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Politics Unusual: Governor's race, NY consent laws
In this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY's political reporter Morgan McKay speaks with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman about his campaign for the governor's office. Also, a conversation with NYS Assemblymember Catalina Cruz about New York's consent laws.
Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency
The government-funded ads show just how much President Trump has been able to use federal money for his own aims.
Former GOP Rep. David Rivera sentenced to 10 years for secret Venezuela lobbying
David Rivera has been jailed since jurors found him guilty in May on all counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of his work for former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Weiser joins lawsuit challenging new fuel economy standards
“The federal government’s backsliding on standards for the next five years requires less fuel economy than what the U.S. fleet of new cars and trucks achieved in 2021. Rolling back fuel efficiency standards will cost Coloradans even more at the gas pump, harm public health, and undermine our nation’s position in the EV market. These clean car rules are part of our clean energy future and that’s why we are challenging this illegal action,” said Attorney General Weiser.
$7.5B plan for California science agency free from Trump's influence will go to voters
California could create a multi-billion-dollar science and health research agency under a new bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
$7.5B plan for California science agency will go to voters
California could create its own multi-billion-dollar science and health research agency under a bill signed by Gov.
Governor Proclaims October 2026 Law Enforcement Appreciation Month
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed October 2026 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Texas during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion, honoring the brave men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect communities across the state.
Parliamentary government and political competition are the oldest traditions in Russian politics. Where did they come from, and why did they disappear? Writer Mikhail Zygar explains in a new film.
It’s hard to believe today, but Rus’ had a parliament before Britain did and a woman with the political stature of a prime minister five centuries before Margaret Thatcher. The Novgorod Republic was a state in which the prince was a hired manager, major decisions were made by the veche or popular assembly, and political culture resembled that of Western Europe in many ways. In his new film, Mikhail Zygar explains how this system emerged, why it lost out to Moscow, and why Vladimir Putin is so fond of Alexander Nevsky.
Bishop’s computer science chair says AI is eliminating ‘grunt work’ and reshaping digital jobs
Dr. Russell Butler, chair of Bishop’s University’s Department of Computer Science, says artificial intelligence is increasingly taking over routine digital “grunt work,” changing the skills students and workers may need in the years ahead. Photo courtesy of Bishop’s University. Click here to read our platform! Get local news like this every morning. Subscribe free below. Subscribe Pulse Newsroom Artificial intelligence is already taking over some of the routine digital work once performed by entry-level employees, according to Bishop’s University Computer Science chair Dr. Russell Butler — a shift he believes will make expertise, judgement and the ability to evaluate AI-generated work increasingly important. Butler described the change as automation reaching what he calls the “bottom of the cognitive pyramid” during an interview with The Pulse about AI, university education and the future of digital work. His argument is not that humans are disappearing from the workplace. Instead, he sees their role changing as AI becomes capable of handling more of the repetitive tasks involved in computer-based work. “Everything’s converging on just AI basically doing all the grunt work,” Butler said. The bottom of the cognitive pyramid Butler is from Lennoxville, completed his undergraduate studies at Bishop’s and later earned his PhD at the Université de Sherbrooke. He joined Bishop’s in 2019 and now chairs its Department of Computer Science. He uses AI in research, teaching and other creative work, and said the technology is increasingly capable of handling routine digital tasks that once required substantial human time. “You’ve got the grunt work, like moving things around in Excel, doing basic programming tasks,” Butler said. “That’s like the bottom grunt work that the entry-level worker would have done two or three years ago.” Butler went further, saying in his view that much of this type of work has already been absorbed by AI tools. He connected that change to a shift he sees taking place in computer science, where entry-level roles have declined while experienced workers can use AI to increase what they can produce. “A senior developer now has access to essentially an unlimited amount of junior developers on demand,” Butler said. He was describing AI systems metaphorically, not literal employees. His point was that one experienced developer can now ask AI tools to produce code or other technical work that might previously have been assigned to more junior workers. That raises a broader question for universities and employers. If some of the simpler work traditionally given to newcomers can now be done by machines, how do people gain the experience needed to become senior workers themselves? Students doing work that once required years of programming Butler said he is already seeing the change inside his classroom. He created a Bishop’s course called CS208, Coding in Plain English, to show students — including those without traditional programming backgrounds — what they can accomplish using AI. Some come from disciplines such as psychology or neuroscience with no previous programming experience. “What I’m