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Internal documents shed light on Trump’s crusade to vet state voter rolls
The Trump administration has been working for nearly a year on an effort to weed out noncitizens from voter rolls using a faulty data system while keeping those plans hidden from courts and Democratic election officials, internal Justice Department communications obtained by CNN show.
Stanford's sports teams capture an NCAA championship for a 50th straight year
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Dick Gould has been around Stanford sports long enough as a tennis player and coach — a remarkable run of seven decades — that he clearly remembers some down years for the university's sports programs.
Woman charged with embezzling nearly $15,000 from a Biloxi business, police say
Gladys Renee Herrington is charged with embezzlement.
An award winner with a heart for early detection
Jennifer Giordano’s compassion, combined with community outreach, earned her well-deserved recognition from the Lung Cancer Initiative.
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.
Yankees vs. Red Sox series preview: What to know as AL East rivalry opens in 2026, plus a prediction
Luis Gil and Connelly Early kick off the three-game set on Tuesday in Boston
Gemini for Google Home Just Got Way More Contextual
Beginning today, Continued Conversation has arrived in early access on Gemini for Google Home. The beauty of this is, you don't need to follow up with "Hey Google" every time you need to ask or...
Size of Starbucks workforce in Nashville announced
At 2,000 employees, it would be more than half the head count at its current headquarters in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood, where it has been since the early 1990s.
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
Early 2026 fantasy expert consensus rankings: Dallas Cowboys busts
Heading into the 2026 season, here are the biggest Cowboys busts based on early fantasy expert consensus rankings
Ben McAdams leads fundraising race for Utah’s new, blue congressional district by nearly $1M
Democrats have flocked to run in Utah's new 1st Congressional District race. Here's how much money they've raised so far.
69,000 drop NJ marketplace health plans after enrolling
Nearly 14% of enrollees dropped marketplace health plans since open enrollment closed on Jan. 31, and others downgraded coverage.
The Death of Public Health
During the recent measles outbreak, the largest in more than 30 years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to clearly recommend the measles vaccine, saying instead that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should “do their own research.” Similarly, during her recent confirmation hearing for United States Surgeon General, Casey Means was questioned by Senator William Cassidy (R, La). “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means said. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” In June 2025, Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that COVID vaccines for pregnant women should be a “personal choice”, even though every other country in the world recommended the COVID vaccine during pregnancy due to a higher risk for severe disease. It doesn’t end there. On January 5, 2026, RFK Jr. reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 18 to 10. For vaccines that protected against influenza, COVID, and rotavirus, parents were urged to speak with their doctors—to make an individual choice. (On March 16, 2026, in a ruling by a federal court in Boston, RFK Jr.’s revised schedule was invalidated.) What’s happening? Why are public health officials moving away from making recommendations for the public? The origin of this change might be rooted in the first two years of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, during the first year on the pandemic, we didn’t have anything to stop a virus that was killing hundreds of people a day and could be spread asymptomatically. We didn’t have antivirals until October, monoclonal antibodies until November, and vaccines until December. All we could do was restrict travel, close businesses, shutter schools, and mask, isolate, quarantine, test, and social distance. During the second year of the pandemic, when we had vaccines to prevent COVID, people couldn’t go anywhere without their vaccine cards. They couldn’t go to their favorite bar or restaurant or sporting event or place of worship without proof of vaccination. Some people were fired from their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. For many, this was seen as massive government overreach and energized what has been called the “medical freedom movement.” Indeed, a headline in the New York Times declared, “How Health Freedom Became a Winning Rally Cry.” As expressed in the comments of RFK Jr., Casey Means, and Marty Makary, the medical freedom movement focuses on the individual not the community—the opposite of public health. In an article titled “Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health,” ethicists from Yale University distinguished public health from medical freedom. “Public health policies,” they wrote, “are population oriented. Because individual health affects the health of others, public health measures regulate individual behavior to achieve population health goals. All raise questions about how individual autonomy and freedom should be balanced against public health interests…which respects individuals’ sovereignty over their bodies and actions as long as their actions do not harm others.” The medical freedom movement fails to recognize that it often limits the freedom of others. For example, a parent who is afraid to send a child to school where many of the students are unvaccinated. Or immune compromised children who depend on those around them to for protection. The question then becomes “Freedom for whom?” Is it your right, in the name of medical freedom, to catch and transmit a potentially fatal infection—and in so doing, take away the freedom of others? In Four Essays on Liberty, Isaiah Berlin sums it up best. “Liberty for the wolves,” he wrote, “is death to the lambs.” Thanks for reading Beyond the Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
South African rand flat as traders eye business confidence index, central bank policy report
The South African rand was flat in early trade on Tuesday as investors tracked geopolitical developments and awaited the release of a domestic business confidence survey and a central bank monetary policy review later in the day.
