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Rebecca Solnit talks politics, new book, Santa Fe International Literary Festival appearance
Best-selling author and activist Rebecca Solnit joins "Conversations Different" to discuss her new book, politics and her appearance at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival.
Fewer stents, positive outcomes: Sirolimus-eluting balloons a safe alternative during PCI
Using a DCB that releases sirolimus over an extended period of time appears to be both safe and effective when treating patients who present with NSTEMI or unstable angina.
Neanderthals' brains weren't to blame for their demise, new study suggests
Researchers examining the brains of living people found that they differed more substantially than Neanderthals' brains differed from modern humans', calling into question the reason our evolutionary cousins mysteriously disappeared.
Altman makes courtroom appearance as potential jurors slam AI, Musk
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was spotted at a California courthouse, where some potential jurors shared unfavorable views about AI — and Elon Musk
Patriots draft grades roundup: 2026 class receives mostly solid reviews
How did the Patriots make out with their 2026 NFL Draft class as a whole? The reviews appeared to vary by round.
DeSantis proposes new US House map for Florida aiming to flip four seats for Republicans
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a new map for US House districts that appears to show Republicans gaining an advantage in four seats now held by Democrats.
PlayStation Users Report New Online License Checks For Digital Games
The problem appears to be affecting both PS4 and PS5 games purchased after March 2026.
Medieval art makes the body a site of theology and politics
Medieval artists depicted bodies as vehicles for politics and hierarchy. Repeated enough, these roles began to appear natural
Alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter set to appear in federal court
The suspected gunman will face charges, including assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Pesticide exposure linked to 150% higher cancer risk in major study
A major new study finds that living in pesticide-heavy environments could raise cancer risk by up to 150%, even when the chemicals are considered “safe” on their own. The research suggests these mixtures may silently damage cells years before cancer appears.
Accreditor Mum as Texas Politicians Take Curricular Control
Texas public universities are restricting what faculty can teach and graduate students can research. Although they appear to violate its standards, SACS hasn’t responded.
Pirates Drop Finale; One Mistake Opens Floodgates, Brewers’ Harrison Dominates
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski was rolling through three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth after a costly […] The post Pirates Drop Finale; One Mistake Opens Floodgates, Brewers’ Harrison Dominates appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
White House Correspondents' Dinner attack suspect is tutor and computer programmer from California
Social media posts that appear to match the California man arrested Saturday in the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner show he is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer.
Blanche says it appears suspect was targeting Trump admin. members
Deadly Rohingya sea crossings are enabled by a business built on misery
Nearly 900 Rohingya disappeared at sea in 2025 as they tried to reach Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. Human trafficking networks have thrived on the despair of this stateless and persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar.
‘Referendum on Sheriff Brown’: Politics and policy collide as supervisors split on jail authority bill
Disagreement comes amid a new county report showing controversial Sheriff’s Office overtime costs appear to be trending downward.
Trump evacuated after security incident at White House correspondents dinner; no sign of injuries
President Donald Trump and other top leaders of the United States were evacuated from an annual dinner of White House correspondents on Saturday night after an unspecified threat. There did not immediately appear to be any injuries.
Fish oil may be hurting your brain, new study finds
Fish oil has long been praised as brain-boosting, but new research suggests the story may be more complicated. Scientists found that in people with repeated mild head injuries, a key omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil—EPA—may actually interfere with the brain’s ability to repair itself. Instead of helping recovery, it appears to weaken blood vessel stability, disrupt healing signals, and even contribute to harmful protein buildup linked to cognitive decline.
Helena Bonham Carter leaves ‘The White Lotus’ days into filming
HBO on Friday confirmed the Oscar-nominated actress will no longer appear in the upcoming fourth season of the hit show created by Mike White.
Astros vs. Yankees Game Thread, Game 28 4/25/26
The Houston Astros (10-17) will play the second of a three-game series with their heated interdivision rival New York Yankkes (17-9), tonight at Daikin Park. RHP Mike Burrows(1-3 ,6.75 ERA) will make his sixth regular season appearance for the Astros tonight opposite the Yankees and starter RHP Ryan Weathers (1-2, 3.18 ERA). TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Mike Burrows is […]
In California, a Voter ID Proposal Is Set to Appear on the Ballot in November
A Republican-backed initiative has cleared the signature threshold for the election. Critics say the proposal could make it harder for people to vote.
Missing scientists: A timeline of cases
At least 11 scientists have died or disappeared since 2022, raising concerns the cases may be connected.
