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ICYMI: Chairman Smith on The Will Cain Show: Big Insurance Cashed in on Taxpayer Subsidies for Health Care That Wasn’t Actually Provided
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) joined Fox News’ The Will Cain Show to discuss...
GSA Issues Notice of “Glitch” and Recommends Contractors Validate Small Business Status Representations on SAM.gov
The General Services Administration (GSA) has begun sending out email notifications of a “known glitch” affecting certain System for Award Management
Provident Bank Goes Live with MANTL Business and Retail Account Opening Across its 135-Branch Network
/PRNewswire/ -- Alkami Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKT), a digital sales and service platform provider for financial institutions in the U.S., today announced...
NASA to Study Human Health, Performance During Crew-13 Mission
During NASA's SpaceX Crew‑13 mission aboard the International Space Station, astronauts will support a series of biomedical and human health performance...
Ryan Elijah slams Bale Dalton's position on gender-affirming care
Dalton says the federal government should stay out of family medical decisions.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear hints at future political run during book talk
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Tuesday that he is no longer certain his 2023 reelection campaign will be his last, while discussing his faith, political divisions and the future of the Democratic Party at GW.
Opinion: Social media & local politics: The death of citizen discourse?
Acrimonious social-media pile-ons can do much more than cause hurt feelings. On a personal level, at their worst, they result in court cases alleging slander and defamation. They contribute little of a positive nature to public discourse. Even more significantly, something larger is at play that threatens our very system of government and citizen involvement
Australia to investigate if OpenAI hack of government health website broke the law
The incident is the first known breach to affect a government agency, and Australia's prime minister has vowed to hold OpenAI accountable.
FSU Health Communication expert finds GLP-1 users face stigma within their social circles
People taking popular GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound may face stigma from those closest to them, according to a new study by a
Is metascience being co-opted?
In July, the White House released a report that argued academia is deeply dysfunctional and in need of radical reform.Science: A New Golden Age sets out a litany of problems many academics will recognise: interminable waits for grants; short-term funding rather than support for longer, more ambitious projects; ballooning administrative requirements; pressure to publish, and many more. “The scientific machine is getting bogged down,” it says. At least on the face of it, Science: A New Golden Age is a triumph for the metascience movement, a loose-knit, global group of academics, philanthropists and think tankers that want far more testing and experimentation in how we fund public research and innovation. The report tells US research funders to set up internal metascience units to do just this. But it has also set alarm bells ringing that metascience is being conveniently deployed to help justify the defunding of US universities, which US vice president JD Vance has openly labelled “the enemy.” “Just because you have an issue with your plumbing in your house doesn't mean you light the entire house on fire and burn it to the ground,” said Colette Delawalla, chief executive of Stand Up for Science, a group campaigning against what it says are attacks on scientists by the Trump administration. No one is arguing that academia doesn’t need reform, but there’s debate over how far and how fast the system should be shaken up. Does public R&D need slow and steady evidence-based adjustment, or radical new experiments?One of the key arguments in Science: A New Golden Age is that there’s not enough funding for what it calls “mid-level” science: engineering-heavy projects that require tens of millions of dollars, involve ten to a hundred people, and last around five years. Such a project might develop a brain-computer interface for people with Alzheimer's disease, for example. As such, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has already announced $1.5 billion to set up so-called X-Labs, effectively new research organisations to pursue breakthroughs in areas such as quantum sensing and new scientific instruments. Funding divertedBut there’s a catch: this money has squeezed NSF budgets for more traditional, fundamental research grants, Science reported in June, likely meaning less cash for university-based scientists. Science: A New Golden Age also makes various swipes at universities, accusing them of extracting overheads from scientists to fund administrative bloat. “We have become dependent on a narrow set of legacy institutions,” it says. The report doesn’t mention it, but the US government is simultaneously seeking greater powers over federal funding, which would allow political appointees at funding agencies to screen or cancel research grants mid-project. The White House is also seeking to slash the NSF’s budget by more than half in 2027, although similar cuts proposed for 2026 were blocked by Congress. Convenient hookThis has worried some that the metascience agenda could be misused as a kind of smokescreen to further weaken universities. James Wilsdon, executive director of the Research on Research Institute at University College London, said that the report contains lots of “interesting ideas” and agrees that in places, academia is a “pretty broken system.” But the risk is that metascience is being deployed as a “convenient hook” to support cuts and a “political land grab” to transfer grant power from scientists to political appointees in US funding agencies.So far, the metascience agenda hasn’t been seized on by radical right parties in Europe. But Wilsdon worries it will cross the Atlantic, politicising research reform efforts and making them more difficult to carry out. The report is already making some in Europe sceptical of the entire idea. “The system is not without flaws, but the metascience discussion is not likely to improve the system but rather to generate munition to undermine it,” said Claes de Vreese, a professor of AI and society at the University of Amsterdam. Peter Thiel protégéOfficially, Science: A New Golden Age has just one named author: Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and a former chief of staff to Silicon Valley mogul Peter Thiel. He also served as chief financial officer of Thiel’s Clarium Capital Management. Since the 1990s, Thiel has criticised US universities for moving away from teaching what he views as the classic works of western civilisation, and drifting towards “anti-Western zealotry.” And since 2011, he has offered two-year fellowships of $250,000 to young people to skip or drop out of university, and instead start companies or pursue scientific research. “College can be good for learning about what’s been done before, but it can also discourage you from doing something new,” according to the Thiel Fellowships website. In