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Killing slime: an AI-first biotech solution | Investors Lab
We love public science lessons, like the algae debacle that turned Washington, D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool a vibrant green this summer after a renovation. It's not exactly a new development. Algal blooms have intermittently plagued the site for generations, including during the last big overhaul in 2012. But the latest episode lingers despite treatments with hydrogen peroxide and an ozone nanobubble system. As Bethany Brookshire makes clear for Science News, there's another option that might have managed the crisis far more effectively, had it been used from the start.
Science and Scripture both reject racist church doctrine
A former church member reflects on science, religious racism, diversity, melanin and why faith should reject prejudice in favor of truth, dignity and inclusion.
The week in politics (July 29, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we reflect on the role the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had on Houston and the city’s desegregation more than 50 years ago.
BRC: Indoor entertainment park leases 29,000 sq. ft., expanding recreation lineup at Plainfield flex property
A new indoor family entertainment destination is coming to Plainfield, where it’s leasing more than 29,000 square feet at a revitalized industrial property.
The rise of Frank ‘The Tank’ Fleming and the big business of being mad at the Mets
The Barstool Sports personality built a following on Mets misery, and in this woeful season, his anger has resonated with Mets fans.
The rise of Frank ‘The Tank’ Fleming and the big business of being mad at the Mets
The Barstool Sports personality built a following on Mets misery, and in this woeful season, his anger has resonated with Mets fans.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea rebuild: How Bayer Leverkusen glory explains the plan to recruit role models at Stamford Bridge
Following the news that Chelsea are looking to sign Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson this summer, Adam Bate reflects on whether there are lessons from Xabi Alonsos spectacular success at Bayer Leverkusen that offer clues to explain his thinking...
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Back In Focus As Jefferies Sees An Inflection Point In Valuation
Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) is back in focus after Jefferies suggested the company may be nearing an inflection point as concerns about prediction markets eroding online sports betting demand start to ease. See our latest analysis for Flutter Entertainment. Recent trading reflects that shift in sentiment, with Flutter Entertainment’s share price at US$109.06 and a 1 day share price return of 3.04%, adding to a 7 day share price return of 8.03%. Despite this short term momentum, the...
Innovation Connector Launches Business Impact Masterclasses to Strengthen East Central Indiana Businesses
By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Innovation Connector is deepening its commitment to entrepreneurial and business excellence with the launch of its new Business Impact Masterclasses, a four-part professional education series that helps entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofit leaders, and established businesses grow through practical, action-oriented learning. Beginning in September 2026, the Business Impact Masterclasses will replace the annual Innovation Connector Business Showcase Week, marking the next evolution of the organization’s business education programming. This initiative reflects the Innovation Connector’s commitment to delivering premium educational experiences that empower entrepreneurs, strengthen organizations, and accelerate business growth. Through expert-led...
Cause of death for Ben and Casey Affleck’s mom revealed following pancreatic cancer battle
A cause of death has been revealed for Ben and Casey Affleck’s mom, Chris Affleck, shortly after the Boston family announced that their matriarch had died in June.
Google's New Pixel 'Dynamic' Pricing Sounds A Lot Like 'Surge' Pricing
Google could rethink Pixel 11 pricing as memory costs rise, with a more flexible model that may leave buyers paying more at key moments ahead.
Waffle House looking to move forward with Prairieville project
Restaurant chain Waffle House has filed for a new construction permit to begin work on the company’s first Prairieville location. According to the permit, the building will comprise 1,840 square … Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Pitaka’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 cases deliver smart features without the bulk
Samsung’s foldables are built to deliver flexibility to its users, but protecting them often means dealing with extra bulk that...
Four-paper series broadens sex workers' health focus beyond HIV prevention
A new four-paper series in The Lancet Public Health reflects a two-year collaboration among researchers at San Diego State University and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Global ...
Connor McDavid Expresses Disappointment Over Darnell Nurse's Trade to Sharks
The Oilers captain reflected on Darnell Nurse's exit from Edmonton while looking ahead to the 2026-27 season.
How Trump’s ‘America first’ administration could shut US scientists out of the next Nobel-worthy discovery
A proposed White House rule would give political appointees unprecedented control over scientific funding. One physicist, who helped discover the Higgs boson, explains how the rule would’ve stifled that breakthrough.
Lindsey Graham’s death leaves Trump reflecting on his own mortality
Publicly and privately, the president has been musing about aging and fate after his friend’s sudden death. He is set to deliver a eulogy for Graham today.
