SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " major " 6,079 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
On the Hill: Health Care Reauthorizations, Congressional Hearings
House leaders plan votes this week on reauthorizing rural health and telehealth programs, as well as a proposed directive on lung cancer research. Legislation to be taken up under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage, includes H.R. 2493, which would reauthorize rural health care grants through fiscal 2030, and has been unanimously approved by the House […]
APSU alum Hannah Richards becomes Vanderbilt’s first Schmidt Science Fellow
When Hannah Richards first declared chemistry as her major at Austin Peay State University, she was "100% confident" she would change it.
Billy Donovan leaving Bulls after front office change, stepping away after six seasons as head coach
After firing Artūras Karnišovas and GM Marc Eversley in a major reorganization, Chicago wanted to keep Donovan around — but the veteran head coach had a different idea.
Places in the US everyone should see, according to frequent traveler
As someone who's visited all 50 US states and every major national park, I think everyone should visit places like Northern New Mexico at least once.
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
Samsung To Release New Free Upgrade To Millions Of Galaxy Phones
Samsung is bringing a major free Galaxy S26 upgrade to millions of Galaxy phones via the One UI 8.5 release.
Alzheimer’s drugs offer little benefit, major review finds – and the reasons go deeper than the science
Alzheimer’s research shows what happens when funding pressures and vested interests corrupt the pursuit of scientific truth.
Apple to drop Intel Mac support with macOS 27, Tahoe 26 becomes final release
macOS 27 will end support for Intel-based Macs Apple is preparing to end major macOS support for Intel-based Macs with macOS 27. The change is being
Yomiuri: Nojima to Acquire Hitachi's Home Appliance Business for 110 Billion Yen
Nojima Corp., a major Japanese consumer electronics retailer, announced Tuesday that it will acquire Hitachi Ltd.'s home appliance business for about 110 billion yen.
Virginia voters to decide on new House map with major midterm implications
Virginia is the latest front in an unprecedented coast-to-coast redistricting war, with voters on Tuesday set to determine whether to accept or reject a Democratic plan to dramatically redraw the state’s congressional maps and help shape the midterm elections.
Burlington Mall Unveils Major 2026 Expansion with New Dining, Retail, and Entertainment Concepts - Boston Real Estate Times
BURLINGTON, Mass.— Burlington Mall is set to significantly expand its offerings in 2026, introducing a wave of new restaurants, retail stores, and interactive experiences aimed at transforming the property into […]
Microsoft Teams and Outlook are getting significant changes soon
Teams is about to feel very different with major UI changes for the toolbar and performance tweaks, while Outlook quietly adds smart Copilot features you might rely on daily.
Sony’s major Xperia 1 VIII redesign looks unconvincing in a new leaked render
Sony may introduce a major redesign to its flagship phones, though some details remain unclear.
Entertainment Look-A-Head: Michael Jackson movie release, Daredevil’s story continues, more games drop
From April 21 - 27, numerous video games launch alongside a wave of streaming content. Major shows like “Andor” and “The Boys” return and the awaited Michael Jackson movie arrives in theaters. The 2026 NFL Draft also begins on Thursday.
When will Cincinnati host major sports events? Commission wants Queen City on the map
The Cincinnati Sports Commission started decades ago but was recently reconstructed to have more dedicated employees and a larger budget.
How MLS is changing to compete with world football’s elite
Major League Soccer is preparing for one of the most ambitious transformations in its recent history. The goal is to position the league as a global benchmark capable of competing with Europe’s bigg...
Stars turn out for Science Gala in Los Angeles
Fox News correspondent Max Gorden has the latest on the gala that attracted major stars on 'Fox Report.'
Inside Iowa Politics: Why Iowa’s secretary of state doesn’t want big election changes
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is not looking for major changes to election laws, despite an executive order from President Donald Trump that could force significant alterations to the voting process.
Inside Iowa Politics: Why Iowa’s secretary of state doesn’t want big election changes
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is not looking for major changes to election laws, despite an executive order from President Donald Trump that could force significant alterations to the voting process.
Inside Iowa Politics: Why Iowa’s secretary of state doesn’t want big election changes
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is not looking for major changes to election laws, despite an executive order from President Donald Trump that could force significant alterations to the voting process.
Scientists Discover a Major Flaw in How We Search for Life on Other Planets
Planets can't remain habitable for long without a massive hidden supply of water.
Heroes of the Storm Live Patch Notes
New patch arrived with a new mount, map updates, major Arthas rework, and balance changes!