How a Fringe Conspiracy Theory About Missing Scientists Got the FBI’s Attention
Speculation over disappearances and deaths grew for months online; Trump vows ‘we’re going to look at it.’
Steam Controller early review leak claims $99 launch price
Steam Controller launch signs grow as early review video leaks Valve's new Steam Controller appears to have leaked again, this time through what looks
Steam Controller review leaks, but price of Steam Machine accessory may disappoint
After reports that Valve had received shipments of the accessory, a Steam Controller review has appeared. Deleted ahead of a likely release date update, a YouTuber praised its responsive dual trackpads. Even so, the price may make it more difficult to discount the Steam Machine.
Close watch on how Trump and journalists will get along at White House correspondents' dinner
Donald Trump is expected to make his first appearance as president at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington. The annual event is designed to celebrate press freedoms. But...
Close watch on how Trump and journalists will get along at White House correspondents' dinner
Donald Trump is expected to make his first appearance as president at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.
Colorado Politics Calendar Apr. 27-May 3
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
Michigan group pushes to get big money out of politics
A new push to limit corporate money in Michigan politics appears to be gaining traction.There is strong bipartisan support for restricting political contributions from regulated monopolies and companies seeking government contracts, according to a survey commissioned by supporters of the proposal. S...
Judge appears skeptical of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against IRS and Treasury
A federal judge on Friday questioned the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department over the leak of his tax returns, ordering a hearing to determine whether the president can sue federal agencies that he oversees.
iPhone 18 Pro Max design unit hands-on video shows 25% smaller Dynamic Island; variable aperture likely
Hands-on video of the iPhone 18 Pro Max dummy units reveal a 25% smaller Dynamic Island and a thicker camera array with larger lenses, hinting at the rumored variable aperture for the main 48MP camera. The iPhone 18 Pro Max appears boring next to iPhone Ultra/Fold, but this might be the biggest front upgrade for Apple's Pro iPhone since iPhone 14 Pro.
Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland
Test your knowledge of entertainment with this quiz on celebrities, trends and headline-making moments. Featured this week: guess the viral moment and rare photo appearences.
Nan Schaffer, veterinarian who helped unlock the science of rhino reproduction, has died, aged 72
“One of the great tragedies of the 21st century,” Nan Schaffer once said, “will be humanity’s homogeneity.” The remark was less a warning than a diagnosis. In a world where landscapes were being simplified and species reduced to remnants, she concerned herself with what would be lost when difference itself began to disappear. For species […]
Welcome to the Resistance, Gerrymandering Texas Republicans
The new congressional seats Texas Republicans delivered for Trump by redistricting appear to have been canceled out—and then some—by Democratic states. Oops.
Al Gore Reflects on 20 Years Since 'An Inconvenient Truth'
The former vice president made an appearance at THR and the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance's Sustainability in Entertainment Honors, with awards presented to 'Paradise,' 'The Boroughs' and 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Seaport Entertainment Group (SEG): Bill Ackman Admires This Entertainment Company
We just covered the 10 Best Long-Term Stocks to Buy According to Bill Ackman and Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (NYSE:SEG) ranks 9th on this list. Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (NYSE:SEG) first made an appearance in the 13F portfolio of Pershing Square in the third quarter of 2024. Back then, this position comprised just over 2 […]
Scientists warn about golden oyster mushrooms sold in Florida markets
The golden oyster mushroom may be a culinary hit, but it’s becoming an ecological problem. Scientists warn it’s spreading quickly through U.S. forests, where it outcompetes native fungi and reduces biodiversity. In just a decade, it has appeared in more than 25 states, largely due to human cultivation and transport. Its silent expansion is now raising concerns about long-term impacts on forest ecosystems.
'Survivor' star Christian Hubicki confronts Jimmy Fallon after elimination over failed Fallon challenge
'Survivor 50' star Christian Hubicki got the chance to sit face to face with Jimmy Fallon, the man whose special appearance on the show directly led to Hubicki having to vote himself out in a shocking twist.
Trump\'s planned appearance bringing renewed scrutiny to annual correspondents\' dinner
For the first time as president, Donald Trump is planning to attend the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington this weekend. Some critics can't believe that the reporters
Instagram tests a new 'Instants' app for sharing disappearing photos
The app lets users share disappearing photos with their friends that can be viewed only once and remain available for 24 hours.
20 Scientists, 2 Giants: Mysterious Deaths, Disappearances Rattle US, China
In Washington, at least 11 incidents involving scientists in areas such as nuclear technology, space research and advanced weapons are under scrutiny.
What\'s the big structure outside of Lititz? Here\'s what we know
A large structure appeared in Warwick Township on Furnace Hill Road. But, what is it?
