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Despite business angst, Washington climbs in CNBC’s state rankings — but still trails its former standing
Washington climbed three spots to No. 11 in CNBC's annual America's Top States for Business rankings, up from No. 14 last year, suggesting that many of the state's underlying competitive strengths remain intact even as debate over its business climate has intensified.
Oops, Scientists May Have Miscalculated Our Global Warming Timeline
A study suggests Earth surpassed the 1.5°C warming threshold in 2020, sparking debate among scientists about the accuracy of global climate data.
How to Bring More Data Science to YouTube and Creator Media
I am constantly writing about the challenge facing agencies and brands when in comes to YouTube. Is it TV? Social video? Search? Commerce? Do you fund it from all of those respective budgets, and measure it using all their respective metrics? Sean Odlum, Chief Product Officer at Tinuiti, says it may not make sense to try and “bucket'“ YouTube. “You kinda gotta treat it as its own thing,” he said. “Years ago, we had debates [along the lines of] ‘what is this?’ Ultimately we decided, it’s YouTube. It is hard to categorize because it is so protean.” Which ultimately means that almost every part of a media department or marketing group will likely touch YouTube in some fashion. And that it probably needs its own sets of metrics and measurement tools. At Tinuiti, that need has led the agency to develop the YouTube Intelligence Suite, which aims to help brands optimize YouTube campaigns while using all the traditional marketing tools they are used to, such as MMMs. “I wouldn’t say there is a YouTube playbook,” Odlum said. “[For media planners] there is this vast bubbling ocean, so where do you start?’ A lot of brands and agencies struggle.” “You don’t want to just brute-force it—spray dollars everywhere and eventually learn. You want to start intelligently and then learn iteratively.” The problem, Odlum and his team have found, is that “brands have largely defaulted into demand generation campaigns because they’re easier to measure.” However, “you can really build your own content ecosystem around these trusted experts.” Check out the full interview here: Thanks for reading Next in Media! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
Michigan GOP governor hopefuls square off tonight in televised debate
The three men hoping to be the Republican nominee for governor will square off tonight in their first televised debate together.
GOP leaders tried to quell McConnell health questions. It’s not working
As online speculation swirls over Sen. Mitch McConnell’s hospitalization and scant public updates from his staff, the Kentucky Republican’s top allies spoke up this week, insisting he remains alert. But those assurances have done little to quash demands for proof of life, including from the state’s governor. The episode has reignited a debate over lawmakers’ […]
Markey, Moulton meet in first Senate primary debate
The hourlong event marked the first head-to-head matchup between the pair after months of back-and-forth over when, where, and how many debates should take place in the state’s signature political race.
USMNT World Cup Flameout Fuels Youth Sports Debate
Critics say the system prices out talent and drives kids away.
Opinion: The Lexington Problem: Beating the Literacy Odds Without the Science of Reading
The science of reading has largely won the policy debate. Over the last decade, state after state has embraced evidence-based reading instruction. Legislatures have passed literacy laws, and teacher p...
WATCH: Far-left Senate candidate ripped on transparency, money in politics during fiery debate
Haley Stevens unloads on Abdul El-Sayed for not releasing his tax returns: ‘What are you hiding?’
El-Sayed, Stevens trade pointed barbs in Democratic US Senate debate
With four weeks to go until the Aug. 4 primary, the two Democrats held a debate in Grand Rapids hosted by WOOD-TV8
El-Sayed and Stevens clash over AIPAC and other takeaways from the Michigan Senate debate
Rep. Haley Stevens pitched herself as a “workhorse” on Capitol Hill. Abdul El-Sayed said he represents “a threat to politics as usual.”
Dem civil war hits primary debate stage as El-Sayed and Stevens clash: 'What are you hiding?'
Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens clashed in a fiery Michigan Senate debate as the Democratic primary exposes a rift between progressives and moderates.
Opinion | How Socialism Emerged in American Politics
The debate has shifted from whether the government should redistribute wealth to how much redistribution is enough.
Cosplaying Free Speech: How Religion And Politics Determine Campus Taboos
(ANALYSIS) I feel like I got into a debate or a disagreement with someone about politics or religion on a near daily basis when I was between the ages of 13 and 25. I would fight with anyone about anything and I would often argue positions that I completely disagreed with because I just liked the in
Anthropic says Claude has carved out its own space to ponder
The AI lab offers fresh ammunition to the debate over what would count as machine consciousness.