other areas, the Trump administration has promoted academics with a longstanding interest in metascience. For example, the head of the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya, in 2020 co-authored a study arguing the funder backs overly conservative proposals, although he achieved wider prominence as a critic of pandemic lockdowns. Careless talk costs fundingEven before the Trump administration embraced the metascience agenda, some metascientists privately wondered whether they should be careful not to overstate dysfunctions in academia, in case this gets used as ammunition against universities. But others think being cautious with criticism is pointless. After all, last year, the Trump administration sought to cut funding from US universities on an entirely different premise: supposed antisemitism on campus. “I don't think these governments need a technical metascientific excuse to attack the universities, they will want to do so anyway,” said Will Stone, a researcher at Science Works, a new think tank advocating for a “metascience revolution” in the UK. “I think researchers should report what they find, even when the findings may be used to advance policies they disagree with,” echoed Russell Funk, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, who in 2023 co-authored a highly influential paper that argued scientific papers were becoming less disruptive over time. No justificationThat said, Funk thinks that metascientific research certainly doesn’t justify a weakening of universities. Instead, scientists need “time, resources and stability to pursue unfamiliar ideas,” he said. “Taking away those conditions works against the very goal the reforms are supposed to achieve.”The Institute for Progress, a Washington DC-based innovation policy think tank that has championed X-Labs and metascience units, also says that reforms should complement, not supplant, universities. “Unpredictable, unreliable, and reduced federal funding to researchers is destabilising to the very foundations of research and development and is bad,” said Jenn Gustetic, the institute’s director of metascience and R&D policy.Evolution or revolution?This points to a much bigger divide in the metascience community: how far and how fast should public R&D be shaken up? Does it need evolution or revolution? For example, Science: A New Golden Age says the science system relies too heavily on traditional “workhorse” project grants, the type that pay out around $250,000 a year to fund “hypothesis-driven science by small teams on tractable questions.” However, in criticising project grants, the report “decisively picks one side of a debate that is far from settled,” David Hilmer Rex, a metascientist based in Denmark, has written. In June, Pierre Azoulay, a metascientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, defended project grants, saying that the alternative of X-Labs “merits scepticism.”A-B testingOne challenge in metascience is that it’s easier to generate evidence for some types of change than others. Most straightforwardly, research funders can run A-B tests on different ways of awarding money. For example, Germany’s Volkswagen Foundation recently trialled distributed peer review, where applicants rate each other’s proposals, and measured its results against traditional review panels. Distributed peer review made quicker decisions, although awarded money to largely different ideas. However, much of the focus of the metascience movement has been on founding fast-moving and free-acting new research organisations and funders, in contrast to the alleged stodginess of mainstream academia or public innovation grants. A culture of speed and freedom are the animating principles behind Germany’s Sprind or the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).Related articlesViewpoint: it's time to experiment with how Europe funds science European researchers sound the alarm that Trump rule changes will hit cooperationHowever, while it’s possible to closely study previously successful bodies, such as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), for historical clues to their secret sauce, it’s impossible to guarantee in advance that the likes of Sprind or Aria will actually work as hoped. But advocates of new organisations say this inherent uncertainly shouldn’t stop us trying. “If we wait for definitive proof that something will work before we try it, I don't know where your proof is coming from,” said Stone. Trade-offsUp until now, experiments in metascience haven’t generally come with hard trade-offs over money. In the US, new ideas such as focused research organisations have often been funded by billionaire philanthropists. In Europe, new innovation agencies such as Sprind and Aria, or the Netherland’s new National Agency for Disruptive Innovation, haven’t needed explicit cuts elsewhere in the research system. But with the $1.5 billion establishment of X-Labs by the NSF, the trade-offs are becoming clearer. Some metascientists privately wonder whether a smaller pilot would have been more appropriate, given that the idea is untested. The Institute for Progress counters that the $1.5 billion X-Labs budget is spread out over a decade, so will account for less than 2% of the NSF’s annual budget. “It’s important to remember that [Darpa] was once an institutional experiment as well. Now it’s one of the most cited innovative funding models in the world,” said Gustetic.As for Europe?The US isn’t the only country placing metascience at the heart of its research strategy. Science: A New Golden Age looks admiringly at the UK, which in 2024 set up a Metascience Unit to scrutinise how it funds research. In Brussels, it’s more of a mixed picture. In 2018, the EU set up the European Innovation Council to funnel grants and equity to start-ups, although it’s sometimes criticised for awarding money too slowly. Recently, the council has started experimenting with challenges, where teams of inventors compete to overcome a technological challenge. The European Commission also wants to experiment with partially randomising grant winners, to cut down on bureaucracy. However, the Commission’s own advisers have said the EU’s own research schemes are too conventional. They want the Commission to establish a new dedicated unit to scrutinise and experiment with funding. But there’s no sign of a such unit emerging in Brussels’ plans for the next Horizon Europe programme, which from 2028 is set to distribute more than €160 billion over seven years. Sam Bogerd, director of breakthrough innovation at the Brussels-based Arq Foundation, an AI-focused think tank that also looks at metascience, says that Europe might have the opposite problem to the US: universities and basic research funding are still reasonably well supported, but there’s not enough experimentation. “We're not taking a close enough look at where this money can achieve the most, and I am worried that the good ideas around metascience will be tainted politically by their association with the Trump administration,” he said. He’s still lobbying for the Commission to set up an experimental unit. But in the meantime, the Arq Foundation plans to do its own research, and is currently hiring two metascience researchers to run the rule over how Brussels spends research funding.
