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French Business Lobby Doesn’t See Inflation Surging on Iran War
France’s largest business lobby, Medef, doesn’t see inflation surging because of the Iran war, the organization’s chief said on Tuesday.
Dark money pours into Massachusetts politics
WBUR found a rise of dark money groups trying to sway local elections and influence policy. The nonprofits can raise and spend unlimited money from undisclosed donors. Watchdogs warn about their growing influence on Massachusetts politics.
We disagreed on politics. We agreed on wine. That was enough.
At the Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala in Richmond earlier this month, a very dapper gentleman approached me and introduced himself. In his light-colored suit and bowtie, he looked very Southern in a classical sense, the sort of Virginia Gentleman you used to see south of the Rappahannock as recently as my college days. “I’m a longtime reader and fan of your writing, if not your politics,” he said. His comment was the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, simultaneously conveying praise and disapproval while establishing boundaries. Man, I wish we still discoursed like this instead of shouting bromides and insults to try and “own” our opponents with a funny meme and a furrowed brow. Subscribe “Well, we’ll always have wine to share together,” I said, and thanked him for his kind words. We clinked glasses, exchanged pleasantries about the delicious gold medal-winning wines being poured that evening, and went our separate ways. Our exchange reminded me that more unites us than divides us. Wine brings people together to share a meal and a few hours of joy despite our differences.1 That’s why I refer to the wine community — including readers and consumers — rather than the wine industry. Together, we are so much more than production, distribution and sales statistics. A few minutes later the evening’s awards ceremony began. Applause grew as the 12 winemakers who made the top-scoring wines for the Governor’s Case took the stage, including a loud cheer for Jonathan Wheeler of Trump Winery and his 2018 Blanc de Noir sparkling wine. All the winemakers on stage had reason to be proud, Wheeler perhaps more so. Trump Winery was the only winery to win six gold medals in the competition this year. (Wineries are limited to six entries.) Two of Wheeler’s ciders also won gold medals in a separate competition. When you cover the labels and take the sour taste of politics off your palate, the wines are pretty darn good.2 Then Gov. Abigail Spanberger, newly elected Democrat and Virginia’s first female governor, was introduced to great applause to announce which of the 12 wines had won the Governor’s Cup. She spoke for a few minutes about the importance of wine to Virginia’s economy and tourism and the international acclaim Virginia wine has received. Just two weeks earlier, she gave the Democrats’ response to Trump’s State of the Union speech, but this night wasn’t about politics. That didn’t stop several people in the crowd from speculating on the irony should she have to present the trophy to Trump Winery. In the end, Valley Road Vineyards was displayed on the screen behind Spanberger as the winning winery. Blue Bee Cidery in Richmond took top honors for that category. The crowd cheered a female governor presenting the state’s highest trophy to a female winemaker and then resumed the evening’s festivities, united by their mutual love of wine. A whiff of politics couldn’t dim the cheer of celebration and a community united by its love of wine. In Memoriam: Michel Rolland The global wine community lost a giant March 20, with the passing of Michel Rolland. He was 78. Rolland was the original “flying winemaker,” a globe-trotting consultant who helped Bordeaux regain its mojo in the 1970s and then shaped the rise of Napa Valley cult Cabernet as consultant to Simi, Harlan, Newton, Screaming Eagle, Araujo, Dalle Valle and other wineries. He was instrumental in Argentina’s rise to prominence and even had his own winery, Clos de los Siete, in a partnership with other wine families. Rolland’s career arc paralleled that of Robert Parker, the world’s most influential critic. Parker championed many of the wines Rolland consulted on, helping build his reputation and demand for his services. It also made him a target for Parker’s critics. As W. Blake Gray wrote on Wine-Searcher in his excellent tribute to Rolland: Rolland created the type of wines Parker loved: rich body, plenty of fruit, soft tannins. He sometimes faced the accusation of creating a generic international style of red wine, where the great wines he made in Argentina were indistinguishable from the great wines he made in France. Rolland chafed at that critique, as did many of his fans. He was credited with championing green harvesting and leaf pulling, as well as careful selection of grapes in the winery, practices we nearly universally think of today for high-quality winemaking. “Michel was an incredible innovator who changed how wine was made and how grapes were grown,” Napa Valley winemaker Aaron Pott wrote on Facebook. “His work has transformed the wine trade. He created new ways of looking at wine, tasting wine, evaluating ripeness and quality. … This was not just a man with a ‘style’ that he imposed on vineyards but a man that understood how to make great wine from great sites.” Rolland started his consulting company in 1973 in Libourne, in Bordeaux, with his wife, Dany. Both had graduated the year before from Bordeaux’s Institute d’Oenologie. The couple sold their majority share in the business in 2020, according to Wine Spectator. Over his career, Rolland reportedly worked with more than 100 wineries in 20 countries. He even made it to Virginia, where he consulted