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Dodgers minors: Chris Newell, Brooks Auger shine on Sunday
21-year-old RHP Christian Zazueta reportedly promoted to Double-A Tulsa
Gakpo shines at World Cup
Netherlands have all but guaranteed their place in the last 32 of the World Cup after a dominant display against Sweden on Saturday. Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scored a double in the 5-1 win, including the above that was the 100th goal of the tournament, and you can catch all of the best action in the highlights below.
Brobbey shines at World Cup
Netherlands have all but guaranteed their place in the last 32 of the World Cup after a dominant display against Sweden on Saturday. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey scored twice in the 5-1 victory to help see off Graham Potter's side and you can catch all of the best action in the highlights below.
Cowboys Headlines: Prescott's playoff goals, Mafah's chance to shine
Here's the latest news and note about your Dallas Cowboys and teams around the NFL.
The Belfast riots: an anti-migrant ‘pogrom’
Disorder over migrant knife attack shines a light on new era of political violence fuelled by social media
Carroll shines and bullpen grinds to victory over Twins
Carroll finished a homer short of the cycle and the bullpen was just good enough to cover Soroka’s injury shortened start
Cal lands commitment from 4-star WR Zion White
From the Golden State to the Islands to the Sunshine State, back to the Islands and now back to the Golden State. It is a full circle moment for Mililani (Hawaii) receiver Zion White. White announced his commitment to Cal after taking an official visit to Berkeley. “Honestly, I had been thinking about it and […]
Earthshine: imaging the Moon for science
This image is part of a series captured by ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot for the European Earthshine experiment, which investigates whether we can measure how much sunlight Earth reflects by using the Moon as a natural projection screen.
Former Patriots Quarterback Predicted To Be Traded To Panthers Midseason
The New England Patriots have found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, but his predecessor is still looking for another opportunity to shine.
Political Spotlight Shines on Warsh for His First Fed Meeting as Chairman
The new Fed chairman is bound to face the unyielding attention of the president that nominated him.
Will Sunshine Health see job cuts tied to parent Centene reductions?
Healthcare giant Centene is offering voluntary buyouts to staff, raising questions about its Florida subsidiary.
Music, community shine at record-breaking Summer Porch Jam in Suwanee
It's spring for several days yet, but Friday evening was summer through and through at Suwanee's annual Summer Porch Jam.
ONE BRAND, ONE CITY, ONE CONTINENT: LIMA 2027 UNVEILS ITS OFFICIAL BRAND
Under the slogan “Together We Shine Brighter,” the journey begins toward the […]
Catching up with former Las Vegas Raiders UDFA’s
2020-2025 Las Vegas Raiders UDFA Tracker. Drake Thomas shines.
Feel-Good Digital Publisher Upworthy Gets New CEO: Amanda Farrand, Alum of Imagine Entertainment and Hello Sunshine
Entertainment veteran Amanda Farrand has a new gig — where she’s in charge of sparking joy on the internet, and, ideally, making some money from it. Upworthy, a digital aggregator and producer of vira...
Unpacking Q1 Earnings: Accel Entertainment (NYSE:ACEL) In The Context Of Other Consumer Discretionary
The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn’t). Let’s take a look at how consumer discretionary - gaming solutions stocks fared in Q1, starting with Accel Entertainment (NYSE:ACEL).
Paranovus launches $194,999,999.75 ATM offering
Paranovus establishes an at-the-market program to sell up to $194,999,999.75 in Class A Ordinary Shares through AC Sunshine Securities LLC, with a 3.5% commission.
Philly skyline, sports complex lights up in blue for injured NJ baseball player
The Philadelphia skyline and several landmarks were lit up in blue to support a 12‑year‑old boy from South Jersey who remains in critical condition after a baseball injury.
Photos: Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ world tour opens in Oakland
(KRON) — For the first time in seven years, Ariana Grande is on a world tour. The pop icon’s first stop of 41 sold-out shows is in the Bay Area. Fans inside a packed Oakland Arena on Sa…
South Florida businesses, airports preparing for influx of World Cup fans
South Florida isn’t just hosting the World Cup, it’s hosting the world’s biggest celebration with soccer, sunshine and South Beach selfies.