EU science policy wonks debate prospect of stronger ties with Canada
Europe’s research and innovation sector has started asking questions on how European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s offer to make Canada “the first associate member of the EU” would actually work in practice, and who will get to shape priorities in a transatlantic relationship that is getting stronger. The Commission says it wants “a new model of association” under which the EU and Canada will aim to develop “a shared space” to face ongoing challenges. “Working in close coordination with our member states and the European Parliament, we will aim to create a new form of partnership that has not existed until now, building the closest imaginable form of association with a partner outside Europe,” a spokesperson told Science|Business.Locked in an escalating trade war with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly talked of annexing Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been looking east, but full EU membership was never in play. Taking the floor a day after von der Leyen’s proposal, he agreed to strengthen ties under “an alliance of the future” but reined in enthusiasm on the new label. He also suggested expanding Canada’s involvement in the Erasmus+ student mobility scheme, to which it currently has limited access, and the next iteration of Horizon Europe. Canada joined the present Horizon Europe in 2024, but only contributes to collaborative projects.Neither side has detailed the next practical steps in developing this new relationship. “I think nobody at the moment truly knows how this will work,” said Michael Browne, chief executive and founder of Crowdhelix, a global collaborative network that connects players in research and innovation. “It’s more of a statement of intent for closer collaboration, which requires legislative frameworks and approval processes, which have not started.”Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of the League of European Research Universities, said von der Leyen’s pitch to Canada is “politically significant, but the legal content still has to be negotiated and constructed.”Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the Cesaer university group, agreed that she had only opened “a political door” to Canada, as “associate membership does not come with a predefined set of rights in the EU institutions.”Not only does this status not currently exist as a legal category in the two treaties that set up how the EU functions, but the Commission president cannot unilaterally create a new category of EU membership.According to Deketelaere, Article 217 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows the bloc to make association deals with non-EU countries involving reciprocal rights and duties, is “the most obvious existing legal basis for building a much deeper EU-Canada relationship.”Getting universities involvedNo matter how this new cooperation takes shape, Liviu Matei, who heads the School of Education, Communication and Society at King’s College London, hopes to see universities involved in discussions from an early stage.“Its primary motivations, entirely justifiably, are political and geopolitical,” he said. “In the area of higher education, however, restricting the initiative to political and geopolitical considerations would limit the scope of cooperation and lead to distorted frameworks and counterproductive implementation.”It is all the more important since academic interests on the two sides of the Atlantic are “neither identical nor fully aligned,” Matei added. “This is not insurmountable; it simply requires work to articulate the details of this privileged cooperation, including its governance and funding frameworks, as well as its substantive content in education and research.”Related articlesCanada looks to deepen research and education links with the EUZaharieva hopes for a Horizon Europe deal in 2026Canada might participate in European Research Council schemes, for example, which was not on offer in the present Horizon Europe association agreement. But “there would have to be something in it for the EU,” Browne said. “They don’t want to be funding projects outside of the EU where intellectual property is going to sit outside of the EU. There has to be some kind of transfer of knowledge.”But access to funding will not by itself resolve all the practical difficulties of working together, said Björnmalm. “For researchers and students, these include visas and residence arrangements, recognition of qualifications and study periods, and the conditions for pursuing a research career across borders,” he said. “For universities, there is scope for more predictable access to shared laboratories, computing and research data, and stronger support for joint doctoral training and long-term institutional partnerships.”Linda Doyle, provost and president of Trinity College Dublin, said Europe should strive for the “closest possible expression” of this new political alliance. “If Europe is serious about recovering its voice and its place in the world, it needs to be strongly allied with countries who share its values and its vision for a stable, rules-based, peaceful world.”
What can AI do for science? Four Argonne interns investigate
This summer, four Argonne interns used AI to advance research on vaccine development, weather forecasting and high performance computing. Their work shows how AI can speed discovery and help tackle major scientific and public health challenges.
China warns Arizona not to develop political ties with Taiwan
The warning came in multiple letters obtained by KJZZ from China's L.A. consulate asking Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to protest the opening of the Taipei Cultural and Economic Office in Phoenix.
Australia Says Rogue OpenAI Agent Hacked Health Service Website
Australia said an OpenAI agent hacked a data portal for its public health insurance system, in what’s thought to be the first known instance of an AI agent infiltrating a government website. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said the agent had accessed public and non-public information relating to health care spending, but personal information is not believed to have been part of the breach. Albanese, speaking on Wednesday at a media briefing in New York where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly, said that the incident took place in June. OpenAI learned of the hack in August, but only emailed a general inbox of an Australian government agency on September 10, and it wasn’t until this week that OpenAI and the Australian government spoke directly about the issue. “It took the company way too long to inform the government what had occurred,” Albanese said, “and the nature of the way that that notification occurred as well was unacceptable.”
An OpenAI Agent Hacked Australia's Health Service. Their Government Found Out Months Later.
The country's prime minister expressed disappointment at being informed of the hack only via email. Now Australia is investigating whether OpenAI broke the law.
