democratic U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin launched what he described as a "sweeping" investigation into U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, over a potential conflict of interest, according to an April 17 press release. The inquiry focuses on Kushner's dual role as a diplomatic intermediary and head of a private equity firm, raising questions about whether his financial ties could influence U.S. foreign policy decisions. Kushner has played a central role in Trum
Barcelona at breaking point over Lewandowski and Rashford decisions
Barcelona are heading into a defining phase of their summer planning, with two major attacking decisions staring right in their face. The situations involving Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford a...
Appleton area high school sports results for Friday, April 17
High school softball, baseball, soccer and golf teams were in action.
McKinley Park News - Students Strut Science at McKinley Park High’s STEM Night
McKinley Park High at its new Bridgeport campus presented 9th to 12th grade students demonstrating principles of science, technology, engineering and math at its STEM Night event on April 8, 2026, including comment from Principal Seat Vedziovski about the growth and development of the school.
Millions risk health coverage as they skip paying higher Obamacare premiums
A new report showed about 14% of Affordable Care Act enrollees didn't pay their premiums in January, signaling that millions more could be losing health coverage in the coming months.
Barcelona Eyes Atlético Madrid's Sorloth As Potential Lewandowski Successor
Barcelona have reportedly initiated contact with Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth as Hansi Flick seeks a long-term successor for Robert Lewandowski.
MLB Broadcaster Defends AI Usage After Internet Pile on Following Health Struggles
MLB broadcaster Angie Mentink defended her use of AI after a viral video showed her asking for questions to ask after a 'tough loss' on Thursday, April 16. Mentink has suffered a stroke two months prior.
Caitlyn Jenner slammed over asking Donald Trump for help changing passport gender
'The View' star Ana Navarro slammed Caitlyn Jenner for asking Donald Trump for help after her passport was changed to reflect the gender she was assigned at birth: 'Cry me a f---ing river.'
Beyond Prompting: Using Agent Skills in Data Science
How I turned my eight-year weekly visualization habit into a reusable AI workflow
In asking sources around the league Wednesday ahead of …
In asking sources around the league Wednesday ahead of …
In-House Counsel Need ‘T-Shaped’ Skills to Be a Business Leader
In-house counsel need not only deep legal skill but also business acumen and data literacy to help drive business growth, manage risk proactively, and create competitive advantage.
Why some tech leaders are sounding the alarm about Colorado’s ‘deteriorating’ business climate
Colorado enjoyed a reputation of being business-friendly in recent decades. But some in the business community worry that too much regulation is hurting the state’s ability to attract new companies. And they’re asking the governor for help.
NI health: Family 'skimped to get by' during toddler's cancer treatment
There is a bespoke fund to cover travel costs for families of children undergoing cancer treatment - but it only applies in England.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
How Elizabeta Gjorgievska Joshevski built a global tech career and is now shaping AI strategy for enterprises
Elizabeta Gjorgievska Joshevski explains how EverCognitive helps companies approach AI transformation with strategy, readiness, and measurable business outcomes.
Purdue senior strengthens data and computer science skills
Jordan Reynolds has discovered a career path that blends her math and stats expertise with her health care interests.
Personnel note: EDGE Communications adds comms, field talent
'Robert and Diego each bring a strong skillset and clear commitment to the work.'