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Bessent says disorderly yen moves can destabilize global markets
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said disorderly moves in the yen could trigger "forced unwinds" of positions that risk destabilizing global markets and ultimately raising borrowing costs for U.S. households and businesses.
Cloudflare freed up 100TB of RAM behind its 1.1.1.1 DNS without adding a single server
The optimization work was centered on Big Pineapple, Cloudflare's DNS caching platform behind the popular 1.1.1.1 resolver, DNS Firewall, and several other DNS services they offer. In...
New York Mets reinstate slugger Juan Soto from the 10-day injured list
New York Mets slugger Juan Soto was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday ahead of the team's game against the Houston Astros. The five-time All-Star landed on the injured list last month for the second time this season after imaging revealed a grade 2 strain.
Balerdi lands in Rome ahead of Roma medical
Roma is preparing to welcome their fifth signing of this transfer window. The Giallorossi closed negotiations with Marseille in just a few hours for the transfer of Leonardo Balerdi, a right-footed Ar...
Duo to bring sounds of Québec to House Party
Roy-James, a dynamic Montreal duo that weaves together the musical traditions of Québec, Balfolk and New England, will perform an intimate evening of song and strings at Bagaduce Music’s 2nd
A photographer spent $20K on drives, then used AI to save thousands
After spending $20,000 on drives in 2025, photographer Allen Cooley used Claude to organize old storage and avoid buying more.
'Everything is connected': Readers share their concerns about extreme heat's health impacts
Are you worried about extreme heat? Live Science readers reveal their thoughts about Earth's rising temperatures.
Integrated pollution and carbon mitigation delivers major health and economic cobenefits in China
Synergistic mitigation of air pollutants and greenhouse gases is crucial for achieving clean air and carbon neutrality, but quantitative evidence of sectoral and regional health co-benefits in China remains limited. Authors develop an integrated Energy-Economy-Air Quality-Health framework coupling CEEPA, GAINS, and a province-level health module to simulate fourteen policy scenarios from 2020 to 2050. Coordinated strategies reduce CO2 and pollutants (SO2, NOX, PM2.5) by 75% relative to 2020, avoiding more than 500,000 premature deaths by 2050 and yielding monetized gains of 1.07 trillion CNY. Health benefits concentrate in industrially dense and populous provinces, with near-term PM2.5 reductions driven by pollution control and long-term improvements reliant on decarbonization. The integrated approach achieves a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.42, lowering abatement costs by 11% relative to pollution-only measures. These findings highlight the value of coordinated, sector- and region-specific strategies for simultaneous climate mitigation, air quality improvement, and public health protection.
Letters: Golden anniversary suits Eric Sondheimer well
Readers of the Los Angeles Times Sports section give their thoughts on Times prep columnist Eric Sondheimer, the Dodgers, Rams and USC.
Colorado Politics Calendar Aug. 31-Sept. 6
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
NASA Can’t Save Its Swift Telescope From Crashing To Earth But It’s Not Going Down Without A Fight
Restarting its science instruments means it can continue to monitor the cosmos until the bitter end.
Expansive Pecan Grove home offers plenty of entertainment space for growing family
TUPELO – Laurie Webb of TM Realtors believes Pecan Grove, an expansive house and property in Tupelo, offers at least two major selling points: It’s a home large for a
Our son recently cut us out of his life over politics — should we cut him out of his $5 million inheritance?
Family friction can change estate planning decisions significantly, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
24th Annual BioBlitz at Seacoast Science Center
Join Seacoast Science Center on Sunday, September 20, 2026 for the 24th BioBlitz, the non-profits annual community science event in Odiorne Point State Park. Families and nature enthusiasts team up with SSC naturalists and guest experts to explore the Park’s habitats to find and identify as many different species as possible in just one day! BioBlitz is a great way to get kids (and adults!) excited about science, learn about the park’s biodiversity, and discover how you can help protect our natural world.Like an extreme nature scavenger hunt, BioBlitz offers many opportunities for all ages to gain knowledge and hone skills in their favorite areas of nature! Habitat, plant, and animal explorations are scheduled throughout the day, allowing participants to choose among activities that interest them the most. With seven distinct natural habitats to survey, there’s something for everyone! Explorations include tide pools, mammals, seine netting, salt marsh, mushrooms, and more (see full schedule online, subject to change). Find all the details on the BioBlitz web page, and get your tickets to explore with SSC: https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events-overview/bioblitz
Free Christian entertainment planned at county fair
Submitted information The 170th Van Wert County Fair is just around the corner and once again, fair goers will have an outstanding lineup of free entertainment throughout the week. This year, the Gospel Tent and Advanced Insurance Group Outdoor Stage are partnering to bring an exciting lineup of Christian music and worship to the fair. […]
ASU Football Schedule 2026: Dates, Opponents & Key Games
Here’s the complete 2026 ASU football schedule, with dates, opponents and key matchups for the Sun Devils throughout the upcoming season. The post ASU Football Schedule 2026: Dates, Opponents & Key Games appeared first on HEAVY.
