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Doctors warn frostbite risk rising as dangerous cold grips the DC region
As extreme cold hits the D.C. area, experts explain how frostbite affects blood flow, early warning signs and what to do to prevent serious injury.
Plain Talk: 'Politics is noise'
On this Plain Talk, we were joined by outgoing North Dakota House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Democratic-NPL U.S. House candidate Trygve Hammer.
Grammy Nominee Laura Veltz on Writing Songs in Nashville: ‘Hate Not Welcome’
Laura Veltz explains how she is able to write songs in Nashville with artists who may not share her political views, on 'Nashville Now' podcast.
Trump's response to Pretti killing upends Second Amendment politics : Here & Now Anytime
Alex Pretti was legally carrying a gun when a federal agent shot and killed him in Minneapolis last weekend. President Trump and other federal officials blamed his death on the fact that he had a gun, but Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chair Bryan Strawser explains why he disagrees.And, after leading immigration operations in Minneapolis, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has returned to his previous job in California. CalMatters investigative reporter Sergio Olmos talks about Bovino’s record in California.
Amazon layoffs: Leaked memos explain job cuts amid startup shift
Amazon announced 16,000 corporate layoffs on Wednesday. Executives say it aims to transform into the 'world's largest startup' with a cultural reset.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Bill Belichick misses the Hall of Fame: Explaining the voting process that rejected the Patriots legend
How Trump transformed ICE, in two charts
The money behind Trump’s immigration crackdown, briefly explained.
Health officials warn about snow shoveling health risks
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel explains how shoveling heavy snow can increase heart attack risk and reacts to a new study on the benefits of short naps.
Lululemon cuts 100 customer service jobs amid quality complaints
The layoffs have affected staff in North America working at the athleisure giant's
Minnesota judge orders acting ICE director to appear in court
Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons has been ordered to appear in federal court this Friday to explain why he should not be held in contempt for violating a judge’s order in the case of a man who is challenging his detention.
This discovery could let bones benefit from exercise without moving
Researchers have discovered a biological switch that explains why movement keeps bones strong. The protein senses physical activity and pushes bone marrow stem cells to build bone instead of storing fat, slowing age-related bone loss. By targeting this “exercise sensor,” scientists believe they could create drugs that mimic exercise at the molecular level. The approach could protect fragile bones in people who are unable to stay active.
Has the world entered an era of ‘water bankruptcy’?
Madeleine Finlay speaks to Patrick Wintour, who has been reporting on Iran’s water crisis, while Prof Mohammad Shamsudduha of UCL explains what can be done to bring water supplies back from the brink
Scientists finally explain Earth’s strangest fossils
The Ediacara Biota are some of the strangest fossils ever found—soft-bodied organisms preserved in remarkable detail where preservation shouldn’t be possible. Scientists now think their survival in sandstone came from unusual ancient seawater chemistry that created clay “cements” around their bodies after burial. This process captured delicate shapes that would normally vanish. The finding helps clarify how complex life emerged before the Cambrian Explosion.
The science of why video evidence can mess with our brain
Why can people watch the same video footage and see different things? Neuroscience can help explain
The Highguard Devs Explain That Terrible Game Awards Reveal
The original plan was a to completely shadow drop the game just like Apex Legends
Trump appears to forget word for Alzheimer’s during stunning interview on his health
Trump explained that his father had almost no medical conditions throughout his life, except for one.
The magnetic secret inside steel finally explained
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
Science Slam in Cologne: When researchers steal the show
As a PhD candidate at University Hospital Cologne, Verena Dzialas researches neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. On stage at Science Slam events, she explains complex brain processes in accessible ways.
Costco's lesser-known membership benefits explained
Discover hidden Costco member perks beyond bulk shopping: exclusive travel deals, auto discounts, prescription savings and professional home services.
NFL ref defends ruling on controversial Jarrett Stidham fumble
NFL referee Alex Kemp explained his ruling on Jarrett Stidham's pass that was deemed a fumble.
A millionaire in California explains why he's happy to pay more taxes
A millionaire in California shares why he supports the state's proposed billionaire wealth tax — and why he doesn't plan to move away.