Sen. Cohen Welcomes Small Business Healthcare Tax Credits
Sen. Cohen Welcomes Small Business Healthcare Tax Credits State Senator Christine Cohen welcomes the announcement that a new state tax credit is now available in Connecticut to help small businesses offer health insurance to their employees. Eligible businesses, which include those with 50 or fewer employees, can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee per year…
Sen. Cohen Welcomes Small Business Healthcare Tax Credits
Sen. Cohen Welcomes Small Business Healthcare Tax Credits State Senator Christine Cohen welcomes the announcement that a new state tax credit is now available in Connecticut to help small businesses offer health insurance to their employees. Eligible businesses, which include those with 50 or fewer employees, can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee per year…
OpenAI Agent Hacked Australian Government Health Website
An OpenAI model hacked an Australian government website earlier this year, marking one of the first known cyberattacks by artificial intelligence on a
Healey proposes new Health Care Stabilization Fund
Gov. Maura Healey filed a $2.24 billion supplemental budget Wednesday that would pump more money into the workforce that supports SNAP benefit recipients and establish a new healthcare fund as the …
Analysis | One Republican could hold back the party’s candidates in Pennsylvania. And it’s not Trump.
Pennsylvania Republicans are starting to worry that the state’s lopsided race for governor is directly affecting four of the nation’s most competitive House races.
Healthcare clash emerges on CT campaign trail. Businesses say it’s the biggest issue in the state.
The skyrocketing costs of healthcare have risen to the point that both the state and federal governments have been unable to fully solve it.
Australian PM says OpenAI hacked government health website
A rogue OpenAI model bypassed safeguards during training and hacked an Australian government website, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as he admonished the ChatGPT creator over an "obviously unacceptable" ...
Australia Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ OpenAI Breach of Government Health Portal
The breach follows a string of incidents involving AI models going rogue.
Majority of Americans express ‘fear and concern’ about AI, say government should regulate it more: CNN poll
Americans regard the growth and development of AI technology with far more fear and concern than hope and excitement, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, with broad partisan agreement that the federal government ought to do more to regulate it.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear pushes to flip a Republican-friendly House seat in test of his political reach
As the midterms near, potential 2028 presidential candidates are looking to prove their appeal in a range of House districts across the country. For Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, it’s all about his state’s 6th Congressional District.
Australia launches urgent review after OpenAI program hacks government health portal
Experts believe it's the world's first known AI breach of a government system.
Turning investment into impact to advance women’s health
Governments and businesses are increasingly putting women's health higher on the agenda, and public-private collaboration will be key to making progress.
Australia launches urgent review after OpenAI program hacks government health portal
The program, or "agent", hacked a portal containing data from Australia's Medicare scheme. Experts believe it's the world's first known AI breach of a government system.
OpenAI's breach of Australian health department website prompts rebuke from Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is extremely concerned about OpenAI's security breach of a government website, which the artificial intelligence company took too long to reveal....
Cloudy Cloak Over the Northwest
A low-lying cloud layer brought autumn ambience to western Washington and Oregon, while mountainous areas near the coast remained above the pall.
Rally outside U.N. urges world leaders to take stance against antisemitism
The speakers did not talk about their stance on the Israeli government or the Israel-Hamas war.
OpenAI's breach of Australian health department website prompts rebuke from Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is extremely concerned about OpenAI's security breach of a government website, which the artificial intelligence company took too long to reveal
Australian prime minister says OpenAI agent accessed government health website, raises 'extreme concern'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said investigations are ongoing into the June incident involving Australia's Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal.
New Jersey Politics (Episode 529)
This week on New Jersey Politics, a new law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill creates an employee-ownership transition program through the NJEDA, with education,
Interpreting Wednesday’s dual polls in the race for N.Y. governor
Two major polls released Wednesday offered sharply different pictures of the race for New York governor.
Australian PM says OpenAI hacked government health website
An autonomous OpenAI program infiltrated an Australian government health website in June in an "unacceptable" breach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.- 'Obviously unacceptable' - The prime minist...
Sentencing date still to be determined amid health issues for Gov. Newsom's ex-chief of staff
Dana Williamson, a former top political aide to key Democratic leaders in California, including Gov. Newsom, is still struggling with an unexpected health issue and a hearing to discuss her prison sentencing has been postponed.
OpenAI agent breaches Australia’s government health data portal
SYDNEY >> Australia said today that an AI agent developed by OpenAI breached a government health data portal in June, gaining unauthorised access to public and non-public files, in what could be the first known instance of an AI agent hacking a government website.
