SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " ref " 6,895 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Small Businesses Cut Back Hiring Plans as Inflation Concerns Grow
The U.S. Chamber's Q1 2026 Small Business Index reflects rising concerns among small businesses about inflation and the economy.
Ella Duggan Promoted to Branch & Business Development Manager at The Merrimack
Merrimack County Savings Bank (The Merrimack) congratulates Ella Duggan on her promotion to Branch & Business Development Manager. In this role, Duggan will oversee branch operations while continuing to serve Contoocook and its small business community. “Ella’s promotion is well-earned and reflects her consistent growth over the years,” said Michelle Olivier, RVP Branch Manager at The Merrimack. “I’m […]
Iowa's Miller-Meeks noncommittal on spending cuts to fund Iran war
US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she would "look very carefully" at proposed spending cuts to fund the U.S. war with Iran while touting tax cuts.
MAGA Is Winning Its War Against U.S. Science
Source: NBER With all the other terrible news right now, you may not have noticed that Donald Trump is in the process of killing American science. OK, that’s an exaggeration — but not that much of an exaggeration. The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal calls for a gigantic increase in military spending combined with severe cuts to social programs. But as the chart above shows, it also calls for debilitating reductions in research funding. Furthermore, Trump appointees have already been strangling science by sharply reducing the rate at which research grants are approved. Here, for example, is the number of new grants approved by the National Science Foundation: Source: Nature Large numbers of existing grants have also been frozen or terminated, especially in the study of infectious diseases. Add to this a sharp drop in visas issued to foreign students, who often play a direct role in research and who help support academic departments that do research: Put all of this together, and much U.S. scientific research is set to come to a screeching halt — not a few years from now, but over the course of the next year or two. This new assault on U.S. science is taking place at a time when the role of American science in the world has already been greatly eroded. The chart below, based on research recently reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research, measures national strength in science by the share of publications in highly ranked journals. In the 1990s the United States had more such publications than the rest of the world combined. Since then we’ve dropped into third place — well behind China and slightly below the European Union. And this was before the Trump administration’s attack on science had time to take its full effect. Source Some erosion in U.S. scientific preeminence was inevitable given China’s growing sophistication and wealth. But we’ve also fallen behind Europe, even though everyone says that Europe is lagging economically and technologically. Claims about Europe’s underperformance are, in fact, dubious if one looks hard at the data. But it’s still striking to see America lagging. What’s going on? There are presumably multiple factors behind America’s scientific lag. But even before Trump II the growing hostility of the U.S. right to science surely had some negative effect. And since the rise of MAGA G.O.P. attitudes toward science in general have become overwhelmingly hostile. This is true even for the Republican rank and file: And while I haven’t been able to find good survey data, it’s obvious that the anti-science turn has been even more pronounced — and began earlier — among the Republican political elite. Chris Mooney published The Republican War on Science in 2005, and even then was describing a longstanding trend. Why have Republicans turned so anti-science? Part of the answer is that they believe that scientists don’t support them. And they’re right! A study of who scientists give money to shows that only a small percentage gave money to Republicans even 20 years ago, and that almost none of them donate to Republicans now: Social scientists have always been strongly pro-Democratic, while there used to be a significant number of physical, “hard” scientists supporting the GOP. But these days physicists are almost as uniformly Democratic, or at least non-Republican, as sociologists. Why are there almost no Republican scientists? It’s not a mystery. GOP political orthodoxy includes positions that are at odds with the scientific consensus on multiple issues, ranging from the validity of the theory of evolution, to the reality of climate change, to the efficacy and safety of vaccines. In each case the scientific consensus is solidly grounded in evidence. But even before the rise of MAGA the U.S. right was increasingly hostile to evidence-based policymaking — especially, of course, where the evidence is unfavorable to fossil fuel interests or quack medicine, both financial mainstays of right-wing politics. So scientists don’t support Republicans, and the feeling is mutual. Today’s Republican Party doesn’t like science or scientists. It doesn’t like having its preconceived views challenged by appeals to evidence. It knows that very few scientists are on its side electorally. In general, it sees scientific research as a threat to its grasp on political power. Add in MAGA’s combination of rabid anti-intellectualism and allergy to any hint of criticism, and one has the makings of a drastic anti-science turn in policy. “Ignorance is strength” might was well be an official MAGA motto. And as I said, we aren’t talking about something that will happen over the course of multiple years: The U.S. scientific enterprise is threatened with severe damage, even collapse, over just the next year. There are many reasons to find this prospect horrifying: Think of all the beneficial advances, affecting almost every part of life, that won’t happen because U.S. science — still crucial to the world — has been eviscerated. But think, also, of America’s international standing. Can a nation that has forfeited its role as a leader, or even a contender, in global science, still be a Great Power? No. MUSICAL CODA
World Health Day 2026: Together for Health. Stand with Science. Stand with Refugees.
