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Maybee church festival to offer food, music and family fun
The Divine Grace Parish Fall Festival in Maybee will feature meals, music, games and family activities from Sept. 18-20.
Science reveals a surprising trace of St. Thérèse's faith
Nearly 130 years after her death, one tiny relic is offering a fascinating glimpse into the very physical reality of St. Thérèse's Little Way.
Monster Hunter Wilds expansion ‘Ascendance’ trailers – ‘Boosted Action Overview’ and ‘Great Sword Boosted Action Breakdown’
Capcom has released a new trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds major expansion “Ascendance” introducing the Boost Bracer, which adds new “Boosted Actions” for each of the 14 wea…
Senate races: Collins victorious, Brownsberger race too close to call
The contests drew attention for their potential to upset the status quo on Beacon Hill, and demonstrate just how far Mayor Michelle Wu’s influence extends in Boston politics.
Run the NASCAR Track: JJK 5K Returns Labor Day with Expanded Entertainment
MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 1, 2026) – The JJK 5K returns to World Wide Technology Raceway this Labor Day, bringing participants an expanded entertainment lineup, a new kid zone and a full day of family-friendly activities as one of the region’s most anticipated holiday traditions takes place Monday, Sept. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. Just days...
NVIDIA DLSS 5 Launches in NBA 2K27 September 3rd, DLSS Comes to STAR WARS Zero Company, Onimusha: Way of the Sword & The Blood of Dawnwalker
Each week, new games and apps integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. In the last few days, STAR WARS Zero Company and Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 have launched with DLSS....
Allies of disgraced ex-House Dem poised for criminal charges for refusing Congress' probe
Allies of a former House Democrat face DOJ criminal charges after the House unanimously held them in contempt of Congress over defied subpoenas.
The 21 seats Mike Johnson says will decide the House majority
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, is eyeing 21 seats that will determine the House majority in the November midterm elections, including Colorado’s Congressional District 8. Johnson pointed to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report’s 21 toss-up seats, before rattling off a list of the races he is watching particularly closely. “Those 21 or so seats that are […]
47-Year Business Printing Plus Sold to New Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Hamed Dadgour in Mountlake Terrace, WA
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hamed Dadgour is the new owner of Minuteman Press in Mountlake Terrace, WA. Hamed p...
JD Vance calls Michigan Senate candidate El-Sayed 'evil' at campaign rally
El-Sayed faces Trump ally Mike Rogers in what has quickly become a senate race characterised by personal attacks and insults between the two.
Big Ideas Lab podcast takes on the science of scale-up
Rechargeable lithium batteries trace back to 1972, but they wouldn't reach consumer products until 1991. Solar photovoltaic cells existed in the 1950s, long before solar panels appeared on rooftops. And the MRI was demonstrated in the 1970s, years before the machines became hospital staples. In each case, the core scientific principles had been proven. The difficult part was scaling them into technologies people could reliably use. The average disruptive technology takes roughly 35 years to cross that divide. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists are trying to compress
When a Nightmare Scenario Becomes the Most Likely Scenario
With 64 days before Election Day (although the first mail-in ballots will go out in a matter of days), Republicans should brace themselves: The three most plausible outcomes are that it will be bad, really bad, or truly horrible. Conversely, a Democrat should at least briefly consider that the good fortune they may have in November will come compliments of the president, not as a result of much that they have done.
DeGrom strikes out 8, allows 1 hit in 7 shutout innings as Rangers beat A's
The Rangers (68-70) trail Cleveland by 1 1/2 games in the race for the final AL wild-card spot.
Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas is anything but conventional. Why is it happening?
Political science experts say it's a sign Republicans are concerned about how key races will play out, including in the decades-long GOP stronghold of Texas. They expect the convention's effects to be negligible in polls, but its impact at the ballot box is less certain.