Movie Review: What's up, flop? The toon-human hybrid 'Coyote vs. Acme' should've stayed on shelf
Some Hollywood decisions defy logic. Like, who looked at the world of Looney Tunes, those unhinged cartoons of our youth, and thought: Let’s add a bunch of personal injury lawyers.
5 potential roster cuts Cowboys should consider trading for
Do you think the Cowboys will make any trades this weekend?
Fans, business owners react to Rays leaving St. Pete: 'A big change'
As the Tampa Bay Rays move closer to a $2.3 billion ballpark in Tampa, St. Pete businesses surrounding Tropicana Field are preparing for a new reality without the team.
Trump, Beef & Ballots
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
San Diego ramps up Gaslamp enforcement, but businesses say more must be done
San Diego police are increasing their presence in the Gaslamp Quarter through “Operation Last Call” to combat rising violence and disorderly conduct, though some local business owners a…
Rising energy, fuel costs cut into bottom line for Pa. businesses
At Shirley’s Cookie Company, Facilities Maintenance Manager Richard Weyant detailed the efforts he’d overseen to keep utility costs down at their Blair County facility. They included thousands of dollars invested to upgrade to LED lighting alongside new and more efficient HVAC systems. While electricity use went down by 5.7% over four years, he told Republican […]
Adventist Health Bakersfield to offer free childhood immunizations in September
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Adventist Health Bakersfield announced opportunities for children to get free immunizations throughout the month of September. The free mobile clinics are availab…
Lawmakers walk out during Wyoming Business Council reform talks
Though two separate legislative committees each found agreement, some objected to mixing committee duties.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is free to play for the weekend though only on one platform, Standard Edition on sale for just $10
Duck King just launched as the second DLC character of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Season 3, and there's a few special offers going around for the game right now.Players who've never hopped on to the ...
Silver Screening: We thought ‘Buddy’ was a kid’s movie, we were wrong
For the 37th episode of Silver Screening, Aaron McGuire and Zach Callan sit to down discuss the independent horror film "Buddy," director Ridley Scott's newest movie "The Dog Stars," and the long-awai...
Apple TV raises prices without offering an ad tier, testing how much viewers will pay
Apple TV, the streaming service known for series like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” is raising its prices, effective immediately.
Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun: Caitlin Clark points, stats
Follow along live to Caitlin Clark's points and stats as the Indiana Fever host the Connecticut Sun from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pete Hegseth is talking about a possible run for president in 2028, sources say
The defense secretary has floated a White House run with close friends and associates, two people said. And Hegseth sparked speculation with an event in Iowa this month.
‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves reveals the former houseguest she wanted back (exclusive)
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Weekly, ‘Big Brother’ host Julie Chen Moonves reveals the former houseguest she wanted back via a power, and how the new twist will take the game to a ‘Whole. New. Level.’
Alaska campaign watchdog says Treg Taylor should not be allowed to run for governor
A state commission says Taylor, a former attorney general, failed to file a financial disclosure as required by law.
Political feud between Gov. Shapiro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. erupts into high-stakes battle over vaccine safety
Amid a worsening measles outbreak that has sickened hundreds throughout the state, Gov. Josh Shapiro stepped to the podium during a press conference in...
Senior German politicians call for ban on parts of far-right AfD
Boris Pistorius and Cem Özdemir say top court should consider outlawing Alternative for Germany’s most radical flank
I've Built Companies in 6 Industries. The Same 5 Patterns Determine Success Every Time.