This World Health Day, USCRI’s Refugee Health Services (RHS) recognizes the vital role of science and the communities that bring it into practice every day.
World Health Day 2026: Together for Health. Stand with Science. Stand with Refugees.
This World Health Day, USCRI’s Refugee Health Services (RHS) recognizes the vital role of science and the communities that bring it into practice every day.
Are DVDs poised for a comeback? In Santa Fe, they never left
Some local store owners have noticed a growing preference for physical media among some Gen Z and millennial customers.
Belpre Area Business Exchange returns for a third year
The public is invited to attend the third annual Belpre Area Business Exchange from 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 29 at the Parkersburg Art Center at 725 Market St. Hosted by the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce, the event welcomes the public to meet with the various sponsors and organizations in attendance. Refreshments will be served. According […]
University of Alabama President Voices Support for Trump College Sports Order
The University of Alabama President Peter J. Mohler expressed support for Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reforming collegiate athletics
Sackets Harbor: Village & chamber respond to business owner’s Tom Homan decision
The village of Sackets Harbor and its chamber of commerce are speaking out about a business owner’s decision to refuse service to U.S. border czar Tom Homan.
Florida Bar, Supreme Court discipline 8 lawyers for misconduct
Most of the lawyers were suspended, while one had his license revoked.
Nature Conservancy award supports URI research on salt marsh health
KINGSTON, R.I. – April 6, 2026 – Rhode Island’s salt marshes protect coastlines and provide critical habitat, but many are increasingly threatened by sea level rise and other environmental pressures. Madison Geraci, a Ph.D. student in evolution and marine biology at the University of Rhode Island, is studying organisms hidden within marsh sediments to better […]
Grand Strand chef becomes a Masters chef every spring
Ervin Abbott is one of the few people at the Masters in Augusta this week that hopes everything he does is above par. For a week or so before and during the storied event, Abbott moves from his position as a culinary director for La Vida Hospitality which operates the Crooked Hammock Brewery and the Big Chill Restaurant in Barefoot Landing to executive chef at Augusta National, a position he has filled for the last three years.
Ron DeSantis refuses to endorse Jay Collins in LG's hometown
'If I feel the need to do something, I do it.'
She was in active labor and refused a C-section. The hospital took her to court.
In a recording of the hearing obtained by ProPublica, the laboring patient Cherise Doyley called it “the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.\
Head of the Harbor nursery opens for business after fire engulfs storage trailer
The fire was located away from the family business' storefront and did not affect any people, its owner said.
Why Some Black Women Say the Best Thing They Did for Their Health Was Leave America
Germany’s universal health care system, though far from perfect, has become a refuge for those seeking care and stability.
Apple’s folding iPhone redesign looks stunning in new images
Get a fresh look at the upcoming folding iPhone, as leaked images reveal a refined camera design and sleek back panel.
UNC releases statement on Trump's executive order to reform college sports
UNC chancellor Lee Roberts and AD Bubba Cunningham released a joint statement in response to President Donald Trump's executive order on college sports.
UNC releases statement on Trump's executive order to reform college sports
UNC chancellor Lee Roberts and AD Bubba Cunningham released a joint statement in response to President Donald Trump's executive order on college sports.
Steve Bannon wins Supreme Court order likely to lead to dismissal of contempt of Congress conviction
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon has won a Supreme Court order that’s expected to lead to the dismissal of his criminal conviction for refusing to testify to Congress
Inside Project Nova, Firefox's biggest redesign in years
We sit down with Ajit Varma, the head of Firefox at Mozilla, to learn more about the Project Nova redesign, how Firefox will integrate AI, and the challenges and opportunities as a smaller browser maker.
How Philips Personal Health is driving a circular economy through sustainable design
Discover how Philips Personal Health drives sustainable design and circular innovation using eco-friendly materials, refurbishment, packaging, and renewable energy.
Opinion | An odd duck’s journey through faith, politics, and independence
Former Representative Mike Ball reflects on faith, loss and why independence—not party loyalty—ultimately shaped his path through politics.
Finding my footing at We Mean Business Day
Jessicka Alvarado Morales '26 reflects on building confidence, making connections and navigating the path from uncertainty to opportunity at Salve Regina University’s annual student-produced expo.
Politics made Alabama power bills high. Politics can lower them.
The Alabama Legislature's attempt to protect state utilities from public outrage over high power bills has a notable weakness.
UEFA confirm referee team for Arsenal’s game at Sporting
Arsenal now know who will take charge of their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon, with UEFA confirming an all-German officiating team for the meeting with Sporting.Photo by Julian Fin...