NASA Roman’s Planet Imager Has Powered On
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has successfully activated the mission’s Coronagraph Instrument, which will block starlight to view planets and
Ocean Race Atlantic Combines Sailing, Speed, Adventure, And Science In A Very Cool Way
The inaugural Ocean Race Atlantic 2026, is a high-speed transatlantic sprint from New York City to Lorient, France that leaves September 2
Grace Meat + Three closing September 13 in the Grove
Grace Meat + Three (4270 Manchester), the nine-year-old restaurant inspired by the Southern tradition of pairing a choice of meat with three side dishes, will close after service on September 13, owners Rick and Elisa Lewis announced. With its lease in The Grove coming up for renewal, the husband-and-wife team chose to consolidate operations at […]
Massachusetts politics | Voters head to polls for state primary today
Massachusetts’ primary election day is being held Tuesday as voters decide who will be on the ballot come November’s general election. One of the most high-profile races to watch is the contest between Democratic Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton.
Book Review: ‘American Scoundrel,’ by Kai Bird
“American Scoundrel” traces the career of Roy Cohn, whose smash-mouth politics continue to shape our own.
President Trump pushes tax incentive for entertainment industry
President Donald Trump is calling on Congress to create a federal tax incentive to bring production back to the U.S. Tracey Leong reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.
Scott Brown Was a GOP Star. Will It Matter in the New Hampshire Senate Race?
Scott Brown is chasing the political limelight again with a seemingly improvised Senate campaign.
‘Slap in the face’: Wisconsin dairy farmers brace for impact with imported beef
One Wisconsin dairy farmer says he could lose $7500-10,000 a month.
The House returns with a short to-do list: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Republican anxiety in Ohio’s Senate race.
Lola Petticrew Is Absolutely Spellbinding in ‘Furious’
The nonbinary actor turns in a stunning performance in the first season of ‘Furious.’
Republican Candidate in Key House Race Bet on Her Own Campaign
The trading platform Kalshi issued a three-year suspension to the candidate, Laurie Buckhout, and fined her nearly $2,600. Ms. Buckhout said she had made a “dumb mistake.”
CT small businesses brace for higher costs from new tariffs
Connecticut small businesses say new federal tariffs are increasing costs and squeezing margins as they struggle to avoid raising prices.
Kalshi fines Republican in key House race, bans George Santos for life, after insider trading probes
The prediction market Kalshi on Monday fined the Republican nominee in a competitive House race and imposed its first-ever lifetime ban, against former Rep. George Santos, after insider trading investigations.
Plan to cut polling sites in Tarrant County draws protests as Senate race looms
Tarrant County could have 92 fewer polling sites on Election Day than in 2022. See what the proposal would change for voters.
In Massachusetts U.S. Senate race, challenger Moulton says Markey, 80, is too old for another term. Young Democrats are divided
The 2026 midterms have brought a number of generational challenges like the one Moulton is waging against Markey, with younger Democrats taking on — and in some cases unseating — longtime incumbents.
A pediatrician is running for Senate. Can doctors change the political debate over health and science?
After Lindsey Graham’s death, Democrat Annie Andrews finds herself in a closely watched race as she seeks to flip his Republican seat
A pediatrician is running for Senate. Can doctors change the political debate over health and science?
After Lindsey Graham’s death, Democrat Annie Andrews finds herself in a closely watched race as she seeks to flip his Republican seat
A pediatrician is running for Senate. Can doctors change the political debate over health and science?
After Lindsey Graham’s death, Democrat Annie Andrews finds herself in a closely watched race as she seeks to flip his Republican seat
CARES Celebrates 5 Years Providing Alternative Emergency Services in Madison
Madison's Community Alternative Response Emergency Services program, popularly known as CARES, turns five years old on September 1, 2026.CARES has been warmly embraced by the community and enthusiastically supported by local leaders since its inception. Developed specifically to address acute behavioral health emergencies that are non-violent in nature, CARES aims to provide timely care that is responsive to a person's specific needs.
Prominent Black Democrats rally behind Keisha Lance Bottoms
Republicans want to make Bottoms' record as Atlanta mayor a major liability in the governor's race, but her successor, Andre Dickens, offered an unequivocal defense on Sunday.
Politics, Pubs, Parades, + the Parish: Jim McGreevey, Part 2
McGreevey traces his path from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office to the New Jersey Assembly, Woodbridge mayor’s office.