for Kluge Estate in the mid-2000s. (Kluge Estate is now Trump Winery.) Reader feedback, please! Last week, I did my first WineLine Live! with Dr. Laura Catena of Catena Zapata winery in Argentina. We enjoyed a fascinating discussion about her efforts to preserve the genetic heritage of old vineyards in Mendoza. I conceived of WineLine Live! for paid subscribers, as a thank you for your financial support. And while only a few people joined live, the video now has more views than I have paid subscribers, so I guess that’s pretty good. Even so, I’m considering opening future installments to anyone on Substack to reach a broader audience. So my questions to you: Should these be public? And what format do you prefer? Live gives a chat feature with the potential for viewers to interact with me and the guest, while a video post would just be that. Another alternative is a podcast, which would just be audio, without video of my chins. Please let me know in the comments. Leave a comment In the Glass A few wines I’ve enjoyed recently: Bonny Doon Vineyard Take Me to Your Liter, Le Cigare Volant, Red Wine of the Earth. 2023, Central Coast, CA. Blend of Grenache, Syrah Cinsaut and Petite Sirah. Delightful wine with expressive red fruit flavors, casual drinking. Doon lovers of a certain age will remember Randall Grahm’s Big House Red; this is more in that style than his original Le Cigare Volant, modeled after Chateauneuf du Pape. The liter bottle makes it an even better value. I see this online at about $15. Great value. Albert Bichot Bourgogne Pinot Noir Origines 2023. 13% - Textbook pinot noir and an excellent, affordable entry (regional) Burgundy. Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2025. $24 at Total Wine & More. Loma Larga Pinot Noir 2021 “Coastal Cool Climate Wine”, Valle de Casablanca, Chile. An older sample, showing beautifully. Spicy and fruit forward. I’m seeing widely varied pricing online, from $18-$32. At the lower end, it’s a terrific value. 13.5% Dr. Loosen Riesling Dry 2016, Mosel, Germany. Found this “in the stack.” And it stacked up well, shedding some of its youthful acidity for opulent Riesling character, including a hint of the mineral oil older Riesling often features. A great value, as I’m seeing it as low as $14 online. 12% abv. Red Tail Ridge Blau Franc Blend 2024, Sans Oak, Finger Lakes. 13.4% abv. The name is a neat portmanteau of Blaufrankisch and Cabernet Franc, thus Blau Franc. The blend is 50-50, no oak involved. The Blau dominates on the palate, with the spicy caraway seed (think New York deli rye bread). The Franc adds body. The result is juicy, energetic and joyful. Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir 2025, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon. This first rosé of 2025 was a welcome respite to our cold, snowy winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. Oh man, I needed this! Bright and energetic, exuberant even, it perks up the mood and goes down fast. 13%. Certified B Corp. Ingredient and nutrition labeling, and in a modest way that doesn’t occupy a lot of label space. (Since it’s not required, presumably there are no minimum font size requirements.) More wineries should follow this example. Dave McIntyre's WineLine is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Thanks for reading Dave McIntyre's WineLine! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share 1 Some restraint may be required. 2 Especially the bubblies.
Who experts predict 49ers will select with first-round pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Here's who writers and experts around the country believe the San Francisco 49ers will select in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Victorian business fined for telling influencers to lie about paid Instagram post in first of its kind penalty
Watchdog also fines PhotobookShop for editing a paid review from an influencer who had described process as ‘fiddly’
Photos: LSU players impress NFL scouts on Pro Day 2026
NFL scouts gathered at the LSU football practice facility to see 17 LSU players that have declared for the 2026 draft on Monday, March 23, 2026. Players like Garrett Nussmeier,
Russia in Africa: Inside the alleged operation to influence Angolan politics
A group of Russians and Angolans are going on trial in Angola after being accused of fomenting protests, which they deny.
Scientists say NAD+ could slow aging and fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
A global team of leading scientists is zeroing in on a tiny but powerful molecule that could reshape how we age. Known as NAD⁺, it plays a crucial role in keeping our cells energized, repairing DNA, and maintaining overall health—but its levels steadily decline over time, potentially fueling diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Researchers are now exploring ways to boost NAD⁺ using compounds like NR and NMN, with early studies hinting at improvements in memory, metabolism, and physical function.
The Politics of Forbearance
A broad range of views on democracy to help break the stalemate caused by partisan conflict.
2026 Eagles mock draft roundup 5.0: Just a month away
We’re just a month away from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are some options for the Eagles.
Kyle Shanahan ‘very excited' for 49ers to reunite with linebacker Dre Greenlaw
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is happy the team was able to re-sign linebacker Dre Greenlaw in NFL free agency.
Seven most intriguing offensive additions during the 2026 NFL free agency period
Kyler Murray joining Kevin O'Connell with the Vikings, plus more interesting offensive moves
Prisco's 2026 NFL mock draft 1.0: Four of top five picks on defensive side, Browns select QB
Teams at top of the draft opt for pass rush over offense.
