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HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CLASS OF 2027 TO BE ANNOUNCED BY WALK OF FAMERS MING-NA WEN AND SHEILA E. AND HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT & CEO RON FRIERSON DURING LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE AT FUNKO HOLLYWOOD
A new group of 32 entertainment professionals in the categories of Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre/Live Performance, Radio, Recording, and Sports Entertainment have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
BioVivo Science launches VeriPalmetto with fully traceable saw palmetto supply chain
The ingredient addresses growing demand for authenticated, US-sourced saw palmetto — with direct harvester relationships, standardised fatty acid profiles and rigorous batch testing to counter adulteration risks in the category
Pope Leo defends entering political fray on France end-of-life law
Pope Leo on Monday defended his decision to vocally oppose assisted dying initiatives while in France, acknowledging he may have entered the political fray two months after the country approved such a measure, but wanted to share the Catholic Church's viewpoint.
Barca told Fermin Lopez worth ‘at least €150m’
The midfielder has become a key player for the Catalans.
International body honors UC Santa Cruz physicist with Frontiers of Science Award
Assistant Professor Edgar Shaghoulian was honored by the International Congress of Basic Science at an August 9 ceremony in Beijing with a Frontiers of Science Award in the category of formal quantum field theory
What Killed Europe’s Ancient Wild Cattle? Scientists Find a Disturbing Answer
The fate of Scandinavia’s aurochs warns conservationists worldwide that curbing hunting alone may not save species facing depleted genetic diversity and fragmented habitats. The cattle on today’s farms descend from aurochs, wild animals that once roamed much of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They disappeared from Scandinavia thousands of years before the species became extinct
AI as the next political divide
We have a guest post today from our friends at Focaldata, with whom we have done polling before. They have been doing a lot of work on attitudes towards AI and how this is affecting politics on both sides of the Atlantic. In this post, they explore exclusive new polling – with a whole set of fascinating charts on how voters’ views are developing and why. In particular, the authors explore why the debate is currently so much more polarised by party in the US than in the UK, to the benefit of the Democrats. Subscribe Focaldata HQ is located in Shoreditch, east London. To access the office from the Shoreditch High Street Overground station, you have to walk under the bridge at Braithwaite Street. We mention this not as a navigational aid, but because the posters above caught our eye over the summer. Since June, the area has been the centre of a fiercely contested debate around the construction of a data centre on the Truman Brewery estate on Brick Lane, less than 200 metres from our office. It was one of the first ‘US-style’ protest movements around AI data centres the country has seen, and may not be the last. These protests served as the catalyst for our forthcoming report, examining whether AI could become the next political divide on both sides of the Atlantic. We wanted to understand what was driving the emerging politics of AI and whether the dynamics at play in the US offer clues as to how the British debate will evolve. Over the last month, we polled 3,851 people across the UK and US about their views on AI. Our research found striking similarities between the two countries: for instance, both electorates are evenly split on their views towards AI development, with just over a third in favour (37% in each country), a similar number opposed, and the remainder somewhere in the middle or unsure. Statistically speaking, there is no difference in overall sentiment towards AI between the UK and US. Under the hood, demographic patterns also look largely the same in the two countries, with millennials, degree holders, full-time workers and those who describe themselves as financially comfortable more pro-AI than the rest of the country. Despite this convergence in overall attitudes, there is a striking divergence in how much of a politicised issue AI has become. In the US, attitudes are increasingly split by political affiliation and the issue has become the latest front in the seemingly interminable culture war, playing a role in the upcoming midterms. This stark political polarisation of AI has not happened in the UK – at least not yet. In what follows, we test several hypotheses for why the two countries are so far apart on a political basis. Understanding which hypothesis is correct will give us an indication of where the British dynamics go next.
Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle hosting health day Thursday
The Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle will host their health day event this Thursday, September 17.
Positive outlook for cattle business as summer business meeting concludes
With optimism for the cattle business remaining strong, nearly 700 cattle producers from across the country gathered in Colorado, for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting.
Cattlemen’s banquet to offer recognition, entertainment
The Cattlemen’s Banquet Wednesday night at the annual KLA Convention & Expo will bring members together for an evening of recognition, entertainment and support for the future of Kansas agriculture.
OLLY Unveils Mochi Bites, Pairing Science-Backed Innovation with First-of-Its-Kind Format
/PRNewswire/ -- Eleven years ago, OLLY redefined the supplement aisle by bringing gummies into the mainstream. Now, the brand is pushing the category forward...
Emma Bonino, Italian politician and activist 1948-2026
Radical campaigner who confronted society’s taboos at a time when the Catholic Church still held political sway
The Catalytic Opportunity Fund: A financing model to accelerate introduction of new and underused SRH products
New evidence from the Catalytic Opportunity Fund on pooled, rapid financing for reproductive health product introduction in low- and middle-income countries.
Barcelona coach expected to make five changes against Levante
Barcelona are looking for their sixth win in six matches in all competitions this season as they take on Levante later this afternoon.The Catalans are in electric form heading into this game, having n...
BIRDIE THIRTY: "Window feeders provide endless entertainment for cats" - EWN at 7:30am on 9-13-2026
Window feeders provide endless entertainment for kitties, which pays off twofold: it keeps the cats happy and amused without exposing them to the outdoor dangers of predators and cars, and also lets them watch birds without killing them, thus helping out our feathered friends, too! Feral/outdoor domestic cats are one of the top three reasons for decline in bird populations (i.e bird death) in North America, so a window feeder (and indoor cats) are two big steps in the right direction! As seen here, this parade of curious kitties is enraptured by the idea that a bird might visit momentarily. Once a cat learns that a window feeder will attract these winged wonders, it will often stay pinned at the window for hours, eagerly awaiting the next bird. Sometimes watching the cats watch the birds can be even more entertaining than watching the birds themselves!
9-day ‘Jeopardy’ champ narrowly avoids defeat after flubbing ‘Final Jeopardy’
Caleb Groen is on a streak as the current 9-day ‘Jeopardy’ champ, but he nearly met his maker on Tuesday’s episode after flubbing a ‘Final Jeopardy’ clue from the category ‘Historic Books.’
Exploring the Cat's Head Nebula
This visualization explores imagery from NASA’s Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes of the Cat’s Head Nebula, a relatively small, dusty filament containing forming stars located within the massive Carina Nebula. Each telescope and wavelength of light offers unique ...