$50M entertainment destination planned for Downtown Clearwater
Downtown Clearwater is getting a major shakeup with the announcement of a new $50 million family entertainment hub. The company EVO Entertainment is building an 83,000 square-foot entertainment cente...
Red Sox Minor Lines: Pitching wins the day
Which is almost a foreign concept for the Major League team.
A Majority of Americans, 54-26% View It as Good For Sports for Coaches And Athletes To Speak Out On Perceived Social Injustices
Majorities Remain Opposed to Transgender Athletes Competing with Those Who Share Their Gender Identity – But 20% Say They ‘Don’t Know’ If Prompted 62% Have Used a Streaming Service to…
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar - U.S. Embassy in Madagascar
U.S. Delivers Maternal Health Equipment Across Madagascar U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Arnold today provided critical maternal and newborn health equipment that will reach healthcare facilities across Madagascar, demonstrating how U.S. foreign assistance builds a safer, healthier world by helping recipient countries build self-reliant health systems in line with the America First Global Health Strategy. Under President Trump’s America First foreign assistance policy and the America First Global Health Policy, U.S. support serves as a tool of strategic engagement – not global charity. Every U.S. taxpayer dollar is subject to rigorous oversight to ensure measurable results, maximum efficiency, and accountability, with zero tolerance for fraud, waste, or abuse. Through the bilateral Global Health Memorandum of Understanding with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health, both governments agreed on shared priorities and responsibilities, including a strong focus on maternal and newborn health and Madagascar’s increasing co-investment in its own health system. Madagascar continues to face major challenges in maternal and newborn health, including high maternal mortality rates and significant gaps in access to quality delivery care. In rural regions, many women still give birth at home or in facilities without adequate infection-prevention supplies. Through the U.S.-funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership Project, the United States is providing essential equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide: calibrated reusable drapes for infection prevention in approximately 1,000 community health centers (CSBs), single-use calibrated drapes for 35 hospitals, and management tools for health workers to improve data collection and care coordination. “U.S. foreign assistance makes America safer by preventing instability and strengthening health systems that can detect and contain infectious diseases before they cross borders,” said Chargé d’Affaires Arnold during the handover ceremony. “Our support is temporary and targeted, designed to help Madagascar build greater self-reliance and reduce long-term dependence on U.S. taxpayer resources.” This U.S. support will help standardize safe delivery practices, strengthen infection prevention, and improve data management systems. Used effectively, these materials will contribute directly to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where access to quality delivery care remains limited. From major hospitals to remote health centers, U.S.-funded equipment is already delivering results. The nationwide scope of this support ensures that women and newborns across Madagascar benefit from improved infection prevention and safer delivery practices. This targeted assistance helps save lives today while supporting Madagascar’s transition toward a self-sufficient health system, ensuring that today’s U.S. support leads to Madagascar’s future independence from foreign assistance.
Delaware nurse practitioner raises awareness and funds to end women’s No. 1 health threat
NEWARK, Del., April 20, 2026— While the large majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in women.[1] In recognition of her energy and passion to fight back against women’s...
Oscar Health Launches Consumer Marketplace For Insurance Beyond Its Own
Oscar Health launched a new health marketplace to connect consumers to major individual health insurance plans as well as supplemental coverage beyond what it sells.
Country singer lands major role at UFC White House card: ‘The whole world is watching’
UFC Freedom 250 is slated to take place on June 14.
Bulgaria headed for political stability as former president wins parliamentary majority
With about 130 out of 240 seats in Parliament, Rumen Radev has secured an outright majority in a country marked by deep political fragmentation in recent years. He will become the new prime minister, a position more powerful than president in Bulgaria.
Green continues fine form before first women's major
Australian golfer Hannah Green wins JM Eagle LA Championship to record a fourth win in five starts, as the players head to Houston for the Chevron Championship.
Nvidia (NVDA) Denies PC Business Takeover News as Foxconn Results Boost Stock
Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is one of the 10 Best Major Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts. On April 14, Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) denied reports that it is in talks to acquire any PC maker. A company spokesperson said that the media report is false and confirmed that NVDA is not involved in any […]
Class of 2028 celebrates Declaration Day, computer science sees sharp decrease in majors
The Class of 2028 celebrated Declaration Day on Cannon Green as major declaration data showed declines in computer science and increases in several other departments.