finding is that students who have zero programming experience, they come in from another discipline like psychology or neuroscience or something, they are now able to get up and running with real data sets,” Butler said. Butler’s own doctoral work involved neuroimaging, and he said he has assigned students work he considers comparable to the kinds of analysis he performed during his PhD. He described giving students a real dataset, an expected result and instructions to use AI to complete the analysis. Butler said those students have been able to carry out work at a level he associates with tasks he once performed after years of programming experience. That does not mean a student using AI instantly acquires the same knowledge as an experienced computer scientist. But Butler sees it as evidence that AI can dramatically lower the technical barrier between having a problem to solve and producing a working result. The role of the person using the system then changes. They need to know what to ask for, understand enough about the subject to judge the answer and take responsibility for what is ultimately produced. What about AI hallucinations? One persistent concern surrounding generative AI is hallucination — when a system produces information that sounds convincing but is false or unsupported. Butler said that problem has improved substantially in newer systems and is not as severe as it was with earlier models. He pointed in particular to newer AI systems’ ability to search the web, consult scientific databases and return source links rather than simply generating a citation from their internal model. Butler nevertheless said users should verify what AI produces. “You should verify,” he said while discussing citations generated with AI. His position is that hallucinations have become less common in the systems he uses, not that incorrect AI output is impossible. Human checking remains part of the process. Hours of work compressed Butler offered another example from his administrative work at Bishop’s. The university has been comparing CEGEP courses with first-year Bishop’s courses to determine where students may qualify for advanced standing. Traditionally, Butler said, that means reviewing two sets of course descriptions and manually matching one institution’s courses with another’s. As department chair, that could require hours of reading and comparison. He said AI can now be given both sets of material and asked to generate an initial mapping automatically. “It saves me hours and hours of work,” Butler said. Butler said the AI-generated mapping can also produce a better result than he would produce himself. He sees similar opportunities in businesses. A company may receive specifications, drawings, emails or other digital material from customers and then have employees convert that information into an internal format before anything can be manufactured or delivered. AI can increasingly perform parts of that intermediate processing. In Butler’s view, the employee does not necessarily disappear. Instead, the job becomes more about checking the result. “The human is still there,” he said. Judgement could become more valuable That change is central to Butler’s view of where digital work may be headed. If AI can produce a first draft, write basic code, compare documents or process large amounts of information, he argues that knowledge and judgement become increasingly important. “The real scarce resource going forward is going to be domain knowledge, expertise, and… credentials, authority, the ability to work with other people,” Butler said. He is therefore encouraging students not only to learn AI tools but also to broaden their education. He mentioned acting, fine art and photography as examples of courses that can help develop what he described as taste and intuition — the ability to recognize what is good, what is not and what should be changed. “And that’s the skill that they need now because the grunt work has been automated and now it’s about evaluating what the AI produces and telling it how to improve or expand the output,” Butler said. That does not remove the need for technical knowledge. Butler’s argument is that the emphasis may shift away from manually completing every step of a task and toward directing, checking and improving work produced with AI assistance. He also stressed that humans remain responsible for final decisions. “At the end of the day, the human has to make the final call,” Butler said, pointing to the question of accountability. Physical work may be different Butler draws a distinction between digital work and jobs requiring people to manipulate the physical world. He expects AI to continue advancing quickly in tasks performed almost entirely on computers. He is more cautious about claims that humanoid robots will soon be able to replace workers such as plumbers or electricians. Butler said those trades would not be replaced “anytime soon” in his view and described some current robotics demonstrations as overhyped. He described the situation as counterintuitive. “It’s almost like we solved the highest level first,” he said, contrasting advances in digital AI with the harder problem of building robots capable of operating reliably in the physical world. Butler’s argument is that some digital occupations could face automation sooner than trades requiring complex physical work. The wider AI shift in the Townships Butler’s comments come as local institutions are increasingly grappling with how AI should be used. The federal government recently announced up to $162 million over five years for 10,000 AI-related placements through Mitacs. The Université de Sherbrooke told The Pulse that the number of its collaborative research and innovation projects supported through Mitacs has approximately doubled since 2018-19, while the number of placements has approximately tripled. UdeS also said it already has projects involving both AI adoption and the application of AI to other fields. At Bishop’s, Butler said part of his role involves building the Computer Science department’s local presence, connecting students with