Absent frontrunner Byron Donalds dominates Florida GOP governor debate he skipped
Former House Speaker Paul Renner, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and businessman James Fishback took the stage Thursday night, each trying to prove he is the strongest alternative to U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Trump-backed frontrunner.
There's a debate over who should teach workers AI
Companies are embracing hackathons, training sessions, and mentoring from 9-5. That doesn't mean you're off the hook on nights and weekends.
PENN Entertainment (PENN) Opens New Aurora Casino As Valuation Debate Heats Up
Index moves and a new Illinois casino put PENN in focus PENN Entertainment (PENN) has just opened its US$360 million Hollywood Casino and Hotel Aurora in Illinois, while also moving from the Russell 1000 family into several Russell 2000 indices. See our latest analysis for PENN Entertainment. The recent opening of Hollywood Casino and Hotel Aurora and PENN Entertainment’s move into several Russell 2000 indices comes alongside a 50.17% 3 month share price return and a 19.13% 1 year total...
Can we finally wear shorts to the office this summer?
The resistance to shorts in formal offices is powerful, but rising temperatures have renewed the debate about their place in offices.
For America’s 250th, we’re reopening our public square: Letter from the Editor
the cleveland.com news site has reopened comments on politics stories for subscribers, aiming to foster civil, moderated debate.
Colorado Politics Calendar July 6-12
CoPo’s weekly political calendar helps you find political and public policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
The United States at 250: Who gets to tell a nation's story?
As the US marks 250 years of independence, debates over how the nation's history should be told have become part of the anniversary itself. President Donald Trump says America should tell a more patriotic story.
Mexico vs England predicted line-ups: Sky Sports writers pick their XIs with Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and John Stones among players debated
Sports Help Shape Young Lives. Trans Kids Deserve That Chance.
By Lambda Legal Senior Content Manager Lake Geslani When Becky Pepper-Jackson laced up her running shoes, she wasn’t thinking about court cases or political debates. Like countless young athletes across the country, she simply wanted to be part of a team, compete alongside her friends, and proudly represent her school. Instead, Becky found herself at...
Fantasy Football Debate: Which player is the biggest wild card going into the 2026 NFL season?
Victor Marx’s lead sits outside of recount threshold in Republican race for Colorado governor
Ministry leader Victor Marx on Wednesday night overtook state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer in the Republican primary for Colorado governor, securing enough votes that — for now — put the race beyond the mandatory recount threshold. The Republican primary race between Kirkmeyer and Marx briefly entered mandatory recount territory on Wednesday afternoon, with just a few hundred […]
Bills’ Josh Allen continues dominating “best current NFL QB” debates
In a league full of elite talent, the better question is how much being the best really matters.
Maine high court considers trans signature debate
The debate Wednesday focused on Bellows’ obligation to balance the U.S. Constitution, the Maine Constitution and a 2022 federal consent order requiring Maine to allow nonresidents to circulate petitions.
Is the GOP race for Colorado governor heading into mandatory recount territory?
Not yet — not until the race tightens further as election officials tally more votes. The race for governor in the Republican primary between state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer and ministry leader Victor Marx tightened on Tuesday night to roughly 1,400 votes, but whether a mandatory recount is triggered will depend on whether the margins shrink […]
Algeria to vote in test of post-Hirak political landscape
Algeria holds legislative elections amid debates over reform, turnout and political stability.
Phil Weiser defeats Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary
Attorney General Phil Weiser took an early lead over three-term U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary and held onto it, defeating the state’s longest-serving senator in more than 50 years to win a nomination that’s likely to land him in the governor’s office. Weiser led Bennet 55% to 45% just before 8 […]
Phil Weiser leads Michael Bennet in early returns in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary
Attorney General Phil Weiser took an early lead over U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary as election officials posted initial returns soon after polls closed Tuesday night. In the first round of results, Weiser had secured 60% of the vote to Bennet’s 40%, with just over 200,000 total ballots counted statewide. The […]
Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner send message to Simone Biles on women's sports debate after SCOTUS ruling
Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner celebrate the Supreme Court transgender athletes ruling and call on Simone Biles to join their movement.
Supreme Court upholds state bans at center of transgender sports debate
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes, a ruling with major implications for Arizona and 26 other states with laws restricting participation in school sports.