Seattle Mariners Bullpen Falters in 6-4 Loss to Athletics
The Mariners failed to preserve an early lead and whiffed on several opportunities late against the A's.
Oak Court Mall officially closes after nearly 38 years in business
A lot has changed in the 38 years since the mall opened. Now that it has closed, all that is left are memories.
What smart people are saying about Tim Cook's legacy at Apple
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down after nearly 15 years. Here's what smart people are saying about his legacy.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 preview
The Houston Rockets will look to bounce back tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1, Houston was definitely off their game without Kevin Durant. The injury clearly happened late in the week and threw the Rockets off their game. It added immediate pressure to a series in which Houston is favored thanks to […]
Healthy diets spark lung cancer risk in non-smokers as pesticides loom
Younger non-smokers who ate diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains showed a surprising link to lung cancer, early research suggests.
Nick Foles Wants Eagles to Make Obvious AJ Brown Decision
With the NFL Draft nearly here, the questions about what the Philadelphia Eagles are going to do will only continue to intensify leading up to Thursday night.
‘Brought people to the table:’ Orlando business program promoting minorities, women officially replaced
Orlando city commissioners voted Monday to replace its Minority and Women Business program, nearly a year after it suspended the program.
US crude futures fall as investors reassess US-Iran risks ahead of ceasefire deadline
U.S. crude futures fell nearly 2% in early Asian trade on Tuesday as investors reassessed supply risk, with uncertainty over U.S.–Iran peace talks persisting ahead of a key ceasefire deadline.
'Love on the Spectrum' star Abbey Romeo's mom reveals true reason behind split from David Isaacman
'Love on the Spectrum' star Abbey Romeo's mom, Christine Romeo, finally let fans inside her daughter's split from David Isaacman, whom she met on the show's first season and dated for nearly 5 years.
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.
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
Is Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez off to better start?
Julio Rodríguez isn't tearing the cover off of the ball, but there is a difference to his early production for the Seattle Mariners this season.
JRC Summer School non-animal approaches in science
The JRC hosts an international biennial Summer School on non-animal approaches in science for post-graduates and early-career scientists, sharing knowledge on cutting-edge non-animal methods, promoting their use in research and regulation, and exploring related career paths.
Deezer says AI song uploads have nearly overtaken human music
AI-generated music uploads are outpacing human ones.
After her cancer misdiagnosis, Lucy Liu advocates for early screening
Lucy Liu shares how a misdiagnosis led to surgery and changed how she advocates for her own health.
Summer Savings Starts Now: Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas Resorts Introduce More Value Options
LAS VEGAS, April 20, 2026--Caesars Entertainment is starting summer early with an expansive collection of travel, dining, spa and entertainment deals across its Las Vegas resorts. Highlights include new, limited-time hotel offers launching today, April 20.
Summer Savings Starts Now: Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas Resorts Introduce More Value Options
Caesars Entertainment is starting summer early with an expansive collection of travel, dining, spa and entertainment deals across its Las Vegas resorts. High...
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Offers GTD-Like Power for a Third of the Price
The new supercharged Mustang will make nearly 800 horsepower from the factory—just don't call it a Shelby.
NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft down to just two working science instruments
The iconic spacecraft launched nearly 49 years ago and is running perilously low on power
Comedian Paula Poundstone will get political and personal at the Englert
Poundstone discusses her stand-up career as a nearly five-decade veteran comic ahead of her show at the Englert on Friday, April 24.