Gwengwe asks to play up front after fast start
Newport County boss Hayden Mullins has revealed Shaquille Gwengwe jokingly asked to play up front after scoring his third and fourth goals of the season. Gwengwe, who netted 46 non-league goals in the past season, scored his first County brace as they drew 2-2 with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday. The 25-year-old has been deployed on the left wing for the Exiles so far this season, but would prefer to start in his more natural striker position.
NASA launches Roman Space Telescope to explore dark energy and distant worlds
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is on a mission to probe dark energy, hunt for distant worlds and transform our view of the universe
Here are the local races to watch in the Massachusetts state primary Tuesday
In blue Massachusetts, the primaries are often the most decisive component of the election cycle. And there are several subplots to watch.
Analysis | The politics of the company you keep
The Senate race in Michigan is critical to Democrats, but associations may matter.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope launches to reveal the Universe’s darkest secrets
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope has launched on a million mile journey to L2, where it will scan huge portions of the cosmos for clues about dark matter, dark energy, and distant worlds. With survey speeds roughly 1,000 times faster than Hubble and a torrent of 1.4 terabytes of data per day, Roman could uncover cosmic surprises astronomers have never seen before.
Bluebird 5K Run on Labor Day raises awareness about suicide prevention
Tallahassee's Bluebird 5K race on Labor Day honors those lost to suicide and raises up stories of hope and mental health recovery.
Two months until the midterm elections
Lone Star Politics sits down with former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitely to talk about the closely watched race for U.S. Senate.
Here\'s when the Schreiber Center\'s Rubber Duckie Race and Festival returns
The Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s 38th annual Rubber Duckie Race and Festival will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at 625 Community Way in Lancaster.
Data centers \'exploded\' in Pa. politics this year. How will it impact Lancaster County\'s 36th Senate District race?
Voters across the country are being inundated with campaign advertisements about data centers and artificial intelligence ahead of the November midterm election, including in Lancaster County’s highly competitive 36th Senate
Lone Star Politics: Aug. 30, 2026
A discussion on the race for U.S. senate ahead of the November midterms. Plus, the first midterm GOP convention comes to Dallas next week.
Bayer's investigational PET tracer shows high accuracy for cardiac amyloidosis
The imaging agent could offer a new approach for diagnosing stiff heart syndrome, according to data presented during the European Society of Cardiology Congress.
Plan to cut number of polling sites in a major Texas county draws protests as Senate race looms
Plans in one of Texas’ largest counties to use dozens fewer polling location than previous years is drawing protests from Democrats who say the reductions could create confusion in the November midterm elections.
Health officials warn of possible rabies exposure at events in this NC County
Possible rabies exposure has been traced to baby goats from a mobile petting zoo that hosted multiple events across the state, including in Durham County.
Talarico Is Out-Fundraising Paxton and Flooding the Airwaves in Texas Senate Race
The Democratic candidate is on the offensive, giving his party hope in the deep-red state.
NASA's newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
The bus-sized telescope — named after the late Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer — will take more than three months to reach its destination.
This baby boomer vs. Gen X Senate race emerges as key test of generational change in U.S. politics and what age is too old for Congress
Sen. Ed Markey is 80, while his rival, Rep. Seth Moulton, is 47.
Ready to Roman: Caltech Teams Celebrate Telescope Launch, Look Ahead to Future
After over a decade of development with mission partners, Caltech, IPAC, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are excited to support and pursue new areas of research and discovery following Sunday's launch of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman space telescope launches
During its five-year primary mission, Roman is expected to observe billions of stars and galaxies, 100,000 exoplanets, and more.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: Falcon Heavy Side Boosters Begin Return
The two side boosters on the SpaceX Falcon Heavy carrying NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope have separated from the center core.
Roman Telescope Begins Quest to Reveal Evolving Universe
A new era of space exploration began today with the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Will the Real Dan Sullivan Please Stand Up?