Breaking a sweat isn’t easy: Mental health barriers to physical activity
Exercise has long been referenced as a way to clear the mind, take away stress or combat mental health disorders, according to postdoctoral scholar and research associate in the University of Wisconsin Wellbeing and Exercise Laboratory Madeleine Connolly. Practices such as yoga in India and tai chi in China have connected the mind and body through...
The Science Behind Fish Markets And DNA Tracking In The Arabian Gulf
Scientists in Bahrain are building the country’s first DNA reference library for sharks and rays using fish market samples, unlocking the full potential of environmental DNA to identify species in one of the hottest and most understudied seas on Earth.
Lawmakers seek permanent funding for referral hotlines connecting families to mental health care
A bill heard by a Rhode Island Senate panel last week would fold funding for telephone hotlines used by pediatricians and family doctors to connect kids and parents to mental health treatment hotlines into a health department program funded by insurer contributions.
14th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" Will Continue to be "Abundantly Available," Says Intel
Intel will continue to ensure production of its 14th Gen Core "Raptor Lake Refresh" desktop processors, 700-series motherboard chipset, and ensure continued availability of the Socket LGA1700 platform. In an interview with Club386, Intel's VP and GM of client segment technical marketing, Robert Hall...
Why did Jackson keep new public safety director appointment quiet?
When Jackson officials appointed Charles Terefenko to run town hall why did they line him up to oversee public safety and not tell the public?
NCT's TEN parts ways with SM Entertainment, continues to stay with WayV & NCT
SM Entertainment has announced that TEN’s exclusive contract will conclude on 8 April following what the company described as caref...
Mother sues Delaware City Refinery for emissions impacting son, home
A mother is suing Delaware City Refinery due to a pollution incident in early 2025 that she believes impacted her child's health and life at home.
Detroit small businesses say tariff refunds could be a lifeline -- if they can clear the federal hurdles
Billions of dollars in tariff refunds could be on the way for American companies but getting that money back will be anything but simple. Experts also warn consumers probably won’t see a dime.
A Look At BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) Valuation After Strong Revenue Growth And Upgraded EBITDA Guidance
BrightSpring Health Services (BTSG) is drawing attention after reporting a quarter with 16.3% year on year revenue growth and full year EBITDA guidance that exceeded analyst expectations. See our latest analysis for BrightSpring Health Services. The latest $43.10 share price comes after a 2.6% 1 day share price return and a 9.8% 90 day share price return. The 1 year total shareholder return of about 1.5x reflects how investors have reacted to the strong results and recent leadership...
On plant health and embracing new plant-breeding techniques in South Africa
The major challenge currently confronting South Africa’s agriculture is the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. For many farmers across the country, the most urgent tasks are both securing sufficient vaccines and rolling them out quickly in the coming months, particularly as the beef and dairy industries continue to suffer big losses. There is also pressure on sheep, goats, and other livestock to prevent the disease from spreading. As efforts to get the country through this monumental challenge continue, I believe it is important to sharpen our focus on the broader task at hand: strengthening biosecurity. This covers both animal and plant health. In recent years, we haven’t focused much on plant health, except a few times, such as when we had a goss’s wilt scare in the maize industry, a few cases of citrus black spot, or cases of sclerotinia in sunflower seeds. But the fact that South Africa managed to control the outbreaks of these particular diseases when they occurred a few years ago was due to organized agricultural and government scientific capabilities, and, most importantly, the availability of crop protection or agrochemicals necessary to address some of them. Therefore, as the animal health division in the Department of Agriculture focuses on the pressing challenge of the day, the foot-and-mouth disease, there is an opportunity for the plant health division to assess if they have all the requirements to tackle any outbreak that may occur on fruits, vegetables or crops in future. The challenge with crop diseases is that they can spread quickly and cause much more rapid damage in the field than we typically see with livestock. Therefore, speed is everything in ensuring the appropriate controls are available. I raise this as an important area, particularly given the drastic climate variation we observe across the country. The production conditions in some areas have changed noticeably over time, which may introduce new risks. The other essential part is ensuring that South Africa has access to the best crop protection technology available in the market. Many technology developers worldwide have operations in South Africa. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture, along with the Agricultural Research Council, must continuously interact with technology developers to assess the various crop protection technologies they are releasing globally and determine their suitability and need in South Africa. This will require a proactive approach from the government, unlike the current approach, in which technology developers typically approach regulators with new technologies. The government, recognising the food security risks, must take a proactive approach to ensure that South African farmers have access to the latest crop protection technologies, thereby safeguarding the country’s food security. Beyond crop protection, we must never forget that South Africa’s agriculture is key to ensuring that the country is the most food-secure country at the national level in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa is also the only African country in the top-40 global agricultural exporters, having more than doubled since 1994 on the back of the adoption of high-yielding seed cultivars. South Africa has been the only African country to adopt a bold approach to embracing science and adopting genetically engineered seeds for grains and oilseeds in the early 2000s. Since then, we have seen crop yields improve noticeably, contributing to the gains we mentioned above. But ensuring that South Africa improves further is not a given. The key lies in South African regulators’ attitudes towards new technologies. We have to maintain a progressive approach and not give in to the politics of non-food and non-scientific voices that shout on the sidelines. Food security is national security, and the government must ensure we progress, leaning on science. Therefore, the registration of high-yielding new genomic techniques is required. South Africa cannot afford to fall behind the EU, the USA, South America, and many of its competitors in global agriculture. The Department of Agriculture’s crop science division must adopt a progress-and-science-embracing approach for the good of the country. Thanks for reading AgriView! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe Share
Thailand plans reforms to boost growth and cut business costs, PM draft statement says
Thailand will pursue broad economic and administrative reforms, aim for faster growth and cut business costs through the use of technology, according to a draft policy statement set to be delivered by the prime minister later this week.
