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How California’s Fight for Governor Became a Hot Mess for Democrats
Scandals, missteps and a lack of Democratic unity have complicated the state’s gubernatorial election.
June’s Miniature of the Month and collectible coin revealed
Get your free coin and miniature in store this month.
Comeback at Colonial: Russell Henley tops Eric Cole in playoff
Eric Cole held the 54-hole lead entering the final round but couldn't gain separation despite a mistake-free back nine on Sunday. Russell Henley took advantage with a surge of birdies down the stretch to force a playoff.
Horror hits 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Beat Star Wars at box office
Low-budget horror films "Backrooms" and "Obsession" are leading the box office, showing the power of internet native culture on the big screen.
2026 Charles Schwab Challenge purse: Payout breakdown, winner's share
Here's the payout breakdown and winner's share for the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Texas.
After Gaza, Israel is now causing the West Bank health system to collapse
Most Medications Are Missing From Public Pharmacies, and Many Patients Cannot Afford to Buy Them on the Private Market. Israel's Seizure of Customs Revenues Has Significantly Deepened the Palestinian Health Ministry's Debt, and It Warns: Soon We Will No Longer Be Able to Provide Essential Health Services
Transactional politics or far-left planning? Either way, California’s next governor will be terrible.
Whoever wins, we can only hope they clean up the mess left by Gov. Gavin Newsom and can at least not make things worse.
WHO chief reports 5 Ebola recoveries as new treatment center opens in Congo
Five patients have recovered from a rare type of Ebola virus, the head of the World Health Organization said Sunday during a visit to Bunia in eastern Congo.
Prep softball roundup: Venice wins City Section Division I title
The Gondoliers defeated Eagle Rock 7-2 in City Section Division I softball final on Saturday.
California Democratic Party chair won't say if he's glad Becerra stayed in the governor's race
After spending months encouraging lower-polling candidates in the California governor's race to drop out, the leader of the state's Democratic Party would not say if he's glad an initially lower-polling Democrat now leading the polls, Xavier Becerra, stayed in the race.
California Republicans are feeling good ahead of primary election day, party chairwoman says
California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin said the party is feeling good ahead of election day and confident that a Republican candidate for governor will move on to the general election in November.
California Politics 360 full episode | Final days until the June primary
Voters will decide who they want in several statewide races, including the next governor.
'Stop Killing Games’ Bill Passes California Assembly
Bill AB 1921 adds new stipulations to games being taken offline, giving Accursed Farms’ Scott Ross one of his biggest stateside wins yet
UCLA Baseball Hits Back-to-Back Homers in Crucial Walk-Off Win
After St. Mary’s shockingly upset No. 1 overall seed UCLA baseball in the regional opener on Saturday, the Bruins needed a win on Sunday to keep their season alive. Going into the bottom of the ninth, UCLA was down by two runs against Virginia Tech. That’s when first baseman Mulivai Levu, who was named the […] The post UCLA Baseball Hits Back-to-Back Homers in Crucial Walk-Off Win appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Inside California Politics: Final Emerson poll sets up intriguing election day
(Inside California Politics) — A new poll released just days before polls close in California’s gubernatorial primary show a tight race with three candidates competing for just two spots in t…
Readers respond: Dundon business model good for government
Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence.
Amtrak bedroom: Sleeping in the top bunk vs. the bottom bunk
I spent two nights in a bedroom on Amtrak's California Zephyr train. The top bunk was smaller, but it made the room feel bigger.
Q&A: As costs rise, AD Jennifer Cohen says USC is well-positioned amid college sports chaos
In the new era of revenue sharing, particularly because of NIL rights, student athletes have benefitted. USC's athletic director explains why.
Prep talk: Julian Garcia's championship pitching performance ranks among best
St. John Bosco pitcher Julian Garcia struck out 14, walked none and gave up one hit in 2-0 win over Norco.
Sky exits UAE news venture after genocide denial accusations
Sky News Arabia to retain its name in brand licensing deal after criticism of its coverage of the war in Sudan
L.A. politics fractures amid dissatisfaction, frayed alliances, generational conflict
In 1973, Tom Bradley became L.A.'
Trump enters perilous polling territory, raising questions over base support
Pollsters are questioning long-standing assumptions about the president’s floor of support, wondering whether it is at risk of giving way.
Xavier Becerra faces attack, some unwarranted, from Washington
Gubernatorial rivals, led by Democrat Tom Steyer, have made Becerra's years in the Biden Cabinet a focus of attacks. While there's certainly room for criticism, there seems to be some axes being ground.
Healthcare providers brace for Medicaid cuts. Are layoffs in rural NC next?