Artist Betye Saar, whose work reflects Black identity, dies at 99
Artist Betye Saar has died in Los Angeles at 99. Saar’s death on Sunday was confirmed by relatives Monday. She would have turned 100 this week. Saar's work explored Black
Democratic Socialists of America is a 'flesh-eating virus,' political strategist says
Political and legal strategist Katie Zacharia discusses the Democratic Socialists of America's platform and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposal for city-run grocery stores on ‘Fox News @ Night.’
(LETTER) Don't let nostalgia blind you to present business support
Cap City News publishes letters, cartoons and opinions as a public service. The content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Cap City News or its
Pharma’s drug spending deflection
Job lock, surging prescription drug costs, No Surprises Act update, and more from STAT's Health Care Inc.
Dr. Peter Schulman Reflects on UConn Health and Cardiology’s Revolution
He is retiring from UConn School of Medicine after 44 years of service.
UW-Eau Claire’s newest academic building named ‘Riverside Science Center’
It comes after approval by the UW System Board of Regents.
Freddy Peralta reflects on Mets tenure with trade deadline on the horizon: 'I've let them down'
Acxiom Recognized as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business
CONWAY, Ark., July 27, 2026--Acxiom®, the connected data and technology foundation for the world’s leading brands, today announced that it has been recognized as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business based on its performance on the Disability Index®, the leading global benchmark for disability inclusion in business. Acxiom was recognized in the Advanced category, which reflects strong leadership and the successful integration of disability inclusion practices throughout the organization. P
UNC football program general manager Lombardi on paid leave
A message from the school Monday did not state why and said his leave is not a reflection on student athletes.
Will Newport residents say 'enough is enough' to tourism this election?
Tourism brought the city back after the Navy fleet left, but how many tourists can residents endure?
How Trump’s “America First” Administration Could Shut U.S. Scientists Out of the Next Nobel-Worthy Discovery
A proposed White House rule would give political appointees unprecedented control over scientific funding. One physicist, who helped discover the Higgs boson, explains how the rule would’ve stifled that breakthrough.
Report: Lakers players believed LeBron James would sign with Warriors
According to a report, players on the Lakers internally thought LeBron James would sign with the Warriors.
Cubs Celebrate Javier Assad's First MLB Save
Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs are sitting atop the National League Wild Card standings at 59-46. Chicago trails the 65-39 Milwaukee Brewers by 6.5 games for the NL Central pennant and is three games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top Wild Card spot. Assad is a flexible pitcher for Chicago, with the right-hander placed into any situation necessary.
Lions Free Agent Addition Receives Fantasy Sleeper Status
Isaiah Pacheco was a major disappointment for the Kansas City Chiefs last year. However, he is expected to bounce back and have a strong season in 2026 with the Detroit Lions. The loss of David Montgomery should propel Pacheco into flex territory in fantasy football, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report.“Pacheco will get a […] The post Lions Free Agent Addition Receives Fantasy Sleeper Status appeared first on HEAVY.
Cuban president accuses US of 'political genocide' on anniversary of revolution
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a sharp condemnation of Washington's oil embargo and hardened sanctions in a speech on Sunday, calling the policy of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration "political genocide."
Learning how to bend light at the Orlando Science Center
Check out this fun activity on this week's The Science of It, where young minds can learn about reflection and refraction
Beltrán, Jones, Kent reflect on journey to Cooperstown
The National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Sunday at the Clark Sports Center.
Boilers Sprint Past Langara Select in Exhibition Game 102-63
For the first time since 2022, Purdue fans got their first look at the Boilers without Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, or Trey Kaufman-Renn on the roster. Those are some big shoes to fill for a program accustomed to needing to fill big shoes in the past but there are ample familiar faces that appear willing […]
Insider: Lakers haven't talked about P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford
According to one insider, the Lakers haven't had any real trade discussions with the Mavericks about P.J. Washington or Daniel Gafford.
Fact-checking Mullin’s claim that foreign adversaries can access voting machines in U.S. elections
Mullin’s comments about foreign adversaries accessing voting machines reflect concerns that security and election technology experts have long had. But so far, there’s no proof of such attempts.
Looking for the ultimate car 'flex'? Buy a sedan with a V12 engine, insiders say
The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 sedan is available in very few markets.
Packers Get Intriguing Diego Pavia Message After Ravens Release
One analyst believes Matt LaFleur could be the right coach to revive another young quarterback. The post Packers Get Intriguing Diego Pavia Message After Ravens Release appeared first on HEAVY.
NBA Twitter reacts to LeBron James joining the 76ers
NBA fans are buzzing on social media after LeBron James decided to join the 76ers in free agency.