How Trump chose a former Oklahoma state trooper to lead ICE — and handed Markwayne Mullin a win
After an occasionally rocky start in his new post, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin won an internal debate when President Donald Trump announced he was nominating Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, five sources familiar with the dynamic told CNN.
DF Weekly: The GTA 6 60fps Debate Returns: Is There a Route Forward on Current-Gen Consoles Like Series X, PS5 or PS5 Pro?
Or is a 40fps mode for 120Hz displays the most we can hope for?
A massive asteroid slammed into the North Sea and triggered a 330-foot tsunami
Scientists have finally confirmed the origin of the mysterious Silverpit Crater beneath the North Sea. New evidence shows that an asteroid about 160 meters wide struck the seabed roughly 43 to 46 million years ago. The impact triggered a tsunami more than 100 meters high and left behind a crater that geologists debated for years.
Ravens have 5 players on CBS Sports' Top 100, but one omission stands out
Lamar Jackson headlines Baltimore's representatives on CBS Sports; top 100 ranking, but Zay Flowers' absence is sure to spark debate.
On anniversary of disastrous debate, Biden rallies Democrats at a casino
President Joe Biden spent the second anniversary of his disastrous debate performance at a Maryland casino, giving the keynote speech at an annual fundraiser for Maryland Democrats.
Americans now live longer in Democratic-held House districts. Here’s why
Even as health care issues rise in the 2026 campaign debate, new data show that far more House Republicans than Democrats represent districts where the most residents face major medical challenges — and lack health insurance.
Michigan GOP primary for governor sees fierce fights but little debate
Michigan's primary for governor shows Republican unity on a policy agenda even as candidates fight over their loyalty to President Donald Trump.
The great FIRE debate: People who made it work say critics miss the point
"I don't live in a van, eat rice and beans, and I've never given up traveling," said one early retiree. "That's not what the movement is about."
Two years after their last debate, Biden jabs at Trump: ‘What a loser’
As he rallied Maryland Democrats at a state party fundraiser Saturday night, former President Joe Biden decried the actions of the man who succeeded him in the White House, painting him as vain and corrupt.
Colorado Politics Calendar June 29-July 5
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
Alito and Kagan’s telling exchange about race and politics
Both sides of the debate in the court’s case on temporary protected status could have used a little more realism.
DAVID MARCUS: In rural Maryland, petty politics takes back seat to World Cup fever
The World Cup and America 250 celebrations unite Americans beyond politics, as the Save America Act and Trump debates fade in small-town gatherings.
New York’s primaries signal a new force in US politics
Progressive, Muslim and Arab American candidates are challenging old limits on debate over Israel and Palestine.
Orange County Politics and Public Health Tangle in Sacramento
A debate over if supervisors should be on the board of CalOptima is opening broader questions on politics in healthcare.
Breaking down EA Sports' College Football 27 team ratings: who's too high, who's too low?
EA Sports College Football 27 team ratings spark debate, with Georgia, Alabama, and Clemson among teams arguably rated too low for their talent.
Gov. Scott vetoed the Legislature’s latest attempt to lower health insurance costs. What’s next?
Governor Phil Scott's veto of a health insurance bill sparks debate over lowering healthcare costs in Vermont. Discover the proposed alternatives and political tensions.
Folarin Balogun and USMNT Transfer Updates
Hosts Tamerra Griffin and James McNicholas break down a massive six-match World Cup slate as group stages reach their climax. Soccer insider David Ornstein joins the show to discuss the escalating transfer market buzz surrounding USMNT star Folarin Balogun and Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall. Plus, the team highlights The Athletic’s interactive World Cup Tracker with Jay Harris to map out the complicated qualification pathways for Group A, B, and C. Can the USMNT line up a favorable Round of 32 matchup? Senior Editor Hannah Vanbiber also dives into the debate surrounding Jeremy Doku’s...
If Virginia’s ‘best state for business’ ranking falls, data center taxation debate will get the blame
But will Virginia fall? We don’t know yet, but we do know how CNBC has changed its formula. Here’s a look at whether that helps or hurts the state.
Is The G.O.A.T Debate Over?
Another Messi Masterclass leaves us wondering, is the GOAT debate settled for good? Master & Will debate it, and they launch an all-sport GOAT draft, All that being said about Lionel... could Kylian Mbappé catch the goal record as soon as this World Cup? We're joined by North-East football royalty, Argentine Julio Arca, and French football savant Erik Bielderman.