Industries change, but the problems that determine success repeat — here are the five patterns every entrepreneur should learn to recognize.
‘Business as usual,’ for now: NC plans to send mail-in ballots next week following new court ruling
North Carolina was among the states suing to stop the U.S. Postal Service from being allowed to decide who should be allowed to receive or turn in mail-in ballots. The ongoing case has raised questions about whether the state would be able to send out mail-in ballots by Sept. 4.
Kiggans, CMS Administrator Oz Discuss Healthcare Affordability, Access in Coastal Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) welcomed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz...
Eastern Washington agents balance business and wildfire disaster recovery
Residents who escaped the Eastern Washington wildfires now face insurance claims, temporary housing and difficult decisions.
‘Like at McDonald’s’: Sports nurse practitioner sold opioids to athletes like ‘you gotta pay for your burger,” DEA investigation finds
Joan Rubinger had a client list that included hundreds of athletes—but the DEA found she doled out thousands of illegal prescriptions.
Rep. Wozniak votes to crack down on corporate influence in Michigan politics
State Rep. Doug Wozniak this week voted to get money out of politics by blocking state-regulated utilities and companies with major government contracts from donating to political campaigns and candidates. The state House approved the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) citizen-initiated proposal after more than half a million Michigan residents signed petitions supporting […]
Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 460 cases of measles in 31 counties
Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases, according to the press release.
Bandon Spikes Joins WRUF’s Sports Lab Every Monday at 2 p.m.
WRUF is expanding its Monday football coverage with the addition of former Florida Gators and NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes, who will join Kevin Winter in studio for the full hour of Sports Lab at 2 p.m. each week, starting this Monday. “I am proud that on the most important non-gameday on the football calendar, WRUF […]
Opinion: Alaska’s science is strange enough without the conspiracy theories
Alaska’s research facilities do remarkable work. Causing earthquakes and controlling the weather isn’t part of the job description.
Trump election fraud crackdown lands first arrest, putting longtime critics in White House crosshairs
A Honduran national in Los Angeles faces felony charges and deportation after allegedly registering to vote, as officials promise more arrests to come.
County board allows housing with retail at Reston’s Lake Fairfax Business Park
Previous Image 1/2 Next Image Fairfax County officials are on board with the idea of redeveloping Lake Fairfax Business Park in Reston into a large residential neighborhood. After a public hearing on Tuesday (Aug. 25), the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to its comprehensive plan to allow up to 1,250 residential units with supporting
Action urged for Mississippi's rural mental health crisis
Social worker: Addressing this rural mental health crisis in Mississippi should not only be a public health priority, but a moral imperative grounded in the inherent dignity and worth of every person.
DLSS 5 Patched to Work on RTX 4000 "Ada Lovelace" GPUs Despite No Official Support
The modding community has been hard at work ever since the untimely release of DLSS-NR, a precursor to DLSS 5. Now, modders have gotten NVIDIA's leaked DLSS 5 tool working on RTX 4000 series cards, even though the tool was only built for RTX 5000 Blackwell hardware. The DLL leaked earlier this...
Nearly 1 in 5 Medicaid-eligible Adults in Expansion States Are At Risk of Losing Health Coverage Due to Insufficient or Inconsistent Work Hours
A new study found that nearly 20 percent of eligible adults in Medicaid expansion states are in danger of not meeting the minimum work hours that will be required nationwide beginning January 1. Women, unmarried people, White individuals, and those with limited education all had a higher risk of losing their health coverage due to noncompliance with these new requirements.
The Guardian view on political donations: Labour should curb the power of big money
Editorial: Before becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham favoured a £500,000 donations cap. In office, he’s backing away. That is a mistake
Should You Use AI for Mental Health? | WSJ Wellness for Aug. 28
A producer for our new audio series, ‘The AI Therapist,’ shares what to know about the rise of mental-health AI services. Plus, boomers are smoking more pot and vacation can improve your health.
Hugging Face says Microduck sales topped $2.6 million in 24 hours
The future of robotics can waddle. Hugging Face said its bot-maker, Pollen Robotics, recorded over $2.6 million in sales of Microducks in 24 hours.
A closer look at mental health care in the military for one former enlisted soldier with depression
Xbox Anniversary Consoles Sell for Thousands on eBay as Scalpers Cash In on X25
The Xbox Series X25 anniversary console is officially up for pre-order, so you know what that means: scalpers are cashing in.