A U.S. Senate race has revealed just how many Alaskan men have the same name.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Launch Broadcast Begins
NASA’s live broadcast begins for the launch of the agency’s Grace Roman Space Telescope. Liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is targeted for 7:26 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA Roman Space Telescope: Key Milestones for 7:26 a.m. EDT Launch
There are several key milestones during launch coverage of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: Launch Updates
NASA's live online coverage of the launch of the agency's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is underway. NASA and SpaceX are targeting 7:26 a.m. EDT Sunday for liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Progressive candidate is gaining on top two rivals in N.H. congressional race
While the establishment-backed top contenders, Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan, are locked in a close contest, a progressive push by Carleigh Beriont may be gaining momentum.
Democratic Senate control has moved from a reach to a toss-up
The four-seat gain Democrats need to win control once seemed all but out of reach. Odds are looking up, though the party still faces a tough path, with toss-up races in a half dozen (mostly red) states.
Ed Markey Defends Transgender Athletes in Massachusetts Senate Race
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has emerged as a vocal defender of transgender rights as he tries to fend off a primary challenge from Representative Seth Moulton.
These Democrats used to be Republicans — and hope that will help them win midterms
In races across the country, former GOP politicians are leaning into their pasts.
NASA’s new ‘discovery machine’ is launching to unravel the invisible universe
NASA’s new observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, is ready to lift off and solve the universe’s enduring mysteries.
Adaptive barrel races, roping practice highlight Monument Health special rodeo
Monument Health partnered with the Central States Fair to host a special adaptive rodeo, giving athletes with disabilities a chance to join modified events.
Saratoga businesses see sales boost during Travers weekend, but less than 2025
A packed Travers weekend at Saratoga Racecourse is bringing a surge of business to Saratoga Springs, even as some vendors say this summer has not matched last y
What courageous citizenship really looks like
By Vince Bzdek What exactly is courage? Ernest Hemingway famously called it grace under pressure. Mark Twain wrote that “courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.” C.S. Lewis refined that even more: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting despite it.” Is there a particular kind of […]
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope is about to change how we see the universe
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to give scientists an unprecedented wide view of the universe, helping investigate dark energy and dark matter, chart the evolution of galaxies and aid in the discovery of planets beyond our solar system.
She was told women couldn't be scientists. Now a NASA space telescope bears her name
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch on Sunday at 7:26 a.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
In Georgia, Jon Ossoff Courts Broad Appeal With an Anti-Trump Script for Senate Race
Senator Jon Ossoff, the youngest sitting senator and the only Democrat seeking re-election this year in a state President Trump won in 2024, hasn’t moderated his message in his critical race.
NASA is launching the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Here are just a few of the wonders it will reveal
If all goes to plan, at 7:26 a.m. Sunday morning, a new space telescope will blast off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on top of a Falcon Heavy rocket, ready to reveal new wonders about our universe. Here are some things scientists hope to unravel with this new telescope.
Meet the Black candidates seeking history in governor's races this fall
A historic group of Black candidates are running for governor in 2026, with several seeking to expand Black representation in state leadership and make history this fall.
Once again, a Manchester City maestro showed why he is a box office performer
Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park last night. A brace each for Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland helped Enzo Maresca’s side see off Pierre Sage’s side. City also made it two w...
Tom Begich says he will withdraw from Alaska governor’s race
The move paves the way for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins to be the only Democrat on the November ballot.
Was Dolly Parton a feminist? She wouldn’t say it, but fans heard it — in her life and her lyrics
Dolly Parton never embraced the feminist label, but her actions and lyrics spoke volumes.
Asheville businesses brace for weekend demonstrations on Merrimon Avenue
Some businesses are giving customers a heads-up about possible traffic.
Retired political science professor discusses Michigan primary and the road to the November Election
Kulisheck expects the U.S. Senate and Michigan Gubernatorial race to be close.
NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Here's what to know
NASA plans to soon launch a new space telescope that will survey a billion galaxies to trace how the universe evolved over time, all courtesy of America’s spy program and decades of research into detector technology. Once in position, it will take data that astronomers hope will help answer some of the field’s most puzzling questions.