“Graphic Talk About Science: Adventures in Science Engagement”
Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history, welcomes the public to the third Saturday Evening Talks & Telescopes of the season on Saturday, July 25, 2026. MWO is honored to present “Graphic Talk About Science: Adventures in Science Engagement,” a lecture by Clifford V. Johnson, from UCSB. This lecture explores how graphic storytelling can make cutting-edge physics more accessible, as Johnson discusses the science and creative process behind his illustrated book, “The Dialogues: Conversations About the Nature of the Universe.” Tickets are available here: www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture072526 During the six-month season, each Talks & Telescopes event runs from 5:30pm to 11:30pm with the “talk” portion of the evening beginning in the Observatory’s Auditorium. The 60+ minute presentation is followed by picnic dining—bring your own, or purchase from a food truck or caterer—and then, after the sun goes down, stargazing through Mount Wilson’s immense telescopes, the largest in the world made available to the public. Additional stargazing around the grounds will be available thanks to members of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society. Both the 60-inch telescope and the 100-inch—the latter famously used by Edwin Hubble to discover the expanding universe—will be available for viewing the night sky. Priced at $50, this event series offers the most economical stargazing event option on the mountain. Tickets and more information are available on Mount Wilson Observatory’s website here: www.mtwilson.edu/lectures. Advance purchases are highly recommended. UPCOMING SATURDAY EVENING TALKS & TELESCOPES OF THE 2026 SEASON August 22: “Towards a Functional Cosmology” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture082226 Join artist Lita Albuquerque for a lecture on her multidisciplinary practice at the intersection of art, science, and cosmology. Drawing on decades of work across painting, land art, performance, and installation, she reflects on projects created in remote, astronomy-linked environments and how they shape her exploration of time, space, and human perception. September 19: “The Brightness of Stars: Henrietta Leavitt and the Transformative Nature of Attention in Art and Science” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture091926 Visual artist and author Anna Von Mertens explores the life and legacy of Henrietta Leavitt, whose study of variable stars enabled the first reliable measurements of cosmic distances. Working among the Harvard Computers, Leavitt laid the foundation for breakthroughs at Mount Wilson, including Harlow Shapley’s mapping of the Milky Way and Edwin Hubble’s discovery of an expanding universe. Drawing from her book “Attention Is Discovery: The Life and Legacy of Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt,” Von Mertens shares archival materials alongside her own artwork inspired by Leavitt’s life, to celebrate how careful attention leads to both scientific discovery and a meaningful life. October 17: “The Duality of Genius and Struggle: G.E. Hale” www.mtwilson.edu/events/lecture101726 This talk, presented by Sam Hale, explores the extraordinary life and legacy of his grandfather, George Ellery Hale—the visionary behind some of the world’s most important astronomical institutions. Drawing on both history and personal connection, Sam Hale offers insight into a legacy that continues to shape science and culture today. VISITING MWO The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum. The Cosmic Cafe (www.mtwilson.edu/cosmic-cafe), located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Cafe offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower. PARKING A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway (https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10007957-4530-angeles-crest-hwy/en_US). Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/visiting NOT ADA-COMPLIANT Please be advised that access to the 100-inch dome is via an open-air, 53-step staircase inside the building. There is no ADA-compliant access.
Eat Street businesses reflect 6 months after Alex Pretti killing by federal agents
Roger Goodell reflects on how Charlotte and the Panthers have helped each other grow
The NFL commissioner was on hand Thursday night to celebrate the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, and Tepper Sports & Entertainment growing their reach in Charlotte and beyond.
Ciokajlo: Resilient restaurateurs point the way in Detroit
Crain's Detroit Business Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo reflects on the role resilient restaurant owners have played in Detroit's comeback story. Three of them recently spoke at a Crain's Power Breakfast event.
Vanderbilt Staffing Collaborative expands workforce flexibility across Vanderbilt Health
By providing greater staffing stability, the VSC equips nursing leaders with scheduling alternatives that reduce mandatory overtime and on-call shifts for their teams.
High School Science That Teaches an ID Perspective? Yes, Please!
Kristin Marais and Summer Edwards explain why they’re so passionate about teaching their subject and how the courses are designed with maximum flexibility.
Musk on his involvement in politics: ‘I got carried away’
Tech mogul Elon Musk reflected on his brief venture into politics in a new interview released Thursday, suggesting he “got carried away.” “I think I got a little too involved in p…
Broncos Linebacker Talks Improvement Again Before Camp
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto is always talking about getting better, and his numbers reflect it.
Saquon Barkley reflects on golf outing with Trump, weighs in on politics and football
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley reflects on his past interactions with President Donald Trump and the situation surrounding Jaxson Dart.