Trump SBA to Extend Comment Period After Ranking Member Markey Leads Effort to Rescind SBA Policy that Reclassifies Billion-Dollar Businesses as “Small Businesses”
Trump admin policy would reclassify 114,000 larger businesses as “small” to access small business resources and win federal contracts meant for small businesses Letter (PDF) (Washington, September 23) – This week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its plans to extend the deadline to submit comments on its controversial proposed rule regarding small business size standards until November 20. The Trump SBA’s announcement came shortly after Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), alongside 12 of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter to Administrator Kelly Loeffler demanding that the Trump SBA rescind a harmful policy that would dramatically redefine what a small business is. The Administration’s proposed policy would change the small business size standard to designate 114,000 larger companies some with annual revenue above $1 billion—as small businesses, giving these businesses access to small business resources and federal contracts typically set aside for actual small businesses. In the letter, Ranking Member Markey and the lawmakers emphasized that small businesses will be shut out of the federal contracting space as government agencies award contracts to larger businesses, causing small businesses to lose revenue, lay off workers, or close their businesses entirely. “For more than 70 years, SBA’s mission has been clear: promote and protect the interests and viability of small businesses. By proceeding with this proposed methodology and rule, SBA moves further away from its mission of facilitating healthy small business participation in the U.S. economy. We urge SBA to rescind these proposals, meet in earnest with small businesses across the country, and discuss the proposal and methodology with congressional committees of jurisdiction. SBA must be committed to developing measured increases to the size standards that do not reward large, billion-dollar companies but instead helps our small businesses survive, grow, and thrive.” The lawmakers highlighted the following points in their letter: Under the Trump SBA’s new size standards, the highest receipts-based standard would exceed $1 billion in annual revenue—more than 20 times the current $47 million maximum—and the highest employee-based standard would reach 3,600 employees—more than twice the current 1,500 employee maximum. Specific increases include an increase in size of nearly 492% for banks, 1,500% for law firms, and more than 2,051% for private equity firms. Of the 114,000 businesses that would be newly classified as small, more than 37,000 of these businesses have collectively won more than 100,000 federal contracts worth approximately $71 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 alone without a small business designation. If SBA included the awards won by these 37,000 businesses in its Fiscal Year 2025 analysis, small business contracts would have accounted for 38% of all federal contracts, instead of the 27% that SBA announced this summer. The letter was co-signed by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Christopher Coons (D-Dela.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Ranking Member Markey is fighting to protect small businesses in Massachusetts and across the country from the Trump SBA’s harmful policies that put big businesses and billionaires over American small businesses, workers, and families. In August, Ranking Member Markey slammed the Trump SBA’s proposal to overhaul its small business size standards to benefit big businesses over small businesses. In July, Ranking Member Markey and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind the Trump administration’s policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to start and grow their businesses. Also in July, Ranking Member Markey and Senator Hirono submitted a comment letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) opposing a proposed rule change by Trump’s SBA to the 8(a) Business Development Program that would harm underserved small business owners and entrepreneurs. In June, Ranking Member Markey released a new report highlighting Trump’s drastic reduction in federal contracting dollars awarded to American small businesses. ###
Healey proposes new health care stabilization fund
Gov. Maura Healey filed a $2.24 billion supplemental budget Wednesday that would establish a new health care fund as the state prepares for federal funding cuts.
Demuth-affiliated political action committee receives $10 million infusion
A super PAC backing Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign for Minnesota governor received a $10 million cash infusion in recent weeks, cutting into Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s longtime financial advantage in the race. Restore Sanity — a political action committee that has provided the most significant outside money in support of a statewide Republican candidate […]
Demuth-affiliated political action committee receives $10 million infusion
A super PAC backing Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign for Minnesota governor received a $10 million cash infusion in recent weeks, cutting into Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s longtime financial ad...
Australia says OpenAI agent breached government health data portal
Australia said on Wednesday that an AI agent developed by OpenAI breached a government health data portal in June, gaining unauthorized access to public and non-public files, in what could
Australia PM Albanese says OpenAI agent breached government website in June
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday an AI agent developed by OpenAI infiltrated an Australian government website in June, accessing public and non-public files in the first known instance of an AI agent hacking a government website.
NASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class
NASA announced Wednesday a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to
Trump's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. That shows it's rare, experts say
The Trump administration's whole-of-government effort to find and prosecute noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls has resulted in about 1,600 voter fraud cases that have led to 160 arrests, Homeland Security Investigations senior official Matthew Millhollin said in a press briefing Tuesday.
Crew Studies Advanced Health Tech and Gears Up for Next Crew Swap
Ultrasound scans using augmented reality and artificial intelligence topped the health research schedule aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday. The Expedition 75 crew also collected blood and saliva samples to study how the immune system adapts to weightlessness. The orbital residents are now preparing for a crew swap as NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission announces a launch date.
New Jersey Department of Health Celebrates Newborn Screening Awareness Month, Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month and Continues to Lead Robust Newborn Screening Efforts Statewide
New Jersey Department of Health Celebrates Newborn Screening Awareness Month, Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month and Continues to Lead Robust Newborn Screening Efforts Statewide
American Geophysical Union’s 2026 Eugene Shoemaker Lecture
Award: The American Geophysical Union’s Eugene Shoemaker Lecture is presented annually and recognizes excellence in planetary exploration.
Entertainment in the AI Era: Music, Games and Film: 2nd LA CorpGov Forum
CorpGov hosted the second LA CorpGov Forum on Sept. 18, 2026, at The Huntington Library in San Marino, California. This event brought together members of the financial community from both LA and beyond in panels focused on the finance of entertainment and media, sports, along with capital markets and shareholder activism. Panel: Entertainment in the […] The post Entertainment in the AI Era: Music, Games and Film: 2nd LA CorpGov Forum appeared first on CorpGov.
Time of Use Rate for Small and Medium Businesses Now Available
We’re excited to announce that our Time of Use (TOU) rate option for customers with services on Small and Medium Business rates is now available! Just like the residential TOU rate, this optional rate encourages shifting electricity use away from peak hours, giving your business more ways to manage costs and support a cleaner, more […]
13th Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 13)
13th Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 13)
Government inaction, cuts are worsening Louisiana’s health outcomes
Advocates are trying to improve Louisiana’s health rankings. But Louisiana is still ranked last, with few signs of improvement.