ECMO Support Saves Trevor's Life
Trevor Adams coded for nearly 40 minutes. At 35 years old and otherwise healthy, Trevor spent seven days on ECMO life support.
Elon students inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society
“What’s so brave about being sick?” It’s a question Prosanta Chakrabarty often asked himself in the early days of his ongoing fight against cancer. It wasn’t until initial treatment...
Singer-songwriter John Gorka talks early inspiration, latest album
John Gorka’s newest album, “Unentitled,” marks his return after nearly a decade, showcasing fresh, optimistic tracks that reflect his belief in music’s healing power despite industry challenges.
The data behind Delaware's ‘corporate exodus’ tells a different story
Despite Tesla, Dropbox and Coinbase leaving, the state captured a larger share of US business formation in 2024 than before Elon Musk told founders to flee — but there are early warning signs.
India and South Korea agree to nearly double trade to $50B by 2030
South Korea and India have agreed to nearly double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, up from about $27 billion.
Skokie discusses hiking, expanding entertainment tax in early budget review
As Skokie staff and trustees meet this month to review their budget for fiscal year 2027, officials have recommended raising the local entertainment tax to fund a new ambulance and improvements to the village’s development services. The proposed tax hike, which trustees would have to approve by an ordinance separate from the budget, would raise […]
This Hits Home: News that impacts Seattle-area families
This week: Gas Work Park safety order, library levy goes to voters at $480, early learning losses, child care gains, and RSV news
MacBook Pro With Touch Screen and New Mac Studio Likely 'Postponed'
The global memory chip shortage may result in the next MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models launching later than expected, according to the latest rumor. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has repeatedly stated that 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touch screen are slated to launch in late 2026 to early 2027. In his Power On newsletter today, though, he said to be prepared for the laptops to potentially arrive towards the end of that timeframe due to the chip shortage.
Samsung Galaxy S27 Will “Most Likely” Ship With A Silicon-Carbon Battery With A Much Higher Lifespan
Samsung refused to adopt the silicon-carbon battery tech until it was truly ready, taking a moral stand that cost it dearly in China.
I built an app with my 8-year-old in 3 hours to start her early on AI
He built an app with his 8-year-old daughter in 3 hours. Given how fast technology is moving, he wanted to start her AI journey early.
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.
Advancing epidemic and pandemic preparedness through research readiness: SEAR Unity Studies Network Sites chart the way forward in 2026
On 25 March 2026, WHO Regional Office for the South‑East Asia Region (SEARO) convened the first meeting of the SEAR Chapter of the Unity Studies Network Meeting in 2026 to take stock of progress and plan next steps for strengthening epidemic and pandemic preparedness across the Region. The meeting focused on reviewing the ongoing adaptation of selected, standard Unity Study methodologies, sharing field implementation experiences from 2025, and identifying key priorities to guide collaborative work in 2026.Held virtually, the meeting brought together representatives from six Unity Studies network sites across five countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) as well as participants from all three levels of WHO.The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing regional efforts in South‑East Asia to strengthen early investigations and studies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with a focus on pandemic influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. In this context, and as part of preparedness for the rapid generation of evidence, the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in SEAR (WHE/SEAR) encourages Unity Studies sites to adapt prioritized, standardized Unity Study protocols to their national contexts. This approach supports the generation of timely and reliable evidence to inform public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.These efforts are supported through a combination of experience sharing, participation in the global Unity Studies network webinars, capacity‑building of the national public health workforce, and regional collaboration that promotes inter‑country, inter‑agency, and inter‑ministerial action. In parallel, sites are encouraged to explore diversified funding sources to help sustain research preparedness over the long term.Discussions highlighted the importance of WHO’s catalytic financial support through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contributions (PIP‑PC). When combined with national and institutional resources, this support enables countries and sites to maintain continuity of activities at a core level and remain prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to future epidemics and pandemics.Regional and Global Updates: Opening the session, Dr Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe, Programme Area Manager, Pandemic