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Nevada health officials brace for new Medicaid work requirements
Nevada health officials are preparing to phase in sweeping new work requirements for the largest safety-net insurance program in the state, a move that will impact an estimated 280,000 Nevadans who benefited from expanded Medicaid coverage.
From Paper to Action: How Systematic Monitoring Can Help Health Benefits Packages Deliver on Their Promise
Health Benefits Packages (HBPs) can be a strategic tool to advance Universal Health Coverage. But their impact depends not only on the services included, but also on whether people effectively receive those services with adequate quality and financial protection. It also depends on the factors behind implementation gaps. While there is no shortage of guidance for using evidence-informed priority-setting approaches, less attention has been paid to monitoring whether, how, and why HBPs deliver (or not) in the real world. This gap matters, particularly in the context of stagnating progress towards Universal Health Coverage, because it leaves policymakers in the dark: Are HBPs delivering on the promise made to the population? If not, why, and what corrective action can be taken?
Dynasty Financial Partners's Latest Innovations
Houston-based registered investment advisor Americana Partners has stepped into a new avenue, having established a division catering to wealthy clients in the sports and entertainment industries. The new unit will serve athletes, entertainers, creators, agents, and coaches with support from former athletes, entertainment executives, and financial professionals. The division will offer wealth management services and other offerings, including income diversification, brand protection, intellectual property strategies, tax planning, and investment management. For clients in the entertainment sector, ...
TECfusions, a Rapidly Growing Developer and Operator of AI-Ready Data Centers and Power Infrastructure, Signs Business Combination Agreement with Apex Treasury Corp.
TECfusions is positioned where accelerating AI data center demand meets a scarcity of power-secured capacity. Company ethos centered on the fusion of ‘Technology, Environment, Community’ focuses on delivering AI-ready capacity while advancing environmental redevelopment and local community outcomes. Unique adaptive reuse strategy designed to convert legacy industrial sites into AI-ready, power-enabled data center infrastructure, accelerating deployment in power-constrained markets. The Transacti
Will surge in German business bankruptcies hit growth?
Company insolvencies in Germany are rising sharply. Is this a sign of deeper economic weakness, or just a market correction that could ultimately benefit future growth?
Pakistan Unveils Rs 18.8 Trillion Budget 2026-27: Tax Relief for Salaried Class, Landmark Exemption for Women's Health Amid Regional Crisis
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presents federal budget for fiscal year 2026-27 during a National Assembly sessionISLAMABAD, July 22, 2026 (...
Gossip: West Ham keen on Foxes defensive duo
West Ham are considering a move for Leicester City's English defender Ben Nelson with the Hammers hoping they can secure the 22-year-old for a cut-price fee following the Foxes relegation to League One. Football Insider) West Ham are also interested in Leicester City centre-back Harry Souttar, though they face competition from Wrexham for the 27-year-old Australia international. Daily Record) West Ham's French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, is wanted by Juventus.
Gayle Benson buys 3 Harmony Circle properties. See her plans for the spaces
The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owners said she has no immediate plans for the properties but wants to explore ways to bring them back to life.
7 events in Lancaster County this week, from a cat benefit car show to a Hispanic festival
With a beautiful weather forecast planned, there's no excuse to not get out and try something new this weekend.
Trinity Group Strengthens Nevis Business Solutions Through Strategic Collaboration with Hamilton Reserve Bank
Supporting international entrepreneurs through Nevis company formation and offshore bank account opening within 24 to 48 hoursDUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinity Group has entered into a strategic collaboration with Hamilton Reserve Bank to support international entrepreneurs and businesses, establishing a Nevis International Business Company (IBC) with a streamlined pathway from company formation to international banking. Through the collaboration, eligible cl
RIBER: FIRST-HALF 2026 BUSINESS ACTIVITY Business growth, resilient order book and continued rollout of ROSIE
FIRST-HALF 2026 BUSINESS ACTIVITYBusiness growth, resilient order book and continued rollout of ROSIE Bezons, July 22, 2026 – 8:00 am – RIBER, the global leader in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipment for the semiconductor industry, reported 19% revenue growth for the first half of 2026, supported by strong momentum in services and accessories. Against a commercial backdrop marked by tighter export licensing conditions for Asia, the Company is continuing to roll out its ROSIE strategic roadmap
Rivers of magma once bubbled beneath crust of Mars, research suggests
Finding widens selection of rocky planets that may once have been habitable
Bengals Get Alarming Joe Burrow Message Before Training Camp
The Cincinnati Bengals put all their chips on the table to end their playoff drought this upcoming 2026 season. After signing free agents Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook, Cincinnati then made the blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence II. After three straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the Bengals made aggressive moves to show […] The post Bengals Get Alarming Joe Burrow Message Before Training Camp appeared first on HEAVY.
Live results: Trump-backed Rep. Andy Biggs will win Arizona gubernatorial primary, CNN projects
Rep. Andy Biggs will win the Republican nomination for governor in Arizona, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, setting up a November clash with Democratic incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs in the battleground state.
In new video, Mamdani acknowledges he doesn’t have authority to arrest Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a new video Tuesday that he does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to come to New York City.
