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AHF Launches Health and Housing Newsletter
There is growing recognition that housing is more than a roof over someone’s head—it’s a critical driver of health and well-being. | The newsletter comes as the two sectors are working together for better resident, business, and community outcomes.
Will Mississippi send a Black Democrat to the US Senate? Scott Colom says don't count him out
Scott Colom is a Black man and a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Mississippi, a state traditionally led by white conservatives. Colom aims to unseat Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a white supporter of President Donald Trump who is seeking her second term.
Climate change created conditions for Canada fires, scientists say, as Trump blames mismanagement
Human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood of the tinderbox weather conditions that sparked Canada’s massive summer wildfires and in turn angered U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a study released Thursday.
Google quietly discontinues its Earth AI feature a day after its rollout after users made no-no images
Google’s “Nano Banana” AI allowed users to generate any images they wanted from Google Earth—and Google didn’t measure the consequences.
Google quietly discontinues its Earth AI feature a day after its rollout after users made no-no images
Google’s “Nano Banana” AI allowed users to generate any images they wanted from Google Earth—and Google didn’t measure the consequences.
How Cohere Health digitizes clinical policies using Amazon Bedrock AgentCore
In this post, you learn how Cohere Health built a multi-tenant agentic architecture on AgentCore using AgentCore Runtime’s secure MicroVM isolation, unified tool access through AgentCore Gateway, AgentCore Memory, and the Agent Skills open standard to rapidly scale policy digitization capabilities, while preserving transparency, version control, and human oversight.
'I’m very good at grass.' Why Trump goes into the weeds on one of his favorite topics
President Donald Trump loves talking about grass, even in settings where such a topic might seem out of place. Since returning to the White House early last year, the Republican has spoken about grass at least 45 times in public events or interviews.
Cloudflare launches Kitesurf, a browser built for AI agents
Cloudflare has introduced Kitesurf, a cloud-hosted browser designed for AI agents instead of people. The company says the browser uses less computing power than Chromium for common automation tasks, helping developers build browser-based AI agents more efficiently.
Dilworth business owner helps police identify suspect in random assault on woman
“It’s very disturbing,” said Paper Skyscraper owner Bill Godwin.
Regent’s School of Business & Leadership to Host 2026 Research Roundtables
On Nov. 12-13, Regent University’s School of Business & Leadership (SBL) will hold its 23rd Annual Research Roundtables, a live virtual event exploring the intricate relationship between Christian business principles, leadership practices, entrepreneurship, innovation, and human flourishing.
Loretta Carpio Carr: An Emerging Young Voice in Politics
With the upcoming Governor’s election in California, I watch with curiosity who will vote and who they will vote for. California’s population is comparatively young, with the median age range of 37.9 to 38.4 years. That’s younger than the overall United States, according to World Population Review. The Public Policy Institute of California shows that
Jalapeños linked to a U.S. salmonella outbreak are tracked to a Mexican farm and a distributor
Jalapeño peppers linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak have been traced back to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, federal officials say.
GOP Sen. Cassidy says he supports Blanche for attorney general
The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor
Trump must halt ballroom construction, appeals court says
The order will take effect in two weeks, allowing the White House to appeal to the Supreme Court
Tennessee voters oust Trump-backed congressman, set fall matchup for redrawn Memphis-area House seat
Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in a Republican primary Thursday for a significantly reshaped congressional district — marking a rare rejection of a candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Wheeling Athletics Welcomes Six More Fall Sports Friday as Fall Camp Continues
Wheeling, W. Va. – After welcoming in the Wheeling Football team a week ago, the Fall Sports Report Day schedule continued for the Wheeling University Athletics Department on Friday. Six more sports joined the fray, with Volleyball, Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Men's & Women's Cross Country, and Men's Rugby all reporting for fall camp. In total, the department has welcomed seven of the 10 fall sports back to campus, with the 2026-2027 athletics season sitting just 20 days away.
Blanche's attorney general confirmation is in doubt as GOP Sen. Murkowski opposes his nomination
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday she will oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general, narrowing the confirmation path for President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department.
GLVC Sports Network Announces 2026-27 Subscription Pricing, New Viewing Options
This academic year, GLVCSN will feature the introduction of a new sport-specific pass, discounted subscription opportunities, and continued all-access streaming packages.