Atletico Madrid CEO “ashamed” by Barcelona red card controversy
Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday has been overshadowed by a controversial call made by the refereeing team at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Minutes into the second half, Gerard ...
Reflecting on science, learning and leadership
ASBMB President Joan Conaway reflects on her term, celebrating the society’s resilience, advocacy, journal growth and commitment to education, while looking ahead to a vibrant future under incoming president Ed Eisenstein.
Clark Hollow Ramblings: The garden, and some politics
Columnists reflect the opinion of the writer(s), not the Rapp News. Comment below or by writing a letter to the editor: editor@rappnews.com.
Oakland audit finds troubling gaps it business tax collection system
While auditors point out that it's difficult to say exactly how much tax revenue the city lost out on, they estimate that about $9 million to $12 million would generally be referred to collections or liens annually.
Sony's battle against shovelware publishers persists as it purges another load of crap games from the PlayStation Store
Sony has once again delisted a number of games from its storefronts, including the catalogues of alleged shovelware pub…
Republicans who want to opt out of Colorado’s primaries get major boost from federal judge’s ruling
The judge ruled the requirement that 75% of the Colorado GOP or the Colorado Democratic Party must support opting out of the primaries before it can happen “constitutes a severe burden on the major parties’ right to association and is therefore unconstitutional."
Satellite mirror plans could disrupt sleep and ecosystems worldwide, scientists say
Letters to US agency raise concerns over tech firm’s plans to use reflective satellites and expand numbers in low Earth orbit
The Evolving Role of Technology vs Skill in Wildlife Photography
I increasingly find myself reflecting on the balance between technological advancement and genuine photographic skill.
North Shore businesses suffer in aftermath of Kona-low storms
Spring break is typically busy at Sharlyn Foo’s budget accommodations in Haleiwa. But last month, instead of welcoming surfers and families, Foo spent her days canceling reservations, refunding payments and responding to repeated calls from travelers asking whether Oahu’s North Shore was even open.
Why spring cleaning is good for you — and how to make it less stressful
Decluttering at the start of a new season can be mentally refreshing, as long as you do it right. Here’s your stress-free game plan for spring cleaning.
This $199 Microsoft upgrade is just $13 for a limited time
Don't replace your PC — refresh it.
Welcome to the MrBeastification of British politics: the latest trick up Nigel Farage’s sleeve
The Reform UK leader’s energy bill giveaway certainly grabs our attention – but it’s all a distraction from the real winners and losers, says Guardian deputy Opinion editor Kirsty Major
Iris Roley a Cincinnati civil rights leader who declined to be profiled
Someone refusing an interview doesn't kill a story.
Chinese Scientists Bioengineering Plants With Firefly Genes to Glow, in Effort to Light Cities at Night
Night lighting may be due for a plant-based glow-up.
Iran conflict to forefront of UK religious and political leaders’ Easter messages
Archbishop of Canterbury to issue urgent call for peace, as PM exhorts Britons to ‘choose community over division’
Open Graphics Card Powers Cyberpunk “Laptop”
For once, we can avoid debating in the comments what constitutes a “cyberdeck”, because [LCLDIY] does not refer to his cyberpunk masterpiece as such — he calls it a laptop. Consid…
Times Opinion: Big money in politics makes progress in Tennessee impossible
Take a look at governmental policy and the public's broad position on any given issue, and you'll see a glaring disconnect.
R&B world rocked by legend’s death at 86: ‘We lost a giant’
He was a legend who was known for playing with other legends.
Arts & Entertainment Calendar
Events coming up in the Greenville area offer music, arts, theater and family fun. Here is a sampling.