Households outshine business in Australia’s rooftop solar revolution, report finds
Australia leads world in residential solar per capita with 22GW installed but commercial and industrial sector has deployed only a quarter of that
A Year of Celebrating Small Businesses with “Wake Up with Craig”
AT&T Business celebrates one year of the “Wake Up with CrAIg” ad campaign, built to shine a light on the real journey of small business owners.
Men’s Health Month shines spotlight on mental health and suicide prevention
As Men’s Health Awareness Month begins, the death of one of the NHL’s most decorated players is renewing attention on men’s mental health and suicide.
Arizona Sunshine announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Today, Vertigo Games announced that it’s working on Arizona Sunshine for Nintendo Switch 2. Launch timing will be provided at a later date. Arizona Sunshine is a third-person zombie apocalypse shooter. Online play and multiplayer splitscreen modes will both be supported. Further details can be found in the following overview: Sharpen your machete, reload your shotgun, and bring your friends....
Arizona Sunshine third-person shooter remake announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC
Vertigo Games has announced Arizona Sunshine, a fully flat-screen third-person shooter remake of the virtual reality game of the same name (now titled Arizona Sunshine VR). It will launch for PlayS…
2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: LJ Martin, RB, BYU
BYU has a dynamic offense that doesn't get the shine it deserves, but that doesn't stop LJ Martin.
Capcom Shines Bright With Massive Reveals at Summer Game Fest 2026
'Resident Evil Veronica' announcement, 'Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance', and who to look out for in 'Street Fighter 6' Year 4.
Chase Harlan shines in Ontario win
The Comets were the only team to lose across the Dodgers top four minor league levels
New Texas A&M cornerback duo deserves more preseason recognition
Texas A&M's likely starting cornerback duo consisting of Dezz Ricks and Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson deserves more preseason shine.
Youth-led book on social media and mental health highlights a complex mix of harms and supports
A new book titled "SocialsVoice" shines a light on the relationship between social media content and mental health from the perspective of Latino youth—a group that engages with social media across multiple ...
AI search strategies hampered by corporate silos: Semrush study
A new study shines a light on how corporate silos can lead to issues with how brands show up in AI search
Harrison shines again as Brewers beat Giants 8-3
Bauers homers to lead offensive onslaught
EA SPORTS™ College Football 27 Reveals Cover Athletes Celebrating The Next Generation of Football Stars
Dante Moore, Malachi Toney and Kewan Lacy Appear on the College Football 27 Standard Edition, While Deluxe Edition Features Colin Simmons, Leonard Moore, Jayden Maiava and Coach Curt Cignetti Fans Can Expect Full Game Reveal This Thursday and Worldwide Launch on July 9 EA SPORTS™ today revealed the covers of EA SPORTS™ College Football 27 ahead of the game’s full reveal this Thursday. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney, and Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy shine on the Standard Edition cover as a trio of electrifying playmakers who stood out in a competitive 2025-2026 college football season. The Deluxe Edition is joined by prominent defenders Texas linebacker Colin Simmons and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, alongside USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, national championship-winning coach Curt Cignetti, several beloved mascots and iconic gameday gear, celebrating the breadth of successful collegiate programs. Standout athletes Kewan Lacy, Malachi Toney
EA SPORTS™ College Football 27 Reveals Cover Athletes Celebrating The Next Generation of Football Stars
Dante Moore, Malachi Toney and Kewan Lacy Appear on the College Football 27 Standard Edition, While Deluxe Edition Features Colin Simmons, Leonard Moore, Jayden Maiava and Coach Curt Cignetti Fans Can Expect Full Game Reveal This Thursday and Worldwide Launch on July 9 EA SPORTS™ today revealed the covers of EA SPORTS™ College Football 27 ahead of the game’s full reveal this Thursday. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney, and Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy shine on the Standard Edition cover as a trio of electrifying playmakers who stood out in a competitive 2025-2026 college football season. The Deluxe Edition is joined by prominent defenders Texas linebacker Colin Simmons and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, alongside USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, national championship-winning coach Curt Cignetti, several beloved mascots and iconic gameday gear, celebrating the breadth of successful collegiate programs. Standout athletes Kewan Lacy, Malachi Toney
Baby Steps Dev Says Mario Sunshine Hate Has 'Confined' Nintendo Devs
How the summery heat of Isle Delfino inspired the grueling hike of Baby Steps
Prediction: Venice (Fla.) falls in Open Division playoff
The 2026 high school football season will be getting underway in less than two months with official practices, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way back down south to the Sunshine State to check on the 4-time state champion Venice Indians […]
The Intel Arc G3 Series Inside Story: How Intel Created a Purpose-built Gaming Handheld Silicon That Isn't a Hamstrung U-Segment Chip
During the Q&A session with Intel detailing its new Arc G3 series processors for handheld game consoles, we've learned some of the interesting design choices Intel had to make in order to create the perfect chip for the form-factor that doesn't compromise in areas where it's most needed to shine in....