‘Destiny 2’ Players Are Miraculously Unvaulting Cut Content From The Game
It is one of the most infamous moments in Destiny history, when Bungie announced that it could no longer support the enormous mountain of content the game was amassing.
Blue Jays' Louis Varland: Blows first save of season
Blue Jays' Louis Varland: Blows first save of season
Rights group warns Israel's policies are pushing the West Bank healthcare system to collapse
A new report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel warns that Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank have pushed the territory’s health system to the brink of collapse.
Player availability report, presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute: Orlando Pride vs Racing Louisville
Here is this week's player availability report, presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, for Friday's home match vs Racing Louisville
Companies scoff at airlines' cheapest business class tickets. 'The real value is flexibility'
Some companies plan to shun the cheapest business- and premium- economy fares from their executives.
Science Campaigns Planned for the August 12th Total Solar Eclipse
Several science campaigns funded by NASA and ESA plan to greet the racing shadow of the Moon on August 12th.
2026 Fall Preview: Logan-Rogersville Football
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Logan-Rogersville had a big first season under head coach Joel Wells last year going 8-3, which was the most wins for the program since a state title run in 2011. “I
Perez Hilton's children fled home minutes before self-harm TikTok livestream, family says
Hilton's family said in a statement that the highest priority was helping the children "begin to heal from what they experienced."
Is population growth still necessary for startup growth? Louisiana offers a messy test case
Every parish saw new business filings rise, but data from New Orleans, Lafayette and Baton Rouge shows why founder support matters in a shrinking region.
Avoiding these 3 risk factors might buy you 13 more dementia-free years
New research finds that people who steer clear of key cardiovascular hazards at midlife live much longer before developing dementia.
The noise is getting louder, which is why science matters more than ever
For brands and formulators in gut health, the rise of AI-generated misinformation makes verified science a commercial differentiator, not just a regulatory safeguard
After Myles Garrett trade, Jared Verse confident joining Browns: ‘I’m ready to see the look on everybody’s face’
Sports in Atlanta this August: Guide to Games and Sporting Events
From the roar of the crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to buzzer-beaters, goals and hard-hitting action, August is a great month to be a sports fan in Atlanta. Whether you’re cheering on the Falcons, Atlanta United, the Dream or discovering something new like roller derby or HBCU football, there’s no shortage of exciting games and sporting events to experience.
Naval parts supplier Goodwin explores sale of defence business
London-listed supplier to UK and US nuclear submarines has received bids from buyout firms
Coffee and heart health: Why cardiologists’ view of caffeine has shifted
$250M downtown Louisville sports entertainment district one step closer to reality
A major $250 million investment in downtown Louisville is one step closer to reality.
$250M downtown Louisville sports entertainment district one step closer to reality
A major $250 million investment in downtown Louisville is one step closer to reality.
Trump tries new tack against birthright citizenship after Supreme Court snub
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders targeting children born to foreign lobbyists and tourists. The orders are certain to face legal challenges.
Flesh-eating bacteria has killed 5 in Louisiana this year, officials say
A flesh-eating bacteria found in warm coastal waters is responsible for at least five deaths so far this year in Louisiana, state health officials reported Thursday.
WATCH: Trump signs executive orders imposing new limits on birthright citizenship
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is once more trying to limit the number of people who are born in the country who can become American citizens, in a sign that even after his first attempt at limiting birthright citizenship was rejected by the Supreme Court, he's ready to try again.
White House drafting order on vaccines, autism despite pollsters’ warnings
The effort underscores President Donald Trump’s determination to elevate vaccine policy even as a federal judge has halted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s sweeping vaccine overhaul.
El-Sayed win kicks Democrats’ Midwest ideological battle into high gear — and some Dems fear November fallout
Progressive Democrats scored key wins in Michigan's primary, and now Wisconsin's governor race and Minnesota's senate primary are the next battlegrounds.
Enterprises embrace AI-native shift with HPE solutions
HPE drives virtualization modernization, enabling enterprises to unify cloud control and improve agility amidst rising costs and AI demands.
With support for Israel roiling U.S. politics, Israelis fear a permanent shift
Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary adds to a string of upsets that reflect growing criticism of Israel.
How Abdul El-Sayed rose from political oblivion to progressive breakthrough in Michigan
El-Sayed, 41, has never held elected office and entered the race seven years after losing Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary by more than 20 percentage points.