How The Latest Price Target Shift Is Reshaping The Accel Entertainment (ACEL) Story
Why the Price Target on Accel Entertainment Matters Now The latest change in price target for Accel Entertainment has put fresh attention on how the market is thinking about the stock, even though the specific figures behind that shift have not been detailed here. With no explicit commentary provided to explain the adjustment, the focus for you as an investor is less about the number itself and more about what might be driving analysts to revisit their assumptions. Stay tuned to see how you...
The Class Politics of Austerity
A new book by economist Clara Mattei explains why calls for governments to balance budgets and live within their means are often a thinly veiled justification for an assault on the poor.
Why it Matters: Ohio hopes the Science of Reading boosts student literacy rates
The Science of Reading isn’t a single program or philosophy. It’s based on decades of scientific research that explains how children develop reading and writing skills, and why some kids struggle.
Seminary dean explains how churches become centers of politics
Dean of Bethel Seminary explains why churches and houses of worship are entering the political conversation more than usual.
Forza Horizon 6 Is Tweaking Progression In The Hopes Of Addressing A Common Series Complaint
Making your way through the ranks
David Beckham explains why his Bank of America sports deal isn't your traditional sponsorship
From East London to global success, David Beckham teams up with Bank of America to give children opportunities that he says he was "lucky" to have had.
Your brain can be trained, much like your muscles – a neurologist explains how to boost your brain health
Challenging the brain by exposing it to new situations, tasks and skills can improve its efficiency, much like strength training does for our muscles. But maximum efficiency requires optimal rest.
The public health win hiding in plain sight: poison centers
This undersung service saves Americans $3.1B every year. Why aren’t we funding them more?
TN House expands adult entertainment restrictions: 'A common sense step' Todd says
Rep. Chris Todd explains Tennessee House of Representatives' move to pass legislation expanding protections for children against exposure to adult entertainment.
‘Mr. President, it’s now time’: Social conservatives beg Trump for abortion pill crackdown
As thousands of protestors demonstrate in Washington, DC, at Friday’s annual March for Life, the Trump administration faces a deadline to explain why it opposes a lawsuit that could end the availability of abortion pills by mail.
Sacramento County sees fewer food vendor complaints during first year of new regulations
Sacramento County gets hundreds of complaints each year over roadside food vendors, and it's now been a year since county leaders passed new regulations designed to crack down on those businesses illegally selling food.
James Webb Space Telescope solves a comet crystal mystery
A 'cosmic highway' may explain the journeys of some space silicates.
Do Incentives Matter When Politics Drive Emigration?
SURF postdoctoral fellow Emil Kamalov explains why political freedoms outweigh material benefits for many Russian emigrants considering return.
Defiant Trump continues calls for acquiring Greenland : The NPR Politics Podcast
The president continued his fight to acquire the Danish self-governing territory of Greenland during a speech billed as an address related to domestic affordability issues. We explain what happened.Then, members of Congress met with Danish and Greenlandic officials in Copenhagen last week to discuss the increased tensions with the U.S. We talk about how the meetings went, and what Danes are thinking about it all.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
City denies claims in Cheyenne business owner’s complaint regarding stormwater use fees
CHEYENNE – The city of Cheyenne has filed a response to a local business owner’s complaint regarding the city’s planned stormwater use fees.
Mark Cuban Thinks Indiana’s National Championship Is the Embodiment of “the American Dream”
The longtime NBA owner and ‘Shark Tank’ star also explains why he recently left the ABC mainstay.
Taylor Swift wore our product
Aliett Buttelman explains how Taylor Swift wearing Fazit's glitter freckles helped the brand generate over $1 million in sales in 48 hours.
Can science explain consciousness?
A dive into how scientists are trying to understand what consciousness is and where it comes from
Berlin residents voice concerns over food waste facility despite health assessment
State health officials concluded there are no health risks from a food waste facility that has drawn complaints from residents for more than two years, but some say improvements still aren’t enough.
"That really sucks": Arc Raiders lead responds to complaints about late spawns, says late joiners are important and "profit way more" but Embark knows it's annoying to have no time for objectives
Joining raids late is more profitable on average, says Embark
AI cannot automate science: A philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research
Consistent with the general trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into nearly every field, researchers and politicians are increasingly using AI models trained on scientific data to infer answers ...