regional partners and strengthening relationships with the Sherbrooke technology ecosystem. Those developments put universities in a difficult position. They have to prepare students to use the tools employers increasingly have available while also making sure graduates understand enough to recognize when those tools are wrong, incomplete or being applied to the wrong problem. The risk of losing human skills Butler does not see AI as risk-free. Later in the interview, he raised a separate concern: as AI becomes better at reading, writing, programming and other cognitive tasks, people could lose some of the underlying skills that historically helped produce new ideas. “The other danger is that we’re going to lose the human skills,” Butler said. He specifically mentioned reading and writing and argued that people could lose some of the lower-level understanding that contributes to breakthroughs. Butler said AI systems are based on existing human knowledge and argued that they become much more powerful when paired with a capable person. That tension runs through his view of the technology. AI can remove hours of routine work. It can allow beginners to perform tasks that once required substantial technical training. It can give experienced workers significant leverage. But the more capable the technology becomes, the more important it may be for people to develop the judgement needed to decide what should be done in the first place. For Butler, that is where education may have to change. Students still need to understand their field. They still need to know when something is wrong. And they still need to be able to make the final decision. But if AI increasingly handles the bottom of the cognitive pyramid, the value of a worker may depend less on how quickly they can perform the grunt work and more on whether they understand what the work is supposed to accomplish. Don’t miss the next story that affects your community. Join thousands of readers getting The Pulse every morning—plus breaking news alerts when it matters most. If you value this kind of local journalism, consider supporting it. Subscribe, share and like! Subscribe Share
JB MDL Leaders Briefs Businesses on Mission, Local Economic Impact
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leaders provided local business and government leaders with an overview of the sprawling military installation’s role in
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Oct 2, 2026
Time is dwindling as Ken Block tries to reshape the gov race
Fact check: Did Newsom’s mental health court hit his goal for helping Californians?
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week claimed a major victory for CARE Court, his program to provide mental health treatment to Californians with serious conditions. Did it really help 10,000 people?"
What the Protect College Sports Act would mean for Wisconsin schools and athletes
The Protect College Sports Act would reshape how college sports are governed under the NCAA in the NIL era.
The race for NH governor is heating up. Here’s what to know.
As this campaign enters the home stretch, the outcome may hinge on what voters find least distasteful.
Abbott ramps up attacks on Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, as Texas governor’s race tightens
Gov. Greg Abbott is escalating attacks on Gina Hinojosa as some polls show a closer race and Republicans confront voter concerns about the economy.
Africa Business and Human Rights Forum Concludes in Dakar with Call for Stronger Action on Human Rights and the Environment
/PRNewswire/ -- The fifth Africa Business and Human Rights (BHR) Forum concluded today in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together governments, businesses, the UN,...
NASA Campaign Explores Clouds Spawned by Wildfires
The Wildhorse grass fire in eastern Idaho erupted with a massive pulse of smoke. No one had expected it, but the wildfire had launched what’s known as a
NASA Mission Explores Clouds Spawned by Wildfires
The Wildhorse grass fire in eastern Idaho erupted with a massive pulse of smoke. No one had expected it, but the wildfire had launched what’s known as a
Trump to name intelligence chief Clayton as AI tsar: Reports
The possible selection comes amid increasing calls for the government to intervene in the rapidly developing technology.
Beshear, Calipari share the stage in Arkansas during KY governor’s book tour
The two discussed Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150 in 2023.
PAHO regional meeting of health ministers concludes with new measures to strengthen health security and address key health threats
Health authorities approved new regional strategies to strengthen preparedness for health emergencies, tackle antimicrobial resistance, curb dengue and other arboviral diseases, and improve food safety, while advancing access to vaccines, medicines and other essential health technologies across the Americas.
$1 million state grant awarded to SFM Skatepark in Rome
The SFM Memorial Skatepark in Rome has been awarded a $1 million grant through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which will help push forward Phase 2 of the project to include more amenities such as seating, landscaping and a modified access road, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
NASA Selects Projects to Engage Communities Across the US With NASA Science
Science Activation is a nationwide network of competitively-selected, collaborative projects that extend the impact of NASA science by connecting people and
Kathy Hochul doesn't have a political home in NY: Erin Maguire
Former Trump 2020 press director Erin Maguire reacts to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's warning over the Islamist Marxist alliance, Hasan Piker's political influence and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
More Americans are concerned about political corruption
89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, a Gallup poll found.
More Americans are concerned about political corruption
89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread, a Gallup poll found.