and Epidemic Management (PEM) Unit, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, highlighted the progress made in operationalizing the Unity Studies Network across the Region and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of WHO at all three levels, together with country unity studies sites. He emphasized the availability of limited but catalytic funding through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PIP‑PC) workplan at SEARO to sustain network activities in 2026, while encouraging sites to leverage additional funding sources to expand implementation.Representing SEARO, Dr Ashok Basnet, consultant, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness reported that, at the regional level, the Unity Studies Network currently includes six sites across five countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He noted that in 2025, catalytic funding supported protocol adaptation, training, and pilot implementation. In addition, a regional Unity Studies symposium held during the Global Public Health Summit in Sri Lanka strengthened and advocated collaboration between the Unity Studies site, national decision‑making forum, relevant technical units of the ministry of health, WHO and other partners.The symposium also highlighted the role of early investigations and studies as a key component of a multi‑source surveillance system needed at country level to generate a broad range of evidence. It underscored the critical role of country Unity Studies sites and similar research entities in generating evidence to support public health decision‑making during epidemics and pandemics.Participants of the WHO GISRS Unity Studies Sites Network- SEAR Chapter Meeting 2026 (Photo credit- PEM/WHE/SEARO). SEARO also updated participants on ongoing efforts to develop a regional Unity Studies webpage and to promote participation in global knowledge‑sharing platforms, including webinars and the WHO Community of Practice. Priorities for 2026 include supporting the implementation of Unity protocols, strengthening collaboration and experience sharing across sites, documenting and publishing findings, integrating Unity Studies activities as a component of multi-source national surveillance systems, and building workforce capacity.Dr Nickle Boddington of the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) at WHO Headquarters, which coordinates the Unity Studies Network globally, provided updates on global Unity Studies activities, noting that the network has expanded to 16 sites worldwide. New and updated protocols, including rapid clinical severity assessment tools and standardized data platforms, are being developed to support implementation. The global Community of Practice has also been launched to facilitate technical exchange, and continued support will be provided to sites for protocol adaptation, ethical approvals, and readiness for early investigation during outbreaks. Updates from Unity Studies sites in SEAR in 2025Unity Studies sites shared progress and experiences in implementing protocols across diverse country contexts. Sites initiated activities in 2025 using catalytic funding from SEARO, complemented by the mobilization of internal national resources. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh, reported the adoption and piloting of investigation protocols on non‑seasonal influenza and emerging respiratory diseases during recent avian influenza outbreaks, demonstrating a multi‑source funding approach involving government, WHO and One Health partners.The Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), New Delhi, India, highlighted the piloting of household transmission investigation studies, the expansion of the national Unity Studies network, and the contribution of study findings to global evidence through published outputs. The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India, shared experiences from large‑scale seroprevalence studies conducted during the COVID‑19 pandemic, recent efforts to strengthen national Unity network sites through training activities, and plans to initiate multi‑centre studies on respiratory viruses.Similarly, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, highlighted its experience in developing integrated surveillance and diagnostic protocols for multiple respiratory pathogens, enhancing readiness for targeted investigations of emerging threats. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, reported ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Health and exploration of additional funding sources to initiate studies. Meanwhile, the National Public Health Laboratory, Nepal, provided updates on continued coordination with national stakeholders to initiate implementation, despite delays related to the country context.Across sites, shared experiences underscored the importance of protocol adaptation, multisectoral collaboration, and sustainable funding to operationalize Unity Studies and generate evidence for public health action.Discussions and Way ForwardThe meeting reinforced key priorities for 2026, including strengthening unity studies protocol implementation, enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing, integrating research as a component of national multi-source surveillance systems, and ensuring that generated evidence informs public health