Nestlé to sell half of waters business in $3.4B deal
Peranel, which will house brands such as S.Pellegrino and Source Perrier, will be a fully independent company and have full flexibility to “pursue growth opportunities.”
‘We feel like we are failing’: Myanmar doctor speaks out as health system teeters on ‘brink of collapse’
Elle’s story is one of personal sacrifice, deciding to help people despite the risk of attack by the military. Her story reflects that of a healthcare system in peril
Health officials warn of rabies after bat lands on table at Vista restaurant
The risk of catching rabies may be a possibility for anyone who had direct contact with the bat that flew into the Yellow Deli Restaurant in Vista on Sunday, July 19.
Add a month at sea and $2.5 million - what it costs oil tankers to flee Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb
With two of its key oil export routes - the Hormuz and Bab el- Mandeb straits - disrupted by Iran and Iran-allied Houthi militants, Saudi Arabia has to resort to exporting oil via Egypt's Suez Canal.
Geekbench 7 is out with overhauled performance tests for CPU and GPU workloads
Geekbench 7 today, promising benchmarks that more closely reflect how people use their devices across everyday tasks, gaming, and AI workloads.
Reflecting the Real Faces Behind the Physical Sciences
AIP’s Faces of the Physical Sciences initiative is building a richer visual story of the researchers, educators, and students behind scientific progress. Your images can help preserve that story and determine who gets to be seen.
Chicago-area warehouse vacancy inches up as companies shed space
The recent uptick reflects a pullback in demand that defined 2025 and has continued to make an impact this year.
UNC turns to LLC model as college sports money game shifts
UNC is creating an LLC to manage key athletics programs, aiming for more flexibility and new revenue in a fast-changing college sports landscape.
Ben Affleck opens up about McDonald’s eating habits: ‘All the time’
Ben Affleck has admitted that he eats at McDonald’s ‘all the time’ during a comical appearance on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’
Airlines are spending ever more to maintain their fleets
Engine-makers are earning big bucks as a result
Mayfield Makes Feelings Known on Missing Playoffs on Netflix
Go behind the scenes as the Buccaneers star laments a squandered 6-2 start, reflecting on a missed postseason opportunity despite leading the most talented roster of his career.
1.3K views · 16 reactions | Sony Pictures Entertainment said that it...
Sony Pictures Entertainment said that it would reopen the Cinerama Dome, a Hollywood landmark, in 2028 after a renovation. Read more: https://nyti.ms/4x35CMZ
You Can Now Fly Delta Business Class for a Lot Less, but There’s a Catch
Travelers can now book cheaper premium cabin tickets on Delta, but they’ll give up flexibility, lounge access, and other perks depending on the fare.
Hong leads latest Marquette Poll, large percentage of voters still undecided
A new poll reflecting the rapid changes in the Democratic primary will be released next week.
Suspect Arrested After Crashing into Business, Breaking into Home
A suspect is facing multiple felony charges after crashing a vehicle into a Southeast Portland business, fleeing the scene, and breaking into a nearby home.
Kayla Jordan reflects on gratitude for Maynard Children’s Hospital 14 years later
An unprecedented illness that started with stomach pain and spiraled into stay at Maynard Children's Hospital for Kayla Jordan.
On 'Little Miss Twain,' Shania Twain reflects on her humble beginnings and her late mother
Shania Twain's new album, “Little Miss Twain,” explores her early life in Northern Ontario, Canada, a chapter she says most of her fans don't know much about.
CVS is now filling pet prescriptions at its 9,000 pharmacies nationwide
The pharmacy chain will dispense select medications for dogs and cats, including antibiotics, insulin, and flea and tick treatments
Smart Tips to Maximize Your NASCAR Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, fans get more than just racing — they get great value. New England's only NASCAR Cup Series weekend features affordable tickets, free parking, flexible camping options and inclusive entertainment like live music and fan experiences.
Trump flexes GOP muscle in Arizona primaries as Dems dodge far-left upset
Arizona’s primaries put Trump’s GOP influence on display and set the stage for high-stakes governor and House races in November.
Florida Poly's fledgling athletics program secures use of Auburndale sports facilities
The Phoenix will use the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Auburndale Softball Complex and Auburndale Community Center for three years, beginning with the inaugural men's soccer match next month.
Of course Matt Damon told Ben Affleck about landing the lead role in ‘The Odyssey’ before his wife
Matt Damon admitted that he told Ben Affleck about landing the lead role in ‘The Odyssey’ before his wife Luciana Barroso.
Damar Hamlin reflects on his heart health advocacy: 'We all have gotten here in our own unique ways'
A yellow-and-purple beaded bracelet adorned Damar Hamlin’s right wrist as he sat listening to the stories of others with heart conditions. A 9-year-old...
Carolina Hurricanes To Launch Own Sports Network For Game Broadcasts
The NHL franchise is taking control of its local broadcasts, ditching traditional regional networks to deliver innovative programming and flexible viewing options directly to Canes fans.
Man arrested after fentanyl investigation chase ends in business crash
Suspect fled detectives, nearly struck pedestrian before crashing into Manatee County business.
Financial incentives, flexibility and safe living needed to retain remote health care workers
Appropriate housing and safety, adequate time off and financial incentives are among the key factors supporting primary health care workers in remote jobs across Australia, according to a new study by ...
The secret to successful sports organizations? Employees who feel safe enough to speak up
With major sporting events like Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup drawing global attention this summer, new findings from a University of Florida researcher highlight an often-overlooked factor behind their success: the well-being of the employees working behind the scenes.
Piitch-timer gamesmanship triggers scuffle between Pirates, Yankees
New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero triggered a benches-clearing scuffle with the Pittsburgh Pirates through manipulation of MLB's pitch clock.
Amazon Business Reaches $60 Billion in Annualized Gross Sales, Serving Over 11 Million Organizations Worldwide
Organizations of all sizes turning to Amazon Business for its AI-powered tools, business-relevant selection, everyday low prices, delivery fleets purpose-built for businesses, and expanded Prime Business membership benefits More than 1.8 million new organizations joined Amazon Business so far this year Last year, Amazon Business-specific discounts saved organizations more than $1 billion worldwide, while Prime Business members saved more than $880 million in shipping fees globally last year Amazon Business selection up nearly 30% globally this year, with expansion in categories like repair tools, fresh groceries, and office furniture
How to Use Flexible Funding Strategies in Public Health
Use this toolkit to incorporate flexible funding strategies into your public health agency's operational and project management procedures.
Freedom, trust and the future of science: Nobel laureates reflect on the ideas shaping tomorrow
Behind every scientific discovery are years, sometimes decades, of fundamental research, failed experiments, uncertain funding, international collaboration and the freedom to pursue questions without knowing where they might lead. The Nobel laureates recently gathered at the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany argued that scientific breakthroughs depend on far more than brilliant ideas alone. Those conversations unfolded against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and growing geopolitical competition. The question running through the discussions was therefore broader than science itself: what conditions make discovery possible? ‘Europe is a space of freedom’
The Bull Case For Accel Entertainment (ACEL) Could Change Following Guidroz’s Promotion To COO
Accel Entertainment, Inc. recently reshuffled its leadership, promoting Toucan Gaming CEO Stan Guidroz to Chief Operating Officer effective July 14, 2026, while President Mark Phelan relinquished the COO title and Chief Compliance Officer Derek Harmer prepared to transition into a compliance committee role in 2027. This move elevates an executive with deep Louisiana gaming and acquisition experience to oversee day-to-day operations across Accel’s markets, potentially influencing how the...
Dimitri de Vreeze helped build DSM’s materials business. Then he had to sell it
After more than three decades at science-based firm DSM, Dimitri de Vreeze faced what he calls the hardest decision of his career: selling the materials business where he had grown up professionally. In this episode of "Executive Decisions," the DSM-Firmenich CEO reflects on why the decision made strategic sense, even as it felt deeply personal, and how it shaped his view that success is not a finish line.
Geena Davis said she was told she wasn’t attractive enough to star in ‘Fletch’
Geena Davis recalls being told she ‘wasn’t attractive enough’ to star in 1985’s ‘Fletch.’
FIFA Investigates Post-Match Scuffle Between Argentina And Spain Players
FIFA opened an investigation Monday after Spain’s celebrations on beating Argentina in the World Cup final took an ugly turn when players briefly clashed on the field.
Onetime Ivy League leader back in custody 20-plus years after fleeing justice for sexual violence charges
A former medical school professor and hospital chair of his specialty has been re-captured after skipping trial to avoid facing rape charges in 2005.
I Wasn't Actually Trying to Fix Tommy Fleetwood's Hat
The hats were intentionally ridiculous. The conversation they started wasn't.
Shaky political "science": breakdown of the peer review process
[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 December 2025, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting (RCV). 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 four articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report; the second one analyzed 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; a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research; and a fourth article that analyzed seven studies sponsored by New America’s political reform program that deployed flawed methodology based on “simulated” elections instead of real-world elections, which when combined with some basic misunderstandings of RCV, produced odd and misleading results]. In this fifth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we examine two flawed studies on the impact of RCV on voter turnout authored by San Francisco State University professor Jason McDaniel. McDaniel’s research in these two papers stands out for its puzzling methodology, inadequate and cherry-picked data, and faulty analyses that not only misunderstands ranked choice voting but reflects a basic misunderstanding of politics in general. The first of the McDaniel studies actually passed through a peer review process and then was subsequently published by the Journal of Urban Affairs, despite its obvious errors. It is perplexing that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the errors and send it back to McDaniel for a rewrite or outright rejection. This calls into question the credibility of the peer review process itself. The peer review process is supposed to represent the intellectual pinnacle of the profession – a way for academics to certify the quality of each other’s work, and to act as a check against sloppy research. In the case of the McDaniel study, the peer review process failed. Yet his flawed study has been cited dozens of times by other political scientists in their own flawed works — an unvirtuous circle of academic research. Here is the first Jason McDaniel study that we analyzed: “Writing the Rules to Rank the Candidates: Examining the Impact of Instant-Runoff Voting on Racial Group Turnout in San Francisco Mayoral Elections,” by Jason McDaniel, 2016, Journal of Urban Affairs. This study covered San Francisco’s use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in mayoral elections, purporting to show that RCV reduces voter turnout overall, increases voter errors, and has a negative impact on “marginal populations,” i.e. racial minorities, mainly as the result of the alleged complexity of RCV asking voters to rank candidates and having to be familiar with multiple candidates and related dynamics. McDaniel reached these conclusions by examining five San Francisco mayoral elections taking place in odd years (i.e. where there are no federal or state races on the ballot) from 1995 to 2011, comparing three earlier non-RCV races (in 1995, 1999 and 2003) with the later two RCV races (in 2007 and 2011). Only two RCV races were studied, and as McDaniel acknowledged, only the contest in 2011 was “competitive” (that contest in 2007 was the first mayoral election using RCV, and incumbent mayor Gavin Newsom won easily in the first round of counting, earning 74% of first choices and far ahead of the second place candidate who had just 6.3% of first choices). Yet even the allegedly competitive contest in 2011was won by an incumbent with a landslide margin of nearly 20 points. No other elections were studied by McDaniel, even though San Francisco elects 17 other offices besides mayor with RCV, including the 11 seats on the Board of Supervisors (the name for the city council) in even years, and six other citywide offices in odd years. Previous academic research has found that competitive elections can stimulate greater voter involvement and higher turnout. For unexplained reasons, this study ignored at least 34 other RCV races between the years 2004 to 2011, many of which were very competitive and had high voter turnout. Instead, McDaniel’s analysis based its conclusions on data from only a single, marginally-competitive mayor’s race using RCV. These 2007 and 2011 mayoral elections were the only two RCV elections that McDaniel used as the sole basis for his small data set to determine the impact of RCV on voter turnout. Despite having no meaningful data to inform his study, McDaniel nonetheless concluded that RCV lowered turnout when compared to the previous three mayoral non-RCV elections using two-round runoffs. Then, using the same inadequate database of San Francisco elections, McDaniel also found that “Instant-runoff voting is associated with a significant decline in Black voter turnout and White voter turnout…On average, Black voter turnout decreases by 18 points and White voter turnout decreases by 16 points …” But how could he credibly arrive at that conclusion when his study was based on voter turnout in two RCV contests that were not even remotely competitive? Beyond that, McDaniel tacitly admits that the key determining factor driving Black voter turnout was not RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable Black candidate. McDaniel wrote, “Black voter turnout was about 17 percentage points higher for the two elections that featured an African American candidate compared to the three elections that did not” — but one of those three elections did not use RCV. The same dynamic was present for White voter turnout, in which higher turnout was not correlated with RCV vs non-RCV elections, but the presence of a viable White candidate. Beyond that, McDaniel’s voter turnout results, whether correlated with the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections, showed no clear patterns. In his Figure 1, he shows low Asian voter turnout in the non-RCV elections in 1999 and 2003 when there was no viable Asian candidate running, but in the 2007 mayoral election using RCV, there is still no viable Asian candidate, yet Asian turnout increases dramatically. For Latinos, voter turnout is virtually the same in 1999 (no