Anthropic tells IPO investors US government actions could hit its business
Anthropic’s IPO prospectus warns that US government actions could harm its commercial customer and partner relationships, Reuters reports.
Report shows $1B Maine budget gap
The report comes as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the Legislature and governor’s mansion.
The Latest Challenge to Data Centers? Restive Investors.
Rising government bond yields are beginning to upend the economics around the artificial intelligence build-out.
Where every US governor stands on AI and data centers
Some governors see their states as the next powerhouse for the growing AI industry. Others are exploring a "kill switch" for rogue AI.
🗳️ It’s Bucks season| PA 2026 Newsletter
And why not everyone who wants Josh Shapiro for governor wants him to run for president.
Small businesses are having their AI moment — and it’s exposing a services gap
Small businesses are moving from AI experimentation to structured adoption, making training, governance and workflow design more important than another AI license.
Leaked Anthropic IPO prospectus: The US government could hurt our business
Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) understands that the US government could affect how customers of all kinds view their business.
Ally of Spanish PM threatens to derail housing decree as fury over evictions grows
Spain's leftist government faced a bruising battle in parliament on Friday after an allied party opposed its plans to tackle a housing crisis stirring public protests, particularly over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman.
Steve Hilton faces steep odds in bid for California governor after 20-year GOP drought
Republican Steve Hilton's biggest obstacle to becoming California's next governor is simple math.
Anthropic warns government attitudes may hurt customer ties, IPO prospectus shows
Anthropic warned that government attitudes toward the company and its technology could have broader implications for its business, including its relationships with commercial customers and partners, according to the IPO prospectus seen by Reuters.
Wisconsin governor candidates offer opposing plans to address rising healthcare costs
Health insurance was the third highest ranking issue among voters, and outranked data centers, abortion, schools or crime.
California voters to decide $7.5 billion science and health research bond measure in March 2028
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Senate Bill 895 (SB 895) on Sept. 30, sending a $7.5 billion bond measure that would fund scientific and health research and development to voters on March 7, 2028. SB 895 would also establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research within the Government Operations Agency and the California […]
California voters to decide $7.5 billion science and health research bond measure in March 2028
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Senate Bill 895 (SB 895) on Sept. 30, sending a $7.5 billion bond measure that would fund scientific and health research and development to voters on March 7, 2028. SB 895 would also establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research within the Government Operations Agency and the California […]
With a steel mill and campaign cash, Trump and GOP leaders launch an Iowa rescue mission
Republicans are on a rescue mission in Iowa, touting new plans for a $15 billion steel mill as President Donald Trump and the state’s GOP leaders rush to blunt the political impact of a battered economy and prevent the governor’s office, a Senate seat and three House seats from slipping into Democratic hands in November.
I study tribal psychology and build AI agents for my business students—the rogue OpenAI ‘swarm’ alarmed me
Rogue AI agents may be forming tribes, not swarms—and that poses a new governance threat.
Mike Mazzei, Cyndi Munson face off in gubernatorial debate ahead of midterm election
OETA aired a pre-taped debate between the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor on Thursday.
Gov. Sherrill launches working group to examine NJ public employee health benefits
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill has launched a working group bringing together state officials, unions, health care organizations and other stakeholders to develop recommendations aimed at improving the affordability …
Rains Swamp the Gandak River
After days of torrential rain, the river rose to record-breaking levels in parts of Nepal and India.
AI takes center stage at Arts & Sciences Council with proposed resolution on faculty governance
At Thursday’s Arts & Sciences Council meeting, a faculty member introduced a resolution seeking to have faculty be part of all discussions surrounding Duke’s implementation of AI. The council also heard a presentation about a new AI chatbot and presented teaching awards.
Endorsement: No on Costa Mesa Measure C’s tax hike on businesses
Measure C is simply another liability dumped onto contributing members of society by a government that refuses to live within its means.
Governor Moore Convenes Maryland Innovation Summit, Releases New Maryland Business AI Benchmark
Governor Moore Convenes Maryland Innovation Summit, Releases New Maryland Business AI Benchmark
Boston Mayor Wu endorses Gov. Maura Healey after past snub
BOSTON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu endorsed Gov. Maura Healey after hedging just a few months ago on whether she would back the Democratic governor’s bid for a second term.
J.D. Vance visits Florida to rally the Republican base. Skeptics remain
One attendee said he’s considering leaving the governor’s race option blank after backing James Fishback in the Republican primary.