Nepal Floods Took Away His Home, Business. At 71, He Is Left With Just Debt
Govind Prasad Dahal is one of the thousands of people who lost their homes and businesses in the Nepal flash floods.
C-WIN: Uniting against data centers : The issue that transcends politics
Commentary from the California Water Impact Network Seldom have our political differences been more pronounced. Republicans and Democrats are at odds on a myriad of issues, and the bitter polarization of the American polity is the result. That’s how it seems, anyway. But semblances can be deceptive. Yes, the schism between Right and Left appeared irreconcilable in 2024, when Donald Trump was re-elected to the White House. But much has changed since then. Trump’s polls are at their nadir, with […]
House will vote to denounce socialism
The House of Representatives is set to vote next week when lawmakers return to condemn and denounce “socialism in all its forms,” specifically pointing to the growing Democratic Socialists of America organization. The House voted to condemn socialism last year, but did not specifically call out the DSA. The resolution includes calling for the enactment […]
Beautiful Night for Friday Night Football!
The “Battle of the Bluefields” will go off without a hitch! Skies continue to clear this afternoon and evening, so skies will be mostly clear by kickoff. There will still be some sunshine time to start, but the sun sets just before 8:00 tonight. Temperatures at our 7:30 PM kickoff will be nice and comfortable […]
The Morning After: Keeping four QBs is bad roster building
The Steelers should not keep four quarterbacks.
Tim Curry in ‘Clue’ Was My Queer Icon Before I Even Knew What That Was
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ wasn’t available in my house — but ‘Clue’ was on repeat.
‘Housewives’ Star Jen Shah Finishes Federal Prison Sentence: “I Feel Blessed. I Feel Free” (Exclusive)
The former 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star shares a statement with THR about her release: "For a very long time, I wasn’t in a position to speak for myself while my story continued to be told...
From discarded to 'do-over,' handmade business turns household items into art, jewelry
“Re-purposed, re-cycle, re-loved.” Meet the maker giving new life to items many see as done -- and find her work at this Saturday's 605 Made Night Market.
Is Intelligent Design the Root of All Science Skepticism?
As author C. W. Howell puts it, various ID proponents have sometimes committed the thought crime of “doubting the science consensus outside evolution.”
John Cornyn is raising money for competitive Senate races
The GOP senator said he plans to use his considerable fundraising prowess to help colleagues in New Hampshire, Michigan, Alaska and elsewhere.
N.C. congressman Edwards asks House colleagues not to censure him
The chamber's Ethics Committee this month issued a report that found he engaged in unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two female aides.
MaineHealth CEO warns of ‘huge crisis’ in healthcare
Although MaineHealth announced its decision to close the unit earlier this month, those who live near the hospital asked lawmakers Thursday to force the hospital to keep it open while other options are considered.
Does Computer Science Need Computers?
The theoretical side of the field doesn’t require computing machines. But many questions would never have been posed without them.
Things to Do in Asheville This September: Classes, Sports, and Special Events
The final days of summer fun mix with the crisp air of fall as Asheville Parks & Recreation brings a September welcome mat to the community full of activities built to help explore, connect, and discover. Whether your goal is to make a change like leaves on trees throughout the city, meet new people, or [...]
Family-friendly fun, outdoor adventures and live entertainment: Weekend events across mid-Michigan
Whether you're looking for educational programs, outdoor experiences or evening entertainment, communities throughout Bay, Saginaw, Midland and Isabella counties are hosting events throughout the weekend.
Cyclospora lettuce outbreak now tied to 20 states
The best-by dates for these recalled products have passed, and the lettuce should no longer be available in stores or restaurants, or available for purchase.
Trump's Labor Department is reviving a push to expand health insurance access for gig workers
The agency has sent a draft rule to the White House that would broaden how associations can offer coverage to self-employed workers and small businesses
Vandalia Health expands free public access to naloxone at northern region hospitals
Vandalia Health is expanding access to life-saving overdose reversal medication by installing public naloxone distribution boxes at hospital entrances throughout its northern region. The first boxes are being installed at Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center in Morgantown, Vandalia Health Mon Marion Neighborhood Hospital in White Hall, Vandalia Health Mon Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood and Vandalia Health Mon Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston. Additional boxes are expected to be install...