AI cannot automate science – a philosopher explains the uniquely human aspects of doing research
While AI can streamline certain parts of the scientific process, a philosopher argues that it cannot replace human expertise and collaboration.
Microsoft veteran explains the one weird trick that made Windows 95 restart faster
: Hold down Shift to make the magic happen (or not, as the case might be)
2027 TE Tank Proctor commits to Auburn
Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage tight end Tank Proctor has committed to Auburn, he announced on Monday via Instagram. After visiting The Plains for junior day, Proctor is locking in with new head coach Alex Golesh and the Tigers. Ahead of the visit, Proctor talked about AU and the new staff with Rivals’ Adam Gorney: “I […]
Parkview Health explains how to easily prevent cervical cancer
Dr. Brzezinska says that virtually anyone sexually active is at risk for getting an HPV infection. Though mostly seen on the cervix, HPV can cause other cancers as well, even for men.
After unveiling a pitiful health care ‘plan,’ Trump struggles to explain its merits
One day after unveiling a purported health care “plan,” the president had an opportunity to tout its virtues. It did not go well.
'Cyberpunk 2077' VR Mod Taken Down Following Legal Complaint, But There May Still Be Hope
Luke Ross, the prolific VR modder, has been forced to remove his popular Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod, citing legal concerns from CD PROJEKT. The News Ross released word via his Patreon on Saturday that Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt had issued a DMCA takedown notice for the removal of the game’s unofficial VR mod—just one […]
'Custodes Are Not Space Marines' — Games Workshop Addresses 'The Telemon in the Room' and Explains Warhammer Lore Behind New Female Miniatures
Games Workshop has published a Warhammer lore explanation for the existence of female Custodes following a new miniature range announcement on Friday.
How much has Miami football made in CFP? Hurricanes' ACC payout, explained
How much has Miami football made through its College Football Playoff run? Here's what to know.
Scientists trace fertilizer microplastics from fields to beaches
Plastic-coated fertilizers used on farms are emerging as a major but hidden source of ocean microplastics. A new study found that only a tiny fraction reaches beaches through rivers, while direct drainage from fields to the sea sends far more plastic back onto shore. Once there, waves and tides briefly trap the particles on beaches before many vanish again. This helps explain why so much plastic pollution seems to disappear after reaching the ocean.
A science teacher’s case for Nirav Shah as governor
The former Maine CDC director's ability to explain complex topics with honesty and empathy is exactly what Maine needs.
A science teacher’s case for Nirav Shah as governor
The former Maine CDC director's ability to explain complex topics with honesty and empathy is exactly what Maine needs.
Science 4 Everyone: How do water sources influence where people live?
Storm Team4 Meteorologist (and science teacher) Ryan Miller explains how the housing market can influence drought conditions and water supply.
Northampton bar faces restricted entertainment license due to noise and safety issues
NORTHAMPTON — Noise complaints and safety concerns at a downtown bar regularly featuring live music and DJs is prompting the License Commission to temporarily restrict the days the business can have entertainment. The commission at its Jan. 7 meeting voted 3-0 to limit the entertainment license for Haze, 24 Main St., to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays […]
Lutheran Health explains how to brace your body for the cold weather
Lutheran Health Network provided a handful of tips and and trick to brace you and your loved ones for the winter elements.
What is Hol+? Dr. Taz’s new holistic health hub explained
Learn how Hol+ blends functional, primary and lifestyle medicine to treat stress, hormone imbalance and metabolism for whole‑body wellness.
Samsung Electronics Europe CEO explains its AI strategy
Simon Sung, the CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, said its AI strategy is "about AI that is genuinely useful and unobtrusive."
How Colorado Springs became the center of America’s evangelical political power
Once known as “Jesus Springs,” Colorado Springs helped shape modern evangelical politics in the U.S. Historian William Schultz explains how faith, military power and culture wars converged in the city and why that influence eventually faded.
Near-death experiences remain a mystery that science can’t explain
A new study explains why current brain theories fail to fully explain near-death experiences and consciousness.
