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Photos: Behind the counters at Denton small businesses
These photos were contributed as part of a weekly partnership with the students in UNT's Mayborn School of Journalism’s Advanced Photojournalism Portfolio course.
Charlotte Celebrates Small Business Month 2026 with Events & Honors
The City of Charlotte is proud to celebrate Small Business Month throughout May. This month, Charlotte Economic Development will recognize the contributions of our city's entrepreneurs by sharing resources to help businesses grow and highlighting the people behind them.
Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez: Why I’m joining Stephen Ross and Ken Griffin in betting big on ambitious business leaders
The man behind Miami's viral "How can I help?" explains why he signed on as Senior Advisor to the Gold Coast's most ambitious recruitment campaign yet.
Coty's perfume business takes another knock with David Beckham fragrance lawsuit
Beauty brand Coty is facing a lawsuit from DB Ventures, the company behind former football star David Beckham’s eponymous fragrance, for what the lawsuit describes as flagrant material breaches of the license agreement, court documents show.
MOMENT OF SCIENCE: Science behind lightning
From tingling skin to hair standing on end, Mother Nature gives us a warning that lightning is imminent.
Anna Faris and Regina Hall promise their long-awaited return to 'Scary Movie' will 'offend everyone' (exclusive)
Anna Faris and Regina Hall are giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their 20-year return to 'Scary Movie,' from 'honoring the Wayans brothers,' to Cindy and Brenda's 'budding romance.'
Caitlin Clark leaves early with potential injury as Wings roll past Fever behind Paige Bueckers' 20 first-half points
Using Data Science to Get Food and Volunteers Where They’re Needed Most
Researchers helped VolunteerMatch and Feeding America improve the algorithms behind their work.
Big Pharma throws support behind Ashley Moody in US Senate race
A number of pharmaceutical companies had their drugs removed from a list slated for price reduction negotiations with Medicare officials, thanks to legislation that Moody supported.
Trump, ibogaine and the science behind the psychedelics boom in the U.S.
Tracing how psychedelics have undergone a revival in the U.S. and what the White House’s new psychedelic push means for research
As Kentucky Derby Becomes a Bigger Business, Locals Feel Left Behind
Locals say rising ticket prices and a late start time for the Oaks race on Friday are hurting residents and restaurants. “The only thing I see is greed,” one steakhouse owner said.
Wings roll past Fever in preseason matchup behind Paige Bueckers' 20 first-half points as Caitlin Clark exits early with potential injury
One of America’s oldest weather observatories shows people the science behind our climate
MILTON, Mass. (AP) — Perched in a tower atop a hill, Matthew Douglas climbs a staircase and emerges from a hatch on the roof, where a heavy glass ball in a metal cradle has burned a thin streak into a strip of paper, recording the previous day’s sunlight. It’s part of a routine he and […]
Cold Plunges and Your Brain: The Surprising Science Behind a 2-Minute Ice Water Dunk
When first starting out, it’s OK to do cold plunges in short increments — even 30 seconds at a time — to build up your tolerance.
Spreading time in New York and Milan and playing multiple sports: Behind the Visor with Ugo Ugochukwu
Spreading time in New York and Milan and playing multiple sports: Behind the Visor with Ugo Ugochukwu
CEO of ECU Health urges House Ways and Means Committee to abandon "one size fits all" healthcare solutions
The leader of eastern North Carolina’s largest health system was in Washington this week, telling federal lawmakers that rural America is being left behind by current healthcare policies.
Black and Hispanic Ohioans face stark health disparities
New national study finds Black and Hispanic Ohioans lagging far behind in key health indicators.
Rockets hold off Lakers to force Game 6 after falling behind 3-0 in series
Where Does California’s Water Come From? The Science Behind Northern California’s Spring-Fed Rivers
Northern California's springs supply millions with clean water, but how vulnerable are they to climate change? CalTrout and our partners are uncovering the resilience of these spring systems in a...
‘The energy behind these drugs has moved from the beatniks to biohackers’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
Key Business Trends for US Contractors in 2026: Navigating Uncertainty in This Year and Beyond
Contractors are under pressure from every direction. Softening demand, rising competition, workforce shortages, and policy uncertainty are all hitting at once. Our latest SmartMarket Brief with CMiC documents how 262 US contractors are responding, and what separates those holding their ground from those falling behind.