GOP Rep. Max Miller resists pressure to drop reelection bid as party anxiety grows over abuse claims
Miller is facing a congressional ethics investigation related to domestic abuse allegations leveled against him by his ex-wife but is insisting he won't withdraw.
Four Kentucky natives selected for 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class
Four Kentucky natives representing baseball, basketball, track and field, and officiating have been selected as the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday.
Michigan health officials lift lettuce, salad greens warning as cyclosporiasis cases decline
Michigan residents can resume routine guidance on eating lettuce and salad greens, state health officials said Thursday, as cyclosporiasis cases begin to decline.
Michigan Science Center launches new weekend dissection program, ‘Insides Out’
The dissection series will take place on the museum’s main floor in Mi-Sci’s Learning Launchpad from 2-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
Former Clancy nanny testifies about mother's mental health issues before killings
Months before Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children, she lost significant weight, couldn't sleep and complained of postpregnancy mental health issues, the family’s former nanny testified at her murder trial Wednesday. But the nanny never worried the Massachusetts mother might be a danger to her children or to herself.
Cardinals vs Yankees Highlights ⚾️ MLB on FOX
Check out the best highlights between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees.
Fauci contempt vote reflects the enduring politics of COVID
Six years after the world was thrust into a global pandemic, Republicans in power aren’t leaving it in the past.
Fauci contempt vote reflects the enduring politics of COVID
Six years after the world was thrust into a global pandemic, Republicans in power aren’t leaving it in the past.
How Memphis voters feel now after Tennessee split up its majority-Black district
Memphis voters say they’re frustrated with what they felt was a bald move by the Republican-controlled Legislature to eliminate Tennessee’s only Democratic representative in Congress and dilute the will of the majority-Black city.
Twin Rivers Little League in North Carolina Receives $25,000 Sports Matter Grant from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
Committed to creating more opportunities for youth athletes, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter Program has awarded Twin Rivers Little League out of New Bern, North Carolina, with a $25,000 Sports Matter grant.
Former NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Wicker McCree Named Women Leaders in Sports Nike Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Durham, N.C. - Former North Carolina Central Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, who retired from NC Central after 30 years of service as a coach and administrator in 2021, was announced as a Nike Lifetime Achievement Award honoree by Women Leaders in Sports on Tuesday.
How Aroma-Zone Built A Beauty Business Around Trust Instead Of Trends
Speaking exclusively with Aroma-Zone CEO Sabrina Herloury-Rouget about trust, regional relevance and why beauty needs better guidance, not more hype.
‘My outlook is very positive;’ Local brewery founder gives update on recent health concerns
In a statement on Thursday, founder Steve Barnhart said a Stage 2 tumor was found on one of his kidneys in early April.
What's wrong with the Dodgers? Defending MLB champs post 6 straight losses despite Tarik Skubal trade
Live Results: Tennessee midterm primaries
Tennessee’s senior U.S. senator eyes a job change in a state primary on Thursday while Memphis voters will choose their first U.S. House nominees under a new Republican-drawn congressional map that forced their longtime Democratic representative into retirement.
Black Immigrants Face Greater Barriers to Health Care
LDI’s Joseph Nwadiuko finds that Black immigrants, especially those who are undocumented, face higher rates of uninsurance and lower health care use.
VA accelerates electronic health record rollout
After years of delays, the Department of Veterans Affairs says its federal electronic health record (EHR) program is now firmly back on track. VA Secretary Douglas Collins has accelerated the program with a renewed goal: full deployment across all VA medical centers by 2031. A major governance overhaul, replacing multiple competing councils with a single decision-making body, has cut through bureaucratic delays and allowed the VA to move faster and more consistently. Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence has taken a hands-on role, including visiting deployment sites and holding daily meetings with Oracle Health to ensure front-line clinicians have what they need. Here’s how the rollout is going, according to the VA: The federal EHR has only experienced four outages since December 2025. The system has gone nearly two consecutive years without a major incident. It is currently live at six sites, supporting care for over 188,000 veterans. The system creates a lifelong medical record, integrating data across the VA, the Department of Defense and private community providers. With the first new deployments underway and four Michigan medical centers already live in 2026, the VA is entering its first true expansion phase since the program’s reset. Officials say the system’s improved stability, streamlined governance and standardized national workflows have cleared the obstacles that once stalled progress. With 13 sites scheduled for deployment in 2026 and a market‑based rollout strategy guiding future waves, the department believes it’s finally positioned to move at scale toward a modern, fully interoperable EHR, advancing steadily toward its goal of reaching every VA medical center in five years.