Joel Primack, Physicist Who Helped Explain the Cosmos, Dies at 80
A professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, he was a key contributor to a landmark paper that laid out how the universe came to look like it does today.
Two more businesses setting up shop in South Plainfield
The industrial site is now fully occupied as a result of the new leases.
Illinois Republican governor hopefuls target JB Pritzker as Rick Heidner apologizes for past Democratic donations
At a forum of Illinois Republicans running for governor, Rick Heidner tries to explain contributions to former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
What Is ‘Metabolic Health,’ and Why Does It Matter?
The definition is tricky, but the effects of poor metabolic health are clear — and can wreak havoc on the body.
From quantum theory to the modern laser: Why ‘basic science’ is the foundation of innovation
Watch UC Berkeley Dean Steve Kahn explain how curiosity-driven research fuels the breakthroughs of tomorrow in just 101 seconds.
Dermatologist explains the science behind red light therapy
Citizen science
Citizen science, also called community science, is a common term for a wide range of participatory practices involving scientific data collection and analysis.Citizen science is important for science, research and policy, and has multiple benefits for society and for participants themselves by expanding knowledge, increasing awareness and fostering stewardship.While some scientists remain cautious about the quality of citizen science data, acceptance within the broader scientific community is steadily growing.Measures to strengthen the role and impact of citizen science include enhancing policy and funding support, continued training of educators and leveraging existing data collection technologies.
Video: This Might Be the Best Sport for a Longer Life
Research consistently shows that physical activity is linked to healthy aging. But do some sports confer more longevity benefits than others? Simar Bajaj, a reporting fellow for Well, explains.
Class-action complaint filed against Dignity Health hospitals over backlog of bodies
A fourth family is suing Dignity Health after a KCRA 3 investigation exposed a backlog of bodies following patient deaths at a chain of Sacramento-area hospitals.
Edgewater Neighbors, Business Owners Sue The City Over Broadway Rezoning
The plaintiffs are asking for the rezoning of Broadway to be overturned, saying the city violated property owners' rights.
Scientists uncover a hidden type of diabetes in newborns
Researchers have discovered a rare new type of diabetes that affects babies early in life. The condition is caused by changes in a single gene that prevent insulin-producing cells from working properly. When these cells fail, blood sugar rises and diabetes develops, often alongside neurological problems. The findings help explain a long-standing medical mystery and deepen understanding of diabetes overall.
Scientists finally uncover why statins cause muscle pain
A new discovery may explain why so many people abandon cholesterol-lowering statins because of muscle pain and weakness. Researchers found that certain statins can latch onto a key muscle protein and trigger a tiny but harmful calcium leak inside muscle cells. That leak may weaken muscles directly or activate processes that slowly break them down, offering a long-sought explanation for statin-related aches.
City of West Plains, Mo., lowers barriers to starting a business in the city
Not only will this give the city more time for business audits and other city duties, but it will also make it easier for new businesses to start up.
Are Seed Oils Bad for You? Debunking a Viral Social Media Myth
A food scientist debunks the vilification of seed oils on social media and explains what research says about them.
What Does the Saks Bankruptcy Mean for Shoppers?
Answers to this and other questions about the financial crisis in America’s biggest luxury department store.
Nikki Glaser avoided political jokes while hosting Golden Globes because they’re ‘not funny’
Nikki Glaser explains why she avoided political jokes while hosting the Golden Globes, saying politics 'isn't funny' and describing the challenge of striking the right tone.
'Big Science, Small Pod' podcast: What makes seizures start?
Neurobiologist Matthew Weston explains what happens in the brain during seizures and how his lab is researching their genetic roots to help develop new treatments for children.
Small Town Politics: City concerns on display in the city of Quitman
The city of Quitman is under the microscope after a recent special called city meeting sparked concerns about the council’s decisions to hire, fire, and re-interview city employees. WALB’s Investigative Reporter Brittanye Blake explains what’s next for the city.
At JPM 2026, Mehmet Oz and top Trump health officials explain their thinking to hospital leaders
Oz downplayed the effects of cuts to Medicaid and defended RFK Jr.'s moves on vaccines.