Of course Matt Damon told Ben Affleck about landing the lead role in ‘The Odyssey’ before his wife
Matt Damon admitted that he told Ben Affleck about landing the lead role in ‘The Odyssey’ before his wife Luciana Barroso.
Bengals Ring of Honor inductees to be announced
The Cincinnati Bengals announced they will reveal 2026 Ring of Honor inductees July 22.
Less invasive anesthesia strategies during TAVR linked to a key benefit
Long-term TAVR outcomes were comparable. When tracking 30-day data, however, researchers found that hospital readmission was much less common for patients treated with regional anesthesia or moderate sedation.
Breaking down N.C. U.S. Senate candidates' latest finance reports
With fundraising numbers in the millions, one expert breaks down what it means for the election, the role outside donors will play and much more.
Ex-Giants Draft Pick Considered Breakout Coach For Broncos
The post-Tom Coughlin New York Giants culture has been horrible, but Davis Webb evidently learned a thing or two. The Giants' third-round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft was named as a breakout coaching candidate, while serving as the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator under ex-Giants coordinator Sean Payton. Webb spent two tours with the Giants, initially backing up both Eli Manning and Geno Smith during the controversial 2017 season under Ben McAdoo.
Hailup Is Building the Digital Future of the Caribbean Entertainment Industry
ATLANTA, Georgia , July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hailup Influencers Inc., founded by Byron Aris, is transforming how Caribbean influencers, artists, and creative professionals connect with fans and generate income worldwide. Designed exclusively for Caribbean talent, Hailup enables creators to monetize their brands through personalized video messages, premium fan experiences, live streaming, and exclusive digital content while strengthening authentic connections with audiences across the Car
Regular Coffee Consumption Linked to Health Benefits, AHA Says
A new report from the American Heart Association says that it's safe for most adults to drink up to five cups of coffee per day. New research also suggests regular coffee consumption may be linked to lower risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart failure for some individuals. Health benefits apply to paper filtered or instant coffee.
Top 5 Reasons to Participate in the 2026 Health Benefits Survey This Year
Member News It’s hard to believe but this year is the 28th year that Greater Rochester Chamber has conducted our annual Health Benefits Survey! Like all of our HR benchmarking surveys, this survey is only open to Corporate and Partner members for participation once a year. We know how important it is for members to…
Deputies searching for 2 connected with breaking and entering at Buncombe Co. business
Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Conrad at (828) 250-6670 or cyril.conrad@buncombenc.gov.
Wix Headless Brings Wix’s Full Business Infrastructure to AI Coding Tools and Vibe Platforms
New capability lets builders turn any AI-generated frontends into fully operational businesses with Wix-managed hosting, SEO, analytics, and integ...
WNBA All-Star charity initiative supports sports group that says it is ‘moving beyond the binary of girl’
A WNBA All-Star beneficiary says it is "moving beyond the binary of 'girl'" while the league frames the $100,000 prize pool as keeping girls in sports.
Piitch-timer gamesmanship triggers scuffle between Pirates, Yankees
New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero triggered a benches-clearing scuffle with the Pittsburgh Pirates through manipulation of MLB's pitch clock.
Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash will bring live tattooing, entertainment and competitions to the Jersey Shore
The three-day event will take over the Wildwoods Convention Center from Aug. 7-9 with tattoo artists, vendors and opportunities to get inked on-site.
Bengals fans will see improvements to Paycor Stadium this season
The Cincinnati Bengals have said that the improvements are the most extensive since Paycor Stadium opened in 2000.
COVID-19 Linked to Short-Term Increases in Medicare Health Care Spending
Postacute COVID-19 symptom diagnoses, health care spending, and utilization among Medicare beneficiaries diminish within 3 months of infection.
Amazon Business Reaches $60 Billion in Annualized Gross Sales, Serving Over 11 Million Organizations Worldwide
Organizations of all sizes turning to Amazon Business for its AI-powered tools, business-relevant selection, everyday low prices, delivery fleets purpose-built for businesses, and expanded Prime Business membership benefits More than 1.8 million new organizations joined Amazon Business so far this year Last year, Amazon Business-specific discounts saved organizations more than $1 billion worldwide, while Prime Business members saved more than $880 million in shipping fees globally last year Amazon Business selection up nearly 30% globally this year, with expansion in categories like repair tools, fresh groceries, and office furniture
6 Dementia Risk Factors You Can Change
These healthy habits benefit your whole body—including your brain—and may help contribute to lower dementia risk over time.
Munson Army Health Center Open House: Discover Your Medical Home at Fort Leavenworth
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas -- Whether you're new to Fort Leavenworth or have been part of our community for years, we invite you to join us for the Munson Army Health Center Open House, Wednesday, Aug. 12. Stop by anytime from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet the healthcare professionals who support Soldiers, families, retirees and other eligible beneficiaries. Learn about the many services available to help you stay healthy, mission ready and informed.
9 Vitamins and Supplements That May Support Brain Health
Certain vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats benefit brain health by supporting nerve function, protecting brain cells from damage, and improving focus.