viable Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2003 (leading Latino candidate, non-RCV elections), 2007 (no viable Latino candidate, RCV elections) and 2011 (leading Latino candidate, RCV elections). Meanwhile White voter turnout increased dramatically from a low in the 2007 mayoral election, in which the leading candidate was a white incumbent, to the 2011 election in which there were no leading white candidates that finished any higher than sixth place with 5.6% of the vote. Clearly other factors were determining voter turnout than either the race of the candidates or RCV vs non-RCV elections. Despite these inconsistent findings, McDaniel boldly marches forth to render conclusions about the impact of RCV on different groups of racial voters, even though his conclusions are not remotely supported by his data. This looks like the worst kind of “data cherry picking” to cover up a puzzling conclusion based on a poor data set involving only two RCV elections, neither of which were remotely competitive. McDaniel’s cherry picking didn’t stop there. In calculating voter turnout for the three non-RCV mayoral elections in 1995, 1999 and 2003, he failed to mention that in each of these years there was a two-round runoff election, with a first round election in November in which no candidate garnered a winning majority of the vote, followed by the decisive runoff in December. So there were two non-RCV elections in each election year. But McDaniel only decided to include one of the two elections in his data set, apparently the December runoff in each year (which had higher turnout in two out of the three mayor’s races, and lower turnout in the third). So he ignored the November 1995 election, the November 1999 election when turnout was only 45 percent, and the November 2003 election when turnout was only 45.7 percent. This is flawed methodology based on blatant cherry picking, since McDaniel simply omitted three elections worth of data that did not fit within his frame. His study should never have made it through a peer review process, and it is an embarrassment to political science that not only was it approved for publication, but it has been uncritically cited by dozens of other political scientists. Share A “study” without wider context or credible data Lacking a data set that included even a single competitive RCV mayoral race, McDaniel declared that RCV lowered voter turnout in 2011, when turnout was 42.5 percent. But he also ignored -- or did not realize -- that voter turnout in mayoral elections during 2011 had sharply declined in all big cities, including far more steeply in nearby Los Angeles and other cities. In fact, San Francisco’s election in 2011 had the second highest turnout of any mayoral election in the nation’s 22 largest cities from 2008-2011. Was 2011 just a particularly low turnout year all across the country, perhaps because the country was still reeling from the aftermath of the housing market collapse in 2008-2010? McDaniel ignored this factor and did not search for alternative explanations beyond his flawed thesis. Furthermore, while McDaniel suggested that RCV leads to more “overvotes” – which is an invalidated ballot in which a voter, in either a non-RCV or RCV race, makes a mistake and selects two candidates for a single choice – he failed to address that in the June 2012 US Senate primary contest, which used the typical “one-choice” plurality method and did not use RCV, there was more than five times as many overvotes in San Francisco and Oakland than in the RCV mayoral elections in those cities. Additionally, turnout had been significantly higher and more representative in RCV elections for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors races -- that McDaniel didn’t even bother to study -- as compared to previous “delayed two-round runoffs” for those offices, often higher by as much as 40% in the RCV races. Perhaps the most surprising irony was that an earlier study co-authored by McDaniel (Overvoting and the Equality of Voice under Instant-Runoff Voting in San Francisco by Francis Neely and Jason McDaniel, 2015, California Journal of Politics and Policy) found that overvotes are often more common in lower-income precincts, but that the pattern of overvoting is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. Wrote Neely and McDaniel: “[Overvote] errors appear to be a function of complexity in general and not IRV per se…. the pattern of overvoting is similar in both IRV and non-IRV contests…Even among votes cast in a top-of-the-ticket race like U.S. Senate, overvoting occurs in an uneven fashion” (IRV, or ‘instant runoff voting,’ is another name for ranked choice voting in single-winner contests). So McDaniel not only contradicted his own conclusion in his earlier study with Neely, but the earlier study had been an important corrective for one of the most frequently made mistakes made by anti-RCV political scientists – a continual failure to provide crucial context by pairing a comparative analysis of real world RCV elections with an analysis of real world plurality or other electoral methods. Unfortunately McDaniel’s earlier study does not get cited much by other researchers, and McDaniel did not even cite it in his own flawed study analyzed above. Incredibly, McDaniel cherrypicked McDaniel, even as his flawed study has been cited dozens of times. Despite being a textbook example of poor political “science,” featuring both inadequate as well as cherrypicked data, the shelf life of McDaniel’s study has been extended endlessly by other political scientists and media outlets who have cited it uncritically. Equally troubling, the Journal of Urban Affairs put this paper through its peer review process and published it despite its numerous flaws. McDaniel gets it wrong, Part II Not content with producing one shoddy, confused paper, McDaniel produced another one a few years later, here is the link: Electoral Rules and Voter Turnout in Mayoral Elections: An Analysis of Ranked-Choice Voting by Jason McDaniel. San Francisco State Univ. (McDaniel, 2019). In this paper, McDaniel extended his previous flawed research focused