New tools drive scientific discovery: evidence from all nobel-prize and major non-nobel breakthroughs
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - New tools drive scientific discovery: evidence from all nobel-prize and major non-nobel breakthroughs
DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2026: DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 3 Announced and More Reveals From the Event
Across two packed days, Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed major updates for multiple DRAGON BALL games, capped off by a great announcement: DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 3 scheduled for 2027.
Five takeaways from Virginia baseball’s series win over Clemson
Following yet another mid-major midweek loss, the Virginia Cavaliers won their fifth ACC series against Clemson over the weekend. The Wahoos improved to 12-9 in conference play and 28-13 overall in the process. UVA pieced together rallies in the second and sixth innings en route to a fiery 6-4 victory in the series opener. The […]
Canada's prime minister says economic connection to the U.S. has shifted from a strength to a weakness
Prime Minister Mark Carney said tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have impacted workers in such major industries as auto and steel and prompted businesses to hold back investments.
2025 major champion puts 30-gram driver shaft into play
Miyu Yamashita opts for an extremely lightweight shaft profile to make some performance gains this week at the JM Eagle Championship.
WWDC 2026 Graphic Teases Major iOS 27 Feature
Apple's WWDC 2026 graphic provides "a glimpse of the revamped Siri interface coming in iOS 27," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said iOS 27 will include a new Siri interface in the Dynamic Island.
Yankees Social Media Spotlight: Celebrating Jackie
This week, Major League Baseball honors the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson.
Windows 11 to get a major reliability update in May with faster clipboard, stable taskbar, storage and more
Microsoft is preparing a major Windows 11 reliability update for May 2026 with improvements across File Explorer, explorer.exe, taskbar, Settings, clipboard history, input systems, and Windows Hello. Early Insider builds show faster performance, fewer crashes, and a more stable experience.
Pixel 11 is about to get a major glow down
The Pixel 11 may be a spitting image of the Pixel 10, but at least it will glow in the dark.
Apple's major MacBook Pro overhaul is reportedly 'slightly' delayed due to supply chain shortages
A lot of us are impatiently awaiting the next-generation of MacBook Pro, which is expected to feature a bevy of...
Computer science was once a 'golden ticket' — now it's seeing the biggest enrollment drop of any major in 6 years
Nobel Prize–winning economist Simon Johnson said AI has "substantially wiped out" coding as a reliable source of opportunity.
Cavaliers, Guardians games lead local business boom
It’s an eventful weekend for sports fans in Cleveland with two major teams taking the field and center court for home matchups, which may also boost foot traffic in nearby restaurants and bars.
Computer science was once a 'golden ticket' — now it's seeing the biggest enrollment drop of any major in 6 years. What students are choosing instead
Nobel Prize–winning economist Simon Johnson said AI has "substantially wiped out" coding as a reliable source of opportunity.
How a must-win Michigan Senate race turned messy for Democrats
Sitting in a coffee shop in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Abdul El-Sayed is ready to dispel the notion that he’s unelectable. “I think there is this notion that electability is about being the least offensive,” he told CNN. “If that were true, why would Donald Trump have won the presidency twice?” Whether he’s right could have enormous ramifications for control of the Senate. Michigan’s open Senate seat is now emerging as a GOP hedge against a potential takeover for Democrats, who need to net four seats to flip the chamber. Losing Michigan would make the Democrats’ task almost impossible, a major reason why a leading Republican outside group just announced plans to pour $45 million into the state this summer and fall to boost former Rep. Mike Rogers, the likely GOP nominee. El-Sayed faces US Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow in a battle already riven by divides over Israel, immigration enforcement and health care.