Every NFL franchise's biggest position to improve, plus free agency and draft solutions
The Cowboys need to add to their defense, and they have the draft capital to make it happen.
Starmer says ‘every lever’ will be explored to ease rising costs of living from Iran conflict
PM will chair Cobra meeting with key ministers and Bank of England on Monday, as experts warn of economic shock
2026 NFL mock draft: Surprises in top 10 of latest first-round projection
The 2026 NFL Draft is just a month away, and our latest mock draft features a few surprises materializing in the top 10 picks.
Trump’s new red line could set the Iran war on a fateful course
On Friday, President Donald Trump said he was considering “winding down” his war with Iran. But a day later, he threatened to “obliterate” the country’s power plants in an escalation that could further tip the conflict out of control.
A promising fatty liver treatment may raise cancer risk
A surprising new study reveals that blocking a supposedly protective enzyme, Caspase-2, could actually backfire—raising the risk of chronic liver damage and cancer over time. Researchers found that without this enzyme, liver cells grow abnormally large and accumulate genetic damage, leading to inflammation, scarring, and eventually tumors, especially with age. While inhibiting Caspase-2 may offer short-term benefits, such as reducing fatty liver disease, the long-term consequences appear dangerous.
Your Thymus and Your Healthspan
Our thymus gland plays a central role in the development or our immune system, specifically for supporting T cell development (how these cells got their name, maturation and differentiation in the thymus) and discriminating between self and foreign, non-self antigen proteins with production of dendritic cells. As we age, our thymus gland shrinks—the process known as involution—with progressive change from spongy to fatty tissue, with loss of functionality. But this process, with respect to timeline and extent, markedly varies from one person to the next. And to make things even more complicated, our thymus gland anatomy and precise location in the chest also is highly variable. So the famous Frank Netter diagrams from the 1960s (such as at left below) don’t capture the remarkable heterogeneity that a random set of 12 chest CT scans (below at right). What I consider as 2 landmark papers in Nature this week (here and here) used AI to quantify health of the thymus in 2 large cohorts, and then correlate the metric to a broad array of health outcomes. In this edition of Ground Truths, I’m going to cover three questions: (1) How was thymus health determined by AI?; (2) How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? and (3) Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? Subscribe 1. How was thymus health determined by AI? This was accomplished by extensive work developing and validating an AI pipeline for 2 stages, the first for localization and segmentation of the thymus bed, and the second to quantify a digital marker, termed the thymic health score. There’s a lot to this algorithmic development, so I won’t go into all the details, but just provide a rudimentary outline of what was done. The 1st stage used supervised learning with 2 radiologists reviewing 2,461 chest CT scans. That work trained a 3D U-Net model to automatically identify the thymic bed’s 3D cropped region using center of mass coordinates, which reached 99.8% accuracy. The 2nd stage used a foundation model that was pre-trained with SwAV (which stands for Swapping Assignment between multiple Views), a self-supervised model, that generated a high-dimensional thymus representation of 4,096 features. That compares to the radiology reductionist and subjective scoring of 0 to 3 where 0 means the thymus is fully degenerated and fatty, and 3 is considered dense, intact glandular soft tissue. Notably, the self-supervised learning (SSL) performance was superior to supervised (AUC ~0.75 vs 0.55, respectively) reflecting the shallowness of the 0-3 classifier vs SSL’s holistic, self-taught AI. The thymic health score ranged from 0 to 100, with the highest number indexed to fully preserved thymic health. The algorithmic work extended to explainability with both Shapely value distribution, meaning the model was holistic not relying on any “magic” pixel, and occlusion sensitivity, demonstrating the model’s performance was not affected by ribs, sternum, lung tissue, but rather focused on the thymic bed directly. Below are a few saliency maps from the occlusion sensitivity that indicate the thymic bed focus, not affected by neighboring structures, using the jet color scale. Now the AI was ready for processing ~25,000 CT scans, each over 30 MB files, from the 2 large participant cohorts to provide a thymic health score, it did so in less than 14 hours, which is less than 2 seconds per scan! Share 2. How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? The two cohorts were the National Lung Screening Trial, NLST (N=25,031) and the Framingham Heart Study, FHS (N=2,581) each with baseline demographics and long term follow up of >12 years for health outcomes. From the NSLT, you can see below that increased age and body-mass index were correlated to reduced thymic health. And, overall, men had reduced thymic health scores compared with women. There are a lot of graphs in the paper for outcomes, for both the NLST and FHS cohorts. To simplify the major outcomes, below is a composite Figure with striking reduction of all-cause mortality and for the different causes of death. The results were consistent between the 2 cohorts. For example, the cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio average was 0.57 in NLST and 0.38 in FHS (weighted to be 0.53 for the aggregate). The reduction of mortality also extended to digestive diseases and pulmonary disease (data not shown below). Lung cancer incidence was reduced by 36% for high vs low thymic health (Figure below, with a panel -incidence and b