90% of Organizations Report Strong AI and Cloud Foundations, but Business Performance Falls Short, Unisys Finds
/PRNewswire/ -- Unisys (NYSE: UIS) has released a new global report, "Unisys AI & Cloud Insights Report 2026: The benchmarks, the gaps, and what to do next,"...
Marsh quarterly profit rises on strength in risk management business
Insurance brokerage Marsh reported a jump in second-quarter profit on Tuesday, as it benefited from robust demand for its risk management and consulting businesses.
Americana Partners Launches Sports & Entertainment Division
HOUSTON, July 21, 2026--Houston-based Americana Partners, an independent wealth management firm with over $11.5* billion in total client assets, today announced a new division focused on the sports and entertainment industries, tapping Associate Vice President Ben Davidson to lead the wealth management venture.
Americana Partners Launches Sports & Entertainment Division
HOUSTON, July 21, 2026--Houston-based Americana Partners, an independent wealth management firm with over $11.5* billion in total client assets, today announced a new division focused on the sports and entertainment industries, tapping Associate Vice President Ben Davidson to lead the wealth management venture.
Reynolds named science secretary as Dsit abolished
Jonathan Reynolds to lead Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade after Whitehall shakeup
Jose Caballero's "routine'' sparks Yankees-Pirates bench clearer
Pirates' reliever Dennis Santana's overreaction to Jose Caballero's habitual, but legal, stall tactics at the plate led to an eighth inning incident.
How much caffeinated coffee is too much for heart health?
New research shows that consuming 5 cups of caffeinated coffee a day is safe for most adults and may even benefit drinkers, according to the American Heart Association.
Colossal Biosciences reportedly in talks to raise new capital at $20B–$30B valuation
The de-extinction startup is looking to double or triple its previous valuation, according to the report.
The supplement behind the C15:0 trend is now available as a gummy
The popular Fatty15 supplement is now available in gummy form. Discover the benefits of C15:0, ingredients, flavor and current pricing.
How much coffee is safe for the heart? Doctors explore the benefits and risks of caffeine
Drinking multiple cups of coffee each day may decrease a person's risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Too much caffeine can still cause issues, however, when taken as energy drinks.
The surprising benefits of red light
Better skin, faster wound healing and reduced vision loss are on the cards
WA's Suzan DeBene helps lead House midterm election strategy
Washington's Rep. Suzan DelBene is leading Democrats' efforts to reclaim the U.S. House, crisscrossing the country to raise money and guide strategy.
How to maximise the mental health benefits of your vacation
Don’t just hit the beach. Research is revealing how to have a holiday that leaves you mentally restored and refreshed – with long-lasting effect
Cinema Operator AMC Entertainment Rides the Box Office Boom
AMC shares surged after Q2 results beat expectations, with record $321 million adjusted EBITDA, higher attendance and strong box office growth.
Shaky political "science": breakdown of the peer review process
[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 December 2025, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting (RCV). 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 four articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report; the second one analyzed 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; a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research; and a fourth article that analyzed seven studies sponsored by New America’s political reform program that deployed flawed methodology based on “simulated” elections instead of real-world elections, which when combined with some basic misunderstandings of RCV, produced odd and misleading results]. In this fifth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we examine two flawed studies on the impact of RCV on voter turnout authored by San Francisco State University professor Jason McDaniel. McDaniel’s research in these two papers stands out for its puzzling methodology, inadequate and cherry-picked data, and faulty analyses that not only misunderstands ranked choice voting but reflects a basic misunderstanding of politics in general. The first of the McDaniel studies actually passed through a peer review process and then was subsequently published by the Journal of Urban Affairs, despite its obvious errors. It is perplexing that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the errors and send it back to McDaniel for a rewrite or outright rejection. This calls into question the credibility of the peer review process itself. The peer review process is supposed to represent the intellectual pinnacle of the profession – a way for academics to certify the quality of each other’s work, and to act as a check against sloppy research. In the case of the McDaniel study, the peer review process failed. Yet his flawed study has been cited dozens of times by other political scientists in their own flawed works — an unvirtuous circle of academic research. Here is the first Jason McDaniel study that we analyzed: “Writing the Rules to Rank the Candidates: Examining the Impact of Instant-Runoff Voting on Racial Group Turnout in San Francisco Mayoral Elections,” by Jason McDaniel, 2016, Journal of Urban Affairs. This study covered San Francisco’s use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in mayoral elections, purporting to show that RCV reduces voter turnout overall, increases voter errors, and has a negative impact on “marginal populations,” i.e. racial minorities, mainly as the result of the alleged complexity of RCV asking voters to rank candidates and having to be familiar with multiple candidates and related dynamics. McDaniel reached these conclusions by examining five San Francisco mayoral elections taking place in odd years (i.e. where there are no federal or state races on the ballot) from 1995 to 2011, comparing three earlier non-RCV races (in 1995, 1999 and 2003) with the later two RCV races (in 2007 and 2011). Only two RCV races were studied, and as McDaniel acknowledged, only the contest in 2011 was “competitive” (that contest in 2007 was the first mayoral election using RCV, and incumbent mayor Gavin Newsom won easily in the first round of counting, earning 74% of first choices and far ahead of the second place candidate who had just 6.3% of first choices). Yet even the allegedly competitive contest in 2011was won by an incumbent with a landslide margin of nearly 20 points. No other elections were studied by McDaniel, even though San Francisco elects 17 other offices besides mayor with RCV, including the 11 seats on the Board of Supervisors (the name for the city council) in even years, and six other citywide offices in odd years. Previous academic research has found that competitive elections can stimulate greater voter involvement and higher turnout. For unexplained reasons, this study ignored at least 34 other RCV races between the years 2004 to 2011, many of which were very competitive and had high voter