Colombia's vote may reshape the Amazon's future as political winds shift across Latin America
Abelardo de la Espriella, set to be Colombia’s president, has intensified debate over the future of the Amazon
Colombia's vote may reshape the Amazon's future as political winds shift across Latin America
Abelardo de la Espriella, set to be Colombia's president, has intensified debate over the future of the Amazon.
Maryland Primary Politics
After months of campaign rallies, ads, mailers, endorsements, debates, and yes, some political mudslinging; maryland voters are getting the final say on this primary Tuesday. Polls will be closing soon and we could be just hours away from getting a clear picture of who won, lost, and what it all means for the future of […]
The New York Times Helped Turn Trans Rights Into Political Controversy, Analysis Finds
A new data investigation says the paper of record increasingly framed transgender rights as a debate instead of a lived reality.
Tight End U Year 6 and Beyond
Greg Olsen on Tight End University year six, youth sports, NFL turf debate, and broadcasters in front offices.
Will the Columbus Blue Jackets Draft Oscar Hemming?
The Columbus Blue Jackets have the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. There are debates about whether or […]
Should the Yankees deploy a six-man rotation?
Do the Yankees have the pieces and the need to pull off a long-debated roster strategy?
Opinion | What high schoolers get about politics that adults don’t
In high school debate, we can disagree about an issue without devolving into caricatures and misrepresentations of the other side, Eagan High School's debate captain writes.
Why Democrats are running against the ‘Epstein class’
Candidates are casting their messaging around Epstein’s associates and the unaccountable elite, betting that voter distrust of powerful institutions can help them shape the midterm debate.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Main Menu Video Sparks Fan Debate Over Ring Detail
Over the weekend, Halo Studios released a 6-hour video of the Halo: Campaign Evolved main menu, which, as you’d expect, contains the iconic Halo music from the original game. But what you might not have expected is the debate the remake’s new Halo ring has sparked, and some fans calling it too detailed.
British parliament to debate Israeli influence on UK politics: What we know
The debate comes after a petition expressed concern over Israeli lobbies' influence in the UK.
Opinion | Are Boomers to blame for everything?
Three writers debate whether older Americans are holding on too long — or whether younger generations need to do more to claim their place.
Isaiah Thomas facing pushback on Chris Paul-Spurs take
Isaiah Thomas sparked debates online with his big claim on Sunday. The two-time All-Star guard said that the San Antonio Spurs would’ve won the NBA championship if they still had Chris Paul. “The Point God” signed a one-year, $11 million…
UK Parliament to debate whether to open inquiry into Israel lobby's 'influence' over UK politics
UK parliament is set to debate a petition calling for an inquiry into alleged Israeli influence in British politics after it passed the 100,000-signature threshold.
The twisted science and traps in framing Notre Dame’s best QBs of the past 50 years
Comparing Notre Dame QBs across eras isn't easy. Stats, titles and context all complicate the debate as CJ Carr begins building his legacy.
Roundtable: Is Ciryl Gane the UFC’s dirtiest fighter?
MMA Fighting debates where Ciryl Gane sits among dirty fighters in the UFC
Undav as a starter? 'Definitely a possibility,' Nageslsmann says
Deniz Undav's thrilling performance in Germany's 2-1 win against Ivory Coast on Saturday reignited the debate whether he should be in the starting line-up. Undav came from the bench and scored twice in the comeback win as Germany exorcized the ghosts of 2018 and 2022 by making the men's World Cup knock-outs for first time since 2014.
Obama Center embeds 'Indigenous' land message on controversial site
The Obama Presidential Center features a permanent land acknowledgment display near the museum tower, sparking debate given the site's history.
Rockstar Releases New Official GTA 6 In-Game Screenshot
Rockstar Games releases a new official Grand Theft Auto 6 screenshot for fans to analyze and debate.
Colorado Politics Calendar June 22-28
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
EAST TEXAS POLITICS: Tyler’s next mayor and his defeated opponent reflect on election, weigh in on data center debate
Blake Holland's guests this week include Stuart Hene, John Nix, and Smith County GOP Chairman David Stein.
The Case Against Science
In debates of vaccination, evolution, and climate change, the case follows a very similar playbook: to undermine trust in established scientific understanding all one needs to do is create doubt.