panel-mortality, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status). Notably, there was a smoker’s paradox: lower incidence and improved survival for lung cancer in smokers who had a high thymus health score. Smoking was associated with lower thymic scores whereas alcohol was not. Higher thymic health was linked to higher HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, lower fasting blood glucose, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Inflammation biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, were elevated in the people with lower thymic health scores. In their second paper, the same team looked at the relationship between thymic score and outcomes for 3,476 patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. The non-small cell lung cancer progression-free survival was reduced in patients with low thymic health score. A parallel relationship for survival was seen for other types of cancer including melanoma, breast, and kidney with a 44% lower risk among high thymic scores (Figure). A similar pattern was seen with different immune checkpoint inhibitors. The thymus health score outperformed programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)and tumor mutation burden (TMB) assay of the tumor and was an independent prognostic marker of progression-free survival. In this dataset, a direct connect with thymus score and adaptive immune function was noted with a correlation before cancer treatment for both T-cell diversity and thymus T-cell production (a metric known as T cell receptor excision circles). Thymus Removal Study There is a highly relevant citation about thymus function before moving onto ways to rejuvenate it. In 2023, a very important study of thymus removal during cardiothoracic surgery was published, with 1146 patients undergoing thymus removal vs 1146 matched controls (mean age 55 years). The adverse outcomes for thymus removal were striking, with a 2.9 higher risk of all-cause mortality and doubling of cancer incidence, 1.5 fold increase in cancer mortality, and 1.5-fold increase in autoimmune diseases. The immune function showed marked compromise after thymus removal, as reflected by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Figure below) Share Ground Truths 3. Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? In recent months we’ve learned a lot about the process of thymus involution and the pathways by which this may be modulated. Thymus involution is primarily due to loss to thymus epithelial cells (TECs) and there are 2 subtypes with different functions: the cortical, responsible for positive selection of T cells, and the medullary, for negative selection. When adipose tissue infiltrates the thymus, thymic adipocytes are pro-inflammatory, knocking out T-cell output. Likewise, systemic inflammation, or “inflammaging,” from smoking, obesity, and chronic stress promote thymic adipocytes. Now, from preclinical studies, we know about key pathways that account for these processes. Historically, back in 2014, FOXN1 was recognized as a single master transcription factor essential for TEC function, with studies in mice with forced FOXN1 upregulation leading to thymus regeneration. That laid the foundation for potential regrowth of quiescent thymus cells. It took awhile to find pathways to accomplish this goal and to even refute its role as the master regulator. The Liver-Thymus Axis Feng Zhang and his team recently showed that injection of an mRNA vaccine to the liver encoding DLL1, IL-7 and FLT3-L in combination, factors known to support thymopoiesis (Figure), successfully enhanced immune function in aged mice. However, the effect was transient. The FGF21 Story Two reports in 2025 addressed the thymus gland’s production of FGF21, a growth factor (fibroblast growth factor 21) and its control of thymus involution. This growth factor is also produced by the liver, but it doesn’t have impact on the thymus in aged rodent models. In contrast, The liver’s hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to reverse senescent TEC structural changes. Growth hormone stimulates production of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver and the thymus. Two small studies in human participants (TRIIM, for Thymus Regeneration, Immunorestoration, and Insulin Mitigation) of 6 and 50 people, respectively, treated with combined human growth hormone, metformin and DHEA, suggested the potential of slowing epigenetic aging and improving thymus mass and function. But the combination of drugs, small sample, and lack of controls make conclusions murky. Increased thymus FGF21 led to increased CD8 T cells in old mice and extended healthspan and improved physical performance. Building on the previous FOXN1 data, ablation of β-klotho, the obligatory co-receptor for FOXN1, accelerated thymic aging. The benefit to FGF21 was confirmed in a companion paper using an FGF21 knock-in mouse model showing thymus enlargement and increased TECs throughout the lifespan. (schematic Figure below). The accompanying editorial for these 2 papers speculated: “The proposed link between age-associated thymus involution and organismal aging is intriguing, and suggests we might seek to achieve systemic rejuvenation by counteracting thymic involution.” Other Factors Lessons from the Axolotl (Mexican Salamander) In an elegant set of experiments of the axolotl (Figure), known for its complete thymus regeneration after total surgical removal, mediators were identified. Surprisingly FOXN1 was dispensable. But midkine, a growth factor, appeared to be the driver, the initiator of thymus cell growth, survival, and repair. Other components that contributed were Postn+ (periostin-expressing mesenchymal niches) and Ccl19, a chemokine protein from the bloodstream. RANK and RANKL RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB its ligand (RANKL) have been considered key regulators of medullary TECs. In a study of both aged mice and human thymus cell cultures, their key role was confirmed, with