turnout. Instead, McDaniel’s analysis based its conclusions on data from only a single, marginally-competitive mayor’s race using RCV. These 2007 and 2011 mayoral elections were the only two RCV elections that McDaniel used as the sole basis for his small data set to determine the impact of RCV on voter turnout. Despite having no meaningful data to inform his study, McDaniel nonetheless concluded that RCV lowered turnout when compared to the previous three mayoral non-RCV elections using two-round runoffs. Then, using the same inadequate database of San Francisco elections, McDaniel also found that “Instant-runoff voting is associated with a significant decline in Black voter turnout and White voter turnout…On average, Black voter turnout decreases by 18 points and White voter turnout decreases by 16 points …” But how could he credibly arrive at that conclusion when his study was based on voter turnout in two RCV contests that were not even remotely competitive? Beyond that, McDaniel tacitly admits that the key determining factor driving Black voter turnout was not RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable Black candidate. McDaniel wrote, “Black voter turnout was about 17 percentage points higher for the two elections that featured an African American candidate compared to the three elections that did not” — but one of those three elections did not use RCV. The same dynamic was present for White voter turnout, in which higher turnout was not correlated with RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable White candidate. Beyond that, McDaniel’s voter turnout results, whether correlated with the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections, showed no clear patterns. In his Figure 1, he shows low Asian voter turnout in the non-RCV elections in 1999 and 2003 when there was no viable Asian candidate running, but in the 2007 mayoral election using RCV, there is still no viable Asian candidate, yet Asian turnout increases dramatically. For Latinos, voter turnout is virtually the same in 1999 (no viable Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2003 (leading Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2007 (no viable Latino candidate, RCV elections) and 2011 (leading Latino candidate, RCV elections). Meanwhile White voter turnout increased dramatically from a low in the 2007 mayoral election, in which the leading candidate was a white incumbent, to the 2011 election in which there were no leading white candidates that finished any higher than sixth place with 5.6% of the vote. Clearly other factors were determining voter turnout than either the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections. Despite these inconsistent findings, McDaniel boldly marches forth to render conclusions about the impact of RCV on different groups of racial voters, even though his conclusions are not remotely supported by his data. This looks like the worst kind of “data cherry picking” to cover up a puzzling conclusion based on a poor data set involving only two RCV elections, neither of which were remotely competitive. McDaniel’s cherry picking didn’t stop there. In calculating voter turnout for the three non-RCV mayoral elections in 1995, 1999 and 2003, he failed to mention that in each of these years there was a two-round runoff election, with a first round election in November in which no candidate garnered a winning majority of the vote, followed by the decisive runoff in December. So there were two non-RCV elections in each election year. But McDaniel only decided to include one of the two elections in his data set, apparently the December runoff in each year (which had higher turnout in two out of the three mayor’s races, and lower turnout in the third). So he ignored the November 1995 election, the November 1999 election when turnout was only 45 percent, and the November 2003 election when turnout was only 45.7 percent. This is flawed methodology based on blatant cherry picking, since McDaniel simply omitted three elections worth of data that did not fit within his frame. His study should never have made it through a peer review process, and it is an embarrassment to political science that not only was it approved for publication, but it has been uncritically cited by dozens of other political scientists. Share A “study” without wider context or credible data Lacking a data set that included even a single competitive RCV mayoral race, McDaniel declared that RCV lowered voter turnout in 2011, when turnout was 42.5 percent. But he also ignored -- or did not realize -- that voter turnout in mayoral elections during 2011 had sharply declined in all big cities, including far more steeply in nearby Los Angeles and other cities. In fact, San Francisco’s election in 2011 had the second highest turnout of any mayoral election in the nation’s 22 largest cities from 2008-2011. Was 2011 just a particularly low turnout year all across the country, perhaps because the country was still reeling from the aftermath of the housing market collapse in 2008-2010? McDaniel ignored this factor and did not search for alternative explanations beyond his flawed thesis. Furthermore, while McDaniel suggested that RCV leads to more “overvotes” – which is an invalidated ballot in which a voter, in either a non-RCV or RCV race, makes a mistake and selects two candidates for a single choice – he failed to address that in the June 2012 US Senate primary contest, which used the typical “one-choice” plurality method and did not use RCV, there was more than five times as many overvotes in San Francisco and Oakland than in the RCV mayoral elections in those cities. Additionally, turnout had been significantly higher and more representative in RCV elections for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors races -- that McDaniel didn’t even bother to study -- as compared to previous “delayed two-round runoffs” for those offices, often higher by as much as 40% in the RCV races. Perhaps the most surprising irony was that an earlier study co-authored by McDaniel (Overvoting and the Equality of Voice under Instant-Runoff Voting in San Francisco by Francis Neely and Jason McDaniel, 2015, California Journal of Politics and Policy) found that overvotes are often more common in lower-income precincts, but that the pattern of overvoting is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. Wrote Neely and McDaniel: “[Overvote] errors appear to be a function of complexity in general and not IRV per se…. the pattern of overvoting is similar in both IRV and non-IRV contests…Even among votes cast in a top-of-the-ticket race like U.S. Senate, overvoting occurs in an uneven fashion” (IRV, or ‘instant runoff voting,’ is another name for ranked choice voting in single-winner contests). So McDaniel not only contradicted his own conclusion in his earlier study with Neely, but the earlier study had been an important corrective for one of the most frequently made mistakes made by anti-RCV political scientists – a continual failure to provide crucial context by pairing a comparative analysis of real world RCV elections with an analysis of real world plurality or other electoral methods. Unfortunately McDaniel’s earlier study does not get cited much by other researchers, and McDaniel did not even cite it in his