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Autism Decoded: New Science Is Opening Paths to Better Treatments
In the past few decades, researchers have identified hundreds of genes that increase the risk of autism spectrum
Advantage Business Capital Welcomes Garcia as VP, ABL Underwriter
Advantage Business Capital welcomed William Garcia to its growing team as the new vice president, ABL underwriter / credit analyst. Garcia has over a decade
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Gets Blunt Over Kyler Murray Captain Decision
On Sept. 3, the Minnesota Vikings announced their captains for the 2026 NFL season, with one of them being Kyler Murray. Despite being a newcomer to the Vikings after the Arizona Cardinals cut ties with him this past offseason, the former No. 1 pick is transitioning well to Minnesota. Ahead of the Week 1 game […] The post Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Gets Blunt Over Kyler Murray Captain Decision appeared first on HEAVY.
ACC releases men’s basketball schedule
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference today announced its 2026-27 men’s basketball conference schedule. The regular season tips off on Sunday, November 1, while conference play begins on Tuesday, December 29 and runs through Saturday, March 6. “ACC Men’s Basketball has an unmatched tradition, and we are excited for another season of compelling matchups […]
Ground Zero first responder shares lasting health impact decades after 9/11
Volunteer EMT Mordechai Shedrowitzky and an NYU doctor share how exposure to World Trade Center dust can have serious health consequences decades later.
Is Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) A Bargain On Its New Flex Pay Launch?
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) just rolled out Flex Pay by Upgrade, a buy now pay later style option for online purchases from $49, including Season Passes and other qualifying products. For investors watching Six Flags Entertainment, the latest product moves are coming against a tougher backdrop, with the share price down 41.4% over the past 90 days and the 1 year total shareholder return declining 34.0%. This points to fading momentum and a market that is pricing in higher risk, even as...
CEO politics may shape how companies compete
Decisions such as whether to cut prices, launch a product, open a new facility or make an acquisition are among those companies that consider in pursuit of a competitive edge. New research from Texas ...
Helena Foulkes will defeat Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, CNN projects, marking a rare incumbent primary loss
Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes will win the Democratic nomination for governor of Rhode Island, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, defeating incumbent Gov. Dan McKee as she capitalized on voter frustration over the partial closure of a key bridge and the ensuing traffic chaos.
Iowa’s 2026 races put political identity to the test
For the past decade, Iowa has consistently leaned republican, with the GOP holding majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. But as the 2026 midterms approach, the state’s top races for governor and U.S. Senate are becoming more competitive. According to reporting by Cook Politics Report, a nonpartisan political analyst, the governor’s race “leans...
District partners with direct primary care facility to cut employee health costs
Health insurance costs for families can reach thousands of dollars per month, and seeing a doctor without insurance can add up to a few hundred dollars.
Economic tool could help cities prioritize public health in urban development
Senior urban development decision-makers have revealed there is currently little incentive to consider public health impacts when shaping towns and cities, according to a new study published in Evidence ...
Viewpoint: Unlocking Europe’s wildfire data
Europe is already investing in the science, technology and infrastructure needed to understand, prevent and fight wildfires. Copernicus provides satellite-based Earth observation and environmental information, while the European Forest Fire Information System provides information on fire danger and forest fires across Europe. Weather and climate systems add forecasts of heat, drought, wind and humidity; historical fire databases show where fires have occurred; and researchers generate increasingly detailed knowledge about fuels, fire behaviour, forecasting, modelling and risk management. Meanwhile, new European research projects are adding digital twins and other tools to this growing ecosystem.However, these data do not necessarily sit together, nor are they necessarily described, structured or governed in ways that allow them to be used together. Much of the information is public, but some is commercially held. Some is sensitive. Some is subject to legal, security or operational restrictions. Even when data can be legally accessed, different systems may use different formats, terminology and rules.Europe therefore faces an unusual paradox: we have vast amounts of relevant information to respond to the wildfire challenge, but not the means to bring it together. For example, a wildfire researcher or emergency service might need to ask whether a particular combination of vegetation, drought, wind and topography has historically been associated with rapid fire spread. The relevant information may exist in several institutions, using different systems and subject to different conditions of access.The challenge is to conduct an authorised analysis that interacts with these sources, combines the results and respects the rules imposed by each data custodian.An important part of the answer can be found in the Fair principles, the idea that data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Developed more than a decade ago, these principles have become a central reference point for modern data stewardship, making it easier for people and machines to find data, understand what it means and determine whether it can be reused.Readability by machines is essential, since AI systems will be key to meeting the data challenge. Bring analysis to the dataThe proposition is not to give an AI system unrestricted access to sensitive databases. Quite the opposite. The goal is to make it possible for approved algorithms to go to the data, rather than requiring sensitive data or large datasets to be copied to wherever the analysis happens.Imagine an analysis asking a series of questions of different data stations. At one station it might examine weather and climate data; at another, historical fire records; at another, experimental measurements of fire behaviour. The algorithm does not need to download everything. It can operate within the environment permitted by each data custodian and return only the results that the rules allow to leave.This is sometimes described as data visiting, and related approaches already exist in areas such as federated analysis and federated learning.Sensitive data should therefore not be treated as a free-for-all for machines. This requires appropriate governance at multiple levels. Access needs to be authenticated and authorised. The purpose of an analysis should be defined. The code or model being run should be controlled. Data custodians should be able to specify what can be queried and what results can leave their environment. Activities should be auditable and human oversight should remain where the consequences require it.In other words, the objective is not to trust AI with the data. It is to design systems in which AI never has more access than it needs.As open as possible, as closed as necessaryFair data should also not be confused with open data. Some wildfire data should be openly available. Other information may legitimately need to remain restricted because it concerns critical infrastructure, security, commercial interests, privacy or operational capabilities. The principle should be: as open as possible, as closed as necessary.The important point is that restricted data should not automatically become unusable data. If machines can discover what information exists, understand its meaning, establish where it came from and determine the conditions under which it can be used, authorised analyses can potentially be carried out without the underlying data ever leaving the environment in which it is protected.Restricted data can still be Fair and machine-actionable.This is also an important question of data sovereignty. European institutions should not have to surrender control of their data to a handful of technology platforms in order to benefit from AI. Nor does Europe need to start again by building one giant repository for every piece of wildfire information. The better approach is to connect what already exists.This is the principle behind emerging approaches such as Tryangle, developed through the Leiden Initiative for Fair and Equitable Science. Rather than creating another centralised data warehouse, the approach seeks to provide an interoperable layer through which approved algorithms can visit distributed data sources while respecting the rules of their custodians.In this way, a data station can remain where it is. Its custodians can retain control. Existing databases and applications do not have to be abandoned. What changes is their ability to communicate with other systems through common, machine-readable descriptions, access rules and interoperability mechanisms.But approaches like this need data that meets the Fair principles. Only then can an interoperable ecosystem safely begin to turn fragmented information into collective intelligence.Data infrastructure is wildfire infrastructureThe implications of this approach are entirely practical. Firefighters could gain better intelligence about local and evolving risks. Land managers could test prevention strategies using more comprehensive information about fuels, weather and past fires. Researchers could compare evidence across ecosystems without repeatedly moving huge datasets between institutions. Smaller regions and resource-constrained teams could access analytical capabilities without having to build large data infrastructures themselves.Europe is already investing heavily in satellites, databases, research programmes, forecasting systems and scientific expertise. The question is whether we will connect those investments well enough to turn them into actionable intelligence.That requires policymakers and funders to treat data infrastructure as seriously as physical infrastructure. Data generated or supported through European public funding should be Fair, verifiable and machine actionable by design, wherever legally and ethically possible.Related articlesData Corner: Europe’s burning need for wildfire mitigation researchClimate monitoring must remain a global enterprise, experts sayIn practice, that means funding not only the production of data, but also the infrastructure that makes data usable across systems: metadata, provenance, interoperability, access mechanisms and governance. Where data must remain restricted, we should ensure that it can still be securely discovered, verified and used for authorised analysis.Initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud offer an existing framework through which these principles can be put into practice. What is needed now is to accelerate implementation and make them a standard part of how Europe funds and builds research and innovation systems.We do not need another generation of disconnected databases. The data is already there. The opportunity is to make it work together, securely, responsibly and quickly enough to help prevent the next fire, rather than simply document the last one.Jean-Claude Burgelman is professor emeritus at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) and editor-in-chief at Frontiers Policy Lab. For more than 20 years he held leading roles in research and innovation policy at the European Commission.
Flying Car With (Tiny) NH Angle Gets the OK in Europe: Business NH Magazine
PAL-V, the Dutch firm that has been working for decades on a flying car held aloft by a helicopter-like rotor, has gotten a production license from the European aviation safety agency.
No Booze? No Problem. NH Businesses Lean Into the Alcohol-Free Trend.: Business NH Magazine
New Hampshire is seeing a bump in businesses centered on nonalcoholic drinks, as alcohol consumption declines.
23-year-old tailor from New Orleans earns spot as finalist on ‘Project Runway’
Fans, friends and family are rallying at The Broadside in Mid-City on Thursday to watch the finale at 9 p.m.
Eye on Scams: Fake invoices sent to local business
Acadiana's Local News Leader -- bringing Lafayette the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment
'We could have scored more'
Norwich City boss Phillippe Clement speaks to BBC Radio Norfolk after the 2-1 win over Birmingham
Appeals court declines to block ruling in favor of Missouri’s gerrymandered map
The decision marked another salvo in Missouri’s chaotic redistricting saga that has drawn national attention.
Michael Wacha Explains What Drove Career Milestone for Royals
Wacha passed a personal mark that stood for more than a decade on Tuesday night.
Who Should the Nets Protect in an Expansion Draft?
Bleacher Report has weighed in on which Nets players should be protected in a potential expansion draft. Here’s a look at who Brooklyn should keep safe—and where the toughest decisions come in.
Dodgers Still Weigh Two Very Different Paths for Sasaki’s Return
As a nagging right middle finger blister heals, the Los Angeles Dodgers must decide if Roki Sasaki serves the postseason run best as a high-intensity reliever or a stabilized rotation anchor.
Zay Flowers on His Health, Declan Doyle's Offense
WR Zay Flowers shares a positive health update despite being limited in Wednesday's practice, discusses his feelings about the season, and more.
LIV Golf’s Bankruptcy Road Is Unlike Its Predecessors
The troubled golf entity is looking elsewhere across sports for inspiration.
Longtime film academy chief executive Bruce Davis dies at 83
LOS ANGELES — Bruce Davis spent more than two decades as the motion picture academy's chief executive. Even when he retired in 2011, it was not because he didn't still
Tennessee Titans' Robert Saleh has positive update on Cedric Gray
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray is in concussion protocol but coach Robert Saleh remains optimistic about his status.
Apple debuts $129 AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation and transparency mode
AirPods 5 with noise cancellation is cheaper than its predecessor.
Trump administration proposes changes to census that could exclude millions
If adopted, the changes could exclude millions of residents from the decennial tally, reshaping congressional representation in the country.
Jake Paul Teases Michael Page Signing for MVP MMA
Fight promoter Jake Paul teased a potential signing of former UFC fighter Michael Page to the MVP MMA roster.Page completed his six-fight UFC contract with a unanimous decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris. However, he was heavily criticized by fans for putting on another boring fight, which was not the first time he’s […] The post Jake Paul Teases Michael Page Signing for MVP MMA appeared first on HEAVY.
Mission Health's Mountain Area Medical Airlift marks 40 years of service
For four decades, Mission Health's Mountain Area Medical Airlift has taken to the skies to bring critical care across western North Carolina.
Peapack Private Expands Specialty Lending Capabilities with Launch of Yacht Financing Business
Jim Velez Jim Velez, Senior Managing Director and President of Yacht Financing at Peapack Private BEDMINSTER, N.J., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: PGC) and Peapack Private announced today its entrance into the yacht financing business, further expanding the Bank’s suite of customized lending solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families and their advisors. As part of the launch, Peapack Private has hired industry vete
Swan Town Creative Announces Inaugural Build Business Better Conference for Established Business Owners
A live virtual conference featuring an all-woman lineup of business experts, built to help established business owners explore what's possible and decide what comes next.Marietta, GEORGIA, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Swan Town Creative, a business advisory and consulting firm, announces the inaugural Build Business Better Conference, a two-day live virtual event taking place October 21–22, 2026. Designed primarily for business owners with three or more years of experience who have moved b
Orlando Science Center brings back Cosmic Concerts laser shows
Cosmic Concerts returns to the Orlando Science Center in September, October, November, and December, and will feature music by Taylor Swift, U2, and Metallica. Here's what to know about tickets and schedule.
Drew Anderson just gave Tigers a $10 million decision
Drew Anderson has gone from a flexible bullpen arm to a legitimate piece of Detroit’s rotation. Now the Tigers must determine whether that transformation is worth exercising his $10 million club option for 2027.
Vermilion Farm Market announces indefinite closure after nearly 50 years in business
Vermilion Farm Market, a locally owned and operated fixture in the community since 1979, has announced that it is closing indefinitely. The market did not explain the decision in its announcement.
Nikki Fried dodges questions about Cynthia Chestnut crossing party lines for Byron Donalds
The FDP leader declined a chance to clear the air about a Democratic defection.
Game 146: Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
First Pitch: 12:10 PMTV: Twins.TVRadio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy AppKnow Yo’ Foe: Bless You Boys (Traditionally, “Blessed Assurance” has three verses. This cover has two, while the lyrics below account for six; feel free to replay the song as much or as little as you choose to account for them all.) […]
Michigan Justice Fund pivots to national stage with New York fiscal sponsor
The organization helped spur the state to redirect $200 million from incarceration and achieve the state’s lowest imprisonment rate in three decades.
Johnsonville Votes For Sausage Over Political Ads - Midland
Johnsonville has jumped back into electoral politics, this time asking people to vote for something sensible: affordable protein for dinner. The humorous campaign targets viewer fatigue, as record spending on political ads threatens to drain the fun out of every last game, sitcom and streaming pleasure. This time, the company is throwing its hat in the ring for Dinner 2026. Backed by research it conducted with Harris Polls, Johnsonville has learned Americans are already overwhelmed by both politics and meal planning. Sausage is running the dinner race on a core promise to simplify dinner decisions, the company says.
With Sununu vs. Pappas, familiar names will compete in New Hampshire Senate race
Republican John E. Sununu, a former U.S. senator, and Democrat Chris Pappas, a member of the U.S. House, are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, whose decision not to seek reelection created a cascade of competitive races.
UN hails Libya election deal as Security Council urges Libyans to seize the moment
The UN Security Council has welcomed a breakthrough agreement between Libya's rival political blocs, calling it "an important step" towards the country's first national elections in over a decade – while pressing all sides to move quickly from paper to practice.
Florida Poly partners with Detroit Tigers to enhance student access to sport science and data analytics
'This partnership strengthens our ability to translate research into real decisions for our players.'
Flower Power to make New York debut at Pacha with Roger Sanchez and Nic Fanciulli
Flower Power, one of Pacha Ibiza’s most enduring parties, will make its New York debut at Pacha New York on Sept. 27, bringing more than four decades of dance
The Rwandan eyeing Champions League history against Man Utd
Rwanda forward Joy-Lance Mickels has helped Azerbaijan's Sabah reach the Champions League proper on their competition debut, and is now looking to down the team he supports.
Bayern Munich not yet sure if Michael Olise will extend
FC Bayern will give Olise until next year to make a decision.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam launches December 10
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will launch for PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on December 10, LEVL-5 announced.
Melissa Castro swore under oath she stopped pulling Coral Gables permits. Records show 132 more
New records contradict Castro's sworn declaration that her permit-expediting firm cut all ties with Coral Gables.
Brent Venables hopes elite nonconference games won’t go away
Ahead of Michigan game, OU's Brent Venables shares why he likes tough non-conference games.
Bucs $14M Addition Expected to Have ‘Prominent’ Role
One of the tougher fantasy football backfields to decide is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While many will be debating between Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell as the top option in fantasy, Greg Auman of Fox Sports weighed in with a strong case for Gainwell. Auman noted that Zac Robinson has a chance to significantly improve […] The post Bucs $14M Addition Expected to Have ‘Prominent’ Role appeared first on HEAVY.
BGI Genomics Launches "Digital Life Twin" Framework to Power Proactive Health
Commemorating BGI Group's 27th anniversary, BGI Genomics today introduced its Digital Life Twin framework alongside an advanced multi-omics diagnostic portfolio at the 2026 Global New Product Launch Event. Grounded in over two decades of population-scale genetic discoveries, the launch marks a decisive transition from traditional, reactive diagnostics to continuous, predictive health management across the entire human lifecycle.
Fantasy Football Week 1 2026 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Kickers
Kickers get overlooked until the week they cost you a fantasy matchup, and Week 1 is loaded with sneaky traps hiding behind familiar names. A star kicker returning from injury or stuck behind a stalled red-zone offense can quietly bleed points, while a lesser-known leg in a high-powered attack racks up attempts nobody drafted for. Get these calls […] The post Fantasy Football Week 1 2026 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Kickers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Fall Entertainment and Essentials
Lifestyle Expert, Limor Suss, joins The Morning Blend to talk about all the products you need for a cozy and fun fall season.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward joins Guardians’ ownership group
The Macedonia native is the second prominent athlete from Northeast Ohio to buy a stake in the Guardians this year, joining Travis Kelce.
Your Holiday Shopping Season Playbook: What to Do Now - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
By Barbara Weltman – The National Retail Federation (NRF) says the holiday shopping season runs from November 1 through December 31. Last year, an NRF survey found that 42% of consumers planned to begin holiday shopping before November. Will this year be different? And what will consumers on average spend? Last year, sales were strong, surpassing the prior […]
Sidney Crosby sparks controversy with surprising take on Mike Babcock
The Penguins captain's surprising assessment comes as Edmonton faces fierce backlash over its decision to hire the veteran coach.
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
The Cost of Cutting American Science: How Federal Cuts Diminish Public Health Capacity
Among the federal government’s many responsibilities is the work it does to protect public health. Federal agencies monitor our food supply to ensure safety, conduct research to better understand emerging health threats, provide funding for public health programs in communities and work to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Americans rely on these efforts every day—in a 2024 online survey, 74% of respondents said that “if the federal government issued safety guidance about food you eat regularly,” they would follow it. Changes to Federal Public Health Capacity The Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government have resulted in significant impacts on our nation’s public health capacity over the past 20 months, affecting the response to health concerns such as measles, Ebola and cyclosporiasis. Agencies with core public health, food safety and disease prevention responsibilities experienced large workforce decreases during the first year of the administration. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, the workforce in February 2026 was 26.7% smaller than in September 2024 before the start of the Trump administration. The Food and Drug Administration saw a similarly steep decline of 21.6%. Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Food Safety and Inspection Service also experienced large workforce decreases. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); Changes can also be seen in crucial public health occupations. The number of federal food inspectors, for example, decreased by more than half between September 2024 and February 2026, going from 1,035 to 473. This is the lowest number of food inspectors employed by the federal government since at least 2005. By February 2026, there were also 33.3% fewer federal public health program specialists, whose work includes advising federal funding recipients on public health activities and analyzing the effectiveness of public health programs. Government’s capacity is diminished as employees with specialized knowledge and experience in protecting the public and responding to health risks depart, leaving agencies less prepared to carry out their public health missions. There also have been vacancies in critical high-level leadership positions at public health agencies, most notably at the CDC, which had a permanent Senate-confirmed director for less than a month between January 2025 and early August 2026. Although the CDC has previously been led by acting directors at the start of an administration, the nearly yearlong gap since the departure of the administration’s first permanent director in August 2025 is without precedent. As of August 2026, the FDA is also currently without a Senate-confirmed commissioner following the previous commissioner’s resignation in May 2026. Additionally, public health agencies are experiencing increased politicization of their leadership ranks. In agencies such as the CDC and Food Safety and Inspection Service, the number of individuals in the Senior Executive Service—the most senior career leaders in government—has declined significantly, while at the same time the number of political appointees has reached record levels. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); At the CDC, for example, the number of career SES decreased 42.9% between December 2024 and February 2026, while the number of non-Senate confirmed political appointees at the agency was six times larger than the agency’s historical average from 2009 and 2024. Knowledgeable career leaders are integral to the ability of public health agencies to carry out their work with scientific integrity and professional judgment, and rapid leadership turnover and increased politicization threaten agencies’ ability to make evidence-based decisions to protect our health. The upheaval and politicization in public health agencies have also negatively affected employee engagement. Strong employee engagement is crucial to the ability of agencies to carry out their mission and successfully provide essential services to the public. In the 2025 Public Service Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service, the Department of Health and Human Services—which encompasses major public health agencies such as the CDC and FDA—had an employee engagement and satisfaction score of 20.4 out of 100, one of the lowest among large agencies. Only 2.8% of HHS employees indicated trust in their political leaders and only 8.7% reported confidence that they could report a suspected violation of law or regulation without retaliation. Employees at HHS also reported that the agency’s ability to provide services to the public had suffered. Nearly half of employees at HHS, 47.5%, said their work unit was worse at delivering quality services compared to its performance in 2024. In addition, 57.8% said their work unit was performing worse at fulfilling stakeholder needs. In addition to the work done within federal agencies, the federal government also distributes significant funding for public health and disease prevention work to state and local governments, nonprofits and small businesses—funding which has been significantly disrupted. At the CDC, for example, there was a 71.9% decrease in the amount of project grant funding issued in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024. The FDA also issued far less funding in fiscal year 2025—a 21.3% decrease from its fiscal year 2024 funding. Changes in federal funding include the ending of grants to community organizations that worked on HIV prevention and the cancellation of funding for research into improvements to patient safety and healthcare quality. These changes go beyond federal agencies to impact the broader public health ecosystem, including the state and local health departments responsible for much of the on-the-ground public health work in their communities. About 80% of the CDC’s domestic funding is directed towards state and local partners—meaning that cuts to CDC funding can ultimately result in cuts to state and local public health capacity. Federal agencies also provide expertise and assistance to state and local health agencies as they deal with particular health challenges, but workforce cuts have resulted in fewer federal employees available to help. The Impact of Changes to Public Health Capacity These changes to federal public health capacity are not abstract concerns. Disrupted programs, reduced funding and lost expertise at public health agencies across all levels of government threaten the public’s physical well-being and safety. In some cases, this has already led to harm. The most immediate impacts of federal cuts were seen in interruptions to ongoing public health programs and crisis responses. In one instance, when CDC grants were canceled during the 2025 Texas measles outbreak—the most severe measles outbreak in 25 years—public health officials in Lubbock, Texas were forced to pause parts of their measles response work supported by the frozen funding. Lubbock’s director of public health further said that a lack of available CDC experts to reach out to for advice “definitely” impacted the department’s response to the measles crisis. Cuts to federal funding also forced Dallas County Health and Human Services to cut staff and cancel 50 community vaccination clinics during the outbreak. Public health work outside of major outbreak responses was also disrupted. For example, in April 2025, the Milwaukee Public Health Department was unexpectedly unable to reach experts on lead poisoning due to firings at the CDC when responding to concerns about lead contamination in Milwaukee public schools. Due to federal workforce cuts, several programs at the CDC, including Alzheimer’s and epilepsy programs, have also become trapped in limbo—existing on paper, but without the staff necessary to operate. More recent crises reveal how federal cuts have weakened the public health infrastructure needed to prevent and respond to dangerous new outbreaks. Internationally, cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development eliminated funding for disease testing and contact tracing abroad, which delayed detection of and responses to the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While international outbreaks may seem far removed, the unchecked spread of disease in any country can quickly pose a danger to economic well-being, security and health around the world. Within the United States, public health cuts inhibited responses to the summer 2026 outbreak of the food-borne parasite cyclospora. At the federal level, cuts to funding for lab equipment and for CDC staff with expertise in parasitic infections—including 9 out of 11 staff members at the lab responsible for identifying parasitic outbreaks in 2025— contributed to the largest reporting delay in outbreak cases at the CDC in 15 years. Conflicting communications from the FDA about the source of the outbreak, which followed cuts to the agency’s communications department, additionally led to confusion among the public about how to best avoid infection. At the same time, cuts to HHS funding and support for local and state public health slowed some health departments’ responses to the crisis. The exact costs of these delays, constraints and confusion in public health responses are difficult to estimate. However, their message is clear: federal cuts have already made containing threats to public health even more of a challenge. Conclusion Protecting public health—from food safety to disease prevention—is one of the federal government’s most important missions. Dramatic and haphazard cuts to federal agencies and funding have already disrupted the public health system, impacting the response to challenges such as measles, lead poisoning and cyclosporiasis. The U.S. public health system needed improvement before these disruptions. Since 2022, federal leadership and coordination in response to public health outbreaks has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List of areas in need of attention to improve government effectiveness and efficiency. Recent cuts only compound these concerns. The chaotic dismantling of government and resulting disruptions to crucial functions like public health and disease prevention highlight the need for meaningful reform and concrete policy proposals to reimagine how government can better serve the public and be more effective, responsive and accountable. To learn more about the impact of federal cuts to public health and science more broadly, visit The Cost of Cutting American Science. Learn more For more information on the Partnership for Public Service’s government reform initiative, visit Government for a New Era. View here In line with The Cost of Cutting American Science, federal workforce data in this brief is as of February 2026
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Overmars resigns as Royal Antwerp sports director due to health issues
Soccer great Marc Overmars is stepping down as Royal Antwerp's sports director due to health issues. Overmars has explained his decision in a letter to supporters. He mentioned fatigue and
Overmars resigns as Royal Antwerp sports director due to health issues
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Overmars resigns as Royal Antwerp sports director due to health issues
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66-75: Chart
Mariners Pitchers 2023-2024: Lazaro Montes, +0.20Mariners Pitchers The Other Five Years This Decade: Eduard Bazardo -0.31 WPA, Bryce Miller -0.12 WPA, José Ferrer -0.12 Game Thread Comment(s) of the Day
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Madison council rejects funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.