More than 250,000 North Carolinians could be kicked off Medicaid next year. The cuts have the potential to devastate local economies, particularly in rural areas, if hospitals and health clinics respond by conducting layoffs or shutting down entirely.
I moved from Germany to California for my career; expensive, worth it
Christiane Schroeter studied in the US and stayed for her work instead of returning to Germany. She says California is like a "Goldilocks place."
Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in California
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act, a bill centred on protecting consumer rights as detailed by the Stop Killing Games movement.
High school boys' volleyball: State championship results
CIF state high school boys' volleyball championship results from Saturday.
Jaslene Massey achieves a U.S. discus record at CIF championships
Aliso Niguel’s Jaslene Massey breaks the U.S. high school record in girls' discus and defends her shot put title at CIF State track and field championships.
Virginia Tech football: WV OL Luke Braham commits to Hokies
The Hokies landed their commitment of the weekend on Saturday night.
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday’s primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday's primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Here are the top candidates for California governor in Tuesday's primary
California voters face a crowded ballot with 61 names during Tuesday's primary to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
A Reality Check on the Polls in California’s Most Chaotic Race
Will California elect another Democrat — or could Republicans pull off a stunning upset? Our roundtable examines the candidates, the surprises and the paths to victory.
Virginia Department of Health hosts free resource fair for new and expecting families
The Virginia Department of Health hosted a free resource fair at Richmond Raceway on Saturday for new and expecting families, featuring health services and more.
UCLA Stuns Virginia Tech With Ninth-Inning Rally
UCLA erased a late deficit with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, walking off Virginia Tech to keep its postseason hopes alive in the Los Angeles Regional.
Vols fall 5-4 in season-ending loss to VCU
And that’ll do it for your Tennessee Volunteers in 2026. For the first time in program history, the Vols go winless in a regional, getting shown the door by Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill 5-4. Tegan Kuhns took the mound for Tennessee, and as it turns out, that was a herculean effort […]
Kirk Cameron Left California Because of 'Terrible' Politics
'Growing Pains' star Kirk Cameron left California because of 'terrible' politics.
Trump tells agencies to align with study calling for narrower childhood vaccine recommendations
President Trump is giving his endorsement to a January study by the Department of Health and Human Services that calls for cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every American child.
'Stop Doing Stupid Things': Steve Hilton on His Surprisingly Strong Bid for California Governor
In a TIME interview, Hilton says California voters are ready for a Republican reset. But can he work with a Democratic state legislature?
New poll shows California governor race down to 3 frontrunners
The race for California governor appears to be down to three candidates vying for two spots in the November runoff, based on the final Emerson College/Inside California Politics poll ahead of Tuesd…
California 2026 Poll: Becerra Leads, Steyer and Hilton Toss-up for Second Spot
The final Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey of the California governor’s race finds Democrat…Full Release & Results
Prep talk: Loyola freshman pitcher Sheriff Hall can be a slayer in Division 2 final
The left-hander is scheduled to play Ganesha in the Southern Section Division 2 final
As poisonings soar, Californians urged not to pick, eat wild mushrooms
The state continues to see an unprecedented uptick in poisonings and deaths associated with death cap, or Amanita phalloides; and western destroying angel, Amanita ocreata, mushrooms.
Letters to Sports: Angels aren't as 'competitive' as they think
Readers of the Los Angeles Times Sports section share their thoughts on Arte Moreno and the Angels as well as the Dodgers' struggles to stay healthy.
WHO chief lands in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, epicenter of Ebola, as outbreak outpaces response
The head of the World Health Organization has arrived in eastern Congo’s Bunia, where a rare type of Ebola is spreading faster than the response.
Erewhon sued in Culver City over a rent dispute
Trendy Erewhon, the reigning Rolls-Royce of grocery stores, has fallen behind in rent payments for its Culver City outpost, its landlord says.
High school baseball: Southern Section championship game results and schedule
CIF Southern Section results from championship games on Friday night plus the schedule for Saturday.
High school softball: City and Southern Section finals scores and schedule
CIF City and Southern Section softball results from championship games on Friday night plus the Saturday schedule.
Candidates for California governor scramble to deliver final pitch to voters with days to go
The many candidates running for California governor have been rushing to deliver their closing arguments to voters in the race’s final days before the June 2 primary | 97.3 The Sky
Candidates for California governor scramble to deliver final pitch to voters with days to go
The many candidates running for California governor have been rushing to deliver their closing arguments to voters in the race’s final days before the June 2 primary | K-DAWN
Newsom’s climate rules bend to gas price politics
California is changing its climate policies in the face of affordability concerns as Gavin Newsom looks toward 2028.