In new documentary, Mario Cuomo is a stark contrast to today's Catholic politicians
In the forthcoming documentary "Mario," which recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Catholic faith of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo takes center stage.
iPhone Fold could help raise average foldable phone prices by 18%
Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market will reportedly be one of the factors driving an 18% increase in average sale prices in the category in 2026.
Yamal 9.5, Raphinha 8.5 | Levante 2-4 Barcelona: Player Ratings
Barcelona faced a gruelling game against Levante last night in a fixture that has regularly challenged them in recent years.The Catalans opened the game with their signature possession dominance and c...
Nonprofit Bon Secours Mercy Health strikes $5.7 billion deal for surgery center chain
The deal would make the Catholic system one of the largest operators of outpatient surgery centers.
Kentucky Wildcats News: La Familia vs. The Ville Game 3
Will the Cats be able to defend home court and advance?
Good science requires much more than evidence
Empiricists believe that scientific theories are true only if they make correct empirical predictions: if we can't verify these predictions, then there is no reason to expect that they tell us anything about reality. However, Professor of Philosophy at King's College David Kyle Johnson argues that this is mistaken. In response to Bas van Fraassen, who has written on this subject for the IAI, he argues that we have many reasons for believing a theory to be true, such as it being parsimonious and having large scope — qualities which have been used throughout the history of science as criteria for judging theories. In 2024, Princeton philosopher Bas van Fraassen wrote a short article for IAI News entitled “Science Does not Describe Reality: The Limits and Benefits of Explanation.” At the time, I was working on two projects (a science book and a Great Course) that, when completed, would (among other things) defend science’s ability to describe reality. I wanted to write a response to van Fraassen, but the projects demanded too much of my attention. But now that those projects are complete, I am in a position to explain the objections to van Fraassen’s thesis. Summarizing van Fraassen’s argumentIn a nutshell, his argument is this: What scientists do is make predictions based on theories and then invite others to test to see whether those predictions are borne out. “If theory T is right, result R should happen in experimental condition C.” Many think that running an experiment that shows that R happens in condition C is proof that theory T is true (and should be believed). But, van Fraassen argues, that R happened in condition C is only a reason to think that R happens in condition C. That’s the only observable, or empirical, result we can actually see, so that is all that we are really justified in believing. (The underlying theory that made that prediction still may or may not be true.) That is why he calls those who accept his position “empiricists.”Before I explain what is wrong with this position, let me explain what it gets right. What van Fraassen Gets RightFirst, a theory correctly predicting the results of an experiment is not, strictly speaking, “proof” that the theory is correct. The basic line of reasoning is this:If the theory T is true, result R should happen. Result R did happen. Thus, theory T is true.In other words:“If T then R. R. Thus, T.”This is a deductively invalid, fallacious mode of reasoning, called “affirming the consequent.” Those premises do not guarantee that the conclusion follows. “If I am in Pennsylvania, then I am in the USA. I am in the USA. Thus, I am in Pennsylvania.” Clearly that argument doesn’t guarantee its conclusion; neither does the above argument.However, science is not a deductive method of reasoning; it is an inductive one. And inductive arguments merely try to raise the probability of their conclusion, not “prove” them for certain. Thus, the fact that an experimental result doesn’t prove a theory is true is irrelevant; it’s not supposed to. That is not what scientific reasoning is about.___If the hypothesis that something exists clearly provides the best explanation for what we can observe, then the belief that it exists is what is rational.___Second, it’s also true that a single experimental result doesn’t provide enough justification to believe that a theory is true. Scientists do not come to a consensus about whether a theory is true by looking at a single experiment; they look at all the evidence to determine where the preponderance of evidence points. The mere fact that I am in the USA raises the probability that I am in Pennsylvania, but not nearly enough to conclude that I am in Pennsylvania. However, if I am also regularly encountering people wearing Eagles and Phillies hats and seeing advertisements for Founding Father tours, I probably am. In the same way, a theory successfully predicting the outcome of one experiment is not enough to conclude that it is true; but if a theory makes a wide variety of predictions that are all vindicated by multiple experiments, performed by many different groups and people, all actively trying to prove the theory false (which is what good scientific experiments are designed to do)—that is a good reason to conclude that the theory is true. In other words, if you repeatedly try to prove something false but can’t, that is a very good indication that it isn’t. The problem of underdeterminationIn reply, those whom van Fraassen calls “empiricists” often point to the “problem of underdetermination.” For any given theory that makes successful predictions about what happens in experimental conditions, there are countless other possible theories that make exactly the same predictions—and since they do, the experimental evidence in question is just as much reason to accept any of those theories as it is to accept our original one. Thus, the argument goes, we have no way of knowing whether our original theory is true, or one of the other “predictively equivalent” theories is true. SUGGESTED VIEWING How Occam's Razor changed the world With Johnjoe McFadden As an example of underdetermination, philosophers often offer this example. The evidence of fossils seems to provide reason to conclude that the universe is quite old; ancient fossils are what the “ancient universe” hypothesis predicts. But it’s also possible that God created an ancient-looking universe 200 years ago, complete with a “fake” fossil record for us to find, to make it look old. The existence of fossils is what that theory predicts too. So, the argument goes, the fossil record can’t be used as evidence that the universe is ancient; the fossil record supports the “200-year-old ancient-looking universe” theory just as much. The problem of underdetermination points out that, for any theory with supporting evidence, we could invent another completely different theory that predicts exactly the same evidence, and thus undermine that evidence’s ability to support the original theory.But this “argument from underdetermination” betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what scientific reasoning is and how it works. To explain, let me use another rather strange (but very real and commonly discussed) philosophical thought experiment called “The Grue Problem.” The “Grue” ProblemSuppose I want to know what color emeralds are, so I observe a few, see that they all appear green, and form the theory that “all emeralds are green.” I thus predict that the next 100 emeralds I find will also appear to be green. And let’s say that happens, and so I thus conclude that my theory that all emeralds are green is true. Now, one might rightly point out that I don’t know for sure that all emeralds are green—I have not seen them all. Maybe some I haven’t found yet are blue. Fair