Children’s Hospital Colorado hosts Wyoming Pediatric Mental Health Symposium in Downtown Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — Children's Hospital of Colorado hosted the Wyoming Pediatric Mental Health Symposium; a first-of-it's-kind event designed to shine a light
Local Spotlight: Partnership comes 'Full Circle' for mental health
We shine a light on the important work Full Circle Life Enrichment Center is doing to provide mental health support to community members in the Bronx and how TD Bank is supporting this vital mission.
Eagle business students shine at mock interview event
Morehead State University takes pride in helping Eagles soar after graduation by ensuring they have knowledge in the classroom and opportunities for real-world experience and career preparation. MSU business students with the Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology were able to display their preparedness for one of the key steps in the hiring process as they participated in a Mock Interview Event with hiring managers from across the region this spring. Hosted by MSU's Center for Career Development & Experiential Education and hosted by Instructor of Business Communication and Management Dr. Christy L. Trent (Class of 2006), the event allowed 33 undergraduate business students to sharpen their interviewing skills in a high-pressure situation. For more information, contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education at careerservices@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2233.
31 hours with the spit-shined Mina the Hollower (and 34 with the four games that came before it)
To truly appreciate Mina The Hollower, an extraordinary new throwback of a game, I sent myself to Yacht Club University. That’s not a real institution of higher learning, but it’s the best way I can explain much of the past several weeks as I prepared to play Mina by playing the four biggest game previously made by studio Yacht Club Games. I had expected Mina the Hollower, in development for six years for PC and consoles, to potentially be something special. A demo I tried in March had felt great. Mina the Hollower had an old-school premise: a singular move for its hero that felt so good to control and so rich with possibilities that, in the hands of skilled designers, it could be riffed on in various ways for the length of a full game. Mina’s core maneuver, her hollowing, made her sort of an upside down Super Mario. Nintendo’s hero jumps through the air, discovering power-ups at the apex of his jump by bonking overhead blocks, then defeating enemies by landing on them. Mina essentially jumps into the ground, digging (“hollowing”) into the earth to fetch buried treasure, then burrows for a short distance to emerge on the other side of a wall that hides treasure or an enemy that needs some battering. I wanted to understand how good Yacht Club was at making games. I wanted to see how far they’d come. If Mina was terrific—as I predicted it might be—I wanted to feel how they got there, one button press at a time. On May 6, 21 days before the writing of this review, I checked with Yacht Club Games co-founder and programmer David D’Angelo, to ask which of the studio’s games I should play to truly appreciate the new one’s design. “Hmmm all of them?” he wrote back. “Starting with Shovel Knight definitely is helpful,” he continued, referring to Yacht Club’s first game. He gave me a link to a spreadsheet of over 400 cheat codes that could help me out, if I found the game too tough.1 “Most folks say Specter of Torment is the least difficult and quickest to finish in terms of playtime, and [it] refines much of Shovel Knight,” he told me. “King of Cards is a big celebration of everything we did in [the Shovel Knight compilation] Treasure Trove— might work for you better if you’re a fan of shorter, Mario-style courses. And it’s probably the closest to Mina in terms of polish.” So that was that. Four games, none of which were required. Mina is a whole new game in a whole new world, best I can tell. I’d barely played that first Shovel Knight before and never the other three. I just thought it’d help. It did. It turns out that playing a game studios major works before their latest is very illuminating.