Skunk near Fellows Lake is 2nd rabies case for 2026: Health department
With a second case of rabies identified this week, Springfield-Greene County Health Department advises community to be careful around wildlife.
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT | This Weekend in the Twin Cities Entertainment Guide: April 3 ~ April 5, 2026
Twin Cities weekend features packed events including Twins opening series, concerts, theater, and festivals, reflecting a full return to high spring activity.
Trump signs order aimed at reforming college sports
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday tightening the rules for eligibility and transfers in the NCAA, his latest attempt to rein in college athletics in the pay-to-play era. The order…
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) Valuation Check As Shares Rebound Despite Multi Year Return Weakness
Caesars Entertainment overview and recent performance snapshot Caesars Entertainment (CZR) has been drawing attention after recent price moves, with the share price last closing at $26.53 and total return data giving a mixed picture across different time frames. Over the past day, the stock showed a 0.08% decline, while the past week reflected a 1.34% decline. Over the past month, total return stands at 6.04%, and over the past 3 months at 12.61%. Year to date, Caesars shows a 12.61% total...
Why 'Paradise' Is The Most Addictive Show On TV & Everything We Know About Season 3
From Xavier's heroics to Sinatra's sacrifice, Paradise Season 2 ended with a bang. Here’s everything we know about Season 3.
New Apple TV Waiting for Siri: Here's What's Coming When It Launches
We're long overdue for an Apple TV update, and there have been rumors about an imminent refresh since late last year. It's now sounding like we're not going to get a new version for several months because of Siri delays. If you're holding out for a new model, here's a recap on what to expect when it eventually comes out so you can decide whether to continue to wait, or buy now. Design Apple TV design updates are few and far between, and that's not changing in 2026.
7+ Florida Politics Now: Economic impact of the Artemis II Rocket Launch
This episode we’re discussing election reforms and the economic impact of the Artemis II Rocket launch.
President Trump set to sign executive order aimed at college sports, targeting transfers and eligibility
The Commander-in-Chief is advocating for limiting transfers, capping eligibility and NIL reform
Madrid business escapes serious damage in fire
Firefighters quickly contained a fire over Main Stret Liquors.
Owlet nursed back to health, thanks to woods visitors, local veterinarian, firefighters
A great-horned owlet originally found on the ground in need of critical care in the UNC Asheville woods is now back home, living a healthy life.
Gemma 4 and what makes an open model succeed
Having written a lot of model release blog posts, there’s something much harder about reviewing open models when they drop relative to closed models, especially in 2026. In recent years, there were so few open models, so when Llama 3 was released most people were still doing research on Llama 2 and super happy to get an update. When Qwen 3 was released, the Llama 4 fiasco had just gone down, and a whole research community was emerging to study RL on Qwen 2.5 — it was a no brainer to upgrade. Today, when an open model releases, it’s competing with Qwen 3.5, Kimi K2.5, GLM 5, MiniMax M2.5, GPT-OSS, Arcee Large, Nemotron 3, Olmo 3, and others. The space is populated, but still feels full of hidden opportunity. The potential of open models feels like a dark matter, a potential we know is huge, but few clear recipes and examples for how to unlock it are out there. Agentic AI, OpenClaw, and everything brewing in that space is going to spur mass experimentation in open models to complement the likes of Claude and Codex, not replace them. Especially with open models, the benchmarks at release are an extremely incomplete story. In some ways this is exciting, as new open models have a much higher variance and ability to surprise, but it also points at some structural reasons that make building businesses and great AI experiences around open models harder than the closed alternatives. When a new Claude Opus or GPT drops, spending a few hours with them in my agentic workflows is genuinely a good vibe test. For open models, putting them through this test is a category error. Something else to be said about open models in the era of agents is that they get out of the debate of integration, harnesses, and tools and let us see close to the ground on what exactly is the ability of just a model. Of course, we can’t test some things like search abilities without some tool, but being able to measure exactly the pace of progress of the model alone is a welcome simplification to a systematically opaque AI space. Share The list of factors I’d use to assess a new open-weight model I’m considering investing in includes: Model performance (and size) — how this model performs on benchmarks I care about and how it compares to other models of a similar size. Country of origin — some businesses care deeply about provenance, and if a model was built in China or not. Model license — if a model needs legal approval for use, uptake will be slower at mid-sized and large companies. Tooling at release — many models release with half-broken, or at least substantially slower, implementations in popular software like vLLM, Transformers, SGLANG, etc due to pushing the envelope of architectures or tools. Model fine-tunability — how easy or hard it is to modify the given model to your use-case when you actually try and use it. The core problem is that some of these are immediately available at release, e.g. general performance, license, origin, etc. but others such as tooling take day(s) to week(s) to stabilize, and others are open research questions — with no group systematically monitoring fine-tunability. In the early era of