enough. After all, we used to think that all swans were white, until we found some black ones. But let’s say that I go on a quest and collect every emerald in the universe—and, for the sake of the argument, let’s say I can do this, and can even know that I have every one of them. So, I collect them all, look at them all, and verify that they all appear green. Can’t I now rightly conclude that all emeralds are green?Inspired by the problem of underdetermination, a friend might argue that I cannot.Sure, they all appear green now—but there could be another kind of color called “grue.” Something is grue if it is green up to a certain point in time, but then spontaneously turns blue. And there could be an infinite number of “shades” of grue. Something that is one shade of grue will turn blue at noon today, but something that is another shade of grue will turn blue at noon tomorrow, etc. So yes, the emeralds appear green now; and since they haven’t turned blue yet, they are not some “past” shade of grue. But they might be some “future” shade of grue (e.g., they may turn blue at noon tomorrow). And since all future shades of grue are consistent with “being green up to this point in time,” the evidence you have is completely consistent with the notion that all emeralds are some future shade of grue, rather than green. Indeed, that they would appear green until now is what the “some future shade of grue” hypothesis predicts. So, we have just as much reason to conclude that all emeralds are some shade of grue as we do to conclude that they are green.You’re probably thinking “It’s not equally possible that the emeralds are grue; they are obviously green.” You are right! But explaining why your instinctive reaction to my friend’s argument is correct will help inform why van Fraassen’s “empiricist” is wrong and science actually does describe reality.The main mistake my friend makes is in thinking that the “empirical evidence” (of all the emeralds appearing green) is (or even should be) all I am using to draw the conclusion that all emeralds are green. It is not. I am also considering known facts about how colors typically work; things don’t usually change color, and when they do, they don’t do so suddenly, without cause, and all at once. So, even though the simple evidence of the emeralds all appearing green up to this point is consistent with them being some future shade of grue—that is even what the grue hypothesis “predicts”—it is still exceedingly unlikely that they are. The hypothesis that they are green is much more likely. Understanding science refutes the problem of underdetermination The misunderstanding about science that the “empiricist” pointing to “the problem of underdetermination” makes is similar to the one that my friend made. Science is not just about considering experimental evidence; in fact, it’s not even just about considering empirical evidence. As Ernan McMullin and many other philosophers of science have pointed out, the inference that makes science is “inference to the best explanation” (sometimes called “abduction” or “retroduction” by McMullin). While, depending on the circumstances, scientists use many different kinds of reasoning, science as a whole is, simply put, the process of considering multiple competing explanations and comparing them to certain criteria—explanatory criteria (the kinds of things explanations must be and do, by definition, to be a good explanation)—to see which explanation is the best.And these criteria do not deal only with empirical results. Yes, successful predictions raise the probability of a hypothesis, but it’s also the case that the more new assumptions a theory makes, the less likely it is to be true; every new assumption presents an opportunity for the theory to be false. (The fewer assumptions a theory makes, the simpler or “more parsimonious” it is said to be.) Likewise, the more existing evidence a theory contradicts, the less likely it is, because in order for a theory to be true, every piece of evidence it contradicts has to be somehow faulty. (The fewer established theories a new theory contradicts, the more “conservative” it is said to be.) And, obviously, the more something explains, the better explanation it is. (This is called having “scope.”) If a theory raises unanswerable questions, it’s not expanding our understanding, and thus is not wide-scoping. Scientists consider all these things when deciding which theory to accept, because the theory that adheres best to these explanatory criteria is most likely to be true.___the mere fact that a theory’s predictive success is why it “sticks around” or “becomes accepted” in the scientific community is not a reason to be skeptical about its truth.___The reason the grue hypothesis is no good is because it invents an entirely new kind of color—not just a new shade, but an entirely different category of color (a different way colors work)—and thus is not parsimonious. It raises unanswerable questions about how and why emeralds would just spontaneously change from green to blue (and thus does not have wide scope). And it contradicts what is already well established about how color works (and thus is unconservative).The theories that the problem of underdetermination points to do the same thing. Yes, the theory that God created an “ancient-looking universe” (complete with an ancient-looking fossil record) two hundred years ago is also consistent with the empirical evidence (of a fossil record) that presently exists; but that theory is monumentally unparsimonious (it requires many extra assumptions about infinite entities) and not wide-scoping (it raises unanswerable questions about why God would do such a thing). So, I can rationally conclude that it is false.Indeed, the history of science includes many examples of theories that were rejected because they lacked parsimony and/or scope, even before their falsity (and the truth of their competing theory) was confirmed by observation. As I point out in my book, geocentrism was rejected by the scientific community because it lacked parsimony, almost 200 years before the observation of parallax confirmed that the Earth moves around the sun. And the continuum theory of matter was completely rejected by 1860, because it couldn’t explain chemical reactions or organize matter into a periodic table, even though the experiments that eventually confirmed atomic theory weren’t even proposed until the 1870s. Solving the best of a bad lot problemIn response, the “empiricists” are likely to object, this time pointing to the “best of a bad lot” problem. “We have no reason to conclude that an explanation that has been shown to be better than others is true because we have no guarantee that the true theory was among those that we were considering.” If you have a “lot” (a collection) of poor explanations, even the best one is not true.The responses to this problem, however, are numerous. Peter Lipton argues that the set of hypotheses that scientists consider are not just randomly selected and thus unlikely to contain a theory that is true; they use existing knowledge to home in on what is most likely to be true. A doctor trying to explain abdominal pain is not going to bother wondering whether demons are causing it; they are going to stick with things like appendicitis and kidney stones, because they are most likely. Further, despite its name, inference to the best explanation is not just the process of comparing hypotheses and accepting the best one; we also want one that is a good explanation in its own right. If it’s not, we are going to keep looking until we find an explanation that is. And while that process does not guarantee that we will come across the exact truth, it’s very likely that the theory that emerges as the best will be at least approximately true, and thus we will be justified in believing it. And lastly, as I point out in my book, although many theories