Licensable picture: Nick Lapolla, with Moonshine Entertainment, serves up some delicious food at the Memorial Day kickoff event, at the Fremont
Nick Lapolla, with Moonshine Entertainment, serves up some delicious food at the Memorial Day kickoff event, at the Fremont Community Amphitheater on May 25.
Balancing act: Robinson shines in four sports, including two in the same season
MADISON, Wis. — Sun Prairie West junior Skye Robinson competed in high jump, cheered on her teammates and then rushed across town to pitch in a playoff softball game —
Misiorowski shines again as Brewers beat Cardinals 5-1
Miz takes no-hitter into sixth, strikes out 12
Gold Does Not Tarnish Like Other Metals And Scientists Finally Found a Major Reason Why
Gold’s shine may depend on a hidden atomic rearrangement at its surface.
Florida ranks as third-best state for Summer road trips
The Sunshine State was the highest-ranked Southern state for road travel.
The Sunshine Interview: Political Pundits Pontificate On The 2026 Elections
Get in the swing of this year’s elections with these thoughts from three of our most quotable political experts.
Cardinals' Bryan Torres, who began minors journey in 2015, nabs first MLB hit, then homer at 28 in debut vs. Reds
Eleven years after starting his journey in the minors, Torres made it to the bigs and shined in front of his family during a Game 1 win of a Saturday doubleheader.
Harrisburg’s Artsfest continues through the holiday weekend, rain or shine: photos
The downtown arts festival Memorial Day weekend includes musical acts, food trucks and children’s activities.
Trump vows to ‘work very hard’ to enact permanent daylight saving time
The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier Thursday passed the Sunshine Protection Act.
Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 1: Duel of the Fates
Zach Agnos shines on the mound as the Rox drop the series opener
2026 NFL Odds: Back Cowboys to Shine; Fade Cardinals' Win Total
FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz has his sights set on two NFL win total bets he loves heading into the 2026 season.
Mars shines in ethereal photo from Psyche space probe
NASA's asteroid explorer is on a 2-billion-mile mission.
Dexter Students Shine at Local Science Olympiad - The Sun Times News
By Marissa Dunham, Chrissy Hladky, and Rob Hladky On Saturday, May 9, over 2000 students from forty local elementary schools participated in a fun day of learning and competition at the Washtenaw County Science Olympiad (WESO), held at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. WESO was founded in 2002 and is an annual event offering ... Read more
See Memphis area's top moments from Day 1 of TSSAA spring state championships
Memphis area high school teams and athletes shined on Day 1 of the TSSAA spring state championships.
Miz shines again as Brewers defeat Cubs 5-2
Crew moves into first place after they clinch the series victory
'It's kind of a no-brainer': Why pop band MUNA is tackling politics on album 'Dancing on the Wall'
“Dancing on the Wall” is a departure from MUNA’s previous work, trading the sunshine-y pop instrumentals, country influences and sweeping ballads of their self-titled album for gritty, atmospheric tracks influenced by 1990s punk and rave scenes.
Q1 Earnings Highlights: IMAX (NYSE:IMAX) Vs The Rest Of The Media & Entertainment Stocks
The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how media & entertain...
Advice from Medstar Health on protecting against melanoma in the summer sun
Maryland is expecting summer-like sunshine this week and that means protecting our bodies from harmful UV rays. Medstar Health shares their guidance for skin safety in the sun.
Justin Wrobleski shines in Dodgers' blowout win over Angels
Powered by another statement outing from Justin Wrobleski and a relentless offense, the Dodgers buried the Angels in a 15-2 rout at Angel Stadium on Saturday.
St. Johns County seventh grader helping grow girls hockey in Northeast Florida after championship success
While hockey continues to grow in the Sunshine State, one young player from St. Johns County is already making a name for herself on the ice. At just 12 years old, Rory Mayer is piling up championships and helping lead the next generation of girls hockey in Jacksonville.
Schlittler shines as Yankees take Subway Series opener
Cam Schlittler continued his Cy Young-caliber start while the Yankees got to former closer Clay Holmes.