FIU Athletics Signs Multi-Year Partnership with Leading Storytelling Company, FanWord
MIAMI — FIU Athletics has signed a multi-year partnership with FanWord, the leading AI technology & storytelling company in college sports.
Exclusive: Mirendil inks $100M+ Google Cloud deal to scale self-improving AI
Mirendil has signed a $100 million-plus Google Cloud partnership to expand its compute infrastructure, powering research into self-improving AI systems designed to accelerate scientific discovery and AI development.
This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - Cultural Council warns arts funding cuts could ripple beyond City Hall
With Duval County budget season approaching, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville CEO Diana Donovan joins host Kent Justice to explain what proposed cuts to arts and culture funding could mean beyond museums and performances—impacting jobs, small businesses, youth programs, and services for veterans and military families.
2026 Fall Preview: Pleasant Hope Football
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter By Chris Parker Pleasant Hope football is looking to bounce back from an 0-10 season with six offensive and eight defensive starters returning. Daylin Campbell (junior) and Peyton Guy (senior) are
2026 Fall Preview: Hillcrest Football
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter By Chris Parker Hillcrest football is looking to bounce back from an 0-10 season with six offensive and four defensive starters returning this season. The offense will rely on speed. “I
Visualizing Bangladesh's Massive Measles Outbreak
Policy failures in Bangladesh dismantled decades of progress toward eliminating measles, creating the conditions for the explosive 2026 outbreak
Perez Hilton receiving medical care after self-harming video livestreamed on TikTok
Police responded to Hilton's Miami home after multiple calls from concerned fans, and he was taken to a local hospital.
Trump fills ambassador posts with more donors, loyalists than any recent president
Ninety percent of his nominations have gone to political supporters rather than career diplomats, even as dozens of embassies lack envoys, The Post found.
Rights group warns Israel's policies are pushing the West Bank healthcare system to collapse
A new report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel warns that Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank have pushed the territory’s health system to the brink of collapse.
Six more Central Florida eateries such down amid health issues
Last week, half a dozen Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down temporarily after a visit from a health inspectors, according to state records.
Ikier Takes Over as Director of Athletics Performance and Athletics Health Care Administrator at Babson
BABSON PARK, Mass.— Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement Mike Lynch announced the appointment of Chris Ikier as Babson College's director of athletics performance and athletics health care administrator on Thursday morning.
The new science of brain workouts, beyond Sudoku and crosswords
Emerging evidence suggests that only certain types of training produce meaningful benefits, and those benefits may differ between men and women.
The new science of brain workouts, beyond Sudoku and crosswords
Emerging evidence suggests that only certain types of training produce meaningful benefits, and those benefits may differ between men and women.
Trump tells donors, ‘We need to elect JD,’ as vice president weighs his future
Advisers say the remark doesn’t mean the president has settled on a preferred candidate in 2028 as he plays up a contest between JD Vance and Marco Rubio.
Dozens of health workers at epicenter of Congo’s Ebola outbreak protest lack of payment
Health workers at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola outbreak are protesting over unpaid wages.
Dozens of health workers at epicenter of Congo’s Ebola outbreak protest lack of payment
Dozens of health workers working at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola outbreak are protesting Thursday to demand payment for their wages.
WIBN World's Largest Virtual Career Fair. Hire Wrestlers!
Manheim, PA - The Wrestlers in Business Network, an operating division of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, invites employers and wrestling professionals to participate in the WIBN Virtual Career Fair on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time.
Leader of Myanmar's military-backed government arrives in Thailand seeking political legitimacy
The leader of Myanmar's military-backed government has arrived in Thailand on an official visit.
Leader of Myanmar's military-backed government arrives in Thailand seeking political legitimacy
The leader of Myanmar's military-backed government has arrived in Thailand on an official visit.
Andre Pallante’s Arm, JJ Wetherholt’s Bat Lead Cardinals Over Yankees
After a somewhat brief rain delay, the Cardinals were on the receiving end of another good start by Andre Pallante and he finally got some run support when the St. Louis bats woke up mid-game, but would it be enough to earn a victory? Spoiler Alert: YES. The New York Yankees starter Will Warren and […]
Leon Health System celebrates 30 years with drone show above downtown Miami
A celebratory moment was held inside Miami’s Freedom Tower on Wednesday night.