decision‑making. Participants also emphasized the importance of documentation, visibility, and leveraging multiple funding sources, and agreed on the following action points.Unity Studies Sites and WHO Country Offices:Advance adoption and implementation of at least one Unity protocol, continuing activities initiated in 2025 with catalytic funding, supplemented with other sources of funding where feasible.Document site-specific experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned; participate in regional and global knowledge-sharing platforms including WHO webinars and the Community of Practice.Work closely with ministries of health to establish unified national platforms for translating generated evidence into national public health decision-making. WHO Country Offices may facilitate technical support and complementary, synergistic funding opportunities where feasible. WHO Regional OfficeCoordinate with WHO Country Offices to support implementation of core unity studies activities by network sites through catalytic funding and provide technical guidance and virtual engagement opportunities throughout 2026.Facilitate the participation of all Unity Studies sites in the regional meeting on Unity Studies implementation in October 2026, to be held back‑to‑back with the Annual SEAR Regional PIP‑PC Meeting; develop and host a SEAR Unity Studies website; and mobilize support from academic institutions within the SEAR Unity Studies Network to support the development of regional manuscripts that showcase Unity Studies activities to scientific audiences and promote knowledge‑sharing.Explore complementary funding opportunities and partnerships to sustain and expand network activities across the Region.WHO HeadquartersProvide global technical guidance, updated protocols, and toolkits to support the implementation of Unity Studies in SEAR.Facilitate engagement of SEAR sites in global webinars, the Community of Practice, and opportunities to showcase their work.Support joint publications, inclusion of SEAR experiences in global outputs, and identification of additional funding and collaborative opportunities to strengthen Unity Studies activities.
State House moves forward with Health Dept. budget
LANSING — Two and a half months before the state’s budget deadline, members of the Republican-led Michigan House of Representatives unleashed a flurry of budget proposals from their respective subcommittees, including a three-part plan to fund the Department of Health and Human Services. With the department making up nearly half of the state budget, members […]
Phillies' Kyle Schwarber opens Sunday Night Baseball in classic fashion
"Schwarbomb" starts it early on Sunday Night Baseball.
Nac Safe Place brings mental health conversation to Nacogdoches brewery
In 2023, nearly 5,000 Texans died by suicide, according to the CDC. One Nacogdoches organization is working to change that - one conversation at a time.
Nac Safe Place brings mental health conversation to Nacogdoches brewery
In 2023, nearly 5,000 Texans died by suicide, according to the CDC. One Nacogdoches organization is working to change that - one conversation at a time.
Oil prices rise anew after a US-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz strands tankers
Oil prices are rising in early trading as a standoff between Iran and the U.S. prevented tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz.
AI shaping our health care decisions, even whether we go to the doctor
For nearly half of Americans, artificial intelligence plays some sort of role in their health care decisions, a new Gallup poll found.
Savion Hiter names Michigan football's fastest player
Michigan running back Savion Hiter reveals which early enrollee has impressed him most, naming Travis Johnson as the team's fastest player.
The next Mac Studio and MacBook Pro releases could be postponed by several months
Bloomberg is now expecting the Mac Studio to release in October and the MacBook Pro to be available in early 2027.
Windows 11 to get a major reliability update in May with faster clipboard, stable taskbar, storage and more
Microsoft is preparing a major Windows 11 reliability update for May 2026 with improvements across File Explorer, explorer.exe, taskbar, Settings, clipboard history, input systems, and Windows Hello. Early Insider builds show faster performance, fewer crashes, and a more stable experience.
Desperate search continues for missing Oakland business owner, Amy Hillyard
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — An East Bay family is continuing its desperate search for Amy Hillyard, an Oakland resident and local business owner who has been missing for nearly a month. The 52-y…
Watch SpaceX launch advanced GPS satellite for US Space Force early on April 20
Liftoff is scheduled for 2:48 a.m. ET on Monday (April 20).
Bone-Marrow Transplants: The Radical Cancer Science That Saved My Life
The research on bone-marrow transplantation mirrors the arc of many medical advancements. I was one of the early beneficiaries.
Giuseppe's Mafia raises nearly $15K for autism awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month and one local, annual charity event nearly doubled last year's fundraising — the fourth annual Giuseppe's Mafia bowling tournament at King Pin Lanes in Rome raised $14,733 for Kelberman, according to organizer and mother Gina Kierpiec.