on San Francisco, about voter turnout and voter impact, to multiple RCV cities through the 2018 elections. In his data set he included San Francisco, Minneapolis, St Paul, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro and Santa Fe. He then compared their turnout in mayoral elections to non-RCV cities, and to mayoral elections in those cities held before first RCV usage, and concluded “a significant decrease in voter turnout of approximately 3–5 percentage points in RCV cities after the implementation of RCV.” But he replicated many of the same mistakes as his first study presented above. While in this study McDaniel attempted to distinguish between various factors, such as odd year vs. even year elections, competitive races vs. noncompetitive, contests with open seats and other factors, the analysis is superficial and inadequate. He attempts to incorporate so many often-conflicting variables that his conclusions are once again unsupported by the actual data, and ultimately unconvincing (this second study never underwent a peer review process). For example, McDaniel declared that for RCV cities “in elections that are more competitive than average (margin of victory less than 20%), there is no significant RCV effect on voter turnout.” Yet McDaniel is a professor in a city, San Francisco, in which the 2018 special election using RCV to fill a mayoral vacancy was exceedingly close, decided by a margin of only one percentage point, and resulted in the second highest turnout in San Francisco history for a mayoral election. Illustrating the complexity involved in assessing the critical factors in turnout, that special election was held on the same election day as federal and state offices, which tends to boost turnout. Yet more voters participated in that RCV mayoral election than voted on the same day in the non-RCV primary for governor in which former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom was running. Even more puzzling, in this study McDaniel inaccurately cited his own previous study from 2015 with Neely. McDaniel wrote, “Neely and McDaniel (2015) examine individual ballot image files within a natural experiment, and find higher rates of ballot errors in RCV elections compared to non-RCV elections” (emphasis added). However, we quoted from that 2015 study several paragraphs above, and in actual fact Neely and McDaniel actually concluded the opposite -- that the pattern of overvoting – which is the most common form of ballot error – is similar in both RCV and non-RCV contests. McDaniel also ignored the fact that in Bay Area RCV elections held in even years – at the same time as federal and state elections, when turnout is highest -- the “undervote” (that is, the dropoff in ballots cast for governor or mayor) has declined, which contradicts his thesis that the act of ranking ballots in RCV elections is too complex and presents a barrier for certain demographics of voters. To his credit, McDaniel actually acknowledged another contradiction in his own paper, which found a negative RCV turnout effect in some odd-year elections but not others, admitting that “may present a challenge to the theory that increased complexity [from RCV] will have a marginal negative effect on voter turnout.” But he tried to wallpaper over that contradiction by blaming it on an unlikely source -- bad election administration. McDaniels wrote, “This would suggest that the negative impact of RCV on voter participation may be alleviated by high quality election administration,” without presenting any data or even anecdotes to support such an unfounded theory. While competent election administration of any election, whether RCV or non-RCV, is crucially important, there is no credible research that supports the far-fetched notion that the quality of election administration has much of an impact on voter turnout in US elections, whether using RCV or otherwise. Upgrade to a $5 subscription The unvirtuous circle of academic research It is puzzling how McDaniel’s first study could have survived the peer review process for the Journal of Urban Affairs. The mistakes in McDaniel’s first study above should have been obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of ranked choice voting as well as elections in general, and elections in San Francisco specifically. It undermines faith in the credibility of the peer review process to think that a jury of peer political scientists did not catch the egregious errors and reject McDaniel’s sloppy research and paper. And it remains a black mark on political science that this thoroughly discredited study has been cited dozens of times by other researchers. Indeed, in our research paper it became apparent that many political scientists cite each other’s flawed research to pad their list of citations and to legitimize their own flawed research, creating an unvirtuous circle of political science. More broadly, McDaniel’s voter turnout studies, like other studies evaluating RCV’s impact on turnout, lacked a recognition that no credible opinion or research can claim that RCV increases voter turnout merely because so many voters are excited to vote for their favorite candidates instead of “lesser evil” candidates without worrying about spoilers. Instead, with respect to turnout, the advantage of RCV has always been that, in most places where it has been used, it has eliminated a pre-November primary or post-November runoff, which usually saw about half the turnout of the November general election. This is especially true during even years when there are state and federal elections on the ballot which substantially drive turnout more than local contests. Any study that does not adequately account for this non-November primary/runoff vs November general election dynamic, or odd year vs even year election factors, is simply not credible. Both of McDaniel’s studies largely failed on those grounds. Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to a $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS…your 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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