Prioritizing Quality Before Synthesis in Paleoenvironmental Hazard Science
The field needs methodological and workforce development. A proposed new center should invest there first.
TN Politics: Some county legal fees come due; MLGW wraps up storm restoration
Legal expenses for the MSCS takeover and Wanda Halbert litigations should advise future intra-government battles, says Otis Sanford.
To match Denmark’s public health, we need more than its vaccine model
There are plenty of lessons the U.S. should take from countries such as Denmark, but vaccine policy is not one of them.
Labor Department to propose expansion of association health plans, which could lower insurance costs for some workers
The agency has submitted a rule proposal to the White House that could allow more workers to get health insurance through association health plans.
A thought on all 90 Eagles leaving 2026 training camp
As final cuts near, here’s a thought or two about all 90 players on the Eagles’ roster leaving training camp.
Sandbox Brewhouse gets approval for late-night entertainment
Sandbox Brewhouse, a family owned brewery, can host entertainment until midnight, a few hours later than usual, the Frederick Zoning Board of Appeals ruled on Tuesday.
Trump’s ‘Lake America’ move revives one of his biggest political flops
It increasingly feels as though President Donald Trump is trying to do unpopular things ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about
What TV show will be your fall obsession?
Businesses are getting tariff refunds. Why aren't consumers getting their cut?
A slew of American companies are getting billions of dollars back in tariff refunds after a Supreme Court ruling. Many consumers, though, may never get anything back.
White House, hemp lobbyists bet on shutdown politics to delay ‘diet weed’ ban
Lawmakers say the Trump administration is promising to use the one-month punt to work on new regulations.
California’s political battle over key environmental law brews on two fronts
In recent years, the perpetual CEQA debate has centered on its use — or misuse — as local governments were pressed by the state to increase housing development, particularly apartments for low- and medium-income families.
The first phone with three 200MP cameras (!) is coming soon, and we have high hopes
The first phone with three 200MP cameras is apparently in the works, and this includes a 200MP ultrawide camera.
Hamilton handed stern warning over handling of Ferrari frustration
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Lewis Hamilton should have handled his radio frustration at Zandvoort differently, arguing that a driver of his age, experience and standing within the sport should have shown greater restraint. Alongside Lando Norris’ victory, one of the main talking points to emerge from the Dutch Grand Prix was Lewis Hamilton’s frustration with Ferrari.
Rams-Chargers preseason final score: Ty Simpson has career throw
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Los Angeles Chargers by a final score of 20-18 in Week 3 of the NFL preseason. Though the Rams began with the ball on offense, and Ty Simpson perhaps threw the best ball of his career in this contest, the story of the game more or less begins with […]
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
'Right to repair' bill could free contractors' grip on military
The Pentagon spends billions of dollars fixing equipment, and Republicans and Democrats alike want to bring the work in house
Sheer Nothingness: Marquette 0, Milwaukee 0
Yep, nothing doing in the Valley on Thursday, although that’s continuing good news for Mia Hurd and MU’s defense.
Exclusive | Corporate America Cut Big Checks to Trump. Now CEOs Fear Subpoenas Are Coming.
Tech firms are courting Democrats and hiring advisers to prepare for potential investigations if Republicans lose control of the House.
Son works for parents' hospitality business gets upset when he is fired for starting similar business without telling them
Nobody should have to make their livelihood at the expense of their family members.Work and family can prove to be a problematic mix for many reasons, and one of these is that those who work together ...
ABC’s ‘The View’ invites Karoline Leavitt to appear as a guest
(CNN) — Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has been invited to visit ABC’s “The View” as a guest.
Caesars Entertainment Launches Ball Rush Jackpots™ in New Jersey, the Latest Proprietary Online Title from Empire Creative™
New ball-and-peg style online casino game combines customizable gameplay, layered bonus features and dynamic jackpot opportunities LAS VEGAS (Aug. 28, 2026) Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) (Caesars) today announced the launch of Ball Rush Jackpots(tm) , a new ball-and-peg style online casino game developed by Empire Creative(tm), the Company's in-house game development studio. Now live in New Jersey across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, Ball Rush Jackpots is expected to become available in additional jurisdictions where Caesars offers online casino gaming following regulatory approval. The title expands Caesars' growing portfolio of proprietary online casino titles, following the successful launch of Ca$hline(tm) earlier this year and further diversifying the Company's lineup beyond traditional slots and table games. Ball Rush Jackpots follows the traditional ball-drop gameplay
Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins
Every one of 212 plant-based meat alternatives and drinks tested in the UK contained at least one naturally occurring fungal toxin, though concentrations remained below recommended EU guideline levels. Researchers say the bigger question is whether regularly eating large amounts of these foods could lead to potentially concerning cumulative exposure over time.