Curing U.S. Health Care, Part I
In 2008, much to their own surprise, leading Democrats unified around a program of major health care reform. Policy wonks had spent years developing the concepts behind what eventually became Obamacare; big Democratic victories in the 2006 midterms and the prospect of controlling both Congress and the presidency made it possible to imagine turning those ideas into reality. During the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama advocated similar plans, based on those ideas, for expanding insurance coverage. And it happened! The Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010. When it was fully implemented in 2014, millions of Americans got health insurance: Impressive as the raw numbers are, they don’t tell the whole story. Before the ACA, even upper-middle-class Americans often found it impossible to get health insurance if they had pre-existing medical conditions. Many Americans were trapped in jobs they wanted to leave but couldn’t for fear of losing their employment-based coverage. Meanwhile, dire predictions from the usual suspects about runaway costs proved wrong. In fact, overall U.S. medical spending has grown much more slowly since the ACA was enacted than before. But the U.S., alone among advanced nations, still falls far short of providing universal health care. As you can see from the chart above, 8 percent of the population was still uninsured in 2024, a number that is set to rise over the next two years as a result of Republican policies. True, many of the uninsured in 2024 were undocumented immigrants, who we don’t try to cover. But there are still a lot of uninsured. Moreover, a significant number of Americans who have health insurance are in fact underinsured. As a result, they are at risk of incurring devastating healthcare costs and are sometimes forced to forgo needed care. This number is set to rise sharply in the next two years as a result of Republican policies adopted under Donald Trump. And not only is the U.S. unique among advanced countries in its under-provision of health care coverage, it also incurs by far the world’s highest healthcare costs per capita. So now may well be a good time to get behind a new push for major health reform — an effort, if you like, to finish the job begun under Obama. Today’s primer is devoted to the economics of health reform. During his failed effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Donald Trump famously complained, “Nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated.” Actually, we did know — and it’s not that complicated. Health economists understand the principles very well. And because health policy varies greatly among advanced nations, we know a lot about what works and what doesn’t. This will be the first in a series about health reform. Beyond the paywall I’ll address the following: 1. Why markets can’t be trusted to deliver healthcare 2. Routes to universal healthcare 3. What works? In a follow-up post I’ll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches, and possible paths forward for the United States.
Antwerp dementia researcher wins major science prize in US
Rosa Rademakers, a scientist at VIB and University of Antwerp, has been awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Los Angeles for her work on...
LSU unveils $148 million science building with ribbon cutting ceremony. Here’s what’s inside
LSU held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building on Friday, marking a major expansion of the university’s science and research capabilities. The four-story, $148 million facility is designed to serve as a central hub for collaboration, housing teaching labs, research spaces and student resources across...
Samsung To Release New Free Upgrade To Millions Of Galaxy Phones
Samsung is bringing a major free Galaxy S26 upgrade to millions of Galaxy phones via the One UI 8.5 release.
Iran crisis overshadows Lavrov at Antalya diplomacy forum [VIDEO]
Iran, not Russia, dominated the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday, as confusion over the Strait of Hormuz overshadowed what had been expected to be a major appearance by Russian Foreign...
Crimson Desert's Next Major Patch Adds Difficulty Settings and Inventory Tabs Next Week
Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss has said it’s taking the time to make sure it properly tests and polishes the game’s next major patch, which is due out next week. Here's what to expect.
macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available in beta starting in June, and the update will likely be widely released in September.
“Yeah… it’s not so good,” as Microsoft confirms major Rewards changes in May and what it means for anyone who relies on daily point earning
Microsoft Rewards is getting an update with new tiers, monthly bonuses, and expanded rollout, but early feedback suggests not everyone is convinced by the changes.
Carney’s Liberal Majority Reshapes Fortunes to the Left and the Right
Mark Carney’s brand of centrist politics and his invitation to floor crossers with conservative convictions into the Liberal Party’s ranks have reshaped the country’s political economy.
Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise lean on tax cuts as they fight to keep their majority in Congress
WASHINGTON — Usually April 15 is greeted with frowns, if not outright dread.
Barcelona at breaking point over Lewandowski and Rashford decisions
Barcelona are heading into a defining phase of their summer planning, with two major attacking decisions staring right in their face. The situations involving Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford a...
Shopping TV empire behind QVC, HSN files for bankruptcy amid mounting losses
The parent company of QVC and HSN has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a major restructuring plan to slash billions in debt. The company says it will continue normal operations with no planned layoffs.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT | This Weekend in the Twin Cities - Entertainment Guide: April 18 ~ April 19, 2026
Twin Cities weekend features major festivals, live music, sports, and community events, with MSPIFF and St. Paul Art Crawl anchoring a high-volume, multi-venue lineup.
Avondale economic development leader shifts roles as city advances major mixed-use project
Avondale’s economic development director, Jennifer Stein, is moving into a new role as assistant city manager.
LSU celebrates ribbon cutting for new the Interdisciplinary Science Building
Earlier today, Louisiana State University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building. The building will serve as the home to a new campus district focused on scientific discovery. LSU officials aim to use this building to create a collaborative space for STEM majors . LSU broke ground...
