The financial markets have been riding a wave of optimism, driven by expectations of a favorable economic environment under the newly elected administration. Stocks have […]
The 9/11 Victims We’re Still Learning About
Twenty-five years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, researchers are preparing to study a group of people whose experiences have received considerably less attention than those of the firefighters, police officers, and other adults who responded to the disaster. They were children. Some were old enough to remember the planes striking the World Trade Center. Others were infants. Some were still in the womb. Many lived in Lower Manhattan or attended school nearby and were exposed to the enormous cloud of dust and debris created when the towers collapsed. Now, a major federal research effort is being established to examine…
The Cost of Closing Forest Research
The U.S. Forest Service is closing 23 research and development facilities across more than a dozen states as part of a sweeping reorganization of the agency. The move has received considerably less attention than many of the administration's other changes to the federal government, but its implications reach far beyond the offices and employees directly affected. The Forest Service conducts research into some of the most fundamental questions facing America's forests. Its scientists study wildfires, invasive species, forest diseases, water resources, wildlife, and the ways forests respond to changing environmental conditions. The agency says the research itself is not being…
Where Is the Opioid Settlement Money Going?
When opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other companies agreed to pay billions of dollars to settle lawsuits over their role in the nation's opioid crisis, the money came with an obvious purpose. Communities had been devastated by addiction and overdose deaths. The settlements were intended to help those communities respond to that devastation, including through treatment, prevention, recovery, and other programs designed to address the consequences of opioid addiction. But now an investigation into Louisiana's use of that money is raising a much bigger question. Who is making sure the money actually goes where it is supposed to go? A joint…
Where Is the Opioid Settlement Money Going?
When opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other companies agreed to pay billions of dollars to settle lawsuits over their role in the nation's opioid crisis, the…
America’s Historic Drop in Homicides Deserves More Attention
For years, Americans have been told that crime is one of the country's most pressing problems. Political campaigns have been built around fears of rising…
When AI Reads Your Medical Records
For years, artificial intelligence in health care was largely discussed as a future technology. Doctors might someday use AI to identify diseases, analyze medical images,…
The Growing Alarm Over Facial Recognition and ICE Detentions
For years, debates about facial recognition technology largely centered on local police departments, airport security, and private sector data collection. More recently, however, a different…
The Cost of Closing Forest Research
The U.S. Forest Service is closing 23 research and development facilities across more than a dozen states as part of a sweeping reorganization of the…
When Politics Enters the Science: The Fight Over What Judges Should Know
The courts routinely deal with questions that judges cannot answer through legal precedent alone. What caused an environmental disaster? How reliable is a particular scientific…
Why Financial Literacy Matters More Than Ever
For generations, financial literacy has been viewed as a personal skill that helps people budget wisely, save for retirement, and avoid unnecessary debt. Today, it…
How Speculators Move Gas Prices
For most Americans, the price of gasoline feels deeply personal. It determines commuting costs, shipping prices, airline tickets, and, indirectly, the cost of groceries and…
The 9/11 Victims We’re Still Learning About
Twenty-five years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, researchers are preparing to study a group of people whose experiences have received considerably less attention than…
Where Is the Opioid Settlement Money Going?
When opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other companies agreed to pay billions of dollars to settle lawsuits over their role in the nation's opioid crisis, the…
Media in the 2024 Election: Strategies, Biases, and Accountability
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election concluded, it left behind more than just the results—it offered a clear view of the media’s immense influence on […]
Whooping Cough Surge Could Become Health Crisis
As 2024 unfolds, the United States faces a significant health crisis: the resurgence of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Reports from the Centers for […]
Starlink: When Connectivity Comes at a Cost
In an increasingly connected world, reliable internet access is a bridge to opportunity, providing resources for education, healthcare, and economic growth. Elon Musk’s Starlink, a […]
Lessons from the Chase Bank TikTok Glitch
In today’s digital age, viral trends spread like wildfire, often luring people into unexpected situations, some harmless, others not so much. One such trend recently […]
CDC Updates Pneumonia, COVID-19 Vaccines
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced significant changes to vaccination recommendations, expanding access to protect more individuals from pneumococcal pneumonia and COVID-19. The […]
iPhone SE 4 Leak: Modern Design, Familiar Mission
The iPhone SE has always represented a delicate balance in Apple’s lineup, offering modern performance at a lower price point by wrapping it in older, […]
How WordPress’ Controversies Could Shake Its Future
WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, a staggering share for a content management system (CMS). With such dominance, one might assume that the platform […]
Threats of Violence Slow FEMA Response
As communities in North Carolina work tirelessly to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, federal disaster response efforts have hit an unexpected and […]
Have Republicans Learned Their Lesson on Hurricane Misinformation?
As Hurricane Milton barrels across Florida, the spread of misinformation has become a critical issue, and some Republican leaders are finally pushing back against their […]