Coconino County Flood Control District creates hands-on experiences at 2026 Science in the Park
Coconino County Flood Control District participated in Science in the Park last weekend as part of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science. The District educated attendees about the post-wildfire flo
3 UK Exporter Stocks That Could Hold Up Better If Politics Shifts
UK politics is being ripped up again, with talk of a more left leaning Labour government under Andy Burnham, possible electoral reform and even Brexit being revisited. That mix is shaking assumptions about regulation, tax and the pound, which can punish some domestically focused groups while leaving certain global exporters relatively better placed. This article walks through three UK large cap stocks exposed to this news and explains how their international reach could matter for your...
NASA SmallSats Launch to Advance Science, Technology, Orbital Operations
Three NASA-supported small spacecraft launched at 11:22 a.m. PDT Thursday to demonstrate new propulsion technologies, study how galactic dust and high-energy radiation move through galaxies, and advance capabilities for inspecting inactive satellites.
Health Brief: Drugmakers unscathed by Trump’s drug price plan
Plus: Governors warn of a Medicaid work requirements crunch
Pacific Clinics Selected as New Provider for Nevada County Behavioral Health Crisis Services
Nevada County Behavioral Health has selected Pacific Clinics as its new contracted provider for behavioral health crisis services, including the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), which reopens today.Th
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Razorbacks coach John Calipari talk politics and basketball during appearance in Little Rock
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear spoke with John Calipari, the head coach of the University of Arkansas men's basketball team, during an appearance in Little Rock on Thursday.
Roger Goodell, Pat Ryan huddle with JB Pritzker and legislators over Bears’ plans
The NFL commissioner and Bears minority owner met with the governor and legislative leaders as the team weighs Arlington Heights against a potential move to Indiana.
Nearly $55 million awarded to boost healthcare access across rural Alabama
Gov. Kay Ivey announced that 34 grants totaling nearly $55 million are being awarded to healthcare providers and institutions throughout Alabama as part of the second round of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) funding for 2026.
‘OPB Politics Now’ Live from Beaverton: Oregon governor’s race, suburban races and more
The OPB politics and regional teams took the show on the road to Beaverton for a live taping Sept. 30.
Ten bucks says you’ll love this community science project
Today marks the first day of Rut Watch 2026 With another season of Deer Spy in the books thanks to community scientists like you, biologists are now on a mission to pinpoint the peak of the white-tailed deer breeding season in Maine. Every observation of deer breeding behavior and sign helps define the timing of the rut, and this project uses the power of community science to collect deer data all fall long. Hunters, hikers, and wildlife watchers - Rut Watch pairs well with any outdoor adventure you have planned this season. It’s a perfect excuse to slow down and connect with nature as you look for clues. So get outside, rack up that deer data and submit rut reports from now through December 1. The online form is science made simple: Location Date and time Breeding behavior observed Submit a Rut Report What to watch for Active Breeding The most obvious breeding behavior to observe is a buck mounting a doe, but that is a rare sight as it only lasts a moment. You are more likely to witness a buck “tending” a doe, following closely, chasing, nuzzling, or pawing at her rump until she is receptive. Sparring After bucks shed their velvet, sparring helps sort out who is who in the dominance hierarchy. Early season matches are often less intense than later season matches between similar sized bucks. Most sparring is complete by the time breeding begins. Rubs Don’t just look for deer, pay attention to the trees. Rubs are marks made by bucks when they rub their antlers on trees, removing bark and leaving their scent calling card in the process. Scrapes Look to the forest floor for this sign of breeding season behavior. Scrapes consist of two parts - a licking branch, and a patch of cleared earth. Bucks break a low branch around head height, then paw at the leaves below to expose the dirt. Covered in scent, a scrape tells does and other bucks, “I’m here!” Learn More More information What’s next for deer community science: Northern Maine Wintering Deer Survey Other active community science projects: Fish Tag Reporting Maine Golden Eagle Study Maine Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project Maine Deer Management: Maine’s Big Game Management Plan Game Species Conservation & Management Report The Benefits of Hunting: Supporting Wildlife, Conservation, and Community Subscribe Share Leave a comment
S&T experts contribute to state energy plan
Dr. David Borrok, center, vice provost and dean of S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing, and Dr. Joseph Newkirk, right, professor and chair of nuclear engineering and radiation science, participate in the Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force, appointed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in May. Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources...Continue Reading S&T experts contribute to state energy plan
City of Alamo Announces Appointment of New City Manager
The City of Alamo proudly announces the appointment of Michael Leo as the City’s new City Manager, bringing nearly two decades of local government leadership and a proven track record of financial transformation, operational excellence, and community-focused growth.