2026 NBA Draft Roundtable: Who goes No. 1 overall? Experts favor AJ Dybantsa over Darryn Peterson
Our experts weigh in on the No. 1 overall pick, the Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson debate and which late-round sleeper has a chance to be an NBA All-Star
Why I Use a Business School Model to Teach History (Opinion)
Students who can see themselves in historical figures learn how to debate respectfully.
California wealth tax sparks debate among billionaires, voters
A wealth tax proposal in California is running into left-leaning resistance, with critics arguing it's not a stable revenue source.
Red Sox Debate Emerging Over Aroldis Chapman’s Future
The Boston Red Sox have an Aroldis Chapman decision to make.
Austin Transit Partnership reviews light rail design as business stresses about relocation
Austin’s long-debated light rail project moved into another phase as the Austin Transit Partnership met to discuss design and preconstruction work, while some b
Going pro-Trump and endorsing redistricting: 4 takeaways from SC’s 1st District GOP runoff debate
Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt and state Rep. Mark Smith talked affordability, Trump and more in their final debate before Tuesday’s runoff election.
Climate advocacy by scientists shows mixed effects, no clear trust boost or backlash
Scientists have become more visible in climate debates, engaging in public communication, policy advice, open letters, political demonstrations and even civil disobedience. Scientists who speak out on ...
Council approves framework for future entertainment districts after heated debate
The Norfolk City Council approved an ordinance on Monday establishing the framework for future entertainment districts within the city, despite objections from some council members and residents who argued the
Espaillat and Avila Chevalier trade blows in combative NY-13 debate
Espaillat defended his record while highlighting controversial tweets posted several years ago by his opponent.
Proposed Mills 50 parking garage sparks debate over parking needs and business displacement
A proposed parking garage in Orlando’s Mills 50 district could bring hundreds of new spaces to an area known for crowded streets and limited parking.
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
Merchants of Doubt and the attacks on Extreme Event Attribution science
Last week, I attended a meeting at Columbia University on attribution science and climate law, hosted by the Sabin Center. It was a fantastic event, bringing together scientists and legal experts working at the intersection of extreme event attribution and climate law. Subscribe For those unfamiliar with it, extreme event attribution attempts to quantify the contribution of climate change to an extreme event. For example, several groups analyzed the impact of climate change on Hurricane Harvey’s enormous rainfall totals over Houston, Texas and they found that climate change increased rainfall by 15 to 38%. One thing that came up again and again was how terrified fossil-fuel interests are of extreme event attribution science. They are acutely aware that this research could land them in court. And losing those cases would leave them legally liable for billions of dollars in climate damages. Because the legal stakes are so high, the blowback has turned ugly. I spoke with several scientists at the meeting who are facing ongoing harassment over their work. This blowback is a coordinated campaign to make the entire field look suspect. The goal is to create the impression that attribution science is too uncertain, too political, or too conflicted to be useful in court or in public policy. The strategy is not based on actual science or evidence of misconduct, but on the generation of doubt. The new Merchants of Doubt We’ve seen this before. In fact, not that long ago: We only have to go back a year to the Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group (CWG) report to see an example of using doubt as the tool to push back against well-established science. This strategy is laid out in an email from a member of the CWG, Dr. Roy Spencer, that was released during litigation over the Climate Working Group process. The key quote is: About all I can hope is that what we write will provide sufficient “reasonable scientific doubt” regarding the science claims in the 2009 TSD [technical support document], based upon almost 2 decades of new science, to call into question the original reasoning for the EPA Administrator’s decision that CO2 presents a threat to human health and welfare. This statement is strong evidence that at least some members of the committee were working to support a particular policy outcome: revoking the Endangerment Finding. The email also explains how they planned to do it: by attempting to generate “reasonable doubt”. This is going to be hard, Spencer implies. Despite falsely claiming that “2 decades of new science” weakens the case, Spencer explicitly acknowledges that the actual peer-reviewed science of climate change overwhelmingly rejects his position: But if the science argument is decided upon by a vote, or by the number of published citations, we lose the science argument. We can go back even further: This CWG email shares unmistakable DNA with the infamous 1969 tobacco memo that declared: “Doubt is our product, since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” The tobacco memo also acknowledges the limit of this strategy: Like the CWG, they knew the science was not on their side. Share The new new Merchants of Doubt The people attacking the IPCC chapter on extreme event attribution are the newest iteration of the Merchants of Doubt. Their goal, like all Merchants before them, is to introduce doubt into