President Trump orders new tariffs targeting countries doing business with Iran
President Donald Trump announces sweeping new tariffs as Iran faces growing unrest, with a political science expert explaining what’s driving the protests and what options the U.S. and international community may have next.
Slack CTO explains how he makes time for deep work
Slack CTO Parker Harris said he limits distractions when he's doing focused work. "We all need to find a way to concentrate," he said.
Scientists discover how the uterus knows when to push during childbirth
Childbirth depends not just on hormones, but on the uterus’s ability to sense physical force. Scientists found that pressure and stretch sensors in uterine muscles and surrounding nerves work together to trigger coordinated contractions. When these sensors are disrupted, contractions weaken and delivery slows. The discovery helps explain stalled labor—and could one day lead to better ways to manage childbirth.
Did Aaron Rodgers just finish his NFL career with pick 6? He explained how he'll make retirement decision after Steelers' blowout loss
Georgia health officials explain why younger children are more vulnerable to measles after baby tests positive
A baby too young to receive routine measles vaccination is the first person in Georgia this year to contract measles.
Illinois extends health insurance marketplace enrollment deadline to Jan. 31
‘Working without a net’: Remembering Bill Livingston’s fiery legacy in Cleveland sports
Former Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston, who passed away at 77, leaves behind decades of passionate, opinionated coverage that helped define Cleveland’s sports narrative.
From Classroom To Conference Hall – The Journey Of A Science Teacher Who Now Leads A Global Nonprofit
We spoke to Don Antczak, the President of Pittcon 2026 who explained how Pittcon supports future scientists and supports those in need.
Data science school dean, professor explain the goals of new professional degrees
The new master's degree and doctorate degree additions come after UNC announced it would merge the School of Data Science and Society and the School of Information and Library Science.
The Biggest Taylor Sheridan Controversies, Explained
Sheridan has rankled viewers and critics, and he even had a legal tussle with one of his ‘Yellowstone’ stars.
A new theory of gravity could explain cosmic acceleration without dark energy
The accelerating expansion of the universe is usually explained by an invisible force known as dark energy. But a new study suggests this mysterious ingredient may not be necessary after all. Using an extended version of Einstein’s gravity, researchers found that cosmic acceleration can arise naturally from a more general geometry of spacetime. The result hints at a radical new way to understand why the universe keeps speeding up.
Gmail has a note-taking app hiding in plain sight — and now I use it daily
It’s easy to miss, yet it’s far more useful than it has any right to be
‘I love science': NASA administrator explains decision to close Goddard library
NASA’s newly confirmed administrator visited Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and defended the decision to close the facility’s library – NASA’s largest. Jared Isaacman emphasized Goddard’s importance Friday. “We’ve got Roman Space Telescope here, Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, so if I like Hubble, you’ve got to love Roman,” he said. “I mean, you know, 100 times the field of…
Neighborhood, Small Business Groups File Lawsuit Over San Francisco Rezoning Plan
Plaintiffs are looking to pause implementation of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s "Family Zoning Plan" while seeking stronger protections for renters, small businesses and infrastructure.
Doctor reveals what 30 days without alcohol does to the brain and body amid Dry January
Experts explain how Dry January can transform your health in 30 days. Learn about the benefits of taking an alcohol break and what happens to your body.
The Clicks co-founder explains who its tiny Communicator phone is for
Clicks is taking a swing at entering the mobile phone market.
Can changing your environment improve your health? Author explains at library event
Julia Hotz brings global research on social prescribing to Cuyahoga County Public Library's free virtual program exploring alternative treatments.
Arsenal's cutback problem explained: Why Gunners' attack is faltering
Arsenal are successively executing one of the most dangerous attacking moves in soccer more than any other team, but with little to show for it
From sea slugs to sunflowers, California Academy of Sciences described 72 new species in 2025
Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences kept busy throughout 2025. Along with collaborators from across the globe, they described 72 new-to-science species from six continents — creatures living in unexplored ocean depths, in plain sight on the Galápagos Islands, and in a U.S. national park. The species include a bird, two worms, two lizards, […]