New 3D silicon chip breakthrough could extend Moore’s Law for years
As traditional chip miniaturization slows, researchers have found a way to pack more computing power into the same space by stacking silicon circuits in multiple layers. The new process uses ultra-thin silicon membranes and low-temperature manufacturing techniques to overcome a major obstacle that has long blocked the production of true 3D chips.
New 3D silicon chip breakthrough could extend Moore’s Law for years
As traditional chip miniaturization slows, researchers have found a way to pack more computing power into the same space by stacking silicon circuits in multiple layers. The new process uses ultra-thin silicon membranes and low-temperature manufacturing techniques to overcome a major obstacle that has long blocked the production of true 3D chips.
Pleas and political attacks fill the home stretch of California governor's race
The top candidates for California governor crisscrossed the state Friday, all venturing to friendly political territory to woo voters and undermine their rivals as the June 2 primary election fast approaches.
Antonio Villaraigosa explains why he should be California's next governor
Antonio Villaraigosa sat down for an interview with California Politics 360 for a wide-ranging conversation on his run to be the state's next governor.
Scott Bessent says US seized roughly $1B in Iranian crypto as regime nears 'end of their tether'
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the U.S. has seized roughly $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency assets as Operation Economic Fury pushes Iran's economy toward collapse.
‘It just took off’: Arlington bar embraces women’s sports in rebrand
Westover Taco in Arlington, Virginia, often had its TVs tuned to games featuring D.C.-area women’s teams. Now, it’s a women’s sports bar.
How older Californians can utilize resources to prioritize mental health, meaningful connections
Many older Californians are living alone and facing social isolation, but state officials and health experts say resources are available to help maintain meaningful connections.
Acer is coming for the Galaxy Tab, and it picked a clever way to do it
Acer's Iconia Duo trio lands stateside this summer, but one model isn't what it seems.
Springsteen, Trump and two very different music events
Several acts slated to play the Great American State Fair declared they were dropping out of the event after discovering it was part of a Trump White House initiative.
What the Massive Medicaid Cuts Mean for Your Health Care
We’ll take stock of what the new Medi-Cal landscape means for everyone’s access to health care in California and the Bay Area.
California Primary Election preview with political reporter Greg Lee | FOX 10 Talks
On this edition of FOX 10 Talks, political reporter Greg Lee joins the program for an in-depth preview of the upcoming California primary elections. Lee analyzes the critical battlegrounds, candidate platforms, and the key issues driving voters to the ballot box this election cycle. Watch the full segment for a comprehensive look at how these pivotal primary races are shaping up and what the outcomes could mean for the political balance ahead.
State Democrats’ bill would help small-business owners pay for employees’ healthcare
'At this moment, we’re in the thick of a massive affordability crisis,' said Rep. Jen Mazzocco.
CCWF staff focus on mental health awareness
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla hosted a special May 12 mental health event for staff.
Tag Team Approaches Helping Earn Wins for Mental Healthcare
By Yanet Luna, Vitals contributor Nearly one in seven California adults experiences a mental health condition. Yet close to two-thirds of those individuals do not receive the needed care, according to a 2022 report by the California Health Care Foundation. Clinical teams, community organizations and mental health advocates across the country understand the importance of creative […]
Hundreds of faculty members of University of California sign open letter on Maths and Science papers; says: We call for the reinstatement of
Hundreds of University of California faculty members have signed an open letter urging the UC regents and faculty leaders to restore standardized testing requirements for Math and Science applicants. The letter cites an alarming drop in Math skills since the tests were abandoned.
Romania's political crisis deepens
After Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s government fell in early May, Romania's moderate parties have struggled to chart a new course — opening the door for the far right to gain ground.
Trump holds Situation Room meeting to decide on Iran deal
Trump faced a politically fraught decision to enter an agreement that would invariably require significant concessions to Tehran.
Oura Ring shrinks to wedding-band size as smart ring health race heats up
Oura Health Oy, the popular smart ring maker seeking to go public this year, unveiled a significantly thinner and lighter new model along with new wellness features.
My unsung hero of science: William Adams, the Bombay bureaucrat whose vision of a solar future was dashed by colonial conservatism
William Adams was convinced that solar energy could change the world. The problem was, he needed more sun to demonstrate it.
Five of the most shocking upsets in sports history, from Michigan-App State to Virginia-UMBC
Sinner's stunning French Open loss inspired a look back at five all-time upsets, including Djokovic falling to Denis Istomin at the 2017 Australian Open.