A new type of flu shot is coming after FDA approves mRNA-based vaccine
The agency’s former top vaccine regulator declined to review the Moderna shot, and it’s now likely to face pushback from allies of the health secretary.
Sky Circus Cleveland brings family entertainment to Medina County Fair
From aerial performances high above the ground to juggling acts featuring glowing pins, Sky Circus Cleveland brought a new form of entertainment Wednesday afternoon to the Medina County Fair.
GOP senator obtains a copy of Fauci’s phone as contempt vote looms
Sen. Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) said the phone could address many questions that Fauci declined to answer at a hearing about the pandemic last week.
Science|Business summer reads of 2026
As most people in the European research and innovation policy bubble are going on a well-deserved summer break, we have come up with a list of our favourite books, podcasts and essays from the past year that ask deeper questions about science, technology and politics.BooksPasteur’s Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovation, by Donald StokesIf you haven’t read Pasteur’s Quadrant yet, now is the time. In the EU and elsewhere, we’re living through a period of dwindling faith that curiosity-driven research automatically leads to economic growth and technological progress. Pasteur’s Quadrant, published in 1997 by the Princeton academic Donald Stokes, is the most influential critique of the standard “linear model” of R&D: the idea that new discoveries made in ivory-tower labs get neatly passed on for commercialisation by start-ups. In reality, Stokes argues, practical applications often inspire more theorical lines of inquiry. Of course, we have long known that things are more complex than the linear model, but even today, it’s still often assumed in Brussels discourse. The book is a useful corrective, and is being used now to argue for new types of scientific institutions. David MatthewsThe Weaponization of Expertise: How Elites Fuel Populism, by Jacob Hale Russel and Dennis PattersonAre society’s problems solvable by technical expertise alone? “If only the benighted would listen,” say Jacob Hale Russel and Dennis Patterson, two professors at Rutgers Law School who got frustrated with how scientists and politicians handled public health communication during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the book, they argue that clichéd mantras about scientific evidence and expertise perpetrated by academics, journalists and politicians have harmed public trust in the very institutions they were trying to defend. Paradoxically, slogans such as “we believe in science,” “follow the science” and “defer to the experts” can fuel mistrust in science, experts and democratic institutions. The authors criticise “condescension” and “technocratic paternalism” in the public discourse and make the case for a more nuanced approach to scientific and expert policy advice that rests on humility, doubt, scepticism and open dialogue. “Most complex social questions in fact revolve around values, not the recitation of unambiguous facts,” they say. Florin ZubascuBreakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, by Dan WangIn this book, Dan Wang compares the structural differences between the US and Chinese industrial policies, but raises a very timely question for innovation policy wonks: how can advanced manufacturing know-how contribute to technology-intensive economic growth? Wang says technology has three components: the tools, the blueprints and patents, and the process knowledge. The third component represents the “proficiency gained from practical experience, which isn’t easily communicated and requires years of implementation.” According to Wang, rather than seeing tools and blueprints as the ultimate ends of technological progress, policymakers should see them as milestones in the training of better scientists and manufacturers. Over the past decades, China has amassed “process knowledge” because capital flowed to complex fabrication facilities, while investors in the West have parked their money in capital-light businesses such as digital platforms or chip companies that focus on design. As it turns out, thanks to its oversized focus on manufacturing, China has gained remarkable advantages in the global technology race. Florin ZubascuBaltic: The Future of Europe, by Oliver MoodyWhat can Europe learn from the nine countries surrounding the Baltic Sea? Alongside the familiar stories about Estonia's digital transformation, the book examines how the region has used technology, resilience, education, governance and long-term thinking to respond to geopolitical, economic and security challenges. Innovation policy wonks might find fresh perspectives on how innovation can strengthen defence, societal resilience and Europe's capacity to adapt in an uncertain world. Whether or not you agree with all of Oliver Moody's conclusions, the book is a useful guide to a region that is increasingly shaping European debates on security, competitiveness and technology. Goda NaujokaityteThe Invention of Nature, by Andrea Wulf This book chronicles the wild and adventurous life of natural science pioneer Alexander von Humboldt who at some point in the 19th century seems to have been just about the most famous person in the world. Through scientific expeditions to the Andes Mountains and to the depths of Siberia, von Humboldt contributed a host of discoveries and concepts. During his life he met