not based in scientific evidence (like geocentrism and continuum theory) have been completely overturned, science almost always progresses by the refinement of scientifically established theories—not their replacement. (Although our sun is not the center of the universe, heliocentrism was our first step in understanding the Earth’s true place in the universe.) So even if a theory we accept today may not be completely right, accepting it is a step on the journey toward the complete truth. The example of atomic theoryNow, it’s worth pointing out that most empiricists are not skeptical of all scientific theories; they are only skeptical of the ones that hypothesize the existence of “unobservables.” It’s not like they think that round Earth, heliocentrism, and germ theory are just useful (but untrue) “instruments” for making predictions about how to most efficiently navigate the seas, predict planetary motion, and treat diseases. They admit that the Earth actually is round, that the planets revolve around the sun, and that germs exist and cause disease. These facts and entities can be observed; the theories that suggest they exist are true. It’s only when theories start hypothesizing the existence of unobservables—like electrons, or quantum fields—that can’t be observed directly, that we should start doubting the theories’ truth. And to be fair to van Fraassen, in this published work, he doesn’t really say that we should doubt the truth of such theories. Only that scientific reasoning does not rationally force us to accept them as true. Skepticism, or agnosticism, he argues, is warranted. SUGGESTED READING Science is based in metaphor By Andrew Reynolds But the history of atomic theory throws a monkey wrench into that argument. Atoms used to be unobservable; again, scientists first accepted the theory that they exist because it had such grandiose explanatory power. But then atoms were seen with electron microscopes. They thus moved into the category of the observable. But this didn’t substantially change anything about what scientists were justified in believing; it certainly didn’t change any “atomic skeptics’” minds. It just confirmed what everyone already knew! If the hypothesis that something exists clearly provides the best explanation for what we can observe, then the belief that it exists is what is rational. The fact that the thing itself is not technically observable does not make doubting its existence rational.What’s more, the atoms were seen with an electron microscope. But electrons are themselves unobservable. How can an electron microscope reveal an atom if electrons are not real? This leads us to what is famously known as Hilary Putnam’s “miracle argument.” It’s (not) a miraclePhilosopher Hilary Putnam’s miracle argument is somewhat famous. Basically, he argued that a scientific theory being able to repeatedly make successful predictions—even about unobservables—without being at least approximately true would require a “miracle.” In other words, it would be such an improbable occurrence that it could not rationally be believed—the better explanation for why scientific theories about unobservables make the right predictions is because the unobservable entities and structures they hypothesize exist.Van Fraassen has addressed this argument. Indeed, in his original article, where he references Alison Gopnik’s point about orgasms not being “necessary for procreation” even though the desire for orgasm “drives the creation of progeny,” he is pointing to his own argument about how organisms are not naturally selected by evolution to get true beliefs; to the extent that belief-forming processes are selected for, the ones that are selected are the ones that are useful for survival—not the ones that produce true beliefs. In the same way, van Fraassen argues, scientific theories are accepted, not because they are true, but because they aren’t falsified; they make successful predictions; that’s what makes them “stick around.” So, the fact that they make successful predictions (and thus became accepted) is not a reason to think they are true.This argument is similar to C. S. Lewis’s “argument from reason,” which he used to argue against evolution: “The truth of evolution undercuts our ability to know that it is true.” Lewis’ argument famously failed; Elizabeth Anscombe, by Lewis’s own admission, demolished Lewis in a debate on the topic, and I have explained elsewhere why modified versions of the argument fail as well. In short, it’s because it fails to recognize that a belief-forming process can make an organism more likely to survive because it reliably produces true beliefs. It is therefore not the case that beliefs generated by naturally selected belief-forming processes are automatically false or unjustified.In the same way, the reason a theory “sticks around” could be because it’s not falsified, because it “makes correct predictions.” But the reason it makes correct predictions is most likely because it is true. (In pointing this out, I am echoing the arguments of Musgrave, Lipton, Psillos, and Kitcher, who refuted van Fraassen’s argument and analogy long before his 2024 article.) It would be a huge coincidence that it could do so without being true. And that is the point of Putnam’s miracle argument. Thus, contrary to van Fraassen’s suggestion, the mere fact that a theory’s predictive success is why it “sticks around” or “becomes accepted” in the scientific community is not a reason to be skeptical about its truth. ConclusionLet me close by saying something about the fact that empiricists don’t doubt the truth of all scientific theories, just the ones that hypothesize unobservables. In today’s society, this theory is dangerous to espouse publicly. The nuance between being skeptical about all of science, and just the highly technical theories about unobservables, is guaranteed to be lost to the average reader. And there is so much unjustified skepticism and doubt about the findings of science and experts that a headline like “Science Does Not Describe Reality” could easily fuel the anti-science movement, worsen climate change denial and cause the next pandemic.This is why I believe it was important to still respond to van Fraassen’s article, a full two years after he wrote it. Not only, as I have argued, does it represent a philosophically inaccurate view of how scientific reasoning works and what scientific reasoning can do, but it is a dangerous view to boot. It should thus be rejected.
Yamal double helps Barca edge Levante thriller
Lamine Yamal struck twice to help Barcelona to an exciting 4-2 win at Levante on Sunday in La Liga, extending the Catalans' perfect start to the season.- Paying the penalty - Yamal claimed his second goal soon after the restart, winning and then converting a penalty.
Beauty Brands Are Coming for Sports—and They Want More Than Exposure
Beauty presents a distinct opportunity because brands within the category are decidedly investing to reach female fans. The industry also has an $11.4 billion global advertising budget and has historically spent little with rights owners and holders. Rights owners and holders must offer beauty brands more than visibility. However, properties that can successfully pair access to the demo with engaging on-site activations and measurable gains in awareness, purchase intent, and/or sales should be p
Cat-powered 'Therapod' visits Westwood, sharing mental health benefits of felines
In between classes, third-year sociology student Veronica Rodriguez spent her Tuesday afternoon petting a Maine Coon cat inside a carpet-lined box. Purina, a pet care company, held the Cat Chow Cats As Therapy Project event at Wilson Plaza on Tuesday and Broxton Plaza on Wednesday to highlight the mental health benefits of cats.
'Avatar: Seven Havens' finally shows us how Korra broke the world
But are we really getting the whole story about Korra and the Cataclysm?