multiple benefits of resorting TEC function, recruitment of progenitor cells, and T cell development. Subscribe Summing Up This body of work strongly supports the health of the thymus gland as a critical regulator of human healthspan, not just a correlate or link. The new landmark studies are reinforced by the regenerative biology experimental models that have shown, via an array of mediators, that healthspan of aged mice is at least in part dependent on thymus gland function and its critical role for maintaining adaptive immunity. It sure seems that we’d be better off having an immune reservoir of naive T cells instead of a profile in older adults of exhausted, low quality, memory T cells, with a senescent phenotype. It is striking that we ignored the importance of the thymus gland for many decades. A wake-up call was the results of the thymectomy matched control study reviewed here, with the opposite of high thymic health score improved health outcomes. The convergence of AI and healthspan here is notable. The exceptional and laborious work for developing and validating (no less explaining) the AI to quantify thymus health set the foundation for probing the connect the major health outcomes in two cohorts with extensive follow-up. We’ve never had a way to meaningfully quantify the thymus gland before, so this represents important leverage of supervised, self-supervised, and transformer models. The study wouldn’t have been possible without AI. And it begs the question as to whether there are ways we can maintain our thymus at a high health score. But it’s not so simple to rejuvenate our thymus. There are multiple risks including the induction of autoimmunity, increasing the risk of cancer, and inducing a pro-inflammatory state. For example, factors that increase TEC proliferation could compromise the medulllary negative selection process and leak out auto-reactive (self-attacking) T cells. Thymic cells could be induced to proliferate, but we know, for example, that growth hormone and IGF-1 are associated with an increase risk of cancer. If thymus rejuvenation doesn’t clear out the accumulated senescent cells in older adults, then inflammation within the gland could block the production of TECs. Keeping these risks in mind, we now have identified many ways to keep our thymus healthy as we age that undoubtedly will be tested in clinical trials going forward. Ultimately, the benefit-to-risk tradeoffs will be defined. In the meantime, we have desperately needed an immunome. As I’ve stressed in multiple prior Ground Truths, we have no test in the clinic to assess a patient’s immune status! It was very encouraging for me to get an email from Hugo Aerts, the senior author of the landmark papers in the days after they were published: “I also wanted to say that your Substack on “Why We Need an Immunome” was inspiring for this work. We found it a very compelling perspective and greatly enjoyed reading it.” Just having an assessment of a person’s immune status via a chest CT scan, with millions of these performed per year, might help in guiding the right immunotherapy for cancer (e.g. more intensive, combinations for those with low thymic health scores) and help define people who are increased risk for age-related diseases of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative. The main theme of Super Agers is that we now have many layers of data (genetics, proteins, biomarkers, organ clocks that can be integrated via multimodal AI) for us to define a person’s specific risk decades before one of these age-related diseases leads to symptoms, enabling prevention. From the new studies this week, we can add thymus health score as yet another way to understand a person’s risk, a window into their adaptive immune system and healthspan. And perhaps someday we will be able to safely rejuvenate the thymus, or maintain its health through one’s life, and use the thymus health score to monitor. NB: I wrote this post (No A.I.) A Quick Poll Loading... ********************************************************************* Thanks to Ground Truths subscribers (now > 200,000) from every US state and 212 countries. Your subscription to these free essays and podcasts makes my work in putting them together worthwhile. Please join! If you found this interesting PLEASE share it! Share Ground Truths Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don’t hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered. Leave a comment Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past two years. It enabled us to accept and support 47 summer interns in 2025! We aim to accept even more of the several thousand who will apply for summer 2026.
Breaking down Bills’ selections in latest NFL mock drafts
According to the latest NFL mock drafts, the Bills could go wide receiver, linebacker, safety, or defensive linemen at pick 26.
Chiefs’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft roundup after NFL Free Agency
A closer look at the Chiefs’ 2026 mock draft outlook after free agency, with linked to edge help, cornerback, and offensive line support.
Team USA flag football team should consider these 12 NFL stars ... but not Tom Brady
These NFL players should consider making a run at Team USA inclusion in order to earn the first football gold medal in Olympics history.
NFL Network: What's next for Bills QB Josh Allen? (video)
NFL Network roundtable looks ahead to Josh Allen and the Bills in 2026.
Scientists discover surprising brain trigger behind high blood pressure
Scientists have uncovered a surprising brain-based trigger for high blood pressure, tracing it to a small region in the brainstem that normally controls breathing. This area, which kicks in during forceful exhalations like coughing, laughing, or exercise, also appears to activate nerves that tighten blood vessels—raising blood pressure. When researchers switched off this region in experiments, blood pressure dropped back to normal, suggesting it plays a direct role in hypertension.