Phillies awarded a "D-" in recent early ranking for 2026
The Phillies are having a rough go of it, but are not the worst of the National League East.
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 »
Are you a woman who makes life easier for everyone else? Beware – you could endanger your health
A new claim is doing the rounds online: that women who are too nice risk getting an autoimmune disease. And while aspects of this message are clearly dubious, there’s a reason it is resonating, writes Emma Beddington
A new force of nature is reshaping the planet, study finds
Human societies didn’t just adapt to the planet—they learned to reshape it. From early fire use to today’s global supply chains, our cultural and social innovations have unlocked extraordinary power to transform Earth and improve human life. But that progress has come with serious costs, including climate change, pollution, and mass extinction. Instead of framing this era—the Anthropocene—as pure crisis, Erle Ellis argues it’s also proof of something hopeful: when people work together, they can drive massive positive change.
Flyers' Porter Martone makes most of hockey's unique pipeline timing
Martone is clearly a special talent.
Serie A: Cremonese vs. Torino – Confirmed line-ups and updates
Cremonese and Torino have made just one personnel change between them as the two sides prepare to do battle at the Stadio Zini in Serie A’s early Sunday kick-off.Hosts Cremonese currency find themse...
How Carey Wright brought the science of reading to Mississippi schools
State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland, Dr. Carey Wright, on how she transformed early reading in Mississippi and created a national model
Giants awarded an "F" in early grade for 2026
It has not gone great for the team by the bay.
Downtown businesses share early impact after Little Rock curfew takes effect
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The newly implemented youth curfew in downtown Little Rock is already drawing mixed, but largely positive, reactions from River Market businesses after its first night in effect. C...
Hurricanes take Game One Fight against Senators 2-0
The Gloves were dropped early, and the Canes take a 1-0 series lead
Alleged burglars break in, steal thousands from businesses on Indy’s northwest side
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a string of early morning break-ins on the northwest side of the city. A police report lists five businesses in Pike …
Pancreatic cancer mRNA vaccine shows lasting results in an early trial
Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.
Spring Cleaning: Hundreds of youths join annual spring cleanup in Oneida County
Bradley and Adey were part of a crew of nearly a dozen students from the honor societies in New Hartford High School and Strough Middle School who were out cleaning yards on Saturday. They visited two homes in Rome to rake cleaves, clear paths and pick up sticks leftover from winter — seemingly simple tasks that some seniors either can no longer do themselves or can't afford to hire a professional.
Two more Reform local election candidates accused of offensive posts
Labour calls on Nigel Farage to sack candidates and says his party’s checks ‘clearly not fit for purpose’
Slay the Spire 2 roadmap suggests we won't get matchmaking but does promise "whimsy"
It's been a little more than a month since Mega Crit's hugely anticipated sequel Slay the Spire 2 released in early acc…
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.
Dear Abby | In-laws make themselves at home long before dinner
Dear Abby: How should I handle in-laws who show up three or more hours early for dinner and just sit at the kitchen counter? I have things to do; I
“Yeah… it’s not so good,” as Microsoft confirms major Rewards changes in May and what it means for anyone who relies on daily point earning
Microsoft Rewards is getting an update with new tiers, monthly bonuses, and expanded rollout, but early feedback suggests not everyone is convinced by the changes.
Savannah Early College students make memories on prom night
Savannah Early College students celebrated their 2026 High School prom at Red Gate Farms.
It doesn’t matter how much you sit — walking more could lower your risk of death and disease
Sitting all day might not be as damaging as once feared—if you’re willing to move more. A massive study tracking over 72,000 people found that simply increasing daily steps can significantly reduce the risk of death and heart disease, even for those who spend long hours sedentary. Hitting around 9,000–10,000 steps a day delivered the biggest benefits, cutting mortality risk by nearly 40% and cardiovascular disease by over 20%.
In Phoenix, Trump Eyes Lower Gas Prices and Frets About the Midterms
President Trump told a crowd of supporters that the price of oil and gas was coming down, part of an effort in recent days to present a rosier picture of the nearly two-month-long Iran war.
NSF ENG CBET Early-Career Faculty Workshop
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the NSF CAREER program.