ICYMI: Protect College Sports Act Earns Support from Students, Coaches, ADs, Professors, University Presidents - U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Student athletes, coaches, professors, and presidents from universities and colleges from across the country have rallied behind the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and FBS Athletics Directors Association have all offered their support. Ruben Rojas Betanzos, a student athlete […]
RACHEL BLUMBERG, PRESIDENT & CEO OF TOBY & LEON COOPERMAN SINAI RESIDENCES, NAMED FINALIST IN 2026 STEVIE® AWARDS FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Blumberg Recognized in Prestigious “Woman of the Year – Government or Non-Profit” Category BOCA RATON, Fla. – September 17, 2026 — Rachel Blumberg, President and CEO of Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences Boca Raton, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, has been named a finalist in the Woman of the Year – Government or Non-Profit category of the […]
California Seeks to Implement AI Guardrails for Mental Health Treatment
A bill has been unanimously passed by the California Senate that seeks to establish common-sense guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) use in mental A bill has been passed by the California legislature that sets common sense guardrails for Artificial intelligence in mental health treatment. The bill now awaits the signature of the state governor.
Florida business group takes a billboard swipe at Pritzker
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is taking aim at Gov. JB Pritzker with Chicago billboards touting Florida’s gains in jobs, residents and income.
HHS Invests $51 Million to Expand Dental Care for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , announced $51 million in awards to 28 HRSA-funded health centers to improve access to dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
GOP challenger gets within single digits of blue-state gov despite Dem's massive advantage
Bruce Blakeman trails Kathy Hochul by just 9 points in a new Siena poll, closing the gap in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one.
Local government leader named planning, development services director
A leader in city and county government with a background in managing large infrastructure projects has been named the next director of planning and development services for the city of Sioux Falls.
Iowa Hospital Association creates cybersecurity leadership role
Brice Jager has joined the Iowa Hospital Association as vice president of cybersecurity, a newly created position focused on strengthening cybersecurity programs and support for Iowa hospitals and healthcare organizations. Jager will lead the association’s operational and technical cybersecurity program, including security operations, governance and risk management. He most recently served as information security officer…
Disney to raise prices on Disney+, Hulu subscriptions, Bloomberg News reports
Disney will raise prices on several streaming subscriptions, including its flagship ad-free Disney+ plan, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Science Applications International (SAIC) After ORBIT Launch Narrative Puts Valuation In Focus
Science Applications International (SAIC) has recently drawn investor attention after its shares closed at US$129.69. The move comes amid steady government IT contract activity and mixed short term price performance. Recent trading has been choppy, with the share price slipping 2.7% over the last day and 3.0% over the past week. However, Science Applications International still shows building momentum, reflected in a 19.6% three-month share price return and a 33.4% one-year total shareholder...
Britain to join the EU’s new global ocean monitoring system
Cooperation on OceanEye, which will help to predict extreme weather and climate events, comes amid government attempts to move closer to Brussels
Gov. announces new director of MT Dept of Public Health and Human
For the third time this year, a Montana agency director is leaving Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration for the private sector.
Sustainable Mendota Heights Business Spotlight
In 2021, Minnesota banned perchloroethylene, or perc, a chemical widely used in dry cleaning. Perc is associated with serious health risks and has been found in air, water and soil.This wasn't a
NASA’s Hubble Seeks Lensed Supernova, Marks 200,000 Orbits
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope completed its 200,000th orbit around Earth on Sept. 19, marking another new milestone for an observatory that continues to
“So… Are You Going to Law School?”: Villanova Should Support Political Science Students Pursuing Careers Beyond The Courtroom
When I tell people that I am a political science major, one of the first questions I am asked is, “So, are you going to law school?” as if political science comes with a predetermined career path: study government, graduate from college, take the LSAT and become a lawyer. While law is certainly a valuable...
Free Breast Cancer Awareness Health Fair in Arlington on Oct. 16, 2026
The fair will feature free health screenings, vendor resources, and educational information aimed at promoting early detection and supporting community wellness.
When Scientists Become Accidental Detectives
Forensic science advancements often come from the most unexpected places.
Federal health care subsidies devour the budget and kill patient satisfaction
A recent report finds that health care now consumes almost one of every three dollars the federal government spends, with more to come.