Motorola Razr Fold officially costs $1,899 in the US, available in May
The Razr Fold’s details and pricing are officially out from behind the curtain, and Motorola has confirmed pre-orders will open...
One of America’s oldest weather observatories shows people the science behind our climate
MILTON, Mass. (AP) — Perched in a tower atop a hill, Matthew Douglas climbs a staircase and emerges from a hatch on the roof, where a heavy glass ball in a metal cradle has burned a thin streak into a strip of paper, recording the previous day's sunlight.
One of America’s oldest weather observatories shows people the science behind our climate
At Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, a weather station 15 miles south of Boston, staff and volunteers have been using many of the same tools to monitor the weather since it opened in 1885
One of America’s oldest weather observatories shows people the science behind our climate
At Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, a weather station 15 miles south of Boston, staff and volunteers have been using many of the same tools to monitor the weather since it opened in 1885.
Mental Health Parity Index
This first‑of‑its‑kind, open-access tool uses real‑time data to reveal where mental health and substance use disorder care falls behind physical health care. Learn more.
Company behind famed 'Tour de France' now backing DC-area cycling classic
Major developments today in the world of sports and entertainment here in the DMV.7News On Your Side has learned that the region’s premiere cycling event – the
The week in politics (April 29, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we meet the folks behind Ice House Radio, an online radio station streaming from Houston dedicated to the music of southern culture.
Leaked records show Democrats lined up behind UM board challenger
Internal voting records obtained by The News show big support for Amir Makled, who faced criticism for a series of deleted social media posts.
Senate Republicans reject attempt to end Trump's blockade of Cuba
The vote on the war powers resolution showed how Republicans continue to stand behind Trump as he acts unilaterally to exert American force in a range of global conflicts, including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba.
Report: Studio Behind Unique RPGs Shutting Down After 18 Years
Spiders will reportedly have to close its doors after failing to find a buyer amid its parent company's ongoing insolvency
A startup says Cursor's AI agent deleted its production database
The founder of PocketOS said that a Cursor AI agent running on Anthropic's Claude Opus model was behind the "destructive action."
It’s time to seize the rare bipartisan opening to address microplastics
“This could be the start of serious action on microplastics. Or it could end up as a headline with little behind it,” write Tim Ryan and Justin Zorn.
Thunder sweep the Suns behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s gritty play in Game 4
The science behind the Adidas shoes that helped two marathoners break the two-hour mark
A sub-two hour marathon has long been seen as a tantalizing benchmark for elite runners—and shoemakers have been in a race to design footwear that can help them get there
After correspondents’ dinner shooting, expert looks at patterns behind political violence
The shooting during the White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday is another example of how acts of political violence are becoming a recurring part of the national landscape.
Studio shows aren't for sports fans anymore
Have networks left educated sports fans behind in a quest to cater to casuals and grab as many eyeballs as possible?
The Science Behind the Headlines: Understanding Attribution Science
When devastating weather events make headlines, a question increasingly follows: Did climate change play a role? Where did the emissions driving that risk come from? And what harms result when those risks materialize? This isn't just casual curiosity. Communities facing floods, families displace
Sound Smart: 5 Observations from the 2026 NFL Draft
Key insights in the wake of the 2026 NFL Draft, including a behind the scenes look at Ty Simpson's selection, the surprise pick of the year.
Mass Effect Andromeda 'Done Dirty' by Publisher EA, Actor Says
One of the lead actors behind BioWare's Mass Effect Andromeda has spoken out about the game's disappointing critical and commercial response, and placed much of the blame on publisher EA.
MLB power rankings: Phillies can't stop the bleeding as NL East hole grows
Phillies' 10-game losing streak puts NL powerhouse way behind the Braves.
Puff, pass and publish: the science behind cannabis
As cannabis becomes more accepted across the United States, public conversations are changing quickly. But according to Rebecca Cooney, a professor of Strategic Communication at WSU, many people still misunderstand what cannabis research is actually about. Cooney works in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and is also a co-investigator with the Resource Center...
Grandies to salute year of live theater
The Grand in Ellsworth will host a gala award ceremony on Saturday, May 9, to honor the “incredible talent, dedication and community behind our 2025-26 live theatre season,” which included
Business owners react to Camp North End curfew after multiple ‘teen takeovers’
'Teen takeovers' were the driving factor behind the decision
10 misconceptions about kids sports: How parents can push against them
Understanding what’s behind our misconceptions about youth sports could be the key to unlocking a happy sports journey for our kids.
Faces of the cycle: Travra Zanders
Travra Zanders went from honors student to inmate as he struggled with mental health issues in his teenage years. Now 45, he’s trying to rebuild his life as a free man after years of coping with schizophrenia behind bars.
Humbled Brian Snitker inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame
Former Braves manager Brian Snitker sat up behind the podium in the press conference room at Truist Park one more time, and this time he was wearing a suit instead of a uniform. With his family in the front two rows, Snitker reflected prior to his induction as the 42nd member of the Braves Hall of Fame before Atlanta played the Philadelphia Phillies. “It’s humbling, and just it’s a great feeling,” Snitker said.
Blood vessels found in T. rex bones are rewriting dinosaur science
Dinosaur DNA may still be out of reach, but scientists are uncovering something almost as exciting—ancient blood vessels hidden inside fossilized bones. In a massive Tyrannosaurus rex nicknamed Scotty, researchers discovered a network of preserved vessels within a rib that once fractured and began healing 66 million years ago. Using powerful synchrotron X-rays from particle accelerators, they were able to peer inside the dense fossil without damaging it, revealing intricate, iron-rich structures left behind by the healing process.
'Silent Friend' Wins SFFILM Sloan Science Award
The organization behind the San Francisco International Film Festival is awarding prizes totaling $115,000 to science-leaning films.
Top 5: UFC Vegas 116 ‘Fight of the Night’ candidates
Expectations continue to mobilize behind Youssef Zalal in the court of public opinion. Aljamain Sterling now stands in his way.
The Weekend Mauling: 4/25/26
Weekend Linksplosion! This is behind a paywall, but the KU Athletics board has approved a larger line of credit for the department. Everything’s totally fine though, right? Home runs and head scratchers from the 2nd day of the NFL draft A 4 day, tornado-heavy weather pattern is set up across the central US In things […]
The podcast telling the stories behind Ambien, Ozempic, EpiPens, and other game-changing drugs
“We're basically not using our body as directed,” says "Drug Story" host Thomas Goetz.
Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview
A rare podcast featuring OpenAI's top executives was behind a paywall. Someone spent $100,000 to make it free to the public.
Best available players for the Broncos going into Day 3
Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Denver Broncos finally made a pick! They traded back into the top end of the third round and selected Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. He will help replace the void left behind by John Franklin-Myers, who left via free agency and […]
Arkansas eliminates tennis programs, leaving Razorbacks with 17 sports
The Razorbacks last cut a sport in 1993, but for entirely different reasons than the finances behind this move.
ASU grad working to improve health care systems and provider experience
By Cindy Shirlley KolenyoFor Amber Catalan, health care is not just about treating patients, it is about improving the systems behind care.Growing up in a military family as a first-generation college student, Catalan saw firsthand how people — particularly veterans — navigate complex health care systems. Those experiences, together with what she witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, influenced her desire to address gaps in care delivery.
“A Picayune Detail:” Nazi Science Heads West
As Allied forces crossed the English Channel during the D-Day invasion of June 1944, some 10,000 intelligence officers known as T-Forces were right behind the advance battalions. Their mission: seize munitions experts, technicians, German scientists and their research materials, along with French scientists who had collaborated with the Nazis. Soon, a substantial number of such scientists had been picked up and placed in an internment camp known as the Dustbin. In the original planning for the mission, a prime factor was the view that German military equipment – tanks, jets, rocketry and so forth – was technically superior and that captured scientists, technicians and engineers could be swiftly debriefed in an effort by the Allies to catch up.
Seahawks fans behind Jadarian Price selection at No. 32 overall
Seahawks fans reacted positively in large part to Jadarian Price being selected by Seattle with the No. 32 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Health care buyers turn to medtech's safer bets
Buyers are focused on the background infrastructure behind buzzy market segments.
Dillon Dingler’s Strong Start Puts Tigers in Good Hands
Dillon Dingler has turned into more than a glove-first catcher, giving the Tigers real offense and elite defense behind the plate.
@Me with Victoria B: Isabella Atkinson from Bally’s talks entertainment, marketing, Real Housewives
Victoria brings in Isabella Atkinson, Regional Marketing Coordinator for Bally’s Corporation, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of entertainment marketing.
The intersection of music in sports: behind the curtain
Music and sports are great separately, but when placed together, they create an atmosphere like no other. Correspondent Molly McCleary examines how music in sports, like gymnastics and softball, is essential for both the players and fans.
Heating up for health: Researcher weighs in on the science behind saunas and hot tubs
Heat therapy is hot right now. Saunas are popping up in more backyards and fitness centers. And heat is part of the constant conversation around optimizing health and wellness. But the idea of leveraging ...
Heating up for health: Researcher weighs in on the science behind saunas and hot tubs
Heat therapy is hot right now. Saunas are popping up in more backyards and fitness centers. And heat is part of the constant conversation around optimizing health and wellness. But the idea of leveraging ...
South Shields won't lose focus in promotion tussle
South Shields go into the final day of the National League North season two points behind leaders Fylde.
Climate Chronicles: The science behind sun dogs and sun halos
This week’s Climate Chronicles question comes from Amber.
'The Neighbourhood': Graham Norton Praised By Team Behind ITV Show
Graham Norton has been praised for his hosting of 'The Neighbourhood, ITV's Saturday night show, after he appeared in a Taylor Swift video.
‘The Neighbourhood’: Creative Team Behind ITV’s Latest Big Entertainment Bet On Host Graham Norton’s Perfectly “Mischievous & Witty” Tone: “We Feel Lucky To Have Got Him Inbetween Taylor Swift Video Shoots”
Graham Norton clearly doesn’t do things by halves and he spent a full month living around the corner from contestants on The Neighbourhood, ITV’s constructed reality series that launches Saturday nigh...
Brain to behavior to belief: Stanford Veritas Forum advocates role of science and faith in a fulfilled life
Arthur Brooks and Andrew Huberman shared the science behind fulfillment and how their Christian faith has played a role in their pursuit of happiness.
From Campus to Community: “Science & Storytelling” puts a human face on public health
At the Science & Storytelling event, speakers went beyond scientific language to forge genuine connections with the audience, putting human faces behind data
Trump Media replaces Nunes as Truth Social CEO after stock plunge that wiped out billions
The Trump business behind Truth Social is replacing a former congressman and big supporter of the U.S. president as the leader of the social media platform after a stock collapse that wiped out billions in investor wealth.
For the first time, scientists pinpoint the brain cells behind depression
Scientists have identified two specific types of brain cells that behave differently in people with depression, offering a clearer picture of what is happening inside the brain. By analyzing donated brain tissue with advanced genetic tools, the researchers found changes in neurons linked to mood and stress, as well as in immune-related microglia cells. These differences point to disruptions in key brain systems and reinforce that depression is rooted in biology, not just emotions.
Behind every crunch: The surprising science of potato chips
Behind the humble potato chip are researchers constantly thinking up new ways to make potatoes tastier, hardier and more adaptable.
Behind the Shield Named a Finalist for Cynopsis Sports Awards
Behind the Shield, a seven-part docuseries following the 2025 U.S. Men’s U20 team, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards.There are more than 30 categories in this year’s Cynopsis Sports Awards, recognizing an exceptional group of organizations, teams and individuals driving innovation, creativity and impact across the sports industry.
🚨Simeone rings the changes in Elche
Atlético de Madrid want to put the disappointment of the cup final behind them against an Elche side fighting for some breathing room. Plenty of changes in Atleti’s starting eleven, from goal where...
This is the surprising science behind the potato breed in your bag of chips
Michigan professor David Douches explains why the perfect chipping potato is so hard to find.
Stumbling upon science fiction with ‘I, Robot’
When I was growing up, my father had a bookshelf with glass doors. Behind the delicate handles were elegant hardcovers, fairy tale collections with beautiful illustrations and sentimental classics, li...