Summer, sunshine and science: Physics Day at Lagoon
Students from across the Intermountain West gathered to explore the world of science — and it was thrilling in more ways than one
Entertainment this week: Fanny Bridge Dedication, CultureFest
Friday, May 15 Michelle Moonshine – 7:30-10:30 p.m., Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, 10007 Bridge St. Singer-Songwriter Michelle Moonshine’s original songs have an upbeat tempo, catchy vocal lines and heartfelt lyrics; but it’s her unique...
What Tele-ICUs Mean For Health Care In Critical Moments
In August 2024, 26-year-old Conor Hylton checked into Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. Overnight, he was transferred to critical care, where he died.It was only after his passing that his family found out that Conor was treated at what’s known as a “tele-ICU.” His story shines a light on a practice that’s been around for decades despite a lack of substantial research about its outcomes.A tele-ICU is a hospital unit where patient care is handled off-site by remote doctors, nurses, or specialists. Up to a third of ICU beds in the U.S. are in tele-ICUs. That’s according to a study from the American Hospital Association.In Wisconsin, as of May 1, critical care physicians are no longer physically present in the ICUs of a few Ascension satellite hospitals. They remain available via video call to help bedside nurses and on-site hospital medicine doctors, known as hospitalists, who do not specialize in critical care.These facilities do present an opportunity to expand and improve the health care people receive. But what are the risks of replacing in-person care in the most critical, life or death moments?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Groundbreaking Documentary Shines a Light on Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Mental Health Disorders
UNC School of Medicine Executive Dean Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH, an international expert in the study and treatment of women’s mood disorders, is among experts featured in a new two-hour film that showcases postpartum depression.
This daily habit could lower dementia risk by 35%, scientists say
A huge long-term study found that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day was linked to a much lower risk of dementia, especially before age 75. Researchers say caffeine may help keep brain cells active while reducing inflammation and harmful plaque buildup associated with Alzheimer’s disease. But more coffee wasn’t better — the protective effect appeared to level off after moderate intake.
Gambling Addiction: Growing Mental Health Concern Fueled by Online Betting, Prediction Markets
As May’s National Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on emotional well-being, one issue is quietly gaining urgency: gambling addiction.
Young Entrepreneurs Thrive at Children’s Business Fair
On Saturday, May 2, Downtown Alameda’s Spring Market and the Children’s Business Fair returned, populating Central Avenue with over 70 craft vendors, food, music, and community booths. Vivian Delchamps Wolf shines a spotlight on Alameda's next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners.
A Fish That Hitches Rides Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine
The remora often latches on to the exteriors of larger marine creatures. But sometimes it travels in a more intrusive spot: inside a manta ray’s backside.
Shinee to return with sixth EP 'Atmos'
Shinee is set to return with its sixth EP “Atmos" next month, SM Entertainment announced Monday. The six-track album, led by its title track, will be released a
SEC shines while ACC flounders: Winners and losers from NCAA Softball Tournament reveal
Here are USA TODAY's winners and losers from the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament bracket reveal on Sunday, May 10:
Gateway sports notebook: Gators track and field athletes shine at Baldwin Invitational
Gateway track and field has had a season full of big moments and top finishes at dual meets and invitationals, and many of the top Gators athletes tested their mettle at the 52nd Baldwin Invitational on May 1.
‘You are not alone’: Houston experts shine light on hidden struggles of motherhood
Some women on Mother's Day are navigating the mental and physical health impacts associated with the stigma of pregnancy and child loss.
🔢 Chelsea midfielder continues to shine with 2025/26 landmark
Chelsea have had a turbulent 2025/26 campaign, but one player has been a steady constant throughout. Captain Enzo Fernandez is a standout performer for the Blues and the all-action midfielder has prov...
Emmet Sheehan shines, bullpen thrives in Dodgers' win over Braves
Emmet Sheehan earns a lot less than many of the players on the Dodgers and Braves, but he delivered a game-changing performance in the Dodgers' 3-1 win.
Wisconsin shines at national business attraction showcase
Wisconsin shines at national business attraction showcase, highlighting strengths in advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and more.