NFL draft injury analysis: Caleb Downs, S
Caleb Downs medical report
Inflatable homes on the Moon? Scientists reveal how humans could live there sooner than expected - Futura-Sciences
How could humans live on the Moon? Although the Artemis program has taken a more cautious approach following recent delays, the goal remains the same: send astronauts back to the lunar surface. Doing so will require systems that allow crews to stay there for several days, or even several weeks....
Umberto Bossi, the League's populist founder and a pivotal figure in Italian politics, dies at 84
ROME — Umberto Bossi, the founder of Italy’s populist Northern League and one of the most influential — and polarizing — figures...
49ers News: 25 more Sundays until NFL football is back
Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
4 Takeaways From Fanatics Flag Football Classic: USA Football Dominates the Pros
Tom Brady looked the part in his return to the field, but USA Football overwhelmed their NFL counterparts in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Fed’s Powell Lauds Volcker Record in Face of Political Pressure
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Saturday lauded the policy record of the late Fed Chair Paul Volcker, who raised interest rates and sparked a recession to tame the high inflation that took off during the 1970s.
Meet Delaware's 2025 Most Influential People in Arts and Entertainment
Meet Delaware's 2025 Most Influential People in Arts and Entertainment
Ex-Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle on trade: 'It’s part of the business'
"You never know for sure and what could happen," Jaylen Waddle said of NFL trades. "It’s part of the business."
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver announces retirement from the NFL
A former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who spent one season with the team and 10 more with the Indianapolis Colts have announced his retirement from the NFL.
Ancient DNA reveals a farming shift that pushed a society to the brink
A new study reveals that farming in Argentina’s Uspallata Valley was adopted by local hunter-gatherers rather than introduced by outside populations. Centuries later, a stressed group of maize-heavy farmers migrated into the region, facing climate instability, disease, and declining numbers. Despite these pressures, there’s no sign of violence—instead, families stayed connected across generations, using kinship networks to survive. The research shows how cooperation, not conflict, helped communities navigate crisis.
Minnesota Blue Cross CEO steps down from Sutter Health board over conflict of interest
The Eagan-based insurer says CEO Dana Erickson was recused from Sutter board discussions on acquiring Allina Health, which provides care to many Blue Cross members.
Denver Broncos mock draft: Post-Jaylen Waddle trade
We’re coming back to the mock draft simulator this weekend. The Denver Broncos said ‘f dem picks’ and acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins this week. That trade provided a big boost to the offense, but it will make their 2026 NFL Draft much more challenging. With the reduction in draft capital, […]
Paul Freud on using art to understand wars and politics
The London-based artist and great-grandson of Sigmund Freud discusses forging his own artistic language and finding inspiration in global conflict.
Woman, from Large Filipino Family That Loves Food, Thought Health Issues Were Caused by Her Diet. They Weren't (Exclusive)
A woman thought her health issues were caused by her diet, growing up in 'a big Filipino American family, where food is often the center of all gatherings.' However, Jamie Nangpi Harris' ailments were tied to Crohn's disease, a chronic, autoimmune-driven inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the digestive tract, she tells PEOPLE exclusively.
High Gas Prices, Driven Up by the Iran War, Loom Over the Midterms
The war has complicated the Republican message on affordability. Democrats see an opportunity to drive their economic message while tying President Trump to an unpopular overseas conflict.
‘It’s come at the wrong time’: how Iran war has floored the Gulf as a sports hub
Conflict has not only hit sporting calendar but laid bare weakness in plans for diversifying economies through sport
‘Hearing a lot from military families’: Local mental health provider reports surge in calls since conflict in Iran began
Since Feb. 28, what officials describe as an escalation in hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran has had ripple effects across the United States, from the stock market to gasoline prices and residents’ mental health.
Eagles Predicted to Make Perfect Selection in 2026 NFL Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles have had a nice offseason and that should only continue in the NFL Draft.
Tariffs were already squeezing small businesses. Now the Iran conflict is pushing them to the brink as rising oil prices boost shipping costs
Thin margins and limited reserves leave small businesses uniquely exposed.
Mark Robinson admits ‘I lied’ about CNN story
Former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson admitted he lied about a bombshell CNN KFile investigation during the final months of his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, uncovering his extensive history of posting inflammatory and racist comments on a pornography website.
Should I care about Tom Brady, Logan Paul and flag football? I need to know
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic features NFL stars, Team USA and, yes, celebrities. With flag football now on the Olympic program, should we care?
DirecTV completely exits the Sunday Ticket business
Thirty-two years after NFL Sunday Ticket launched exclusively on DirecTV, the satellite provider is officially exiting the Sunday Ticket business.
FOX5 Las Vegas Sports' Mike Davis on the state of the Raiders
FOX5 Las Vegas Sports Anchor Mike Davis wakes up with "GMFB" on the state of the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive end Maxx Crosby trade fallout.