open models, the days of Llama 2 or 3 and Qwen pre v3.5, the architectures were fairly simple and the models tended to work out of the box. Some of this was due to the extremely hard work of the Llama, Qwen, Mistral, etc. developer teams. Some is due to the new models being genuinely harder to work with. When it comes to something like Qwen 3.5 or Nemotron 3, with hybrid models (either gated delta net or mamba layers), the tooling is very rough at release. Things you would expect to “just work” often don’t. I’ve been following this area closely since we released Olmo Hybrid with a similar architecture, and Qwen 3.5 is just starting to work well in the various open-source tools that need to all play nice together for RL research. That’s 1.5 months after the release date! This is just to start really investing more into understanding the behavior of the models. Of course, others started working on these models sooner by investing more engineering resources or relying on partially closed software. The fully open and distributed ecosystem takes a long time to get going on some new models. All of this is lead-in for the most important question for open models — how easy is it to adapt to specific use-cases? This is a different problem for different model sizes. Large MoE open-weight models may be used by entities like Cursor who need complex capabilities in their domain, e.g. Composer 2 trained on Kimi K2.5. Other applications can be built on much smaller models, such as Chroma’s Context-1 model for agentic search, built on GPT-OSS 20B. The question of “which models are fine-tunable” is largely background knowledge known by engineers across the industry. There should be a thriving research area here to support the open ecosystem model. The first step is to understand characteristics of different base and post-trained models to understand what they look like. The second step is to tune pretraining recipes for open models so they’re more flexible. Interconnects AI is a reader-supported publication. Consider becoming a subscriber. Subscribe For The ATOM Project and other Interconnects endeavors, we’ve put in substantial effort to measuring adoption trends in the open ecosystem. Everything takes a long time to unfold after a model is first publicly available — and adaptability is why. What we know for sure now, when Qwen has been going from strength to strength with its releases, is that technical staff across the industry has gotten comfortable working with Qwen models. Countless research methods and datasets were made to work with Qwen. It’ll take patience for any other model family to get to this point — a patience I’m not sure many open model builders have. This takes us to Gemma 4, Google’s latest open models. Gemma 3 was released more than a year ago, in March of 2025, and is a bit underrated. Gemma 4 comes in 4 sizes for now, with a bigger, MoE model of over 100B total parameters rumored but not released yet. The models we have today come in sizes of ~5B dense, 8B dense, 26B total 4B active MoE, and 31B dense. I’m most excited that they’re finally adopting a standard Apache 2.0 open source license. This’ll massively boost adoption. The standard of better licenses for strong open-weight LLMs was set by mostly Chinese open model labs in the last 1-2 years, and now U.S. companies are following suit. I will personally be so happy if the horrible Llama licenses and Gemma terms of service were an ~18-month transient dynamic of the industry being nervous about releasing strong open models. The Gemma 4 scores look very solid, the small models have incredible benchmark scores (especially in general domains like LMArena) and the 31B model rivals the recent Qwen 3.5 27B, which is the leading member of that class. The ~30B size range is an important one, as it’s accessible both to researchers and to enterprises looking to deploy the model in real use-cases. Where the 7B model scale is the default for tinkering and research, a 30B model is the default for seeing if an open model can unlock substantial value in your specific workflow — a good mix of intelligence, low price, tractability for downstream training, etc. This takes us back to the above adoption criteria I mentioned for open models and the bigger question — do I think Gemma 4 will be an overwhelming success? Previous Gemma models have been plagued by tooling issues and poorer performance when being finetuned. Gemma 4’s success is going to be entirely determined by ease of use, to a point where a 5-10% swing on benchmarks wouldn’t matter at all. It’s strong enough, small enough, with the right license, and from the U.S., so many companies are going to slot it in. I’m cautiously optimistic that Gemma 4 is going to work better here. Winds are shifting for open models built in America. We saw GPT-OSS go through a bumpy launch to become an overwhelming success. There’s a collective energy around the likes of Reflection, Arcee, Nemotron, Gemma, Olmo, and peers that show substantial demand for building new stacks around open models. There’s capital to be spent on AI stacks across the economy by those who want more ownership of everything, including the model. After launching The ATOM Project 240 days ago, the conversation is shifting into the next stage. Summer of 2025 was a crisis moment where the U.S. AI scene realized it can’t wait and figure out open models after building AGI. The two markets will capture different areas and proceed in parallel. Now that more companies in the U.S. are releasing strong models, we need to improve the ecosystem so that these models are easy to use, understand, and build value around. It’s the hard work to build another inflection point in these adoption plots I’ve been updating consistently, but that’s the work to be done. Join me in it. More data coming soon! Here’s a sneak peek:
Rady Children’s Health in Orange County Receives Patient Safety Award
The honor reflects the organization's commitment to driving industry-wide progress in safety and care quality.