Reform and the UAE – a threat to British politics
By Alex Carlen The United Arab Emirates likes to present itself as part of the solution to the climate crisis. The oil-rich Gulf state has committed to Net Zero by 2050, hosted COP 28, and even declared “championing climate action” as one of three strategic objectives for this week’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. But behind the scenes the UAE has quietly built one of its closest political relationships in Europe with the party most hostile to climate action in Britain: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. There is no evidence that the UAE is funding Reform. But a new FairSquare report, Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat, published today, documents a growing political relationship that should concern anyone interested in the integrity of British democracy. Reform’s leaders have embraced the UAE’s political model and promoted positions that align closely with the Emirati government’s priorities, while the UAE has given Farage and his party unusually warm access and public backing. What is emerging is not simply a relationship between British politicians and a wealthy Gulf state, but a channel through which an authoritarian government can cultivate political influence here, and abroad. Democracy for Sale relies on its readers. If you already support us, thanks so much. If you don’t, sign up to support fearless independent investigative journalism. Subscribe Back in January, Nigel Farage appeared at a GB News event in Dubai. On the 50th floor of a tower overlooking the luxury resorts and upscale residences of Palm Jumeirah, the Reform leader declared: “I want Clacton to look like this.” At the event – which Farage never declared on his official register of interests – senior Emirati officials mixed with British expats. Farage was keen to flatter. “We recognise you are our friends”, he said, assuring them that “a Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.” Controversy surrounding Reform’s finances and its susceptibility to foreign influence have centred around high-profile donations from billionaire crypto donors, and the jailing of Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, for accepting bribes to give pro-Russia speeches. Far less attention has been paid to Reform’s blossoming new alliance with the UAE, an oil-rich authoritarian state with a track record of ruinous anti-democratic interventions. Farage wasn’t always so fond of the UAE. Back in 2023 he called it an “absolute monarchy with an abysmal human rights record.” Now Reform’s hierarchy calls the UAE home. Deputy leader Richard Tice splits his time between his constituency and Dubai and has called on the UK to learn from the UAE. The party’s treasurer Nick Candy runs a firm which has been in partnership with a UAE-state linked firm since 2024. Nadhim Zahawi sits on the board of an Abu Dhabi think tank alongside an array of the most senior UAE officials and is reportedly close to three brothers of the country’s despotic ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed. Reform’s leading lights have effusively praised the UAE’s governance model, defended it from criticism, and advanced its political agenda in the UK. GB News, whose two major shareholders – the Legatum Foundation and Paul Marshall – have strong links to the UAE, has been more than happy to broadcast UAE propaganda and was forced to pay damages in 2025 after airing a false claim about a UK charity by the UAE “disinfluencer” Amjad Taha. The UAE has responded in kind. When the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to the UK in May, Farage was the only non-government figure granted an audience. UAE state media publicised the meeting, and said that they discussed “the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves mutual interests.” For the UAE these ‘mutual interests’ largely concern its paranoia over political Islam, and in this regard the UAE-Reform alliance is part of a broad and troubling pattern. Following a crackdown on dissent at home in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the UAE has offered material and political support to a range of violent and authoritarian actors willing to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood with no regard for the consequences. Its meddling in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and most notably Sudan, have been devastating. The UAE’s strategy of seeking out partners on the political fringes who it believes will advance its interests is not unique to Britain – it extends beyond the Middle East to Europe and the US. In France, it has offered clandestine support to Marine Le Pen through secret meetings, as well allegedly funding trips to the region after which Le Pen returned with a renewed focus on the UAE’s perceived enemies – Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has accused the UAE of smearing him and of “encouraging discrimination, hatred or violence”. In the US, the UAE actively supported the rise of Donald Trump, establishing itself as a key ally during both his first and second terms. Around these relationships sits a wider ecosystem of figures willing to amplify UAE narratives, that even extends to Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. Subscribe In Britain, the UAE has used a combination of aggressive diplomacy and illicit, disruptive tactics to achieve its policy goal of eliminating any perceived threat from political Islam. In 2012, for instance, it threatened to block billion-pound arms deals with the UK and stop inward investment if David Cameron did not act against the Muslim Brotherhood and rein in the BBC’s coverage of the group – going so far as to suggest, with no supporting evidence, that the group had infiltrated the BBC. It has financed smear campaigns against a high-profile UK charity and funded a mercenary to secretly surveil, and possibly assassinate, a British national on British soil. In Reform UK, the UAE has finally found an ally willing to not only ban the Muslim Brotherhood, but to publicly vilify the group and repeat the UAE’s claims that dangerous Muslims are a fifth column in British society, a narrative that aligns with the Islamophobia and anti-immigration sentiments that underpin Reform’s populist politics. The Rycroft review into foreign interference concluded that “hostile states and non-state actors have a clear incentive to attempt to undermine UK democracy.” The UAE’s network and alliance with Reform must be understood within that framework. It is a powerful, disruptive and deeply authoritarian actor with the resources and networks to intervene in our politics, and a track-record of doing so in a multitude of other countries. The evidence of the threat the UAE poses is overwhelming. The question is whether parliamentarians are willing to call the UAE out and demand action using the tools that the government has to respond. Placing the UAE on the “Enhanced Tier” of the Foreign Registration scheme alongside Russia and Iran would send a powerful signal to the UAE that its meddling will no longer be tolerated, and would place Farage’s next trips to the UAE under the scrutiny they deserve. Alex Carlen is research and advocacy manager at London based human rights organisation FairSquare and author of its new report Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat. Subscribe
POLITICS OF AI: Why Emerging Tech Is Shaping the Midterms
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a core campaign issue ahead of the midterms. As members of Congress pitch voters at home, state leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis are pressing for tougher state-level regulations. Political analyst Dr. Larry Walker joins us to discuss why AI is top of mind for voters.
Chess-Presidential candidate Buettner pitches outsider shake-up, promises to leave politics out of FIDE
FIDE presidential candidate Jan Henric Buettner says his lack of traditional chess credentials is not a weakness but an asset, with the German entrepreneur betting that his business experience can modernise the world governing body.
Analysis | How have data center politics changed? Look at Texas’s Republican governor.
Times have changed for Gov. Greg Abbott when it comes to AI issues.