New Board Members and Leadership Team at OH Foundation
The Oswego Health Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, along with new officers who will lead the foundation as it continues its mission of strengthening healthcare in the communities served by Oswego Health. Joining the board are: [caption id=attachment_11136 align=alignleft width=180] Susan Brannan Cole[/caption] • Susan Brannan Cole. She is a public affairs, marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience. She serves as regional manager of external affairs for National Grid in Central New York. Cole also brings significant healthcare communications experience, having spent several years at Upstate Medical University in media relations, digital strategy and public engagement. She previously held leadership roles in communications and government affairs at Novelis and Constellation in Oswego. A graduate of SUNY Oswego, she is passionate about strengthening Central New York communities and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the region. [caption id=attachment_11129 align=alignright width=150] Rich Baldwin[/caption] • Rich Baldwin. He serves as director of marketing and business development at King + King Architects, where he leads the firm’s marketing, communications and business development initiatives. Baldwin has remained actively involved in community and nonprofit organizations, including previously serving on the board of regents at Le Moyne College. He has also supported community initiatives through organizations including the Onondaga Historical Association and Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. New leadership at the foundation are: • William W. “Bill” Crist will chair the Oswego Health Foundation. He brings more than 40 years of experience in education, from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. He retired in 2023 from the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse and remains deeply engaged in the community through numerous nonprofit and volunteer boards. He also serves as chairman of the Sanctuary Advisory Board for the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. • Heather Sunser will serve as vice chair. Sunser is a financial services practice group leader at Barclay Damon LLP, where she focuses primarily on real estate law, institutional lending, land use and municipal compliance. A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, she is also active in community service, volunteering with Vera House Legal Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Onondaga County Bar Foundation. • Darcy Antonucci will be the foundation’s treasurer. Antonucci serves as comptroller for Broadwell Hospitality Group, overseeing the financial functions of nine growing corporations as well as the company’s administrative departments. She brings extensive experience in finance, human resources and business operations, along with a strong record of community leadership. Antonucci has served on the Compass Credit Union board of directors and is an active member of the Trinity Catholic School Board. She has also been involved with the Oswego Health Foundation Gala Committee since 2018. • Attorney Rachael A. Dator will serve as secretary. Dator serves as administrator of the Oswego County Assigned Counsel Program, where she oversees grant funding, budgeting and program operations. With more than a decade of legal experience, she has served as an assistant district attorney, court attorney and legal counsel to municipalities and social services organizations. Dator brings extensive knowledge of law, governance and nonprofit operations to her role with the foundation.
Confirmed: Barcelona breakthrough academy talent renews until 2030
FC Barcelona’s plans for the present and future are taking shape, with the club officially confirming the renewal of one of its most promising young players, Xavi Espart.The Catalan club announced t...
Joan Crawford’s biggest rival wasn’t who you think: Inside the ‘Baby Jane’ star’s cattiest feud
Teeth marks, bruised egos, and knitting needles: The new book ‘Jungle Red’ goes inside the catty Joan Crawford movie that makes ‘Baby Jane’ look tame.
Kentucky Wildcats News: UK commits in updated Rivals rankings
The Cats are making a statement.
Voting for Grammy nominees starts today
Grammy season is officially on. First-round voting for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards opens today (October 12) and runs through to Thursday, October 22. This round determines all the Grammy nominees for all the categories of the awards. Following that, the next big date on the Grammy calendar will be the official nominations announcement on November 16. Albums released from August 31, 2025, through to August 28, 2026 are eligible for consideration.
Will Stein gives positive injury report heading into Alabama week
Some good news for the Cats entering their SEC opener.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT | Philip Brunelle and the Art of Never Standing Still: VocalEssence Opens Its 58th Season With an Ambition That Reaches Beyond the Concert Hall
Philip Brunelle opens VocalEssence’s 58th season at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, featuring 200 singers, twelve harps and an ambitious program of French choral music.
Yamal double helps Barca beat Levante, Atletico triumph
Lamine Yamal struck twice to help Barcelona to an exciting 4-2 win at Levante on Sunday in La Liga, extending the Catalans' perfect start to the season.- Paying the penalty - Yamal claimed his second goal soon after the restart, winning and then converting a penalty.
Layoffs in Apple's Vision Products Group prove slow progress in spatial computing
A source has exclusively revealed to us that Apple has just laid off an unknown number of people dedicated to VR development, which aligns with incoming CEO John Ternus reportedly putting the category "on ice."
Cattaraugus County Health Department to begin offering influenza, covid vaccination clinics
By RICK MILLER Olean Star The Cattaraugus County Health Department will offer 11 influenza and covid vaccine clinics around the county over the next month. Be sure to bring photo identification and…
‘Coming home again’: Seawell’s banquet hall moves back to South Carolina State Fairgrounds
The catering business left its Rosewood Drive location after more than 80 years.
Amazon still Bellevue’s top employer, but here's the catch
Amazon's growth in Bellevue last year was slower than anticipated, but the company said it's still committed to an eventual 25,000 employees in the city.
Nvidia will officially bring DLSS 5 to older GPUs — but won’t give gamers full control
The cat is out of the bag.
Scientists Dated the Catastrophic Pompeii Eruption Using Only Rocks. Here's How Close They Got
According to Pliny the Younger, Mount Vesuvius erupted on August 24th, 79 CE. That date is now helping geochronologists modify a common mineral dating technique.
MORNING BUSINESS REPORT: McDonald's accused of AI-powered price fixing, Uber enters the catering business
Jane King has these stories and more from the New York Stock Exchange for your Wednesday Morning Business Report.
The Crusades: How a medieval Holy War still shapes politics
In 1095, the Catholic Church launched the Crusades, wars that left millions dead and whose legacy still shapes political and ideological conflicts.
Predicting Kentucky’s 2026 Record
It's a new era for Kentucky football as Mark Stoops is out after 13 seasons in Lexington. The Cats replaced the league's elder statesman with the youngest coach in the SEC, 36-year-old Will Stein. A Louisville native, Stein played college football for the Cards while his father played for Jerry Claiborne and the Wildcats in …
5 partners recognized for supporting App State initiatives to strengthen NC healthcare
During an Oct. 12 event at the Hickory campus, App State recognized five regional partners for helping the university expand clinical services, strengthen rural healthcare outreach and launch a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the Catawba Valley. Honorees include Catawba Valley Health System, UNC Health Blue Ridge, UNC Health Caldwell, and the Caldwell Memorial Hospital and Golden LEAF foundations.
Cattleman’s Ball honoree Nyle Maxwell discusses journey of reorienting his business toward philanthropy
Former Round Rock Mayor and car businessman Nyle Maxwell is this year’s honoree at the Cattleman’s Ball in recognition of his philanthropic efforts and legacy in Williamson County. The Williamson Museum fundraiser will take place at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock and will feature live entertainment, food and an auction to support the museum’s educational programs. The event takes place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on October 15.
Health Care: Upholding Human Dignity and Protecting Conscience
From access to medical care to the protection of human life and religious convictions, Catholic social teaching calls for health care centered on the dignity of every person. Here's what that means for Catholics in Colorado.Part 5 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy prioritiesHealth care should be patient-centered, respect human dignity, protect life, promote the principle of subsidiarity, be affordable and assure conscience rights.The Catholic Church teaches that access t
🚨 44 players are in, this is Klopp's first Germany squad
There had once again been plenty of leaks and speculation beforehand, but now the cat is out of the bag: new Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has named his first squad.It includes numerous new players...