In Las Vegas Arts District, Cortez Masto, Small Business Owners Shine Light on Trump Tourism Slowdown - Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** FTPs for TV stations is available here. Las Vegas, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Las Vegas small business owners put a spotlight on the tourism slowdown caused by President Donald Trump’s economic policies. Over the past year, the Trump Administration has placed blanket tariffs on our allies, increased costs and made it more […]
7 Indiana state senators face Trump-backed primary challengers after bucking him on redistricting
Trump's intervention has shined a bright national spotlight on what are usually quiet Republican primaries for Indiana state Senate seats.
Yankees Birthday of the Day: Bob Cerv
A part-time player with New York, Cerv shined elsewhere during a 12-year career.
Sip a cocktail, enjoy some live entertainment and help make a new story shine
It’s time for another Cocktails Under the Stars. For a third year, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA) is hosting it’s annual fundraiser May 15!
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Sunburn: Your morning brief from the Sunshine State.
Phillies' offense jumps on Marlins early, Jesus Luzardo shines in 7-2 win
Jesus Luzardo excelled against his former team on Sunday, dealing the Marlins 10 strikeouts in the Phillies’ 7-2 win.
Katerina Siniakova injured in Madrid Open doubles win
Tennis‘s power duo Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend continued their winning ways in the 2026 WTA season. The Sunshine Double champions defeated Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in straight sets to win their first Mutua Madrid Open together. The duo…
Scientists just discovered what coffee is really doing to your gut and brain
Coffee doesn’t just energize—it actively reshapes the gut and mind. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee altered gut bacteria in ways linked to better mood and lower stress. Decaf even improved learning and memory, while caffeine boosted focus and reduced anxiety. Together, they show coffee works through multiple pathways beyond just caffeine.
Scientists just discovered what coffee is really doing to your gut and brain
Coffee doesn’t just energize—it actively reshapes the gut and mind. Researchers found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee altered gut bacteria in ways linked to better mood and lower stress. Decaf even improved learning and memory, while caffeine boosted focus and reduced anxiety. Together, they show coffee works through multiple pathways beyond just caffeine.
The Sunshine Blog: And So Ends Another Conference Committee Scramble
Short takes, outtakes, our takes and other stuff you should know about public information, government accountability and ethical leadership in Hawai‘i.
Embiid, Maxey shine as 76ers eliminate Celtics in NBA playoffs
Joel Embiid scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to propel the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-100 victory over Boston that eliminated the Celtics from the NBA playoffs on Saturday.Jaylen Brown scored 34 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Celtics and Derrick White added 26 points.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops U.S. Senate bid before Democratic primary
Mills has struggled to outshine first-time candidate Graham Platner, her opponent in the June 9 Democratic primary.
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Your first scoop on the Sunshine State
Get down with KC and the Sunshine Band at Bally's
Harry Wayne Casey has been performing as a musician for more than 50 years, and he has no plans to stop “anytime soon. I’m in it for the long run.”
League obsessions can help Gunners in Europe
When I compare the heady mania that followed Gabriel Martinelli's clincher at the Bernabeu last season to the slightly stiff 'see you at the Etihad' the fans gave the team after an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Sporting, it's hard to believe both nights achieved the same thing. When PSG followed in late April sunshine for our first Champions League semi final since 2009, the pre-game atmosphere was carnival-like — towers of pre-game beer snakes wobbling through the concourse. The fun came to an end when Ousmane Dembele shanked PSG in front within five minutes, but the dream was there.
Nursing leader shines with cheer, fiery commitment to care
Kammy Ellwanger was instrumental the day that a fire broke out at Good Samaritan in Wanger, SD, and leading up to the location's reopening.
Fish oil may be hurting your brain, new study finds
Fish oil has long been praised as brain-boosting, but new research suggests the story may be more complicated. Scientists found that in people with repeated mild head injuries, a key omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil—EPA—may actually interfere with the brain’s ability to repair itself. Instead of helping recovery, it appears to weaken blood vessel stability, disrupt healing signals, and even contribute to harmful protein buildup linked to cognitive decline.
Magic-Pistons takeaways: Cade Cunningham shines, but questions remain about consistency and supporting cast
For the second game in a row, Cunningham was the main driving force, with little contributions elsewhere, in the first half.
RJEMS Science stars shine bright
The students of Robert J. Elkington Middle School (RJEMS) have concluded one of their most successful science fair seasons to date. From testing hockey flex to investigating water filtrations, students
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe