SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " depart " 5,597 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
State elevates Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to Level I trauma center
Lakeland Regional becomes the 12th Level I center designated by the Department of Health. The hospital, which cares for more than 4,400 patients annually, has been a provisional Level I facility since May 2025.
Texas doctor charged in $89M fraud case as administration pushes health care crackdown
The Justice Department has charged a Texas doctor in an $89 million health care fraud scheme, accusing him of billing insurers for medically unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests.
CDC’s chief blocked a covid vaccine study. Now it’s in a top medical journal.
The study found that the vaccine reduced the risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations among healthy adults by about half last winter.
Hackensack Meridian to upgrade pediatric behavioral health tech
Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has received nearly $150,000 from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to support new technology at Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune, N.J. The funding will support the installation of five interactive media walls in the Pediatric Emergency Department’s Behavioral Health Unit, according to a June 22 […]
Texas doctor charged in $89M fraud case as administration pushes healthcare crackdown
The Justice Department says it has charged a Texas doctor in an $89 million healthcare fraud scheme, accusing him of billing insurers for medically unnecessary cardiovascular screening tests for college student-athletes and then rubber-stamping the res...
New Vaccine Clinics - Cabell-Huntington Health Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2026 Cabell-Huntington Health Department Continues After-Hours Vaccine Clinics through Summer Months Huntington, WV – The Cabell-Huntington Health Department (CHHD) will offer two evening vaccine clinics […]
Exclusive | Justice Department Unveils $6.5 Billion Healthcare Fraud Crackdown
Prosecutors are expected to charge around 450 defendants in alleged fraud spanning Medicaid and hospice care.
Shelby Co. Health Department questions integrity of community air monitoring report data
The Shelby County Health Department has raised questions about the integrity of data behind a May community air monitoring project report.
Whitmer names Amy Epkey as Michigan health acting director as Elizabeth Hertel steps down
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer named a new acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ahead of current Director Elizabeth Hertel's departure.
Experts on history, politics reflect on U.S. 250th birthday milestone
As our nation’s celebration of its 250th birthday approaches, experts in history and political science at Virginia Tech can provide perspectives on how far the United States of America has advanced since its founding and the issues that will influence where it goes next.
Justice Department charges two more in alleged plot to attack White House UFC event
Two more men have been charged in the alleged plot to attack the UFC White House fight earlier this month, providing new insight on how far in preparation the Justice Department believes the group came in carrying out the would-be attack.
Judge says Trump DOJ subpoenas of Tim Walz and other Democrats are unconstitutional
A federal judge on Monday blocked the Justice Department from forcing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other officials to turn over records in its probe of Democratic resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, calling the move retaliatory.
Community Power Building to Advance Rural Health and Equity
Focus groups with rural health departments revealed core principles and calls to action to better center community voices in decision making.
Federal health agencies unveil plan to speed up phase 1 clinical trials by 6 to 12 months
As the biotech world flocks to San Diego today for the BIO International Convention, the Department of Health and Human Services has provided plenty of conversation fodder with the announcement of | As the biotech world flocks to San Diego today for the BIO International Convention, the Department of Health and Human Services has provided plenty of conversation fodder with the announcement of a series of efforts to regain ground on China’s surging early-stage clinical development capabilities.
Do Trump’s latest moves signify the end of the Department of Education as we know it?
A new push attempts to reallocate educational programs across the government
Starmer’s turn at the Podium of Doom sees him depart with good(ish) grace
The PM is another butterfly broken on the wheel of the public gaze, not quite ready to accept his own limitations
Health insurers are seeking rate hikes again. Here’s what to know
The Connecticut Insurance Department annually reviews requests by insurance companies to raise or lower rates on health coverage.
DOJ may be able to release potentially embarrassing Biden audio recordings unless courts step in
Former President Joe Biden is in an uphill battle to try to stop the Justice Department from sharing recordings it collected of him speaking to his ghostwriter in 2016 and 2017, during which his speech and memory faltered.
Air Force award supports research on electronics that can survive extremes
Betul Akkopru-Akgun, assistant research professor in Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute, has received an Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program award to investigate how electricity and heat move through materials used in extreme environments.
Sunderland’s Potential Summer Departures Part One: Goalkeepers And Defenders
Dean McDonald casts his eye over our defensive fringe players and what the future may hold for them beyond the summer.
Former high-level health officials think out loud about HHS, FDA
More than 15 years after the National Academy of Medicine summoned a blue-ribbon panel to “reimagine” the Department of Health and Human Services for the 21st century, the cabinet-level operation has yet to make good on the experts’ overarching directive.
Department of Health launches rural health initiative to modernize patient scheduling
West Virginia’s Department of Health has issued an RFP for a statewide patient scheduling platform to modernize how residents find and book care.
Pound Trades Near 2026 Low as UK Political Uncertainty Builds
The pound traded near this year’s low on expectations Keir Starmer will set out a timetable for his departure as UK prime minister in coming days.
What men should know about the US government's latest move on testosterone therapy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is requesting revisions to the labels on testosterone replacement therapies for men after reviewing new data and evidence on their safety and benefits.
What men should know about the US government's latest move on testosterone therapy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is requesting revisions to the labels on testosterone replacement therapies for men after reviewing new data and evidence on their safety and benefits.
DCCA expands pathway for mental health professionals ahead of July 1 launch
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is preparing for the July 1 implementation of Act 93, which creates new provisional licenses for associate psychologists, associate marriage and family therapists, and associate mental health counselors.
Campbell County health and food inspections (6/12/26–6/18/26)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Consumer Health Services Division of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of retail food establishments throughout Wyoming (where there is not a local health department that does inspections) to help ensure safety of Wyoming residents. Campbell County establishments are inspected at least once a year by the WDA. All of […]
Natrona County health and food inspections (6/12/26–6/18/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Laramie County health and food inspections (6/12/26–6/18/26)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department inspects restaurants, bars, convenience stores, delis, grocery stores, bed and breakfasts
Bulloch County Health Department to host WIC Farmers Market this Tuesday & Wednesday
Eligible Georgia residents participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program will soon have more access to fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables through a series of farmers' markets hosted by the Southeast Health District. The market will be at the health department (1 W. Altman St.) on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 9am-2pm each day.
The science of canine fitness and rehabilitation
Dr. Leilani Alvarez serves as Director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation & Fitness Service and leads the Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine Department at the Schwarzman Animal…
Probe into Newsom produces a lot of smoke. Is there any fire?
Some say the investigation will boost the governor's presidential prospects. But it’s too soon to say. The action by Trump's corrupted Department of "Justice" presents more questions than answers.
The Would-Be Intelligence Chief Caught Between Trump and Congress
Jay Clayton is a versatile team player who has deftly navigated the Justice Department but is now in limbo regarding two jobs.
Measles case reported at Dulles Airport, Adams Morgan clinic
A measles case has been reported in a Maryland resident who traveled internationally, the Maryland Department of Health said on Saturday.
What men should know about the US government’s latest move on testosterone therapy
The US Department of Health and Human Services is requesting revisions to the labels on testosterone replacement therapies for men after reviewing new data and evidence on their safety and benefits. These updates could pave the way for easier access to testosterone replacement therapy.
Disability Groups Fear RFK Jr.’s New Special Education Role
Alienated by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims about autism, advocates for disabled students are sounding the alarm about the Trump administration's shifting special education programs to his department.
Health officials warn visitors that cannabis in Washington can be stronger than in other parts of US
The Washington Department of Health is warning FIFA visitors about the strength of cannabis in Washington.
Hawai‘i set to receive nearly $25 million for Native Hawaiian health care
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and Papa Ola Lōkahi, which coordinates health care programs and services for Native Hawaiians, will receive nearly $25 million in federal funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
California’s Newsom, Under Federal Investigation, Leans Into Fight With Trump
The Democratic governor considering a presidential run has turned a Justice Department probe into a fundraising opportunity.
Two W.Va. health departments are offering a Lyme disease preventative antibiotic
Kanawha-Charleston, Fayette County health departments offer antibiotic to fight Lyme disease
Jake: Washington health department warns World Cup tourists — Our weed is no joke
The Washington health department has issued formal guidance warning visiting foreigners to be careful with our weed products.
Iowa Health and Human Services director resigns after confirmation stalls in Senate
After his confirmation was denied in the Iowa Senate, Larry Johnson has resigned as the Iowa HHS director and will instead serve as the department's new principal deputy director.
ABC30 sports director Stephen Hicks, reporter Gabe Ferris to depart
ABC30 is set to lose two of its on-air personalities this summer as sports director Stephen Hicks and reporter Gabe Ferris depart the Fresno station for new opportunities outside the Central Valley. Hicks announced Friday
Missouri health department transfers $71.9 million in marijuana funds
The Department of Health and Senior Services has disbursed $194.6 million to various statewide agencies to date.
Arkansas Food Science & Innovation Center gets State Grant
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced a $5 million grant for the construction of the University of Arkansas Department of Food Science’s Center of Excellence for Food Science and Innovation.
Exclusive: Grizzlies make new hire to lead player health and performance staff
The Memphis Grizzlies have hired Mike Curtis to lead their medical and training staff. Among those departing is vice president and head of sports medicine Eric Oetter.
DOJ rebuffs judge’s request for Blanche to declare in court that anti-weaponization fund is dead
The Justice Department is rebuffing a judge’s request that it supply a court declaration from senior administration officials that would confirm that the so-called anti-weaponization fund is not moving forward.
DOJ probes JPMorgan, Citigroup transactions tied to Iran supreme leader's business network
A Justice Department probe is reviewing transactions tied to a business network linked to Iran's supreme leader and its reported connections to Wall Street firms
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces $5 million in funding for UA Food Sciences Center of Excellence
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has allocated $5 million from the Restricted Reserve fund to the University of Arkansas Department of Food Science for the construction of a Center of Excel…
High School Students Conduct Research at UAMS’ Summer Under the Microscope Camp
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) welcomed nearly 20 high school students to its inaugural Summer Under the Microscope camp. Under the supervision of the department’s faculty, the students from around central Arkansas conducted various…
Justice Department opens civil rights probe after Giants’ Pride protest
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into MLB, claiming discrimination against Giants pitchers after the team’s Pride Night.
Health advisory issued for Sanibel Causeway due to bacteria levels
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a water quality advisory for the Sanibel Causeway after tests showed elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria.
Two health departments will offer preventative Lyme disease treatment due to ‘extreme tick season’
Amidst an increase in tick bites, two West Virginia health departments are offering medication that can prevent the onset of the disease.
Addiction treatment hits the road in North Carolina
By Rachel Crumpler Key Takeaways: About a month ago, a young woman stopped by a bright green and blue bus parked outside the Alamance County Health Department, ready to start treatment for opioid use disorder. A mobile opioid treatment program — operating as a licensed extension of New Season Treatment Center’s Greensboro brick-and-mortar clinic — […]
Iran’s ships head homeward to Gulf for ‘business as usual’ after US deal
Tracking data shows cargo vessels departing from Malaysian waters as Washington reaches agreement with Tehran
Senate Panel to Consider Mark Cruz for Indian Health Service Director Post
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a nomination hearing on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. EDT to consider Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, for the position of director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services. The White House announced on Monday, […]
Major grocery operator on the hook for $40M over pharmacy monkey business; $6M windfall for whistleblower
One of the largest food retailers in the world—and the fourth biggest in this country—got itself into hot water with the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly cheating on drug prices it charges to federal healthcare programs.
Monroe County sheriff's employees indicted after inmate worked at private business
A Tennessee Comptroller's investigation has led to indictments against two Monroe County Sheriff's Department employees accused of using inmate labor for privat
Student-loan borrowers can now receive repayment interest benefit
The Education Department announced a 1% student-loan interest-rate deduction for borrowers who enroll in autopay beginning July 1.
Regulatory investigations reveal systemic failures among Commercial California Health Plans in delivering timely behavioral health care
Commercial California health plans are failing enrollees who need access to behavioral health services for mental health and substance use disorder care, recent investigations have shown. Across three rounds of investigations, the California Department of Managed Health Care found 70 Knox-Keene Act violations and 35 barriers to care across 14 health plans, spanning national, regional, and county-based plans.
The unwanted return of tetanus; why soccer makes people so happy; breast cancer in men; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
Women’s Health interviewed Kathryn Edwards, MD, Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Pediatrics, for a story about her JAMA Viewpoint article on tetanus making a comeback. Women’s Health interviewed Colin Armstrong, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, for a story tied to the World Cup about why soccer makes people so happy. An NBC News story about the announcement by “X-Men” actor and former wrestler Tyler Mane that he has breast cancer quotes Ben Ho Park, MD, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The story focuses on how a prominent man with breast cancer may help remove some stigma from a cancer that is rare in males. Prevention magazine interviewed Caitlyn Mooney, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, for a story about a BMJ study that suggests 90 to 120 minutes per week of strength training may lower the risk of death. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted by several news outlets about public health issues, including: Women’s Health (norovirus is more common this summer); SFGate (measles in San Francisco just before the World Cup crowds); Travel + Leisure (how to avoid getting sick on a cruise); and Fox News (mosquito-borne diseases). Reporter Liz DeSantis from WKRN News 2 aired a story on the rehab unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Kat Hedden, PT, DPT, PCS, CBIS, Acute Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinical Team Lead and Mary McLanahan, MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were interviewed, as well as the family of patient Will Terry. Reporter Nikki Hauser from WTVF News Channel 5 interviewed Graden Knapp, Gaming and Technology Specialist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt about his 3-D wheelchair project. Tennesseanreporter Sandy Mazza covered the announcement of the latest Leadership Nashville class, which includes Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy CEO, and Chief Health Systems Office for Vanderbilt Health; and also the announcement of the latest Leadership Tennessee cohort, which includes Jeff Upperman, MD, Surgeon in Chief at Monroe Carroll Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
States file to stop DOJ from demanding patient data from providers
California and 18 other states are asking the court to bar the U.S. Department of Justice from accessing the protected health information of minor patients as part of a federal investigation into gender-affirming care.
UVM Announces Team-Specific Stores Open Until June 29 with Nike/BSN Sports
BURLINGTON, Vt. - University of Vermont Athletics and the University Licensing Department are proud to announce a partnership with Nike and BSN Sports to make sport-specific gear available to our fans as we ramp up to the 2026-27 season!
OhioHealth agrees to void contracts that allegedly punished payers for including competitors in-network
The U.S. Department of Justice said the settlement will save citizens of the state money and open up the market to competition.
Exclusive: Trump administration ramps up effort to revoke citizenship from naturalized Americans
The Trump administration plans to file at least 250 denaturalization cases by October, significantly intensifying its effort to revoke citizenship from people naturalized in the United States, according to a senior Justice Department official.
Essentia Health-Virginia expands emergency department
VIRGINIA, Minn. — Essentia Health-Virginia has begun construction on an expansion that is set to nearly double the capacity of its emergency department. The expansion includes a dedicated behavioral health suite and five additional exam r…
Health department reports new travel-related dengue case on Oahu
Health officials said that the expected risk of local transmission is low.
Brenham ISD board accepts generous science department donation from the Chilellis
The Brenham ISD Board of Trustees officially accepted a generous monetary donation from Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Chilelli aimed at enhancing science education at Brenham Junior High School.
Despite concerns, CDPAP users question Trump lawsuit
The Trump Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging that the state Department of Health conducted a “sham bid process."
Despite concerns, CDPAP users question Trump lawsuit
The Trump Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging that the state Department of Health conducted a “sham bid process."
Discovery Supercomputer’s first applications selected for Day-One Science
Scientific computing experts at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have selected the first nine research projects that will run on Discovery, the nation’s next flagship supercomputer, slated for deployment in 2028. The projects will be developed through the Discovery Center for Accelerated Application Readiness program at ORNL’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. The program is designed to ensure that a suite of leading-edge scientific applications is optimized and ready to deliver results as soon as Discovery becomes operational.
Discovery Supercomputer’s First Applications Selected for Day-One Science
Scientific computing experts at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have selected the first nine research projects that will run on Discovery, the nation’s next flagship supercomputer, slated for deployment in 2028.The projects will be developed through the Discovery Center for Accelerated Application Readiness (CAAR) program at ORNL’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF).
Justice Department sues New York over Medicaid home care ‘fraud scheme’
The Justice Department is suing the New York State Department of Health, the state’s Medicaid director and a company operating a $10 billion home health prog…
New Plan Scales Back C.D.C.’s Work on Diseases Abroad
The State Department is taking over much of the control of global health initiatives, for which critics say the department does not have the expertise.
Trenton Health Department facility has rodent infestation, emails show
Emails associated with the alleged infestation obtained by The Trentonian show an exasperation by employees who in early May found mice poop on their desks, atop papers, and left in other work areas.
Advanced Health Research on Station Using Augmented, Virtual Reality Tools
Biomedical tests using augmented and virtual reality tools to advance space health dominated the research schedule aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday. The Expedition 74 crew is also turning its attention to a spacewalk at the end of the month following the departure of a U.S. cargo spacecraft.
Health department orders Wintzell’s Montgomery location to close
A popular seafood restaurant in downtown Montgomery has been ordered to close by the Montgomery County Health Department.
DOH-Orange WIC Returns to the SouthSide Health Center - Florida Department of Health in Orange County
Orlando, Fla. — After being temporarily relocated for HVAC upgrades, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will return to the Southside Health Center on June 22, 2026.
US Health Department announces over $700 million to combat mental health, addiction, homelessness
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday announced more than $700 million in new funding opportunities aimed at tackling mental illness, addiction and homelessness.
Department of Energy Selects 36th Class of Computational Science Graduate Fellows
Twenty-nine students working toward achieving doctorates in fields that emphasize the use of computing and mathematics have been selected for the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) program.
Raccoon in Anne Arundel County tests positive for rabies; health officials seek anyone exposed
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is looking for anyone who may have come in contact with a raccoon on or near McGill Court and Milburn Circle in Pasadena after the animal tested positive for rabies.
HHS announces over $700 million to fund behavioral health, other initiatives
The Department of Health and Human Services June 17 announced it will provide more than $700 million in funding for initiatives on mental illness, addiction and homelessness.
Biostatistics faculty elected to leadership posts in top statistics societies
Three Department of Biostatistics faculty have won new leadership roles and honors in the American Statistical Association and the International Statistical Institute
Vanderbilt Health advances nursing innovation and workforce well-being in ‘Strong by Design’ State of Nursing address
She highlighted several systemic and financial programs designed to improve departmental collaboration between frontline staff and operational teams, and better support workforce well-being and professional growth.
Delaware Public Health District warns of rabies case
The health department said it is important for residents to take precautions
SGMC Health Welcomes Barry Fleming as Director of Main Emergency Department
SGMC Health welcomes Barry Fleming as Director of the Emergency Department at SGMC Health Main.
LSU Unveils Energy-Efficient Science Hub
BATON ROUGE – LSU's new Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building brings five science departments together under one roof for the first
Newsom sees Trump DOJ investigation as a political gift
An investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) could have put California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on defense. Instead, it is giving Newsom, seen as a leading Democratic White House contender…
Five New Sport Programs Approved by Murray State University Board of Regents
After a thorough analysis of future departmental growth and campus enrollment strategies, Murray State Athletics is proud to announce that it will be expandi...
NC Senate eyes involuntary commitment bill targeting mental health, crime
A Senate committee is expected to review a House-approved proposal to shift some mental evaluations out of emergency departments and expand the number of people who can conduct them.
U.S. Sues N.Y. State Over Troubled $11 Billion Home Health Care Program
The Justice Department accused officials of failing to police a vendor it said had siphoned off millions of dollars. A spokeswoman for Gov. Kathy Hochul called the suit an attempt to weaponize the justice system.
Simone Johnson Talks WWE Departure, Whether She'd Ever Return To Entertainment
Simone Johnson, formerly known as "WWE NXT" General Manager Ava, spoke about her departure from the company, and if she'd ever return to entertainment.
Trump DOJ sues NY health officials, alleging ‘backroom deal’ in home care overhaul
The Justice Department alleges the state officials improperly awarded a contract to provide home health services.
Justice Department sues New York state DOH over CDPAP transition
The DOJ argues that the state DOH conducted a "sham bid process" and failed to take action to hold Public Partnerships LLC accountable.
Merchants of Doubt and the attacks on Extreme Event Attribution science
Last week, I attended a meeting at Columbia University on attribution science and climate law, hosted by the Sabin Center. It was a fantastic event, bringing together scientists and legal experts working at the intersection of extreme event attribution and climate law. Subscribe For those unfamiliar with it, extreme event attribution attempts to quantify the contribution of climate change to an extreme event. For example, several groups analyzed the impact of climate change on Hurricane Harvey’s enormous rainfall totals over Houston, Texas and they found that climate change increased rainfall by 15 to 38%. One thing that came up again and again was how terrified fossil-fuel interests are of extreme event attribution science. They are acutely aware that this research could land them in court. And losing those cases would leave them legally liable for billions of dollars in climate damages. Because the legal stakes are so high, the blowback has turned ugly. I spoke with several scientists at the meeting who are facing ongoing harassment over their work. This blowback is a coordinated campaign to make the entire field look suspect. The goal is to create the impression that attribution science is too uncertain, too political, or too conflicted to be useful in court or in public policy. The strategy is not based on actual science or evidence of misconduct, but on the generation of doubt. The new Merchants of Doubt We’ve seen this before. In fact, not that long ago: We only have to go back a year to the Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group (CWG) report to see an example of using doubt as the tool to push back against well-established science. This strategy is laid out in an email from a member of the CWG, Dr. Roy Spencer, that was released during litigation over the Climate Working Group process. The key quote is: About all I can hope is that what we write will provide sufficient “reasonable scientific doubt” regarding the science claims in the 2009 TSD [technical support document], based upon almost 2 decades of new science, to call into question the original reasoning for the EPA Administrator’s decision that CO2 presents a threat to human health and welfare. This statement is strong evidence that at least some members of the committee were working to support a particular policy outcome: revoking the Endangerment Finding. The email also explains how they planned to do it: by attempting to generate “reasonable doubt”. This is going to be hard, Spencer implies. Despite falsely claiming that “2 decades of new science” weakens the case, Spencer explicitly acknowledges that the actual peer-reviewed science of climate change overwhelmingly rejects his position: But if the science argument is decided upon by a vote, or by the number of published citations, we lose the science argument. We can go back even further: This CWG email shares unmistakable DNA with the infamous 1969 tobacco memo that declared: “Doubt is our product, since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” The tobacco memo also acknowledges the limit of this strategy: Like the CWG, they knew the science was not on their side. Share The new new Merchants of Doubt The people attacking the IPCC chapter on extreme event attribution are the newest iteration of the Merchants of Doubt. Their goal, like all Merchants before them, is to introduce doubt into the process. Because the report is not even out yet, they cannot attack its conclusions. So they are attacking the authors instead. Here is a press release from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving members of the Attribution Committee, stating that “publicly available information suggests a troubling pattern” in which committee members are affiliated with nonprofits that support climate accountability lawsuits, “raising the appearance of impropriety and member bias.” To be clear, this is just innuendo. There is no actual evidence of bias. And given the robust process that these reports go through, including multiple lines of peer review, it seems very unlikely that significant bias can survive into the report. When the report comes out, critics will have the opportunity to make legitimate criticisms of the report — if any exist. If none do, however, they’ll still make criticisms, but they’ll be bogus, simply designed to generate doubt. We’ll see. A note to the press: Fix your frame To any journalists reading this: The public debate over extreme event attribution science is not going away. The science is simply too dangerous to fossil-fuel interests for them to stop fighting it. You very well might be assigned to write an article about this area of research in the future. When you do, do not automatically adopt the framing that climate misinformers want you to use. They want you to frame the story around questions like: Are climate scientists trying to put their thumb on the scale to achieve a predetermined, politically motivated result? Are climate scientists improperly letting their politics invade the science of the IPCC? That frame is a trap. Instead, you need to view this through the historical lens of the Merchants of Doubt. How does the ecosystem of doubt operate? Who funds it? What methods do they use to misrepresent science and slime researchers? What scientific results are they trying to keep people from understanding are legitimate? Ultimately, you instead need to focus your article on the generation of doubt as a way to maintain the fossil fuel industry’s social and legal license to keep burning oil, gas, and coal. If you treat the misinformers’ frame as a legitimate, good-faith scientific critique, you are helping them produce doubt. Don’t do it. Don’t be a Merchant of Doubt. Thanks for reading The Climate Brink! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Subscribe other stuff The Staying Curious Substack has an interesting post about the different flavors of climate sensitivity. This is crucial information if you want to understand how scientists think about how much warming the Earth will experience. I’d be grateful if you could hit the like button ❤️ below! It helps more people discover these ideas and lets me know what’s connecting with readers.
Yinming Shao named Downsbrough Early Career Professor of Physics
Yinming Shao, assistant professor of physics at Penn State, has been honored with the Downsbrough Early Career Professorship in Physics in recognition of his research contributions, teaching, and service to the Department of Physics and the Eberly College of Science.
Northeastern appoints Mark Williams as dean of College of Science
Mark Williams, professor and chair of the Department of Physics, will assume the position of dean for the College of Science July 1, according to a June 11 email to the college’s faculty, staff and students. Williams, who joined Northeastern in 2001, will enter the role following physics professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic...
Todd Blanche is no sure thing in looming AG nomination battle
Past scandals and a history of personal service to Trump are complicating the president’s pick to lead the Justice Department
Trump moves oversight of special education, civil rights out of Education Dept.
The Department of Justice will take on enforcement of civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education