Atomic catalyst unlocks the hidden value of plant waste
Scientists have created a highly efficient catalyst that breaks down stubborn lignin from plant waste into useful chemicals under relatively mild conditions. By revealing exactly how the catalyst works at the atomic level, the discovery could help turn forestry and agricultural waste into renewable building blocks for fuels, plastics, and other materials.
'Choosin' Texas' is now the biggest song of all time. How did Ella Langley do it?
The catchy country tune just broke another record.
Cattlemen’s banquet to offer recognition, entertainment
The Cattlemen’s Banquet Wednesday night at the annual KLA Convention & Expo will bring members together for an evening of recognition, entertainment and support for the future of Kansas agriculture.
Kentucky Wildcats climb up new college football rankings
The Cats are on the cusp of top-25 status after thrashing No. 9 Texas A&M.
Haverhill Schools, Merrimack College Receive Grants to Support Life Science Careers
Haverhill schools scored more than $100,000 in grants from Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, while Merrimack College took away $375,000 as part of a program to strengthen the state’s life sciences talent pipeline and prepare students for careers in the life sciences. Haverhill Public Schools was awarded $81,823 in the category of Elementary and Secondary Education
Multiwavelength Flight into the Cat's Head Nebula
This tour simultaneously glides through imagery from NASA’s Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes of the Cat’s Head Nebula. The dust filament broadly remains the same in shape across the different wavelengths of light, but each view contains different details. Hubble...
Computational Models as Liminal Models in Neuroscience, a Cognitive Science Speaker Series Presentation | Events
Speaker: Danielle Williams, Ph.D. Title: Computational Models as Liminal Models in Neuroscience Short Bio: Danielle is a philosopher of mind and science whose research examines the role of computation in our theories and explanations of the mind and brain. Her work brings together philosophy of mind, cognitive science, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, with particular interests in computational theories of mind, computational modeling, and the relationship between different explanatory and modeling strategies in the mind sciences. She also investigates philosophical questions raised by contemporary AI, including the nature of opacity in computational models and its implications for explanation in cognitive science. Alongside this work, she is a historian of cognitive science and AI, examining how the development of computer technology has shaped our conceptions and models of the mind and brain. Abstract: Scientists rely on various types of models to make sense of their phenomena of interest. This has led philosophers to take up a range of semantic, ontological, and epistemological questions about how models represent, what kinds of things models are, what we learn from models, and how they explain. One type of model that has been of particular interest to philosophers is the computational model. Computational models are commonplace in the mind sciences in general and neuroscience in particular, with many asking how computational modeling can help us understand the nervous system and its contribution to cognition and behavior. These questions are particularly pressing in neuroscience, as computational models have become a dominant framework for making sense of cognition. Thus, old questions about model-based science have re-emerged within the context of neuroscience, with many philosophers looking to established frameworks to understand how computational models represent, explain, and contribute to theory development in neuroscience. These established frameworks, however, characterize computational models as a homogeneous type which cannot capture actual modeling practices in neuroscience. In this talk, I argue that computational models in neuroscience are best typed as a kind of liminal model, a type I introduce to capture how the status of a computational model is determined by the epistemic context in which it is deployed. Indeed, the category to which a computational model belongs shifts according to the role it plays within a given context. ASL-English interpreters have been requested. Light refreshments will be provided.
The best quotes about Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona remains one of the Premier League's most impactful footballers. Cantona was the signing that proved to be the catalyst behind Manchester United's dominance of the division, helping break ...
The Beef Industry Knew: Cattle Trade Group Knew Cows Warmed the Planet Since 1989. It Tried to Bury the Science
Newly examined records reveal how the cattle lobby tried to undermine an early climate warning.
This Catherine Zeta-Jones Revenge Thriller Is the Most Underrated Show of the Month
As an entertainment editor, I watch a lot of TV shows. But the most underrated show on streaming in October 2026? It's the Catherine Zeta-Jones revenge thriller 'Kill Jackie' on AMC+. Here, my honest 'Kill Jackie' review and why it's must-watch TV.
Potential announcement date revealed for new Barcelona signing
Barcelona had wrapped up the deal to sign Karim Adeyemi earlier in the month, with the Catalan swooping out of nowhere to acquire the services of the explosive winger.Borussia Dortmund have already co...
Political experts talk midterm issues, expectations at Catawba panel
SALISBURY — The midterm elections loom in the not-too-distant future, and questions on U.S. electoral systems are as pervasive as ever. The “What’s at Stake” panel at the Catawba College […]
Google Fi just made wireless dirt cheap at $9/month
And the catch is smaller than you'd think
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CLASS OF 2027 ANNOUNCED BY WALK OF FAMERS MING-NA WEN AND SHEILA E.
A new group of entertainment professionals in the categories of Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre/Live Performance, Radio, Recording and Sports Entertainment have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
iPhone Ultra lands September 18 at $2,000 and kills the visible crease
Every foldable phone you have ever held has a crease in the middle of the display, and that crease has been the category's most embarrassing open secret since 2019. Samsung has refined it, minimized it, and shot their devices in lighting specifically designed to hide it. Google's Pixel Fold was a little better. The Honor
Trump’s foreign beef push to cut grocery costs sparks GOP revolt from ranching country
President Donald Trump's tariff-free beef import plan faces GOP resistance as Republican lawmakers warn it undercuts ranchers rebuilding the cattle herd.