Can Donalds convince Black voters to leave the Democratic Party, like he did?
Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor is hoping to capitalize on Black voters’ frustration with the Democratic Party.
Healey asks Trump administration to speed up review of planned gas expansion in latest sign of shifting energy politics
As Healey hunts for ways to bring down soaring costs and campaigns for reelection in a race defined by the affordability crisis gripping the state, the governor sees an opportunity to appeal to the Trump administration to bring more gas into the state.
Wes Moore forms bipartisan governors group on AI, citing federal inaction
Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland is forming a bipartisan group of governors to address concerns about artificial intelligence
John Baer, award-winning longtime Inquirer and Daily News political reporter and columnist, has died at 79
“He was the most feared reporter in my eight years in Harrisburg,” former Gov. Ed Rendell said. “He did his work. He did his digging. He really cared about the issues.”
The Top Governors' Races to Watch This November
Republicans are on the defensive going into the 2026 midterms, when 36 gubernatorial seats are up for grabs. But it’s not all smooth sailing for Democrats.
Chautauqua County Health Department Alerts Community of Potential Measles Exposures
People with confirmed measles were at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital on September 26, 27 and 29
GOP hold on Florida and Texas governors’ races weakens, nonpartisan analyst says
President Donald Trump’s poor ratings contributed to the Cook Political Report shifting both races from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican.”
President Trump to campaign with Blakeman in race for New York governor
This will be the first time Trump has visited Syracuse while in office. He last came to the Salt City during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Maine Dems, GOP exchange jabs over fundraising in the governor’s race
The focus on funds comes as candidates prep for a series of debates and with early voting starting statewide on Monday. Several polls show Pingree ahead of Charles and independent Rick Bennett by a significant margin.
What to know about the U.S. Senate race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who has served alongside Gov. JB Pritzker since 2018, faces Don Tracy, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party.
What to know about the race for Illinois governor
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Republican Darren Bailey and independent candidate Collin Corbett are on the ballot in the race for governor in the Nov. 3 general election.
Governor Sherrill Launches State Health Benefits Program Reform Working Group
State, labor, and healthcare stakeholders begin structured process to develop recommendations for improving affordability and long-term sustainability TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill today announced the launch of the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Reform Working Group, fulfilling a commitment made last month as part of the Administration’s agreement with 17 unions representing State[...]
Alabama Awards Nearly $55 Million in Additional Rural Health Grants
Alabama Awards Nearly $55 Million in Additional Rural Health GrantsMONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday that 34 grants totaling nearly $5
Governor Ivey Announces Additional Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program Grants Totaling Nearly $55 Million -
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the awarding of 34 grants totaling nearly $55 million to healthcare providers and institutions throughout the state as part of the second round of Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) funding for 2026. … Continued
Hinojosa claims Abbott using cops for political gain in Texas governor race
Gina Hinojosa accuses Gov. Greg Abbott of using Texas law enforcement for political gain in a new ad ahead of the 2026 Texas governor election.
California governor rivals clash over costs, homelessness, and Trump in only debate
Steve Hilton cast himself as a change candidate while Xavier Becerra defended his experience in a heated California governor debate.
As CDC redesigns annual health survey, it removes questions about disabilities
Proposed changes to the federal government’s health survey would undercount Americans with disabilities, advocates say.
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation announces Sports, Democracy, and Civic Health Initiative
The Reimagining Democracy Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has announced an expanded initiative examining how professional sports and fandom can strengthen civic health and democratic life in the United States. Led by Tova Wang, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice at the Ash Center, the Sports, Democracy and Civic Health program brings together scholars, election officials, democracy advocates, professional sports organizations, leagues, athletes, and civic organizations. The initiative will explore how the shared identity and sense of belonging fostered by sports can build trust, reduce polarization, encourage civic participation, and strengthen connections across differences.