own flawed study analyzed above. Incredibly, McDaniel cherrypicked McDaniel, even as his flawed study has been cited dozens of times. Despite being a textbook example of poor political “science,” featuring both inadequate as well as cherrypicked data, the shelf life of McDaniel’s study has been extended endlessly by other political scientists and media outlets who have cited it uncritically. Equally troubling, the Journal of Urban Affairs put this paper through its peer review process and published it despite its numerous flaws. McDaniel gets it wrong, Part II Not content with producing one shoddy, confused paper, McDaniel produced another one a few years later, here is the link: Electoral Rules and Voter Turnout in Mayoral Elections: An Analysis of Ranked-Choice Voting by Jason McDaniel. San Francisco State Univ. (McDaniel, 2019). In this paper, McDaniel extended his previous flawed research focused on San Francisco, about voter turnout and voter impact, to multiple RCV cities through the 2018 elections. In his data set he included San Francisco, Minneapolis, St Paul, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro and Santa Fe. He then compared their turnout in mayoral elections to non-RCV cities, and to mayoral elections in those cities held before first RCV usage, and concluded “a significant decrease in voter turnout of approximately 3–5 percentage points in RCV cities after the implementation of RCV.” But he replicated many of the same mistakes as his first study presented above. While in this study McDaniel attempted to distinguish between various factors, such as odd year vs. even year elections, competitive races vs. noncompetitive, contests with open seats and other factors, the analysis is superficial and inadequate. He attempts to incorporate so many often-conflicting variables that his conclusions are once again unsupported by the actual data, and ultimately unconvincing (this second study never underwent a peer review process). For example, McDaniel declared that for RCV cities “in elections that are more competitive than average (margin of victory less than 20%), there is no significant RCV effect on voter turnout.” Yet McDaniel is a professor in a city, San Francisco, in which the 2018 special election using RCV to fill a mayoral vacancy was exceedingly close, decided by a margin of only one percentage point, and resulted in the second highest turnout in San Francisco history for a mayoral election. Illustrating the complexity involved in assessing the critical factors in turnout, that special election was held on the same election day as federal and state offices, which tends to boost turnout. Yet more voters participated in that RCV mayoral election than voted on the same day in the non-RCV primary for governor in which former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom was running. Even more puzzling, in this study McDaniel inaccurately cited his own previous study from 2015 with Neely. McDaniel wrote, “Neely and McDaniel (2015) examine individual ballot image files within a natural experiment, and find higher rates of ballot errors in RCV elections compared to non-RCV elections” (emphasis added). However, we quoted from that 2015 study several paragraphs above, and in actual fact Neely and McDaniel actually concluded the opposite -- that the pattern of overvoting – which is the most common form of ballot error – is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. McDaniel also ignored the fact that in Bay Area RCV elections held in even years – at the same time as federal and state elections, when turnout is highest -- the “undervote” (that is, the dropoff in ballots cast for governor or mayor) has declined, which contradicts his thesis that the act of ranking ballots in RCV elections is too complex and presents a barrier for certain demographics of voters. To his credit, McDaniel actually acknowledged another contradiction in his own paper, which found a negative RCV turnout effect in some odd-year elections but not others, admitting that “may present a challenge to the theory that increased complexity [from RCV] will have a marginal negative effect on voter turnout.” But he tried to wallpaper over that contradiction by blaming it on an unlikely source -- bad election administration. McDaniels wrote, “This would suggest that the negative impact of RCV on voter participation may be alleviated by high quality election administration,” without presenting any data or even anecdotes to support such an unfounded theory. While competent election administration of any election, whether RCV or non-RCV, is crucially important, there is no credible research that supports the far-fetched notion that the quality of election administration has much of an impact on voter turnout in US elections, whether using RCV or otherwise. Upgrade to a $5 subscription The unvirtuous circle of academic research It is puzzling how McDaniel’s first study could have survived the peer review process for the Journal of Urban Affairs. The mistakes in McDaniel’s first study above should have been obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of ranked choice voting as well as elections in general, and elections in San Francisco specifically. It undermines faith in the credibility of the peer review process to think that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the egregious errors and reject McDaniel’s sloppy research and paper. And it remains a black mark on political science that this thoroughly discredited study has been cited dozens of times by other researchers. Indeed, in our research paper it became apparent that many political scientists cite each other’s flawed research to pad their list of citations and to legitimize their own flawed research, creating an unvirtuous circle of political science. More broadly, McDaniel’s voter turnout studies, like other studies evaluating RCV’s impact on turnout, lacked a recognition that no credible opinion or research can claim that RCV increases voter turnout merely because so many voters are excited to vote for their favorite candidates instead of “lesser evil” candidates without worrying about spoilers. Instead, with respect to turnout, the advantage of RCV has always been that, in most places where it has been used, it has eliminated a pre-November primary or post-November runoff, which usually saw about half the turnout of the November general election. This is especially true during even years when there are state and federal elections on the ballot which substantially drive turnout more than local contests. Any study that does not adequately account for this non-November primary/runoff vs November general election dynamic, or odd year vs even year election factors, is simply not credible. Both of McDaniel’s studies largely failed on those grounds. Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to a $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS…your digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
Sonoma County Latinas building community, business opportunities through networking
Marcos Suarez, Sonoma County’s Business Diversity Program Manager, said it’s great that local groups like Latinas Emprendedoras and Eventos con Amigas are benefiting the local economy, because starting a business is never easy.
Science can serve dark as well as light
I’m not sure how many of you are watching “Star City,” Apple TV’s spin-off of its “For All Mankind” program (2019-present), but it’s one of the better sci-fi series I’ve seen in a while, with an impressively dark political message. (Some light spoilers below.) For the uninitiated, “For All Mankind” presented a slightly tweaked history of the U.S. space program in which it was the USSR that landed on the Moon first in 1969, and shortly thereafter put a woman cosmonaut on the lunar surface. This sparks an ongoing space race that, in the original series, yields a lot of benefits for humanity. President Nixon’s insistence on a female astronaut corps to compete with the Soviets boosts the feminist movement of the 1970s and the ERA passes. New fuels generated for the space program create clean and cheap energy around Earth. There are also some darker changes — the USSR is thriving well into the 2000s, there are terrorist counter-technology movements around the globe, laborers on Mars work in nightmarish conditions and organize strikes and riots, etc. the @smotus report is a reader-supported publication. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe That show offers glimpses into the subtle ways this Earth is different. Teddy Kennedy never went to Chappaquidick because he was racing back to Washington to deal with the space program crisis; he gets elected President in 1972. John Lennon survives his early 1980s shooting but Pope John Paul II does not. The Apple Newton succeeded. Pretty much the whole of season 4 is a setup for an Al Gore joke. Again, mostly, the vision that “For All Mankind” presents is a positive one, with technology advancing many human interests. “Star City” goes in a very different direction. This spin-off show is about the same set of events but from the Soviet perspective. As we meet them, the team of scientists and cosmonauts responsible for the lunar landing are still basking in their hero status, but their program is embedded deep in the Soviet security state of the late 1960s. Everyone’s apartment is bugged. Whole teams of clerical staff spend their days transcribing recordings of people’s lives. People in the program, including respected cosmonauts, are regularly arrested. An incredibly menacing Colonel Lyudmilla Raskova (Anna Maxwell Martin) forces confessions and tortures and kills, expressing little more than annoyance in the process. Meanwhile, the space program’s highly respected Chief Designer (Rhys Ifans) has a vision for the program that he knows the government will not approve. He insists that they need to think past the Moon to focus on colonizing the solar system, starting with Venus. (This is a rough parallel to the Americans’ pivot to Mars in the original show.) He essentially builds a secret space program within the space program, calculating that the government will embrace the mission after it has succeeded. (As an aside, I’m not sure why the Venus obsession, as a successful mission can’t produce the biggest public relations payoff: a cosmonaut standing on the surface holding the Soviet flag. Anyone standing on Venus would be immediately crushed by the 92-bar atmosphere and then cremated in the 900°F temperatures. But in a country with no free press perhaps the visual payoff was less valued.) But the overall vision is that the technological advances have only amplified the most fearsome aspects of the Soviet system. The state is paranoid (but not incorrect) about American spies and does monstrous things to protect its secrets. People are terrified to trust each other. Classic banality-of-evil figures order people to harm those they care about; those people comply rather than get shot. Others are forced into criminal behavior to protect loved ones. We’re reminded all the time these days of what happens when a government despises science. It manifests in the defunding of schools, the elevation of fossil fuels as the rest of the world pivots to solar, outbreaks of measles and diarrhea, etc. But “Star City” offers a vision of a bad government that likes science. It’s not encouraging. It’s not yet clear if there will be a season two of this show. But I strongly recommend season one. It’s both thoughtful and gripping. Share
I Tried a Sensory Float Pod to Quiet My Mind—and It Was One of the Best Things I’ve Done For Myself in Years
After a four-day solo darkness retreat helped quiet my anxiety, I began seeking other wellness practices. Here’s what I learned.