Piere’s Entertainment Center rebrands
The signage outside the St. Joe Road venue was switched recently to reflect the rebrand.
Italian football must change
No miraculous cure-all, no controversial VAR decision, no scapegoat or savior of the nation pulled out of a hat should distract too much attention: the reforms Italian football has been waiting for fo...
We all need to become better science storytellers. Here’s why and how.
Last week, in a lovely New Haven bar, six people gathered in front of a crowd to tell stories that were somehow related to science and public health. It was magical. One person talked about learning how social determinants of health helped them forgive their mother’s alcoholism. Another shared what it’s been like navigating a dementia diagnosis. Another described their last dinner with their mother before they left Nigeria to come to the U.S. and how that moment, plus the diagnosis that followed, shapes their career goals today. As the Executive Director of The Evidence Collective at Your Local Epidemiologist, I was ecstatic to bring this event, “Science and Storytelling,” to the community surrounding the Yale School of Public Health. Stories are not the default way most people communicate about science and public health. In fact, we are taught to take all the emotion out of data, but that makes it pretty darn boring to everyone else. And if people can’t see themselves in it, feel themselves in it, or influence it, how can we ask them to support it? Why do stories stick? How can we all—from community members to public health scientists—do better? And what are some examples?
Smiley: Let's return to a politics of respect, compassion
Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley reflects on political division, using a recent mural controversy as an example of growing hatred.
Apple's Eddy Cue explains how iTunes shaped its services strategy
Apple's SVP Eddy Cue reflected on the iTunes Store's launch and its revolutionary impact on the music industry and Apple's services on TBPN.
Labour challenges Farage over cost of private jet trip to Maldives
Anna Turley questions Reform UK leader’s revised £25,000 figure for failed attempt to reach Chagos Islands on plane linked to billionaire donor
'Like two heavyweights throwing haymakers at each other'
Thirty years on from Liverpool beating Newcastle 4-3 in one of the Premier League's greatest ever matches, former Reds player Jason McAteer, former Magpies defender Steve Howey, the Anfield Wrap's Ian Ryan and the Athletic's George Caulkin join Alistair Bruce-Ball on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily to reflect on a true classic. "A game like that kind of takes a life of its own", recalled McAteer.
Meloni’s gamble backfires: a turning point for Italy
The Italian PM has had an ‘aura of political invincibility’ since taking office in 2022, but a referendum on flagship judicial reforms has left her vulnerable
Damon Lynch IV launches website calling Landsman 'Genocide Greg'
Damon Lynch IV, a Democrat challenging incumbent Rep. Greg Landsman in the May primary, launched a website referring to Landsman as \
Mentorship and Immigration in Scientific Careers
In a cross-continental academic journey, one scientist reflects on how mentorship across borders sustains careers, shapes resilience, and guides scientific paths.
Pam Bondi’s extreme political loyalty to Trump wasn’t enough to save her job
It’s not unusual for presidents to select attorneys general who share their views and policy preferences. But Trump has gone far beyond what is usually done.
A gene mutation may trap the brain in the wrong reality in schizophrenia patients
A newly identified gene mutation may help explain why schizophrenia patients struggle to update their understanding of reality. The mutation disrupts a brain circuit involved in flexible decision-making, causing mice to stick with outdated choices even when conditions change. Researchers pinpointed the issue to a key thalamus–prefrontal cortex pathway. By reactivating this circuit, they were able to restore normal behavior—raising hope for future therapies.
Rockets showing progress on ball control with Jazz up next
Down the stretch on Wednesday, when it became obvious that the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks refused to roll over, the Houston Rockets faced a defensive tactic that'd previously given them fits.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs executive directive for agencies to help businesses receive tariff refunds
Last Call for 4.2.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
A digest of the day's politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
With Iran war address, Trump urges increasingly skeptical electorate to give him a bit more time
President Donald Trump finds himself not only negotiating with an enemy that refuses to throw in the towel but also dealing with an American tolerance for a conflict that's being stretched.