the process. Because the report is not even out yet, they cannot attack its conclusions. So they are attacking the authors instead. Here is a press release from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving members of the Attribution Committee, stating that “publicly available information suggests a troubling pattern” in which committee members are affiliated with nonprofits that support climate accountability lawsuits, “raising the appearance of impropriety and member bias.” To be clear, this is just innuendo. There is no actual evidence of bias. And given the robust process that these reports go through, including multiple lines of peer review, it seems very unlikely that significant bias can survive into the report. When the report comes out, critics will have the opportunity to make legitimate criticisms of the report — if any exist. If none do, however, they’ll still make criticisms, but they’ll be bogus, simply designed to generate doubt. We’ll see. A note to the press: Fix your frame To any journalists reading this: The public debate over extreme event attribution science is not going away. The science is simply too dangerous to fossil-fuel interests for them to stop fighting it. You very well might be assigned to write an article about this area of research in the future. When you do, do not automatically adopt the framing that climate misinformers want you to use. They want you to frame the story around questions like: Are climate scientists trying to put their thumb on the scale to achieve a predetermined, politically motivated result? Are climate scientists improperly letting their politics invade the science of the IPCC? That frame is a trap. Instead, you need to view this through the historical lens of the Merchants of Doubt. How does the ecosystem of doubt operate? Who funds it? What methods do they use to misrepresent science and slime researchers? What scientific results are they trying to keep people from understanding are legitimate? Ultimately, you instead need to focus your article on the generation of doubt as a way to maintain the fossil fuel industry’s social and legal license to keep burning oil, gas, and coal. If you treat the misinformers’ frame as a legitimate, good-faith scientific critique, you are helping them produce doubt. Don’t do it. Don’t be a Merchant of Doubt. Thanks for reading The Climate Brink! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Subscribe other stuff The Staying Curious Substack has an interesting post about the different flavors of climate sensitivity. This is crucial information if you want to understand how scientists think about how much warming the Earth will experience. I’d be grateful if you could hit the like button ❤️ below! It helps more people discover these ideas and lets me know what’s connecting with readers.
People are betting on elections. Congress is watching
As prediction markets stir debate over betting on politics, the Los Angeles mayoral race raised a new question: What happens when people wager on elections?
Council approves framework for future entertainment districts after heated debate
The Norfolk City Council approved an ordinance Monday establishing the framework for future entertainment districts within the city, despite objections from some council members and residents who argued the proposal
Ecsite 2026
Across three days of discussion and debate, museums and science centre professionals explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of public engagement with science
Why knowing who studies social science and humanities matters
In an increasingly financially constrained higher education system social science and humanities disciplines find themselves under increasing pressure. Discussing the British Academy’s new Who studies SHAPE dashboard, Almendra Guzman Rivas shows how better understanding student demographics and regional variation in provision intersect is key to framing debates about the future of social science and humanities.
Chicago City Council to vote on sweepstakes machine ban as bar owners warn of business closures
Chicago alders are divided over a debate on whether to ban or keep sweepstakes machines legal in the city.
Taiwan’s website for intelligence tips from the mainland spurs debate
‘Contact window’ launched for political, military, economic and social intelligence but critics say disinformation will be a challenge.
Parking meter hearing delayed amid debate over Stonepeak deal
Chicago aldermen postponed a hearing on Stonepeak's bid for the parking meter lease as they review the firm's finances, ICE-related ties and possible leverage to seek concessions.
Iran agreement: Bad, BATNA or both?
As the debate over a possible Iran agreement shifts from whether there will be a deal to what is in it, commentary is already racing ahead of the facts. We have not yet seen the text. We do not know the precise commitments, timelines or enforcement mechanisms — if any.
The End of Climate Politics
As the West debated a green energy future, Beijing was building it.
Windows 11 users say Microsoft account requirements are creeping into everything and they are tired of it
A Reddit discussion about local accounts turns into a bigger debate over privacy, transparency, and user control on Windows 11.
Pols & Politics: Howie Carr offers GOP gubernatorial candidates on-air debate
Longtime Boston Herald columnist and talk radio host Howie Carr is offering Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Minogue the opportunity to join a live, on-air debate on his radio show.
'Let the candidates mix it up.': Ron DeSantis keeps pressure on Evan Power for GOP gubernatorial debate
'These ridiculous criteria are being used to renege on that promise and to engineer a preferred outcome.'