Kansas Health Science University Granted Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Meeting Rigorous Quality Assurance Standards
Wichita, Kan., July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) has been granted accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a significant milestone in the school’s mission to produce forward-thinking, empathetic healthcare leaders. WSCUC is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The agency’s outcomes-focused accreditation supports institutions in building and sustaining innovative educational programs
Kraken Robotics Announces $35 Million in New Orders and Business Update
Year-to-Date the Company has Announced $327 Million in Combined Product OrdersTORONTO, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kraken Robotics Inc. (“Kraken” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: PNG, OTCQB: KRKNF) is pleased to announce continued momentum with $35 million in new product orders from customers in maritime defense, offshore energy, and ocean science. By technology solution, these orders are across navigation and positioning systems, multi-aperture sonar, positioning, and monitoring systems from Cov
AI is becoming part of UK adults' health information journey
New YouGov data reveals how UK adults use AI tools like ChatGPT for health information, where they fit into the health journey and their perceived benefits.
The State of Politics: Wikler Concedes Democratic Party’s Image Problems
The 'blob' of the Democratic Party organization is the problem, and solution, he says.
The rave secret: why middle-aged women are larging it – and seeing big health benefits
For those who are burned out, perimenopausal, or both, dancing all night can be a panacea. It’s great exercise, lowers stress, boosts energy and provides connection. No wonder so many are doing it
'I just wanted to give up': Disabled patients face Medicaid denials from IT errors
Complex computer systems that decide whether people get Medicaid benefits have a history of errors. Now changes to comply with Trump's tax and domestic policy law are inundating those systems.
Gas prices back at $4 a gallon
The average price US drivers pay for gas hit $4 a gallon on Monday, only the second time it has reached that benchmark since the war in Iran disrupted global oil supplies.
Colorado Commission prioritizes feelings over science
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted Thursday and prioritized feelings over science-based management. Meanwhile, Rancher X is the beneficiary of those feelings-driven decisions. Well played, Governor. The newest appointees to the CPW Commission are just the parting gift you had in mind for rural Colorado. The Commission voted Thursday 6-5 to reject CPW staff […]
Colorado Commission prioritizes feelings over science
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted Thursday and prioritized feelings over science-based management. Meanwhile, Rancher X is the beneficiary of those feelings-driven decisions. Well played, Governor. The newest appointees to the CPW Commission are just the parting gift you had in mind for rural Colorado. The Commission voted Thursday 6-5 to reject CPW staff […]
Forgotten ‘90s Sci-Fi Classic Is Begging For A Reboot
A brilliant multiverse premise deserved better. This cult sci-fi favorite is the rare series that could truly benefit from a fresh reboot.
Britain Politics Burnham
The statue of Winston Chruchill is silhouetted against the sky with the backdrop of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, as Labour Party leader Andy Burnham is set
Cubs Minor League Wrap: I-Cubs blast Memphis, 13-4
Iowa and South Bend post wins. Myrtle Beach is in a bad stretch.
She retired early to slow travel; participation helped her feel at home
While slow traveling the world, Kelly Benthall thought staying in a country longer would help her feel like part of a community. A party in Bali changed her perspective.
Water First, Coffee in Moderation: What to Drink for Better Cognitive Health
The single best beverage for cognitive health is surprisingly simple: water. While coffee has attracted growing scientific interest for its potential brain benefits, hydration remains the foundation of healthy brain function.
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) July 19, 2026
On this episode of Politics Unplugged, political editor Dennis Welch sits down with Joana Mendoza — a former Marine Corps drill instructor and Democratic candidate — who is challenging incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani in Arizona's Congressional District 6, discussing affordability, immigration, and ICE reform. Then, with Arizona's primary election just days away, Welch brings in Republican consultant Chip Scutari and Democrat Stacy Pearson to break down the most competitive races, including the GOP governor's primary between Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, the attorney general's race, and a crowded CD1 field. The panel also weighs in on what the early ballot returns and independent voter enthusiasm could signal heading into the general election this fall.
Bears' Ben Johnson gets reality check ahead of 2026 season
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is getting some advice.
Scientists Finally Worked Out Why Some Hair Is Curly – And It Starts Beneath The Skin
The science is tricky to untangle.
I hate that I don’t hate this song made with Suno
1010Benja shows Suno can be more than a slop engine in the right hands.
Jonty Hurwitz brings mind-bending science, art, and optical illusions to Jerusalem
Jonty Hurwitz’s works are sculptures smaller than atoms and images created by cylindrical mirrors.
AIPAC has spent a record amount on Michigan's Senate primary, the biggest test of its influence yet
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is benefiting from tens of millions in pro-Israel spending in her race to be the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan.
A new AI benchmark: Betting on the World Cup.
Can AI predict the future? A World Cup betting contest reveals which models make the smartest wagers.
For Gainesville High alum, acting in ‘Spamalot’ at Fox Theatre means a lot
Meet Delaney Benson, a Gainesville native who is returning home as a cast member of the touring company of "Spamalot," which plays at the Fox Theatre from July 21-26.
Trump ally seeks makeover ahead of critical Arizona governor's race
Gov. Katie Hobbs is considered the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent in a swing state that's been on the 2020 election denier frontlines for years.