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation announces Sports, Democracy, and Civic Health Initiative
The Reimagining Democracy Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has announced an expanded initiative examining how professional sports and fandom can strengthen civic health and democratic life in the United States. Led by Tova Wang, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice at the Ash Center, the Sports, Democracy and Civic Health program brings together scholars, election officials, democracy advocates, professional sports organizations, leagues, athletes, and civic organizations. The initiative will explore how the shared identity and sense of belonging fostered by sports can build trust, reduce polarization, encourage civic participation, and strengthen connections across differences.
A high-stakes fight for state political power heats up, with Trump's agenda on the line
Party control of state governments can shape policies on contentious issues including abortion, school choice, data centers and the use of law-enforcement surveillance cameras.
Early voting begins Oct. 6
Taos countians will begin to cast ballots next week for the Nov. 3 general election, in which New Mexicans will choose a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, land
Attacks on cultural heritage are unfolding with authoritarian politics in the U.S. and beyond
In recent years, several governments have placed the very heritage they are charged to protect at risk.
A City That Works: The City Council got the job done on a better parking meter deal
The City Council secured upfront cash and a share of future parking meter revenue, showing the value of competent local government.
Ken Hersh: It’s time for Dallas' mayor to conduct business
Dallas has to have better governance to succeed. Let's start with changing the power of the mayor.
How Washington Funded the Politicization of Science
Over the last half-decade, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on projects designed to influence academic policies, both in the sciences and other disciplines. The aim was to foster a progressive conception of social justice in these fields. In pursuit of this end, the foundation earmarked nearly a million dollars for a project titled “Creating Inclusive Scientific Societies through Policies and Practices,” over a million for a project on “Faculty Online Learning Communities for Gender Equity,” and over $2 million to foster “racial equity focused departmental change.” Through a public records request, I’ve obtained the proposals and progress reports for dozens of NSF grants designed to promote social justice. Although funding for these grants was eventually halted by the Trump administration, the projects illustrate an important facet of recent higher-education policy. Many of the university policies that promised “social transformation” didn’t arise in a vacuum. They were actively encouraged by outside funders—often by the federal government itself. Subscribe Accreditation—the peer-review process which enables universities to receive federal grants and student loans—has recently become a policy battleground, with accreditors wielding significant power over both universities and academic disciplines. In 2020, when Oregon Health and Science University’s medical school issued an extensive diversity action plan—which promised “consequences” for employees who failed to support “DEI, anti-racism and social justice”—it specifically pointed to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the medical-school accrediting body, to justify the overhaul. The NSF actively promoted DEI-focused accreditation policies. The proposal for a $1.2 million program on promoting “community engagement” in STEM, which I obtained through a records request, notes that the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology was exploring changes to its criteria “that would incorporate JEDI [justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion].” The proposal promised to “support broader JEDI efforts in the general criteria for engineering.” Another grant funded a conference designed to “identify and share best practices and strategies to integrate IDEA principles in accreditation criteria”—referring to an acronym that stands for “inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.” Scholarly societies have become another flashpoint in debates over higher education. Critics argue that many of these societies, which have the power to shape entire disciplines, have become increasingly politicized. Again, through its giving, the NSF played a role in promoting this politicization. In one million-dollar grant that received funding in 2024, a group of psychologists proposed a series of social-justice reforms to the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. The proposal, which I obtained via a records request, asserts that “[r]edistributing resources (such as moving different people into leadership roles) is not enough” and that the society’s “governance structures do not yet reflect its stated values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Its solution: review and rework the society’s criteria for leadership development, academic awards, conferences, and publications. Adjusting review criteria informed by “intersectionality” designed to fight “epistemic exclusion” is an easy way to introduce de facto ideological litmus tests into the peer-review process. For many of the grants I obtained, such litmus tests seem to be the point. “Academic departments are racialized social systems that produce and sustain the byproducts of systemic racism,” a proposal for a $2.7 million project funded in 2024 asserts, promising to develop “departmentally-focused change efforts that cultivate values, assumptions, and behaviors that advance racial equity.” The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s million-dollar “I-ADVANCE” project, which effectively created a small DEI bureaucracy on campus, promised to Embed 28 ADVANCE faculty fellows in STEM departments” to amplify its equity goals. Another $1.2 million project promised to create “faculty online learning communities,” made up of scientists at universities around the country, that would eventually build department-level diversity action plans. “Ultimately,” the proposal asserts, perhaps more perceptively than its authors realized, “both organizational change and intersectionality frameworks deal with power.” Indeed, such grants confer a great deal of power to administrators and scholar-activists, who can even use the mere availability of funding as a tool to advance their causes. That history is worth remembering amid today’s debate over federal involvement in higher education: Washington has been shaping university priorities for years, including by financing efforts to instill progressive ideas about race, gender, and equity into academic institutions—and many of the policies those grants encouraged remain embedded within universities long after the federal money has stopped flowing. John D. Sailer is the director of higher education policy and a senior fellow at Manhattan Institute. Share