Feds probe 'missing scientists' list. Who has died, disappeared?
The cases span multiple years and include a patchwork of people from different backgrounds, circumstances and connections to classified material.
Leaked One UI 8.5 changelog details new features on Galaxy S25, AirDrop and more
The One UI 8.5 changelog for the Galaxy S25 series appeared online, signaling what could be a rollout in the...
‘Seinfeld’ star Steve Hytner bringing stand-up show to Emmaus
The actor best known for playing overbearing comedian Kenny Bania on “Seinfeld” is scheduled to appear July 16 at the Emmaus Theatre.
Chinese Scientists Have Been Dying Mysterious Deaths Too
As the US questions the untimely deaths or the disappearances of top scientists, China is grappling with the same mystery at home.
Angi cofounder describes what it's like to be the face of a company
Angie Hicks says appearing in ads for her business, formerly called Angie's List, means she often gets recognized. It's also her leadership strategy.
'The Neighbourhood': Graham Norton Praised By Team Behind ITV Show
Graham Norton has been praised for his hosting of 'The Neighbourhood, ITV's Saturday night show, after he appeared in a Taylor Swift video.
Suns-Thunder takeaways: There doesn't appear to be an answer for SGA
Francisco Lindor exits tonight’s game with left calf tightness
Lindor appeared to be in pain as he scored on an Alvarez double.
Base Mac Mini Sold Out From Apple Online Store
Apple appears to be sold out of the base Mac mini, and the machine is listed as “Currently Unavailable” from the Apple Online Store. The base Mac mini is the model with an M4 chip, 256GB of storage, and 16GB RAM. M4 Mac mini models with upgraded storage are still in stock, as are Mac mini models that are equipped with the M4 Pro chip. Configurations with 24GB RAM are also still available, but some models that use 32GB RAM or higher are out of stock.
Adversaries may have taken missing US scientists, lawmaker says
Nearly a dozen scientists have disappeared or died in circumstances that some observers have deemed suspicious.
La Toya Jackson explains why Janet Jackson isn't in the 'Michael' biopic
Director Antoine Fuqua said that although she doesn't appear in "Michael," Janet Jackson still supports her nephew Jaafar Jackson, who stars as the King of Pop in the biopic.
Former 'CBS Mornings' executive producer joins MS NOW as political director
Shawna Thomas will oversee the cable network's campaign coverage and also appear on-air.
Mar 2026 USA Sales: Pokémon-Powered Switch 2 Finally Beats 5-Year-Old PS5
A wild Pokopia appears
Rockets-Lakers takeaways: How did L.A. make Kevin Durant disappear to claim 2-0 series lead?
Why forest conservation is also public health
In a lowland forest in southeastern Madagascar, what was missing proved as telling as what was found. Researchers trapping small mammals in the Manombo Special Reserve caught tuft-tailed rats in the intact interior forest. In the nearby littoral forest, despite repeated efforts, they found none. The traps held black rats instead. The observation appears in […]
Public News Service Story: Michigan group pushes to get big money out of politics
This story was originally published by Public News Service. By Chrystal Blair, producer Public News Service April 21, 2026 A new push to limit corporate money in Michigan politics appears to be gaining traction. There is strong bipartisan support for restricting political contributions from regulated monopolies and companies seeking government contracts, according to a survey commissioned by
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defends Spending Cuts to Health Agencies
Kennedy appeared before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee about the President’s 2027 budget.
Ancient DNA reveals a hidden Neanderthal group frozen in time
A remarkable genetic breakthrough has uncovered what may be one of the clearest snapshots yet of a Neanderthal “community” living together 100,000 years ago in what is now Poland. The findings reveal that these individuals shared genetic ties with Neanderthals spread across Europe and the Caucasus, hinting at widespread ancient lineages that later disappeared.
Adversaries may have taken missing US scientists, lawmaker says
Nearly a dozen researchers or people with links to aerospace or defense programs have disappeared or died in circumstances that some observers have deemed suspicious.
At least 10 scientists tied to sensitive US research have died or disappeared in recent years, sparking federal investigation
At least 10 people tied to sensitive US nuclear and aerospace research have died or disappeared in recent years, prompting federal investigations into whether the cases are connected.
Southern Poverty Law Center says it faces a DOJ criminal probe over paid informants
The Alabama-based civil rights organization made the announcement Tuesday, saying President Donald Trump's administration appears to be preparing legal action against it or its employees.