We're told eyewitness testimoney isn't reliable. But new science says it might be
Psychologist John Wixted says that through the course of a criminal investigation, an eyewitnesses memory can be influenced and altered. But under the right conditions, that testimony can be reliable.
Spiking diesel prices force WA businesses to make tough choices
Drivers, trucking firms and other shipping companies worry the rise in diesel prices will reignite inflation and force many operators out of business
MSU Museum panel teaches about AI, politics and misinformation
Speakers discuss AI and its influence in politics and elections at the MSU Museum as a part of the Department of Political Science's "Blurred Realities" series.
2026 NFL Draft Profile: Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers
The Denver Broncos need to add talent to their tight end group. Vanderbilt prospect Eli Stowers is one they should consider.
Umberto Bossi, the League's populist founder and a pivotal figure in Italian politics, dies aged 84
Umberto Bossi, the firebrand founder of Italy’s populist Northern League and one of the most influential — and polarizing — figures of Italian politics, has died, his party said
Inside a case of ‘shill bidding,’ a long-standing concern in the sports collectibles world
Collectors have long suspected others of manipulating auctions in order to influence the value of items.
Influencers are pushing out media for aspiring Democratic politicians
Voters used to say they wanted a president they could have a beer with. Now, would-be presidential candidates are chasing that authenticity in a different way: appearing on podcasts, spo…
Steelers showing strong interest in talented WR draft prospect
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch for a pre-draft dinner ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL analyst predicts when 49ers move on from Brandon Aiyuk
When will the 49ers eventually move on from WR Brandon Aiyuk? How does it impact the Commanders?
Steelers await Aaron Rodgers decision as NFL draft nears
Ben Roethlisberger weighs in as uncertainty surrounds Pittsburgh’s QB plan, with new weapons adding pressure for clarity before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Political influence ‘a serious problem’ for FDA under Trump, former commissioner says
Hundreds of individualized treatments for rare diseases could become available over the next decade — but only if government regulators handle the new
Kyle Juszczyk recalls 49ers memory that gave him ‘soft spot' for Dre Greenlaw
Kyle Juszczyk has a special place in his heart for Dre Greenlaw, who is returning to the San Francisco 49ers for the 2026 NFL season.
Which former Falcons are still available in NFL free agency?
Kirk Cousins, Leonard Floyd among former Falcons available in free agency
The Longevity Bros Are Cold Plunging Wrong
The practice has its benefits. Just not the ones wellness influencers are loudest about.
How the Trump administration could be hurting Israel’s already damaged brand
On two major occasions, the Trump administration has gestured at Israel being mostly responsible for major inflection points in the Iran war — even though the evidence on both counts isn’t totally clear.
Cracks emerge in GOP over Iran war cost as administration floats more than $200B request to Congress
Cracks are emerging among congressional Republicans over the Iran war with key lawmakers skeptical about spending hundreds of billions of dollars to prolong the conflict and several refusing to support any money without a clear White House strategy.
How the NFL is betting big on gambling
More than $3 billion will be wagered on March Madness this year. Around $30 billion was bet on the last NFL season. All evidence of an explosion in sports gambling across this country.
Joe Kent's resignation over Iran war reignites antisemitism fears and debate over Israeli influence
It was no surprise when Joe Kent showed up on Tucker Carlson’s podcast a day after quitting his counterterrorism job in President Donald Trump’s administration. But before long, the conversation moved in a different direction as Kent nodded to conspiracy theories that pro-Israel forces were behind the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Matthew Berry’s Love/Hate from 2026 NFL free agency
Matthew Berry breaks down his Love/Hate players after a bevy of moves in free agency, headlined by new-look offenses in Minnesota, Miami, and Kansas City.
True Bill Talk: Prosecution & Politics
The March 14 episode of True Bill Talk shifts the podcast’s focus from its typically local level to a national one. Nelson Bunn is the Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), an organization that influences the policies of thousands of prosecutors across the country. In a conversation with host Alissa Marque Heydari, […]
Brady, Gronk, Hurts, Burrow: Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft Results
There are numerous NFL stars past and present playing in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Following a draft, here are the teams.
4 Takeaways from the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft
Tom Brady is eager to return to the field in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic this weekend. Here's what you need to know.
Bessent rules out government intervention in oil futures market during Iran war
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. won't intervene in oil futures markets, focusing on physical crude supply to offset Iran conflict disruptions.
It’s strictly business: the enduring allure of mafiosi in culture
Ryan Gingeras examines how mafias have shaped the modern world, from classical Rome to Las Vegas, and how fictional portrayals influence real gangsters.
Brady, NFL stars to test flag football skills vs. Team USA ahead of Olympics debut
Are NFL players better than flag football athletes at flag football? We could get the answer at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic this weekend.
Labor unions' influence in LA mayor's race is harder to predict this year
As Mayor Karen Bass vies to keep her seat, she has a liberal opponent and a more complicated relationship with some labor leaders.