Iterative Health, US Heart & Vascular Partner to Advance Community-Based Cardiovascular Research
April 2, 2026 — Iterative Health and US Heart & Vascular (USHV) have announced a strategic partnership to advance research through community-based innovation in cardiovascular care. "Clinical research is one of the most powerful ways we expand access, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of cardiovascular care," said Robbie Allen, chief executive officer of US Heart & Vascular. "By partnering with Iterative Health, we are strengthening our ability to bring innovative therapies directly into the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures our physicians and patients have access to leading-edge trials while allowing US Heart & Vascular to remain focused on delivering exceptional, physician-led care." Under the agreement, USHV research sites will join Iterative Health’s global site network, which now spans over 100 sites across three continents. The companies share a commitment to advancing clinical research as a driver of care innovation, and this collaboration represents a major milestone for both organizations, strengthening USHV's leadership in community-based cardiovascular research and expanding Iterative Health's multispecialty focus beyond GI, hepatology, and obesity into cardiology. USHV clinical research sites will gain access to Iterative Health's centralized operational backbone, providing end-to-end support across clinical research operations, services, business development, technology innovation, and corporate functions. The strategic partnership reduces operational complexity and unlocks growth potential for USHV research sites while enabling all USHV physicians to expand access to cutting-edge therapies to the thousands of patients they serve annually. "Innovation in cardiovascular medicine shouldn't be limited to a few academic centers," said Thomas Waggoner, DO, MD, RPVI, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, RPVI, Structural Cardiologist and Medical Director for Clinical Research at Pima Heart & Vascular, and USHV Physician Champion for Clinical Research. "By expanding community-based research across USHV, we're ensuring more patients have access to clinical trials and breakthrough therapies close to home, where trusted relationships with their physicians already exist." This alliance reinforces Iterative Health's standing as the definitive research partner across specialized therapeutic areas, now spanning GI, hepatology, obesity, and cardiovascular care. Trusted by many of the nation's leading provider organizations and biopharma sponsors, Iterative Health's global site network delivers industry-leading trial performance, accelerating life-changing therapies to market at scale. "Entering cardiology through our strategic partnership with US Heart & Vascular is a defining moment for Iterative Health and reflects the strength of our site-serving model," said Jonathan Ng, founder and CEO of Iterative Health. "Together, we are ensuring that thousands of patients have access to the newest available therapies, and that sponsors have a credible, high-performing partner to accelerate cardiovascular trial success." For more information, visit www.iterative.health and https://usheartandvascular.com/.
Arlington Police Department opens new storefront in Entertainment District
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arlington Police Department has inaugurated a new storefront in the city's Entertainment District, enhancing its presence and commitment to public safety.
Restroom Revolutions: A history of bathroom politics presentation April 11
Edmonds SnoKing AAUW is hosting Sara Chatfield, associate professor in gender and women’s studies, for a thought-provoking Zoom presentation Saturday, April 11 on how America’s bathrooms have long reflected battles […]
Less than one-fifth of Marylanders correctly answered these 5 questions about state politics. How do you stack up?
Marylanders were quizzed about state politics in the latest poll by the UMBC Institute of Politics -- and the results might surprise you.
Double Your Nintendo Switch 2's Battery Life With This $20 Amazon Find
Finding the battery life of the Nintendo Switch 2 to not be what you'd prefer when gaming on the go? This cheap Amazon gadget will help you out.
Chinese satellite with robotic 'octopus arm' passes key refueling test in orbit — making longer-lived space assets more likely
The experimental Hukeda-2 satellite and its highly flexible robotic arm have passed a major refuelling test in low Earth orbit. The demonstration is the latest step toward China significantly expanding the longevity of its spacecraft.
Health officials flag several University of Utah areas for possible measles exposure
Several areas on the University of Utah campus have been singled out for possible measles exposure as cases continue to rise across the state.In an update post
How to Get a Tariff Refund
Thousands of businesses have a shot at getting some money back from the US government—but there will be a playbook.
Virginia’s redistricting fight ramps up as opponents wield Barack Obama’s past comments
An argument over former President Barack Obama’s past comments about gerrymandering reflects the conundrum that worries some Democratic allies ahead of an April 21 referendum. Having promoted nonpartisan redistricting in the past, Obama, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and other top Democrats now have to motivate voters to turn out for a special election to impose a gerrymander.
It’s International Fact-Checking Day. Refresh your AI identification skills
f a e p 2024-2026-mideast-wars artificial-intelligence technology world-news general-news politics entertainment u-s-news | Talk 1370
Public Health warns of measles exposure in Seattle, Bellevue and Kirkland
Officials noted the case totals reflect only King County residents and do not include people who may have traveled through the area while contagious.
Selwyn Rogers: Bearing Witness to Violence
Howie and Harlan are joined by trauma surgeon Selwyn Rogers, who reflects on caring for victims of gun violence and speaking with families in their darkest moments—and explains why the problem must be understood as a shared societal responsibility. Harlan examines new evidence suggesting U.S. healthcare spending has grown more slowly than expected; Howie discusses a retracted Lancet article that highlights the risks of undisclosed conflicts of interest.
Last Call for 4.1.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida
A digest of the day's politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
Georgia's Brad Raffensperger showcases Ponzi scheme fight as he runs for governor
It was a moment of triumph for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Wednesday, as he announced his office had persuaded a securities firm to refund $6.7 million to investors who lost money in an alleged $156 million Ponzi scheme.