Inside the debate that sank a small business health insurance bill
With the state legislature focused this session on affordability, a proposal that aimed to lower health insurance costs for small and midsize businesses appeared to have momentum — including backing from Gov. Ned Lamont. But the bill stalled in the Appropriations Committee.
FBI investigating possible links between deaths and disappearances of at least 10 scientists
The law enforcement agency’s announcement came after President Donald Trump highlighted the recent deaths of several scientists and government workers who may have had access to sensitive information
College athlete gave up athletic scholarship; was it the right choice
Growing up, running was my life, and I worked hard to earn a college scholarship. But when I started school, my passion for the sport disappeared.
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
Steam Controller one step closer to launch after Valve teases ‘unboxing’ video with announcement pending
Another Steam Controller clue has been spotted online, as a mysterious 'unboxing' video appears on SteamDB ahead of launch.
When the CEO Becomes the Brand
Research suggests that Elon Musk’s political stance appears to have reshaped how different groups perceive Tesla. Overall sales trends hint at trouble. The company’s growth stalled in 2024, and deliveries fell 8.5% in 2025. But those headline numbers hide what is happening beneath the surface. When the data is broken down by political orientation and by changes in views of Musk, a more complicated pattern emerges. Among right-leaning respondents and those whose opinion of Musk has improved, Tesla’s brand appeal is significantly higher and willingness to pay exceeds that for many competing brands, including Ford, Chevrolet, and Rivian. Among left-leaning consumers and those whose view of Musk has worsened, the opposite is true: Preference and willingness to pay for Tesla drop sharply. The outcome is not a uniform decline but a polarization of demand. Some consumers appear to feel alienated, while others feel more aligned with the brand. This raises an important strategic question of whether companies can influence purchasing decisions across these divided segments by strengthening the underlying value proposition.
Scientists just captured trees glowing with electricity during storms
Scientists chasing thunderstorms in a retrofitted minivan finally captured something never seen before in nature: faint electrical glows shimmering from treetops during a storm. These “corona discharges,” long suspected but never observed outside a lab, appeared as tiny UV flashes at the tips of leaves. The discovery could reshape how we understand forests, since these bursts may help clean the air by breaking down pollutants.
Salmon contract signing another great step for young defender
Arsenal have announced that 16-year-old centre back Marli Salmon has signed a pre-contract agreement which will mean he signs a first professional contract when he turns 17 in August. Salmon was taken on the tour of Hong Kong and Singapore and impressed the coaching staff, featuring in games against Newcastle and AC Milan. The centre-back made his debut in the Champions League in the 3-0 win over Club Brugge and has also made three appearances in the FA Cup, starting the win over Mansfield.
Two-sun planets keep disappearing: Here’s why scientists point to Einstein
Science News: The idea of a planet orbiting two suns has long captured both scientific curiosity and public imagination. Popularised by science fiction, such worlds.
Ever heard of 'eelgrass?' It's vital to our coast, it's disappearing, but science could bring it back
Eelgrass supports life along the coast, and scientists are now testing new ways to restore it.
Goodwill Entertainment Holding's (Catalist:GEH) Soft Earnings Don't Show The Whole Picture
Goodwill Entertainment Holding Limited's ( Catalist:GEH ) recent soft profit numbers didn't appear to worry...
NASA coordinating with relevant agencies in missing scientists probe
NASA says it is cooperating with federal agencies to investigate the deaths and disappearances of 11 nuclear and space-linked scientists since 2022.
A deal to end the Iran war seemed close. Then Trump started posting on social media
As the weekend approached, the US and Iran appeared to be closing in on a deal to end the seven-week war.
The jet-fuel surge is making global flight connections disappear
Airline passengers should brace for more aggravation in the next few months as carriers around the world deepen cancellations and ground planes to cope with stratospheric increases in jet-fuel prices.
Coachella: Madonna, Justin Bieber, and all the big winners from Weekend 2
A surprise appearance helped Justin Bieber turn around his festival performances.
Samsung’s next pair of Galaxy Buds surface with apparent open-ear design
Samsung has a new pair of Galaxy Buds in the works, “Galaxy Buds Able,” which appear to have an open-ear...
World's largest collection of Olympiad-level math problems now available to everyone
Every year, the countries competing in the International Mathematical Olympiad arrive with a booklet of their best, most original problems. Those booklets get shared among delegations, then quietly disappear. ...
Charlie Kaufman Talks Béla Tarr & Dissects His Own Creative Process
Charlie Kaufman appeared at the Sands Film Festival alonside his longtime collaborator Eva H. D.