West Melbourne sixth graders learn science behind NASA telescope mission
Brevard County students are studying NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope ahead of its Kennedy Space Center launch, connecting science lessons to space history.
Texas Politics Project director discusses new poll results, Senate race and data center opinion
Healthcare Freefall: AI arms race hits rural healthcare as hospitals fight to keep up
Editor’s Note: Colorado’s healthcare system is entering a period of accelerating instability — a “tsunami,” as multiple leaders describe it — driven by collapsing hospital finances, shrinking Medicaid reimbursements, disappearing services and a political fight over who is responsible for this unraveling. Healthcare Freefall is a multipart series examining how Colorado arrived at this moment, […]
Rep. Crockett says she’ll be campaigning ‘downballot’ instead of with Talarico
The congresswoman, who lost the primary Senate race to state Rep. James Talarico, did not mention him by name.
Jasmine Crockett has no plans to campaign for James Talarico
Jasmine Crockett tells Laura she will not be campaigning with James Talarico in the closely-watched Senate race in Texas. Crockett says she’ll be supporting down ballot candidates in the midterms who are often overshadowed.
Auto review: 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X offers function over flash
There is an arms race underway in the automotive industry. Blackened chrome, LED strips, giant grilles, screens the size of suburban kitchen islands, illuminated logos, animated turn signals, ambient lighting
Debates set for Maine U.S. Senate race
Regardless of the format, the debates are likely to be must-see TV for voters who will make a big decision this fall about who represents them in the U.S. Senate.
John Cornyn is raising money for competitive Senate races
The GOP senator said he plans to use his considerable fundraising prowess to help colleagues in New Hampshire, Michigan, Alaska and elsewhere.
Detroit Lions backup quarterback race highlights preseason finale
The battle between Luke Altmyer and Josh Dobbs for the Detroit Lions’ backup QB job is the highlight of preseason Game 3.
Apple TV’s sci-fi thriller Dark Matter gets even trippier in season 2
Embrace the confusion.
Bottoms targets health care, transparency in Georgia governor race
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms outlined several campaign priorities during an event in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward.
Video in competitive congressional race spotlights challenge of regulating AI-generated political content
In Wisconsin, a recent example can be found on the campaign social media of U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, who is running a competitive reelection bid.
Saul Williams opens a portal between politics and possibility
The unflinching multidisciplinary artist has long welcomed new challenges. With the release of a new album and a new book, he embraces the role his career has been building toward: investigative poet.
As midterm elections approach, Republican candidates weigh how closely to align with Trump
Some Republican candidates are quietly distancing themselves from President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Yet, most Republican candidates continue to embrace Trump
Troops, taxes, war dominate Colorado’s 5th CD debate between Jeff Crank, Jessica Killin
Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank and Democratic challenger Jessica Killin on Thursday night clashed over the war in Iran, the federal budget and healthcare when they took the stage in Colorado Springs for a sold-out debate in the race to represent Colorado’s 5th Congressional District. The debate, which came just over five weeks before general […]
Kiss video at center of Lyons Township FOIA fight could impact Cook County Board, Congress races
Surveillance video showing a kiss between Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg and Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek has become a political flashpoint in both a Cook County board race and the race for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District.
How a Former Spy Satellite Could Help Solve the Universe’s Greatest Mysteries
NASA plans to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on August 30 to investigate questions about the composition of the universe and its ultimate end.
National issues continue to dominate race for N.Y. governor
Both candidates had opportunities to make their points this week.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Live music, theater and Sunday outdoor event fill weekend calendar
Paddle race and live theatre among this weekend's entertainment offerings
Florida Governor Moves From Solid to Likely Republican
Florida has been a mirage for Democrats during the era of President Donald Trump. Some in the party hoped the Senate race could come online thanks to Alex Vindman’s massive fundraising hauls, but his loss to democratic socialist Angie Nixon effectively took that race off the table.
Trump keeps winning Republican primaries. His losses may be more revealing.
The president is 24-for-24 in Senate primaries and 214-for-218 in House races, according to a Fox News tracker