Dave Mason, co-founder of Traffic known for 'We Just Disagree' and 'Feelin’ Alright,' dies at 79
Dave Mason, co-founder of the psychedelic British band Traffic and songwriter behind “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe,” died Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada | KMBZ
CBL Scholars Program Opens Pathways to Business Law Careers - UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings)
First-year law students and 2026 CBL Scholars Deniz Masjedi, Alvaro Flores, and Tavia Pappaly gain mentorship connections with leading industry professionals as they prepare for careers in business law. Created by the UC Center for Business Law San Francisco (CBL), the CBL Scholars Program aims to develop the next generation of business law leaders, supported by contributions from individuals and corporate sponsors. The highly competitive program provides funding along with academic and professional mentorship to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Scholars gain exposure to the Bay Area’s technology and venture capital ecosystems and access to UC Law SF’s broad network of senior legal professionals. Now in its sixth year, the CBL Scholars Program provides a scholarship and academic and professional mentorship to students entering the business law community from disadvantaged educational, economic, social, or physical backgrounds. The program is generously sponsored by the law firms Gunderson Dettmer and Goodwin Procter. Meet this year’s CBL Scholars: Deniz Masjedi, Alvaro Flores, and Tavia Pappaly. All three have secured summer associate positions at prestigious law firms. Deniz Masjedi: A Passion for Helping Founders Grow Companies Deniz Masjedi, who was born in Iran and moved to Southern California as a teenager, traces her interest in law to her family’s immigration journey and her desire to advocate for herself and her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, where she studied political science and sociology. At UC Law SF, she serves as a 1L representative for the Iranian Law Students Association and is active in the Business Law Society and Technology & Law Society. Next fall, she will serve as director of mentorship for the Technology & Law Society and director of professional development for the Business Law Society. She will join Sidley Austin this year as a 1L/2L summer associate. Q: What draws you to business law? A: Prior to law school, I worked in Cooley LLP’s Private Companies practice group as a corporate paralegal for three years, supporting over 100 venture-backed startups and venture capital funds. I found purpose in helping founders transform their vision into successful companies. It was incredibly rewarding being part of their journeys—from company formation and initial financing to major transactions such as M&A deals. What excites me most about this field is the potential for a small, innovative company to become the next Google or Zoom, shaping how people communicate and access information. I hope to continue supporting entrepreneurs and investors as a corporate attorney. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: As the first person in my family to attend law school in the United States, receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor. My parents and I left everything behind so that I could enjoy the freedom to practice my religion without persecution and pursue a career in law as a woman. This award is an acknowledgment of my dedication to business law and motivates me to continue pursuing excellence in this field. It also recognizes years of hard work—learning a new language, navigating the college and law school application process, and ultimately building a career in the legal profession. Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: This scholarship will provide access to mentorship from leaders in the field, enabling me to develop the skills necessary to offer practical advice and effective representation to future clients. It also eases the financial burden of law school, letting me focus on my coursework and deepen my commitment to corporate law. As an immigrant, breaking into the legal profession has not always been easy, and the time that mentors have invested in me has been instrumental to my progress. This scholarship will allow me to continue building those relationships while positioning me to one day mentor others pursuing similar paths. Alvaro Flores: Inspired by Entrepreneurs The son of Mexican immigrants raised in San Antonio, Texas, Alvaro Flores says he has long been interested in how policy, markets, and culture shape society. He studied international relations and global economy at the University of Southern California, with minors in business finance and legal studies. His experiences span local political organizing, venture capital and startup work, and teaching entrepreneurship. At UC Law SF, he is involved in the Business Law Society, Technology & Law Society, and the Latinx Law Student Association. He will join Perkins Coie as a 1L/2L summer associate with the firm’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice. Q: What draws you to business law? A: I’m drawn to stories of entrepreneurs whose simple ideas become companies that shape the economy and society. Spending time in venture capital and working directly with founders has shown me that many important decisions in the scaling process are ultimately legal ones, particularly how companies are structured and how capital is raised. Business law sits at the intersection of innovation and equity. It offers a way to stay close to the pace of technological change while also helping expand who gets to participate in it. There is something special about being part of that process here in the Bay Area, where the American Dream feels like it is reimagined in real time. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: I am truly grateful for the support and belief this scholarship represents. I see it not just as recognition, but also as alignment. The CBL Scholars Program’s focus on developing individuals who engage deeply with the business and technology ecosystem reflects the path I have been intentionally building. More than anything, it feels like an investment in that journey. I have been thoughtful about each next step–whether teaching, working in venture capital, or building multidisciplinary experiences–and this scholarship reinforces that those efforts come together in a meaningful way. Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: It allows me to focus more on developing as a business lawyer, without the distraction of financial constraints. Beyond that, the mentorship and access to the Bay Area network are just as valuable. I’m especially interested in working with early-stage companies and investors, so the opportunity to learn directly from people operating at a high level in that space is huge. Tavia Pappaly: Working in the Wine Industry Sparked Interest in Business and Law Tavia Pappaly spent five years in the wine industry before deciding to pursue law school with a goal of becoming a corporate transactions attorney. Pappaly says she wants to use her legal skills to help business grow and thrive. A first-generation law student from Fairfield, California, she is a member of the Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP) and will serve as vice president of social planning for the UC Law SF Sports Law Society in her 2L year. She plans to work as a summer associate at Gibson Dunn in San Francisco after her 2L year. Q: What draws you to business law? A: Business law brings together many of my interests and personal experiences. As the daughter of immigrants who grew up around a family-owned small business, I saw firsthand both the opportunities and challenges of building something from the ground up. That perspective, combined with my experience in the wine industry, solidified my interest in helping businesses of all sizes tackle evolving legal challenges. I’m excited to grow within the corporate law space and develop the skills and experience to support businesses at every stage. I’m deeply motivated to give back to immigrant communities and small business owners, whose experiences often intersect. By building a strong foundation in corporate law, I hope to support those working to create generational stability and to contribute in a meaningful way to the communities that have shaped me. Q: What does it mean to you to have been awarded this scholarship? A: Receiving this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. I take great pride in my background as a first-generation student and a woman of color, so being recognized for my potential in a field that has historically underrepresented those communities is both affirming and empowering. This program will help connect me to the resources and committed mentors that will help me succeed. Beyond that, it is no secret that law school is a significant financial commitment. This scholarship helps ease both the financial burden and the stress that comes with it, allowing me to focus more on my education and long-term goals. I am incredibly grateful! Q: How will this scholarship help support your future goals? A: This scholarship has already connected me with an incredible network of faculty, business law professionals, and like-minded students. The community fostered by the Center for Business Law is deeply supportive, and I’m excited to grow alongside my cohort. I truly believe this network will play an important role in helping me thrive in law school and position me for success in business law. As I have seen firsthand how impactful both financial scholarship and mentorship are, I hope to give back in this same way later in my career.
AEG Presents and Goldenvoice Spotlight Careers in Live Entertainment at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / More than 100 local high school students gained a behind-the-scenes look at careers in live entertainment when AEG Presents and Goldenvoice hosted a career exposure day at the Coachella Valley Music ...
AEG Presents and Goldenvoice Spotlight Careers in Live Entertainment at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
More than 100 local high school students gained a behind-the-scenes look at careers in live entertainment when AEG Presents and Goldenvoice hosted a career exposure day at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA on April 15, 2026.
The behavioural science behind vaccination acceptance
The ECDC, Europe’s public health agency, has collated a set of tools for improving immunisation rates based on social and behavioural science
Avalanche fans shatter glass behind Kings bench after save on penalty shot, causing lengthy delay before Avs win in OT
Prep baseball roundup: Birmingham, behind Carlos Acuna, stays one game behind ECR
Carlos Acuna strikes out 11 in six innings in Birmingham's 8-0 win over Granada Hills.
State prison officials are grappling with a crisis behind bars
NY1 went inside one of the state’s largest prisons — Green Haven Correctional Facility — for an exclusive look beyond its walls.
Behind the scenes of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2': Anne Hathaway's push for body diversity, Sydney Sweeney's cut scene and more
The film's couture-clad cast and crew have been dishing on all things Runway magazine and reuniting nearly two decades later.
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
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