Charlie Kaufman On Finding Inspiration In Béla Tarr & Why He Isn’t Interested In “Conventional Notions Of Entertainment”
On Saturday evening, the veteran American filmmaker Charlie Kaufman appeared at the Sands Film Festival in St Andrews, Scotland, for an onstage Q&A, originally billed as an exploration of the relation...
Galaxy Glasses make an appearance in Samsung’s latest firmware
A Galaxy Glasses icon has been spotted in both One UI 8.5 and One UI 9 ahead of their expected launch this year.
NBA playoffs 2026 takeaways: Pistons disappear against Magic; Wemby dominates; Thunder roll to begin title defense; Jayson Tatum stars in Celtics' big win
Bruins Collapse in Third Period, Drop Game 1 to Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – The atmosphere inside the KeyBank Center was second to none, and it only grew louder in the […] The post Bruins Collapse in Third Period, Drop Game 1 to Sabres appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
NBA playoffs 2026 takeaways: Pistons disappear against Magic; Thunder roll to begin title defense; Jayson Tatum stars in Celtics' big win
AI swarms could hijack democracy without anyone noticing
AI-powered personas are becoming so realistic that they can infiltrate online communities and subtly steer public opinion. Unlike traditional bots, they adapt, coordinate, and refine their messaging at a massive scale, creating a false sense of consensus. Early warning signs—like deepfakes and fake news networks—have already appeared in global elections. Researchers warn that the next election could be the true test of this technology’s power.
Dana White discusses matchmaking philosophy for Gable Steveson’s UFC debut
Gable Steveson’s first UFC appearance is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated debuts in recent memory.
The Strokes end Coachella weekend two set with politically charged video targeting CIA and US government
The Strokes appeared to take aim at the U.S. government during Coachella, closing their set with a video referencing the CIA, Gaza and Iran bombings.
House Oversight Committee to investigate missing, dead scientists
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) on Sunday said the committee will investigate the deaths and disappearances of 10 American scientists who all had links to U.S. nuclear or spa…
Modder Discovers Abandoned Dark Souls II Sewer Level
The infamous Gutter appears to have been far more ambitious in an earlier development phase
After Long Avoiding Politics, Commodity Traders Cozy Up to Trump
(Bloomberg) -- For decades, the world’s biggest commodity traders have sought to remain outside of politics, doing deals with anyone who has natural resources to buy or sell. Now, Donald Trump is changing the rules of the game. Most Read from BloombergHormuz Chaos, Lebanon Clashes Dent Trump Peace Deal HopesNvidia Makes Quantum Computing CEO a Billionaire in DaysTrump Says Iran Will Suspend Nuclear Program as Hormuz OpensThe Jet-Fuel Surge Is Making Global Flight Connections DisappearCongo to To
Intel Core Ultra 400D/400DX "Nova Lake-S" SKUs to feature up to 288MB of cache
Intel Core Ultra 400D and 400DX cache sizes leak, filling in Nova Lake-S gaps Jaykihn has shared what appears to be the missing cache piece for Intel's
Announced, Delayed, Disappeared: The Games Still In Limbo
These games were announced years ago, but where are they now?
Former U.S. Presidents, Entertainment, Sports and Media Leaders Convene in Rare Gathering to Celebrate Country’s 250th Anniversary
Former president Barack Obama appeared alongside former first lady Michelle Obama, five other former U.S. leaders, actors Nicole Kidman and Ted Danson, 'SNL' players Tina Fey and Colin Jost, NFL playe...
Obama, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, Jason Kelce Attend HISTORYTalks 2026
Former president Barack Obama appeared alongside former first lady Michelle Obama, five other former U.S. leaders, actors Nicole Kidman and Ted Danson, 'SNL' players Tina Fey and Colin Jost, NFL players Tom Brady and Jason Kelce, and more to discuss legacy and leadership for HISTORYTalks 2026.
Madonna joins Sabrina Carpenter in a surprise Coachella appearance
Madonna made a surprise return to the Coachella stage, joining headliner Sabrina Carpenter for a trio of songs.
Why Jane Fonda showed up at a San Francisco ballet this weekend
Jane Fonda appears at Alonzo King Lines Ballet performance in San Francisco, backing the arts as concerns grow over funding, leadership changes and political influence.
Two New Mexico Indigenous chefs to appear Tuesday on Food Network's 'Chopped'
Two Indigenous New Mexico chefs who will be appearing on Chopped say they hope the program helps promote the Native food movement.
Iran crisis overshadows Lavrov at Antalya diplomacy forum [VIDEO]
Iran, not Russia, dominated the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday, as confusion over the Strait of Hormuz overshadowed what had been expected to be a major appearance by Russian Foreign...