Voters trust local election officials. They’re less sure about the mail
At the same time, 75% of voters trust their state or local government to run a fair and accurate election, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll.
Quality Behavioral Health named in $18.8M federal case alleging Medicaid fraud, forced labor
The federal government is seeking to seize nearly $18.8 million in cash, bank funds, and precious metals as part of a civil forfeiture case alleging a Detroit-area behavioral health provider defrauded Medicaid and used forced labor involving people receiving treatment.
Former Gov. Mark Dayton makes book stop in Northfield
Former Gov. Mark Dayton recently began a book tour following the release of “Perseverance,” a memoir reflecting on his nearly five decades in Minnesota politics.
Chinese Hackers Exploit Chrome-Windows Zero-Day Chain to Deploy CLEANGULP Malware
UTA0565 exploited a Chrome-Windows zero-day chain through fake websites to deploy CLEANGULP malware against Asian government entities.
30 years of Republican dominance of Ohio politics: The results
The Republican party of Ohio has dominated state government for the past thirty years. Let's look at the job they have done in managing the state. The results may shock you.
The Immigration Politics of a Felon’s Pardon
How far will New York Gov. Kathy Hochul go to keep immigrant criminals in this country? So far, she’ll even pardon a man convicted of an aggravated felony, if that’s what it takes to prevent the United States Supreme Court from setting a restrictionist precedent. Keisy Guerrero Mariano is a Dominican who spent two years
Boom Year for Desert Blooms
Carpets of wildflowers burst from arid, ochre-colored land in Western Australia following winter rains.
Political Connections Florida September 22 2026
Political Connections airs each weeknight at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
Federal complaint alleges Medicaid fraud, forced labor by Quality Behavioral Health CEO
The federal government is seeking to seize nearly $19 million in bank funds, cash, and precious metals linked to Quality Behavioral Health, alleging the organization’s CEO used Medicaid beneficiaries as forced labor and submitted claims for services that were not provided.
Hundreds of Hawaii residents could lose Obamacare health insurance benefits in fraud crackdown
Hawaii’s ACA marketplace is run on the federal exchange Healthcare.gov, so the state doesn’t know how many of Hawaii’s enrollees are caught up in Trump's national fraud sweep.
Alaska governor candidates discuss education, PFD and energy
Four Alaska governor candidates answered questions from community members and Rotarians about education, the Permanent Fund Dividend and energy. The candidates also discussed natural gas production in Cook Inlet ahead
Governor Gianforte Announces Transition at the Department of Public Health and Human Services
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced that Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton will transition out of his role on October 30 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. The governor has named Dr. Doug Harrington, the department’s State Medical Officer, as Director of DPHHS.
Small Business Administration announces approval of disaster loans for those impacted by Empire Towers
Governor Wes Moore announced Tuesday that the Small Business Administration has approved his request for a Small Business Administrative Declaration to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
California deal on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger spurs frustration
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s agreement clearing the $111-billion merger followed intense pressure from state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and dissent among fellow Democratic state attorneys general.
California deal on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger spurs frustration, questions about political pressure
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's agreement clearing the $111-billion merger followed intense pressure from state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and dissent among fellow Democratic state attorneys general.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 5010-5015: Checking out the Bands
Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, APXS Strategic Planner and Payload Uplink/Downlink Lead, University New Brunswick, NB, Canada
Merck Life Science Expands Bengaluru Manufacturing with €13 Million Investment
Merck Life Science is expanding its manufacturing capabilities in Bengaluru with an investment of approximately €13 million, strengthening the company’s ability to supply critical materials to customers across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The expansion at Merck Life Science’s Jigani site in Bengaluru will introduce biological buffer manufacturing alongside the facility’s established chemistry capabilities. The investment is designed to enable faster and more reliable access to critical materials used by customers across research, diagnostics, biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The development further advances Merck Life Science’s “in-region, for-region” approach, under which the company is expanding manufacturing capabilities closer to the markets and customers it serves. By adding biological buffer production in India, the Jigani expansion will broaden the site’s manufacturing capabilities while strengthening Merck Life Science’s regional supply infrastructure for the rapidly developing life sciences sector across India and Asia-Pacific. The company said the expansion reflects both the contribution of its teams and its collaboration with government and industry stakeholders. Merck Life Science acknowledged the support of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the German Embassy New Delhi, and Invest India in helping strengthen life science manufacturing capabilities in the region. The investment comes as India continues to expand its role across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and biomanufacturing value chains, increasing demand for dependable regional access to materials supporting research and manufacturing operations. The Bengaluru expansion reinforces Merck Life Science’s focus on building manufacturing capacity within Asia-Pacific and supporting customers through a more regionalised supply network.
GOP senator calls for probe into Trump family business dealings
WASHINGTON >> A Republican U.S. senator today called for an investigation into whether President Donald Trump’s family is profiting from his time in office, saying any perception that family members are exploiting their position undermines trust in the government.
The potential local impact of Spanberger's data center 'framework'
Gov. Abigail Spanberger released her blueprint for regulating data center development last week, billing it as “a new way forward for how this industry does business in the Commonwealth.”
Blakeman wants to end HALT through governor's leverage
It's conventional wisdom that he would face a Democrat led legislature if elected.
Calls to sign infant formula testing bill into law in New York
The measure passed the state Legislature this past session. It’s now up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign into law.