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While it’s not up to universities to set deadlines for EU institutions, “lost time” in the run-up to the launch of the next Horizon Europe would translate into “lost momentum” for universities, according to Dag Rune Olsen, president of the Young European Research Universities Network.“I think it's important to have [the EU budget] in place in order to be able to work on the research funding mechanisms, because we cannot afford to lose more momentum than we already have,” Olsen told Science|Business in an interview in September, just after EU research lobbies gathered in Brussels to push for a €200 billion budget for the next Horizon Europe programme.A funding gap would mean ramping down research activities, said Olsen. “You can do that quite swiftly, that’s not a problem, but ramping up again is much more difficult.”The last-minute push for an ambitious budget, and for a timely adoption of the research programme, comes at a time when the richest EU states have teamed up to call for significant cuts to European Commission’s proposal for the next multiannual budget, which allocates €175 billion for Horizon Europe. At the same gathering of research associations in September, the European Parliament’s budget rapporteur warned that the EU will need to raise its own taxes, otherwise political pressure and tighter national budgets will translate into a limited EU budget with a less ambitious envelope for research. The research sector hopes EU institutions will reach timely agreement on the budget and on Horizon Europe, but progress has been slow. Legislative progress has been delayed, partly because the European Parliament’s budget committee is still haggling over how to apply new EU-wide spending rules, known as the Performance Framework Regulation, and partly because EU governments have yet to agree on the size of the next EU budget. EU research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva told Science|Business in July that she was hoping for an agreement on Horizon Europe by the end of 2026, but the timelines have been pushed back significantly, with the Parliament now aiming to announce its official position on Horizon Europe only in November. Avoid the funding gapAccording to Olsen, delayed EU funds could prompt universities and researchers to move on and do something else, potentially jeopardising years of work building consortia and collaborations. “If funding is interrupted, the networks fall apart in just a few months,” he said. Olsen also noted that an interruption would affect junior researchers first. PhD students and postdocs are on shorter term contracts and universities risk losing them if funding for EU projects is interrupted. Related articlesEU own resources ‘essential’ for future research budget, says leading MEPParliament haggle over EU-wide spending rules delays vote on Horizon EuropeZaharieva hopes for a Horizon Europe deal in 2026Universities usually have more employees, permanent and short-term staff, than they can cover with national funding, and external funding is essential to keep them all on the payroll. In case of an EU funding gap, “there will be a huge number of people that might end up without any contracts,” he said. Apart from the money issue, Olsen said EU projects forces universities to collaborate more which, in turn, increases the quality of teaching and research. In case of a funding dip, people will look around for opportunities elsewhere, in the private sector or abroad. “And then then you have to recruit again, and it's a tedious business,” said Olsen. “A gap is not a good idea, it's actually a waste of money.”According to Olsen, the difficult political context should encourage universities to make a stronger case for the EU increasing research funding, as universities can deliver on competitiveness, technological sovereignty, security and defence. “The reason why we ask for substantial investments in research is exactly what the Commission, what Europe, the Parliament have been discussing,” he said. “You really need to invest in order to thrive in the longer run.”Focus on the member statesBut EU and national R&D expenditure hasn't kept up with the times. EU governments have failed to reach a spending target set almost 25 years ago. Only six EU countries spend 3% or more of their GDP on R&D. Asked whether universities should put more effort into convincing the governments to ramp up their own spending, but also to support a strong budget for Horizon Europe in the ongoing budget negotiations, Olsen said “the answer is yes.”“We are very actively encouraging our members to talk to their ministries in order to enlighten them about the joint effort,” he said. The network is made up of 25 universities from across Europe, all established in the past 60 years or so.Who will call the shots?Budget and timing issues aside, the Parliament’s research committee has been locked in behind-the-scenes negotiations over the future structure of Horizon Europe, with MEPs disagreeing on the degree to which its collaborative research should be governed by councils of experts.The European Parliament’s lead rapporteur on Horizon Europe wants councils of independent experts to decide on the funding agenda, but the Commission, the Council, and parts of the Parliament disagree. 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