NFL Writer suggests potential Travis Kelce successor for the Chiefs
NFL Writer suggests potential Travis Kelce successor for the Kansas City Chiefs | @EdEastonJr
Vance is in a bind, supporting a war that could cost him politically
People close to JD Vance concede that a long conflict will be a challenge for the next GOP nominee but say the vice president hasn’t made up his mind about running.
Under Trump, the government’s watchdogs are losing their independence
Inspectors general are subject to growing partisan pressures as the White House and political figures seek greater influence over them than ever before.
2026 NFL mock draft: Every team makes a pick -- even those without a first-rounder
Five teams won't be on the clock on Day 1, but we've still projected their first selection.
Trump started a war with no clear end in sight. They rarely end well for presidents
President Trump started a war with no clear end in sight. If his predecessors' experiences are an indication, conflicts don't bode well for presidential approval ratings.
Politics of Indigenous peoples in the West
Indigenous communities increasingly influence energy, security and electoral dynamics across the Americas.
Rising fuel prices impact businesses and consumers in Greater Cincinnati
Gasoline and diesel prices are soaring due to the ongoing conflict with Iran, impacting businesses and consumers across the U.S.
Philadelphia Eagles' dynamic duo named one of NFL's best
The Philadelphia Eagles' dynamic receiving duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith was recently named one of the best in the entire NFL by Moe Moton of Bleacher Report. The pairing of Smith and Brown was named as the fifth-best wide receiver duo in the league, behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Cincinnati, Puka Nacua And Davante Adams in L.A., CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in Dallas and Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in Detroit.
Helium prices increase due to ongoing conflict in Middle East
The price of helium has doubled as the Straight of Hormuz remains closed.
Sports Bars Must Switch NFL Sunday Ticket Providers This Season
NFL-backed EverPass told customers it would be the only commercial Sunday Ticket option in 2026 "as distribution [moves] from satellite to streaming."
Alumna supports students through sports
Alumna Chrystal Starling has built a dynamic career combining sports, education, and youth development. From Hokie student athlete to professional basketball player to assistant principal at a New York charter school, Starling credits writing and the influence of Nikki Giovanni for helping her find her voice and her purpose.
Cryptocurrency and AI industries tested their influence in Illinois. It didn't go well
The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics.
GOP governors, AGs back Trump SAVE Act push, warn system gives ‘undue influence’ to states with illegal aliens
Republican governors and attorneys general back citizenship verification through the SAVE America Act for federal elections, arguing gaps in voter registration create unfair influence.
Andy Dalton trade: Eagles acquire veteran QB, send seventh-round pick to Panthers
Dalton will join the sixth team of his NFL career
Cryptocurrency and AI industries tested their influence in the Illinois primary elections. It didn't go that well
Bill on foreign influence in Georgia politics returns to Senate
The Georgia House passed a bill requiring disclosure of political spending from countries designated as hostile foreign adversaries, with a 98-65 vote largely along party lines.
2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Latest predictions for Patriots' first-round pick
Should the Patriots bolster their defense in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? Here's a roundup of expert predictions from recent mock drafts.
Hundreds of Connecticut companies meet with lawmakers at annual Business Day event
Business owners from all over the state got together on Wednesday at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford for the annual Connecticut Business Day event. “Every time a business owner can let their voice be heard, it is a way for us to be able to influence what decisions are being made,” said Chris Davis, vice president of public…
Prisco's NFL Power Rankings, free agency edition: NFC West dominance; Dolphins starting over from ground floor
Now that most of the dust has settled in free agency, let's see how teams stack up before the NFL Draft
We picked every game of an NFL March Madness bracket -- and a 6-seed made the Final Four
We seeded all 32 NFL teams into a four-region March Madness-style bracket and predicted every game. Here's who made the Final Four -- and who won it all.
9 Fruits To Reduce Inflammation In The Body
Fruits are one of the best sources of anti-inflammatory nutrients, helping to reduce chronic inflammation, which has been linked to heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline.
Calvin Ridley shouldn’t prevent Titans from drafting a WR
The Tennessee Titans will enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a long-term need for a No. 1 wide receiver.
Best fits for the Top 20 unsigned NFL free agents, ranked
USA TODAY Sports examines the best fits for the top remaining free agents.
Illinois businesses shift into growth mode after strong 2025
Local companies are confident after surviving years of high interest rates, inflationary pressure and tariff uncertainty, says a new BMO outlook.
Child vaccination rate drops sharply in Michigan under RFK Jr's influence
Vaccination rates among young children in Michigan dropped sharply during the first year of the Trump administration, a Reuters analysis of state data shows, providing an early indication of how vaccine-skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is influencing immunization practices in the United States.
Madison influence adds to 'Our Town' universal themes
University Opera's production of Thornton Wilder's story links his Madison roots with a new generation of UW students.