ESPN Floats Vita Vea as a Lions Deadline Sleeper
An ESPN insider floated Vita Vea as a Lions deadline fit. The catch is next year's money. #OnePride
Bluegrass Night Returns Oct. 17 With A Pickin’ Party
LYNDONVILLE — The Catamount Arts Bluegrass Night concert series, hosted by acclaimed father-daughter duo Bob & Sarah Amos, presents Burlington-based Hot Pickin’ Party, Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. at
UConn Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin Has Audience with Pope Leo XIV
Sir Cato T. Laurencin presented the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award Medal to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Vanderbilt Health physical therapist bound for Nationals after winning four medals at Tennessee Senior Olympics
Vanderbilt Health physical therapist Grant Schlisner, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, won four medals in the recent Tennessee Senior Olympics, which qualifies him to compete in the national Senior Olympics, set for July 2027 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Senior Olympians are athletes 50 years or older who compete in regional events for an opportunity to move to state events, and eventually to the Nationals. Schlisner’s medals were in the javelin, discus and softball throw (gold) and shot put (bronze). Schlisner, who is based at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, grew up in the Chattanooga area in a family that valued physical fitness and playing sports, and he says, with considerable understatement, “The whole family is quite athletic.” Grant Schlisner (R) with brother Bret and sister Sue, all of whom won medals in the Tennessee State Senior Olympics. (photo courtesy Grant Schlisner) His brother Bret also competed in the Senior Olympics. So did his sister Sue. (His other sister Tammy did not compete, but, Schlisner said, “We’re still going to work on her.”) And their father, who now lives in South Dakota, competed in that state’s Senior Olympics in the category for athletes aged 84 to 89. Schlisner was a high school athlete in several sports, including stints as a baseball pitcher and a football quarterback. Since he was already playing positions in other sports in which he was throwing things, he was also recruited to the school’s track and field team, which is where he gained experience in the events that were his ticket to the 2027 Nationals. The medals are a reward for the hard work of training and preparation, but Schlisner said the real reward is the fitness that the medals represent. Schlisner competes in one of his medal-winning events, the shot put. (photo courtesy Grant Schlisner) “[Preparing for competition] got me working out to train for these events. I added more extensive weight training to promote injury prevention and building flexibility and strength have made me feel better overall.” He also said that, in addition to the physical rewards, he enjoys the camaraderie of the other athletes and a feeling of accomplishment. “It’s great to be able to have a goal,” he said. “If you aim low, you’ll hit it. This is aiming high. I want to bring home a medal in the Nationals.” His physical therapy patients, especially those who may be discouraged or need a little extra motivation, also benefit from his example. “I can connect with patients and say, ‘I’m 57 with previous injuries, and I’ve been doing these events, and you can get back to your ‘sport’ as well, whether that is chasing grandkids or participating in a competitive activity,’” he said. And being around the other Senior Olympians, especially in the older age groups, is motivating for him, as well. “One competitor was 90 years old,” he said. “She’s not just sitting around. That was super motivating and cool to see. I don’t want to be a lump on the couch at 90.”
From follicle science to repair actives: the next wave of hair care innovation
Hair care is continuing to garner industry attention as the category grows. Sector players are investing in the segment.
'The health system in Nepal is not prepared for this'
That's the grim assessment from the ground in the wake of the catastrophic flooding, which damaged or destroyed 7 health facilities, interrupted routine care and is affecting mental health.
Rock group to bring acoustic tour to Hershey: How to get tickets
"The intimate format brings fans closer to the lyrics and stories," the website reads, "connecting the catalog that built the band with the heavier, more emotionally exposed music defining them today.”
Scientists simulating ant swarms find a 'first mover' can set the colony in motion
In ant colonies, a single ant can be the catalyst for a wave of mob activity, launching brief bursts of coordinated movement involving hundreds or even thousands of swarming workers, according to new ...
Emma Bonino, Italian Campaigner for Civil Rights, Dies at 78
In nearly five decades in politics, Ms. Bonino wielded outsize influence on Italian discourse, helping erode the political sway of the Catholic Church.
Sally Field wins lead actress Emmy for 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'
At 79, the actor whose decades-long career has spanned TV and film, becomes the oldest to win in the category for her portrayal of a widow named Tova Sullivan in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures.'
Barcelona vs Getafe – Predicted lineup and team news
Barcelona will aim to extend their perfect start to the La Liga season to eight wins when they welcome Getafe to Camp Nou on Saturday.The Catalan side head into the game in outstanding form and sit at...
NFL announces official partnerships with three leading sports betting operators
DraftKings and FanDuel, partners in the category since 2021, each signed a multi-year deal. Fanatics Betting and Gaming also signed a multi-year agreement.
Scientists Just Discovered A Contagious Cancer In A Catfish, The Fourth Known To Science. Meet The Other Three
Only four transmissible cancers are known, contagious cell lineages that spread between animals. Meet the dog, devil and shellfish cancers behind the catfish.
Clip-Ons Are Wireless Earbuds’ Next Inescapable Trend
With Samsung looming large over the category, clip-style wireless earbuds might go fully mainstream.
Lower Burrell business outreach project gives city insight into wishes, challenges of business district
A summer intern’s project surveying Lower Burrell business owners is already helping the city strategize how to bridge gaps between its local government and business district. It’s also the catalyst for a new effort to form a business owner network, said City Manager Greg Primm. Kyle Radecki, an urban planning
Barcelona face a fresh challenge with their increasing wage bill
FC Barcelona are once again entering territory they know all too well. The Catalans’ wage bill is increasing and, although the club maintain that the situation is under control and that squad costs ...
Nintendo Switch 2 Docked VRR Leapfrogs PS5, but the Catch Falls Squarely on Game Developers
Nintendo Switch 2 gets docked VRR support, matching Xbox Series X|S and beating PS5 per Digital Foundry analysis
Samsung Frame Pro review: the art TV that lets you hang a Monet in 4K
The design-forward TV delivers a performance that few in the category can – while attracting compliments as wall decor
Florida Hemp Businesses Hope Trump Can Save Them From Planned Federal Ban On THC Products
“The category’s too big to fail. The consumer demand is there. The infrastructure is in place. I don’t think that it’s going anywhere. It’s a matter of when and how we get regulated.” By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix On Saturday, St. Petersburg retailer Herban Flow hosted its third High and Dry Festival, which featured dozens […]
Apple Set to Make Big Smart Home Push With Siri AI at Center
Apple Inc., after spending years as a laggard in the smart home market, is preparing a dramatic new push into the category with fresh devices and software.
Chris Fleming & Irina Shayk Join Universal Rom-Com ‘The Catch’
EXCLUSIVE: Comedian Chris Fleming (HBO’s Live at the Palace) and Irina Shayk (Hercules) have inked deals to join The Catch, Universal Pictures’ new baseball-themed romantic comedy starring Emma Stone ...
Gears of War: E-Day - Surviving the First Night of Emergence
Today marks the worldwide launch of Gears of War: E-Day, now available on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, Game Pass and Steam. One of XBOX’s most iconic sagas returns to where it all began, taking players back to the opening hours of Emergence Day and the catastrophic event that changed the world of Sera […]
Yankees Birthday of the Day: Charlie Silvera
The catcher didn’t get a lot of playing time, but was around for some great moments in Yankees’ history.
Yankees' Austin Wells problem needs immediate fix at trade deadline
The Yankees need to make a move at the catcher's position.
Weekend spotlight: A plethora of entertainment choices
The Catalyst’s every-Thursday guide to bay area entertainment and the arts.
My family of 4 visits the same vacation spot multiple times a year
As a family, we visit the same vacation spot multiple times a year. I hope my two kids look back on our trips to the Catskills fondly.