Former Dodgers Outfielder Garret Anderson Dies at 53
A longtime MLB outfielder who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers has died at the age of 53. Garret Anderson, who played for the Angels for 15 seasons and spent two other years in the majors with the Atlanta Braves…
String of missing or dead scientists 'too coincidental' not to be major concern, congressman says -- as 11th mystery emerges
Samuel Tremblay named Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine Business School
ORONO, Maine -- Samuel Tremblay of Quebec City is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine Business School. A business administration student majoring in management, Tremblay is a tutor, mentor, Maine Business School ambassador and president of the UMaine chapter of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
iOS 27 rumored to bring new design changes in two key areas
The next major iPhone software update, iOS 27, is rumored to bring change in two new areas related to Apple’s Liquid Glass design.
Judge temporarily pauses Ohio’s marijuana law changes for two businesses
A judge approved an emergency motion Thursday to partially pause the enforcement of a new Ohio law with major changes to recreational marijuana.
McClure Health Science High School student awarded scholarship from Amazon
McClure Health Science High School senior Jasmine Osorio is headed to college with the help of a major scholarship from Amazon.McClure Health Science High School senior Jasmine Osorio is headed to college with the help of a major scholarship from Amazon.
McClure Health Science High School student awarded scholarship from Amazon
McClure Health Science High School senior Jasmine Osorio is headed to college with the help of a major scholarship from Amazon.McClure Health Science High School senior Jasmine Osorio is headed to college with the help of a major scholarship from Amazon.
Cosm Breaks Ground on Immersive Entertainment Venue in Downtown Cleveland
CLEVELAND — Cosm, along with Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group, have broken ground on a new entertainment venue located at the intersection of East 4th Street, Prospect Avenue and Huron Road in downtown Cleveland. Dubbed Cosm Cleveland, the venue will sit directly across from Rocket Arena (formerly Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse), home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. The two professional sports franchises are owned by Dan Gilbert, founder of Rocket Mortgage, Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group. Spanning approximately 64,000 square feet and rising three stories, Cosm Cleveland will comprise two programmatic elements: The Dome and The Hall. Through Cosm’s proprietary technology called Shared Reality, the venue will merge a stadium-like atmosphere with state-of-the-art visuals in a communal setting. Rossetti Architects designed Cosm Cleveland, and Bedrock is leading the development. The venue, which will anchor Bedrock’s Rock Block mixed-use development, is slated to open in 2027. “This is a major milestone for our downtown Gateway District, and the arrival of Cosm is a testament to our community’s spirit and resilience,” says Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. “This incredible venue will enhance our city’s reputation as a hub for sports and entertainment, drawing visitors from near and far to experience a…
Slay the Spire 2 gets its first major update, buffing the Regent, bringing sweeping balance changes, and adding a powerful new card
Slay the Spire 2 has gotten its first major update, which includes a host of balance changes, art updates, a phobia mode, and more.
Maryland to chart independent vaccine guidance under new 'Vax Act'
Maryland is preparing for a major shift in how it determines vaccine recommendations and other preventive health guidelines, after Governor Wes Moore signed a n
Maryland to chart independent vaccine guidance under new 'Vax Act'
Maryland is preparing for a major shift in how it determines vaccine recommendations and other preventive health guidelines, after Governor Wes Moore signed a n
Hotline for Pennsylvania farmers sees major drop in calls, texts amid mental health crisis
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service...
Politics correspondent examines new California governor's race poll results
Politics and government correspondent Guy Marzorati joined NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai to examine the first major statewide poll conducted after Eric Swalwell dropped out of the race.
'Avengers: Doomsday' footage, 'Mandalorian' opening unveiled at CinemaCon
The Walt Disney Co. has staged a major presentation at CinemaCon, showcasing new footage from upcoming films. They revealed the opening of the new Star Wars movie and scenes from “Avengers:...
\'Avengers: Doomsday\' footage, \'Mandalorian\' opening unveiled at CinemaCon
The Walt Disney Co. has staged a major presentation at CinemaCon, showcasing new footage from upcoming films. They revealed the opening of the new Star Wars movie and scenes from
2025-26 NBA Playoff Betting Report: Bettors Iffy on 'Banged-Up Lakers'
Major injuries to the league's most popular team have affected both bettors and books heading into the playoffs. Patrick Everson reports.
California Senate Democrats propose new health care tax on major companies
California's Democratic State Senators are proposing a new tax on major corporations to help with the state's health care costs.
JPS Health Network breaks ground on major hospital expansion to boost healthcare access in Tarrant County.
Controversial leader of powerful SF political group steps down
His six-year tenure as executive director was marked by controversy and major influence on local politics.