Scientists tracked 4,500 animals and found a surprising human effect
Scientists tracking thousands of animals found that our physical presence can reshape where wildlife moves and lives, sometimes as strongly as roads, cities, and other human development. Because different species reacted in very different ways, conservation efforts may need to become much more targeted.
1 in 6 VPNs Track Your Location, According to New Report From Proton
A significant number of VPNs on Apple's App Store and Google Play collect your private data, which is the exact opposite of what a VPN should do.
The Literacy Crisis Reaches Dog-Bear Science
“New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume,” reads a subhead in Mountain Journal. The thing is, that study reaches no such conclusion. But you have to read beyond the abstract to understand that. Mountain Journal is not alone. Let’s look at a brief list of takeaways published elsewhere just to establish that none of them seem to know how to read science. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Here’s CBC: “A new peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country?, dug into conflicts similar to what the video depicts, by analyzing 326 reported human-bear conflicts from 1901 to 2023 involving dogs.” “The study found 54 per cent of conflicts were started by dogs. In the encounters researchers included in the study, five people and 56 dogs were killed, and 170 people were injured.” “Lana Ciarniello, an independent researcher who co-authored the study, said researchers found when a person goes hiking with at least one other person, the odds of a negative bear encounter decrease by 50 per cent.” “However, when a dog is involved, the chances of a negative bear encounter increase because ‘a dog really adds a chaotic factor into the mix of recreation,’ said Ciarniello.” Again, the study finds no data supporting that conclusion. “Hiking with your pet dog may make you feel safer in bear country—but a hiker’s recent encounter and a new study prove that the numbers don’t add up,” writes Backpacker, which is now part of Outside. The numbers don’t add up to support this take. There’s plenty more examples, but all are equally dumb, so I’ll stop there. How did so many people get this so wrong? Three reasons: 1) the study is published behind a paywall, with only the abstract freely available. 2) the methodology sets out to create work relevant to a hyper-specific audience, not the public. And 3) the dataset studied is almost absurdly limited and doesn’t bear (get it?!) comparison to wider information. Let’s work through all three. The Problem is Money I understand the irony, since I’m writing about this on a subscription-model newsletter, but information wants to be free. The study is published by The Wildlife Society and costs $16 to access. Reprinting it is specifically prohibited by the terms of use, so I can only share snippets and my conclusions with you here. Having worked as a journalist for 24 years, I can report with some authority that journalists are both lazy and cheap. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that much of the material you’re seeing written about this study is drawn from the freely-available abstract (above) only, and not a deep dive into its methodology or data. And that’s a problem, because abstracts are where researchers are able to break from their numbers and editorialize their opinions about conclusions. So what’s getting reported isn’t based on numbers, it’s based on an opinion designed for a specific audience, not the general public. Hell yeah ladies, kick that bear’s ass. The Methodology is Designed to Support a Predetermined Conclusion One of the biggest issues with the science that everyone likes to cite about bear spray’s efficacy is that no one understands that study was designed for a specific audience, looking for a specific answer. And since that audience is not the public, and our safety was not the question being asked, its conclusion is rendered irrelevant to our needs. Yes, I’m talking about Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska, which was created by Tom Smith and Stephen Herrero, two of the same scientists who put together this dog-bear conflict analysis. In the spray study, the purpose was to present relevant agencies with the information they needed to issue their field workers with bear spray. As such, incidents where people were unable to access the spray or similarly failed to get it deployed in time were excluded from the results, and only incidents they deemed successful were included. Could a ranger roll down their vehicle’s window and scare a bear away from a dumpster by spraying it? Turns out the answer was yes, and that was good enough for the purposes of that study. The sample size of actual bear attacks—the thing you and I would want bear spray to provide a solution to, was too small to draw conclusions from, and didn’t indicate success in that role. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? has similar limitations. “Insights provided here are intended to help wildlife managers create effective guidelines regarding the presence of domestic dogs in bear habitat,” is explained clearly by the study’s text. To conduct the study, Smith and Herrero went looking for publicly available reports of dog-bear conflicts: “All incidents included in our analysis involved at least one bear, one dog, and one person who was at immediate risk of injury (e.g., not in a protective structure such as a cabin or vehicle), injured, or killed,” explains the report’s methodology. Why is that a problem? “We recognize that data used in this study are biased in that people generally only report adverse interactions with bears, not benign ones. Consequently, we assume that for the most part, people and their dogs pass through bear country without incident.” As was the problem with the bear spray study, people are drawing conclusions here from a study that was never intended to be relevant to the general public. The Smith-Herrero database famously excludes Alaska’s Defense of Life and Property records, which are elsewhere considered the largest and most authoritative source on human-bear conflict. The Dataset is Absurdly Limited A 2009 study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife estimates that each year there are at least 43,000 documented complaints of human-bear conflict across North America. Is a Dog a Help or Hindrance in Bear Country? Examined those reports for years ranging from 1901 to 2023, and only managed to find 326 such incidents that met the criteria explained above. Let’s do some quick math, poorly. 43,000 incidents x 122 years = 5,246,000 total incidents of documented human-bear conflict. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their criteria for dog+human+bear+risk or occurrence of injury. That means there’s a 0.006 percent chance that the study’s conclusion—that dogs make bear encounters more dangerous—even gets a chance of occurring. And remember, that’s only in documented conflicts. There’s no way to know how many people across North America run into a bear in any given year without any conflict, but it’s probably safe to assume that the total number is well in excess of 43,000. And, dig deeper into the study and you can find further restrictions that skew its conclusions even more. “While the people involved in these incidents did not report the level of training their dogs had received, it is our assumption that most were untrained companion dogs as opposed to well-trained bear dogs, such as Karelians and livestock guardian breeds that have proven to be significant aids in bear country,” the study’s methodology explains. And that’s a problem, because an ongoing study here in Montana is finding that the simple presence of a Kangal like our youngest dog Teddy can reduce visits to private property from grizzly bears by 87.8 percent. In addition to being a badass, Teddy is also a companion animal. And in my admittedly limited sample size of the three dogs currently present in our living room, she’s no more effective than her mutt brothers. Plenty of people own a dog capable of deterring bears, even if they didn’t set out to own a bear dog. The real purpose of this study appears to be a recommendation that leashes are mandated and recreationists pursue training in their deterrent of choice. But that doesn’t make for sensational headlines. Are There Any Real Takeaways Here? Let’s throw some numbers around, just to try and get our hands around what the larger picture might look like for bears and dogs here. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 42.6 percent of American households own a dog. The Canadian Animal Health Institute says roughly 35 percent of households in Canuckistan own a dog. In an attempt to create the worst possible result for dogs, let’s run with that 35 percent number. And given that outdoorsy and rural people are more likely to both own a dog, and have bear encounters, let’s just make a giant assumption and apply that number to those 43,000 conflicts documented annually. If 35 percent of 43,000 human-bear encounters involve a dog, then we can assume that at least 15,050 dog-bear conflicts are occurring annually in North America. 15,050 x 122 = 1,836,100. Smith and Herrero were only able to find 326 incidents that met their human, dog, chance or occurrence of injury criteria across 122 years. And only 170 documented human injuries. So, with all the obvious caveats about these numbers in no way describing reality beyond narrow study parameters, what they actually found is that your risk of injury if your dog tangles with a bear is only 0.009 percent. I’ll take those odds next time I’m hiking my dogs in bear country. Top photo: “Superintendent Horace Albright, eating pancakes with bears, at Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park.” NPS. A journalist with more than two decades of experience working around the world, Wes Siler is here to cut through the outrage and disinformation to bring you the factual, insightful, actionable reporting you need to understand what’s going on. Upgrading to a paid subscription supports this reporting, and buys personal access to Wes, who will help you save money on gear, plan outdoor adventures, and prepare for real life, and who promises he’s less salty in real life than he sometimes comes across as on the Internet. Wes Siler’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. 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