Foldable Smartphone Sales to Rise 20% This Year Due to 'iPhone Ultra'
Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 20% in 2026 compared to last year, with Apple's first entry into the category cited as one of the factors driving the increase, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. The report notes that the broader smartphone market is contending with tighter supply of upstream logic chips and higher memory prices, but says the foldable segment is expected to keep expanding regardless.
Raphinha 10, Yamal 9 | Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona: Player Ratings
Barcelona did not have it easy against a spirited Sevilla last night, and the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan made sure that the Catalans were made to suffer for every bout of possession.For the first time this...
SageSure buys stake in ILS manager Pillar
The catastrophe-focused MGU is taking a strategic stake in a Bermuda fund manager, giving it a more direct line to the capital behind coastal property cover
Debt Digest | Federal Debt is a Health Care Problem
Welcome David Ditch to the Debt Dispatch! We are pleased to announce a new regular contributor: David Ditch will be joining the Cato Institute as a Policy Analyst for Budget and Entitlement Policy later this week. David has more than a decade of experience in fiscal policy issues, with a particular focus on federal spending. He previously worked at the Senate Budget Committee, the Heritage Foundation, and the Economic Policy Innovation Center. David’s areas of expertise include appropriations, transportation, agriculture, federalism, grantmaking, and policy options for deficit reduction. Originally from the Rochester, N.Y. area, David has a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Rochester and a MA in Political Management from George Washington University. David currently lives in Arlington, VA. You may have enjoyed his earlier guest posts: CBO: New Highway Bill Has More Spending, Taxes, and Deficits Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes to Federal Grants Highlight Problems of Big Government Here are this week’s reading links and fiscal facts: The federal debt is largely a health care problem. In a new report, the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation find that “In 2026, federal subsidies for health insurance, net of related payments to the government, are projected to equal $2.4 trillion, or 7.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). In CBO and JCT’s projections, those subsidies grow by 65 percent, reaching $3.9 trillion, or 8.4 percent of GDP, in 2036. Subsidies for Medicare contribute most to that overall growth, increasing by $900 billion. Over the entire 2026–2036 period, federal subsidies for health insurance total $33.6 trillion.” Cato’s Michael Cannon emphasizes, “The long-term federal debt problem is a health care problem. […] Only two categories of federal outlays will grow faster than gross domestic product (GDP): health care subsidies and interest payments on the debt. The former is, therefore, the primary driver of the latter.” The bond market fears deficits, not the loss of tariff revenue. Responding to a New York Times essay claiming tariff revenue has grown too important for a future administration to unwind, Cato’s Kyle Handley argues: “Bond investors are not attached to customs duties as a line item revenue source. They care about the government’s overall fiscal position.” He continues, “tariff revenue is a side hustle. And the Trump administration has already promised to dole out the funds through schemes like tariff dividend rebates, farm subsidies, and pay-fors on tax cuts or other spending.” Furthermore, “tariff revenue is simply not large enough to transform the government’s fiscal trajectory.” Take net interest for example: it “reached $970 billion in fiscal year 2025, absorbing 18.5 percent of federal receipts. Customs duties accounted for only 3.7 percent of receipts—and that was before refunds (see Figure 2).” Handley concludes, “The real bond-market concern is a large and growing interest bill, persistent budget deficits, and a political system unwilling to bring spending and revenue into alignment.” Medicare’s spending growth is driven by more volume and utilization. A Congressional Research Service report finds that Medicare spending “grew at an average annual rate of 7.3%” from 1985 through 2025, and the trustees project health care expenditures will keep rising “faster than gross domestic product (GDP) in most future years.” Citing CBO, the report attributes Medicare’s projected 2026–2036 spending growth to “23% from higher enrollment, 31% from inflation, and 47% from the growth of inflation-adjusted spending per beneficiary. In other words**, the largest single driver of Medicare spending growth during the next decade is expected to be higher volume and intensity of health care services.”** Boccia and Thakur explain: “as the economy grows, Medicare spending tends to grow at least as fast—and often faster—because the program automatically pays the bill for more and more healthcare consumption by seniors, even as prices rise.” The Fed has little control over market interest rates. Cato’s Jai Kedia documents that the Fed has held its rate target steady since December, yet “nearly every rate Americans actually borrow at has climbed over the same stretch.” Kedia continues, “The Fed did nothing, and the cost of credit went up anyway. […] Markets spent these months repricing macroeconomic events such as sticky core inflation, a volatile energy market driven by the conflict in the Middle East, and global trade disrupted by tariffs, among others. None of that required a policy change to show up in borrowing costs because markets, not the FOMC, set prices.” He concludes, “Accurately priced borrowing rates will come from credible disinflation and disciplined budgets and from a Fed content to follow the economy rather than pretend it leads it.” Nearly half of US farm income comes from taxpayers. Former Reagan OMB director David Stockman notes that “in the most recently completed full year (FY 2025) farmer incomes in the US totaled $97.8 billion, but fully 42.7% or $41.8 billion of that amount came from taxpayers, not the marketplace. Nor is this some kind of one-year aberration. If we look at the most recent decade as a whole, total farm income posted at nearly $708 billion, but, as indicated, fully $322 billion or 45% of this came compliments of US taxpayers.” Cato’s Chris Edwards explains why so little of that income is market-earned: “Farmers are businesspeople, but the government shields them from just about every type of weather and market risk. Furthermore, just about every part of the agricultural industry is subsidized, including insurance, loans, marketing, research, export sales, and land improvements.” The Debt Dispatch is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Flutter Entertainment shares rise as investors appear to lean into bullish positioning
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) is up 5.4% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.Analysis: No obvious new company-specific filing or earnings release appeared today, so the catalyst is not fully clear. This could be because investors are reacting to a mix of recent bullish signals, including fresh high-profile buying interest in the stock, optimism around Flutter’s scale in U.S. sports betting through FanDuel, an
Leaders in faith, tech, business discuss AI at Catholic U
Taylor Black is a builder. Black, founding executive director of The Catholic University of America’s Leonum Institute for AI and Emerging Technologies in Washington, is a self-described venture architect at Microsoft — leading cross-company initiatives for the next generation of groundbreaking technologies.
45th annual Catface Turpentine Festival is set for Saturday, October 3
From a parade and rosin potatoes to Turpentine soap and a street dance, the Catface Turpentine Festival promises a day of entertainment for the whole family. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the event, hosted by the Portal Heritage Society.