This newly discovered raptor may have hunted like a giant heron
A newly discovered raptor-like dinosaur from Patagonia is changing how scientists think about ancient predators. Named Kank australis, the 70-million-year-old dinosaur appears to have hunted fish much like modern herons, using a long, flexible neck and specialized vertebrae adapted for swift, precise movements.
Berkeley's soda tax success story deserves wider attention across California
After Berkeley voters first passed a soda tax in 2014, the city has invested millions of dollars into impactful health programs.
Prep talk: Last of four softball-playing Justman sisters wants to go out a City champion
Zoe Justman will try to help Granada Hills High win the City Section Open Division softball title on Friday against Carson.
Contributor: In politics after Trump, nothing is disqualifying
Has Trumpism become America’s permanent political operating system?
Russia is sending swarms of cheap drones after single soldiers
Russia has gone from not wanting to use drones against a single Ukrainian to now using "up to 15 drones to kill a single soldier," an official said.
Vipotnik named in BBC's Championship team of season
Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik has been included in BBC Sport's Championship team of the season. The Slovenian scored a total of 25 goals in his second season with Swansea - of which 23 goals were scored in 43 league games. Two former Swansea City players were also recognised after helping their respective clubs secure promotion to the Premier League.
Vomiting virus is spreading across most of the U.S.
Hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California have been hit with norovirus, but they’re not the only ones suffering. Wastewater data shows high levels in many states.
High school softball: Southern Section playoff scores and schedule
CIF Southern Section high school softball playoff scores and schedule.
Blistering report exposes how national K-12 group's DEI agenda is trickling down to local chapters
The National PTA faces scrutiny over DEI initiatives and left-wing political priorities allegedly trickling down to state and local school chapters and ultimately reaching students.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani receives highest praise from former MVP
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is the best player in baseball now. But is he the greatest baseball player of all time?
Princeton scientists identify first experimental evidence of a 'co-extinction' connection: Without elephants, dung beetles disappear
A new study from Princeton University, the Smithsonian Institute, the Mpala Research Centre and many partner institutions has now documented the interconnection between the largest animals in the savanna and some of the smallest.
As America celebrates its 250th, Smithsonian leader Lonnie Bunch treads a fine political line
For over a year, Lonnie Bunch III, the head of the storied Smithsonian Institution, has been at the center of a political tempest.
In California's packed race to replace Newsom, Democrats are shrugging at their choices
Though voting began in early May ahead of the June 2 primary, Democrats have been returning their ballots at a slower pace than normal after a chaotic campaign full of surprises. Unlike recent races for governor, there's been no clear front-runner or political superstar.
Traffic and safety upgrades coming to Philadelphia Sports Complex
PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and regional stakeholders announced a nearly $30 million investment in and around th…
How to use ambient AI in healthcare as litigious winds begin to blow: 10 tips from experienced attorneys
As a class-action lawsuit gets rolling in California over the use of ambient AI in healthcare, a national law firm is drawing takeaways for hospitals and other provider organizations. Makes sense: All AI-equipped providers are potential targets for similar litigation now.
California Democrats shrug at their choices in packed race to replace Newsom
Democrats have been returning their ballots at a slower pace than normal
Kirk Cameron praises Nashville's 'good values' after ditching California over cost of living, politics
Kirk Cameron explains why he packed up and left California for Tennessee, citing progressive policies and the high cost of living in the Golden State.
Newsom wants to claw back Trump fund cash as California burns billions on rail and other boondoggles
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes a 100% tax on Californians who receive money from Trump's Anti-Weaponization Fund, calling it a reward for Jan. 6 rioters.
Gov. Shapiro announces major traffic upgrades coming to South Philly, sports complex
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday announced a multi-million dollar plan to address traffic congestion in South Philadelphia and within the sports complex.
Officials set to announce major new investment in South Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with other officials, is scheduled to announce a major new investment in South Philadelphia.
Follow the money: Who's backing California's next governor
Spending on the California governor’s race is breaking records, and it’s not just Tom Steyer’s $213 million in contributions
Mount View MS Excels at 2026 National Science Olympiad
Mount View Middle School (MVMS) students medaled in three events (hovercraft, water quality and codebusters) and placed 10th as a team in Division B of the 2026 National Science Olympiad Tournament, held recently at the University of Southern California.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Lehigh Valley HVAC Company to Pay $300K and Revise Business Practices After AG Sunday Lawsuit for Aggressive, Deceptive Sales Practices
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Curtis Total Service, Inc., and two of its employees – current manager Richard Price and former HVAC field supervisor Matthew Price – have agreed to pay the Commonwealth $300,000 and significantly revise their business practices to comply with the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
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