Bill Montevecchi, seabird ornithologist and science communicator
The North Atlantic can look empty until someone begins paying attention. A stretch of gray water off Newfoundland may appear to hold little more than waves and scattered birds. To Bill Montevecchi, those birds were evidence. Their breeding success, feeding trips, and changing numbers revealed what was happening beneath the surface, offering clues about fish [Continue reading]
DREAMTEAM
RUARIDH McCONNOCHIE, THE FORMER BATH, ENGLAND, ENGLAND SEVENS AND GREAT BRITAIN SEVENS WINGER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Beno Obano – I’ve always thought Beno has been criminally underrated at international level. Everyone sees his power, but his hands and footwork are exceptional for a prop. He’s been a […] The post DREAMTEAM appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Mamdani says he’s still looking into arresting Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits New York
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his office is still looking into arresting Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Mamdani says NYC is exploring whether it can arrest Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits for UN General Assembly
Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is exploring whether New York City can arrest Benjamin Netanyahu over the ICC warrant during United Nations General Assembly.
Thomas “Denny” Sanford, major benefactor of Sanford Health, dies at 90
Sanford Health announced Saturday that Thomas “Denny” Sanford died. He was 90.
Veteran-owned business supports Gold Star families through custom fishing rods
Hellbender Outfitters owner Matt Moore joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss his Tennessee-based business and how he supports military families.
Common antidepressant may ease long COVID’s crushing fatigue
A low-cost antidepressant may offer new hope for people struggling with long COVID fatigue. In a randomized clinical trial involving 399 adults, fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life compared with a placebo, making it one of the first medications to show meaningful benefits for this disabling condition.
Earth’s biggest volcanic event transformed an entire oceanic plate
Seismic waves have revealed that the oceanic plate beneath the Ontong Java Plateau was dramatically transformed by the colossal volcanic activity that created it more than 100 million years ago. Researchers found a complex structure of horizontal layers cut through by vast swarms of vertical magma channels, along with unusually slow seismic waves suggesting that deep-rising magma chemically altered the plate itself.
Avocados Have Been Dubbed ‘Nature’s Moisturizer’—Here’s What To Know About Their Skin Health Benefits
Avocados are rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, including vitamin E and phenolic compounds, that may support firm, hydrated skin.
Why the Bengals Deserved CBS’ Top NFL Quarterback Room Ranking
The Bengals ranked second behind the San Francisco 49ers.
Rizen Estimates Launches Exclusive Booked Estimate Appointment Service to Replace Shared Leads for Home Service Contractors
Cheyenne, Wyoming, July 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rizen Estimates, a lead generation and appointment-setting company serving roofing, remodel...
The Mets May Have Have to Trade Francisco Lindor
The New York Mets have been an utter disaster in 2026–and now, it may be time to blow it all up. That could entail trading Francisco Lindor. The Mets are taking offers on all players other than Carson Benge, Juan Soto, Christian Scott, AJ Ewing, and Nolan McLean. Notably, that leaves out star infielders Bo Bichette and […] The post The Mets May Have Have to Trade Francisco Lindor appeared first on HEAVY.
Country diary: Breeding ferrets is a wonderfully chaotic business
Cranbrook, Kent: Right now the young are hellbent on seeking adventure, much to the dismay of their mothers
Eben Sadie: ‘Culture, not science, makes wine’
South Africa’s pioneering winemaker, a driving force behind the country’s new wave of winemaking, talks research, instinct and succession
Colby Covington Scared For Ben Askren’s Health Ahead Of RAF 11 Debut
Ben Askren is expected to make an inspirational return to the wrestling mat this weekend at RAF 11, but some people believe it’s too soon for the former UFC fighter. This includes the always critical Colby Covington, who is headlining RAF 11 against UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. In case you completely forgot, Askren nearly […]
Homestead businesses gain new customers from Parkway East detour
The Parkway East detour is sending drivers through Homestead, and local businesses are seeing benefits from the increased traffic.
Kansas City business owner wins Verizon’s live pitch competition timed to World Cup
Liz Benditt scored the final goal Friday, securing victory in a national pitch competition that began with more than 500 contenders before narrowing to a live, Shark Tank-style round at New York New Jersey Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup final.
‘Everyone’s health has improved’: how tai chi energises these Chinese retirees
Tai chi practitioners at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven talk about learning the ancient Chinese practice and how it benefits health and spirit.
So you want to buy a sports franchise? Why entering sports ownership gives the rich a ‘very elite and exclusive club’ with great tax benefits
Increasingly, the founders and heads of companies like Home Depot, Walmart and LVMH are entering the sports world. There's a good reason for that.
30-30-30 rule popularizes healthy morning routine
The 30‑30‑30 rule is a catchy idea meant to promote weight loss and overall wellness. A Maryland doctor thinks it could benefit a lot of people.
Wegovy, weight loss and cardiovascular health: A closer look at how semaglutide protects the heart
When patients take semaglutide, the dose appears to offer more cardiovascular benefits than weight loss.
A new kind of chill: Cryo Lab business open in Kenosha
A business recently opened in Kenosha offers the benefits of the cold without winter weather or having to jump into Lake Michigan. CryoLabs opened its doors in Kenosha in May.
Even Microsoft couldn’t make Windows 11 work well on 8GB of RAM
RAMageddon claims another.