Android 17 hits a major milestone as Google releases its last 'scheduled' beta
Google has released Android 17 Beta 4, marking the final scheduled beta of the cycle.
Netflix embraces vertical video with major mobile app update
The vertical video feed will help you find a new show to watch.
Trump says Iran agrees to hand over ‘nuclear dust’
Iran has not confirmed Trump’s claim. Giving up its highly enriched uranium would be a major step toward an agreement.
Judge temporarily pauses Ohio’s marijuana law changes for two businesses
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A judge approved an emergency motion Thursday to partially pause the enforcement of a new Ohio law with major changes to recreational marijuana. Judge Jeffrey Brown in…
OpenAI takes aim at Anthropic with beefed-up Codex that gives it more power over your desktop
OpenAI's agentic coding tool has gotten a major makeover, with a variety of new powers and abilities.
Business Case Team earned first place
Brookdale’s Business Club is celebrating a major victory after its Business Case Team earned first place at the statewide Business Case Competition hosted by Rutgers Business School in Newark on April 10, 2026. Competing against
New study finds 12- to 17-year-olds willing to engage in democracy, but feel anxious, unheard, distrustful of politics
A major new U.K. study of 12- to 17-year-olds finds that, while most adolescents say they would vote and are interested in politics, their willingness to engage is linked to their anxiety about the future, ...
OpenAI's latest Codex update builds the groundwork for its upcoming super app
OpenAI is pushing out a major update to Codex that significantly expands what that software can do, and offers a glimpse of what OpenAI hopes to build with its upcoming super app.
Vermont Natives Provide Entertainment Through Community, Connection, and Headlocks
A Vermont organization has delivered heated rivalries, daring smackdowns, and unique athleticism for decades — and now, it’s back in Barre. Green Mountain Wrestling (GMW) was founded 30 years ago, when Vermont lacked a professional wrestling scene and was rarely the target for major industry events. Launched by Gary Langevin, the group operated out of Newport from 1996 through 2003. During the organization’s early years, Adam Lash began helping with events. A wrestling fan and teenager eager to join the industry, GMW became a career springboard. “As I got older, I became more involved in the broader professional wrestling industry beyond
Battlefield 6 2026 Roadmap Confirmed
Bigger maps and naval warfare are just two of the additions coming to Battlefield 6 in 2026, as its developers have promised to finally, directly address community feedback with a series of major updates.
Lead contamination crisis exposed in public parks across major southern city
An investigation found lead contamination at 50% of New Orleans playgrounds tested, sparking outrage and a push for $5 million in federal cleanup funds.
Should Monopoly Verdict and Breakup Risk Require Action From Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) Investors?
In recent days, a jury found that Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster unit illegally monopolized concert ticketing, opening the door for more than 30 US states to seek remedies that could include curbing the company’s power or even forcing a breakup. This verdict introduces significant legal uncertainty around Live Nation’s vertically integrated concerts and ticketing model, potentially reshaping how major live events are promoted, ticketed, and operated across the...
How the ABS experiment has worked so far in the majors: Which teams, players and umpires have fared the best
MLB has seen more than 1,000 ABS challenges since Opening Day
College of Business team places third nationally in AMA Collegiate Case Competition
University of Nevada, Reno College of Business students placed third nationally in the AMA Collegiate Case Competition after presenting a Major League Baseball marketing strategy.
Democrats vow to block next Trump Supreme Court pick amid Alito speculation
Justice Samuel Alito hasn’t tipped his hat on retiring just yet, but Senate Democrats are already entrenched in opposing the confirmation of a successor that would deliver President Donald Trump his fourth lifetime appointment to the high court. Democrats need to first retake the majority and for a vacancy to arise. But with the party’s […]
Two physicians on ending the waiting-room era: bring care home
Aetna CMO Benjamin Kornitzer and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on why home-based care for America's sickest seniors isn't a vision anymore.
The 10 prep softball players in New Orleans that have made significant strides this year
These New Orleans area prep softball players have shown major improvement this season.
From building stages to checking bags, these LA businesses help make fest season happen
“Each year, we work with dozens of companies across industries to produce the festival, and the majority of our suppliers and vendors are local. From stage construction and audio to security, sanitation, and operations, it really takes a full ecosystem to make it happen.”
Trump leans in on a major 2026 issue: possibly replacing Justices Alito and Thomas
A potential vacancy on the Supreme Court could be one the biggest political questions of 2026, for a host of reasons.