Dylan Sprouse tackles trespasser at his Hollywood Hills home
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin were shaken up early Friday morning when a man allegedly trespassed at their Hollywood Hills property. Sprouse took matters into his own hands until police arrived.
Sharks and tuna are overheating and running out of options
Some of the ocean’s fastest and most fearsome predators—like great white sharks and tuna—are running hotter than expected, and it’s costing them dearly. New research shows these warm-bodied fish burn nearly four times more energy than cold-blooded species, forcing them to eat more while also struggling to shed excess heat. As oceans warm, this creates a dangerous “double jeopardy”: rising temperatures push them closer to overheating, while shrinking food supplies make survival even harder.
The Manthey Porsche Just Ran A Near-Perfect Nürburgring Lap. A Mustang Still Beat It
The performance pack enabled the 992.1-generation 911 GT3 RS to be nearly four seconds faster than the regular car
Former Wisconsin man sentenced to 20 months in federal prison
Court records show U.S. District Judge James Peterson sentenced Roger Hoffman on Wednesday.
Healthy diet, higher lung cancer risk? Deciphering surprising link in new study
Researchers have found a link between healthier diets containing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and higher rates of early onset lung cancer in nonsmokers. Here's what experts say about these findings.
College basketball rankings: Indiana lands higher quality of transfers, jumps in way-too-early Top 25 And 1
Hoosiers coach Darian DeVries' transfer haul looks better than last season's
The Trump team’s puzzling ‘all is well’ message on the economy
After spending the early part of the Iran war trying to sell Americans on an economic message of short-term pain for long-term gain, President Donald Trump and his team have increasingly reverted to their previous posture: that of Kevin Bacon in “Animal House.”
Junior Achievement Business Luncheon Celebrates Local Business Leaders, Experian Scholarships
For nearly four decades, Junior Achievement of Arkansas has dedicated itself to the economic, planning and academic success of young
K-Pop’s Biggest Labels Are Joining Forces to Build a Coachella Rival Called ‘Fanomenon’
K-pop’s Big 4 are considering a Coachella-style event that could launch as early as 2027.
SGMC Health Offers New Treatment Option for Early Alzheimer’s Disease
SGMC Health now offers an FDA-approved treatment option for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, giving patients and families in South Georgia access to care that can help […]
Amendment 53: New Opportunity: Early Career Investigator Program in Earth Science
ROSES-2025 Amendment 53 releases A.11 ECIP as a new opportunity in ROSES-25. Mandatory Notices of Intent are due by May 18, 2026, and proposals are due June 17, 2026.
NSWCPD Applies AI and Machine Learning to Predictive Machinery Health
In a soundproof chamber at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), a steel-gray air compressor hums as engineers test an experimental machine learning model designed to detect early signs of failure through vibration analysis. The effort, part of NSWCPD’s growing portfolio of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) projects, shows early promise for potential future Navy use.
Porsche Just Smashed The Mustang GTD's Nürburgring Lap Time - How Long Will That Last?
A Manthey-tuned 992.1 GT3 RS has just taken nearly 7 seconds out of the Mustang GTD's lap time, but Ford might already be working on a response.
House approves short-term extension of key surveillance law after dealing GOP leadership pair of floor defeats
The House agreed early Friday morning on a short-term extension of a critical foreign surveillance program after dealing Republican leadership a pair of embarrassing floor defeats on a longer-term reauthorization.
House Votes to Extend Expiring Law on Warrantless Surveillance for 10 Days
The Senate would need to also approve the stopgap measure that passed the House early Friday. Libertarian-leaning House Republicans had balked at a long-term extension.
When scientists interact with science-deniers
On April 6, President Donald Trump hopped on a phone call with the astronauts on Artemis II: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. During the 12-minute call, something hilarious happened: there was nearly a minute of awkward silence. Just before the silence, Trump told the astronauts, “Well, I have to say, I...
House rushes to overnight vote to renew key surveillance tool used by US spy agencies
House Republican leadership is rushing early Friday to renew a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies | KNSS Radio