and formed relationships with historical figures as different as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Simon Bolivar, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles Darwin. He is also claimed to be the person in the world with most things named after him, a list that includes an ocean current, a penguin and a region of the Moon. Still venerated in Germany, with numerous scientific institutions named after him, von Humboldt has slipped out of public consciousness in most of the rest of the world. For anyone not familiar with him, this book does a good job of describing his fascinating life. Ole EllekrogCareless People, by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsYou may have heard this referred to as the book Meta doesn’t want you to read. The 2025 memoir from Sarah Wynn-Williams, former director of global public policy at Meta, then just called Facebook, includes explosive claims about everything from a toxic workplace culture to how the company worked with advertisers to target vulnerable teens, and the lengths it was prepared to go to in order to break into China. It’s a fascinating insight into how and why the tech company gradually shifted its approach to policy, whether in the US, Europe or Asia. Meta has denied the allegations in the book, and last year won an emergency ruling to prevent Wynn-Williams from promoting it. In response, the author is now suing her former employer. If that doesn’t make you want to read it. Martin GreenacrePodcastsThe Europeans: Europe’s anti-ElonThis podcast is a great choice for a light-hearted dose of European policy and culture news. Most of it has little to do with research, innovation and technology, but this particular podcast features an interview with Mastadon’s founder Eugen Rochko. He talks about his experience running an open-source, federated, European-made social media platform, and leaving it all behind. The conversation, which starts 14 minutes in, gently encourages us to reflect on what kind of technology we, as Europeans, want to make. Goda NaujokaityteSolarpunk and how we escape dystopiaNew technologies are very often taken from science fiction. Alberto Santos-Dumont, inventor the airship, was inspired as a child by the adventure stories of Jules Verne. OpenAI’s attempt to build a personal assistant with the voice of Scarlett Johansson was lifted from the 2013 film Her, completely ignoring the movie’s cautionary message. So if we want better tech, we need to imagine it first. Unfortunately, the state of current sci-fi is relentlessly dystopian, giving inventors precious few ideas or hope. However, a new genre, Solarpunk, which envisages a technologically advanced but ecologically harmonious future, is now taking off. The actual tech the genre imagines, such as permaculture, renewable energy or community repair workshops, while nice, isn’t all that inspiring or ambitious. But it’s a first step towards rescuing sci-fi from its pessimistic Blade Runner rut. David MatthewsEveryday AbundanceLaunched in June, Everyday Abundance is a podcast that tells the stories of the inventions we now take so for granted that we barely given them a second thought. For example, the washing machine, which liberated women from a lifetime “bent over washtubs and washboards.” Or modern dentistry, which ended the reality that “tooth pain was simply part of human life.” Historians of technology, Virginia Postrel and Charles C Mann are very much on the optimistic end of the spectrum when it comes to the capacity of invention to improve human life. Here, they set out their case: if it wasn’t for progress, you might be hunched over a washtub with toothache rather than reading these words. David Matthews‘We will not know what we lost’: Conservation fallout a year after USAID shutdownSince his return to the White House, Donald Trump has been on a mission to undermine science. He slashed jobs at federal agencies, terminated grants in some research areas, took unprecedented control over university affairs and, within hours of his inauguration, suspended the US Agency for International Development. While its initial focus was to administer health and food aid around the world, it had since expanded to conservation projects. The result? Some of these projects were stopped abruptly. In this Mongabay podcast, environmental reporter Michelle Nijhuis tells the story of the EcoGuard conservation programme in Liberia, whose local patrols had helped protect rainforests, monitor endangered wildlife and track illegal threats. From one day to the next, these were left without salaries. Luckily, she notes, the initiative was able to get emergency funding from international NGOs, but its future remains “incredibly uncertain.” Juliette PortalaEssaysThe Mars Delusion, by Henry WismayerWhy is humankind so fixated on establishing a colony on Mars? asks London-based writer Henry Wismayer. From space evangelists promoting Martian settlement as an insurance policy, to billionaire Jeff Bezos, who said humans should settle on Mars “because it’s cool,” the mission is not running short of advocates. However, in this essay, Wismayer reminds us that some critics expect any future Mars pioneer to end up “irradiated, sick, mad and dead.” Scientists have already looked into the possible effects of prolonged exposure to Martian gravity, and it’s not pretty: muscle shrinking, bones weakening, changes to the central nervous system and other biological modifications to make us all reconsider the journey. “Some researchers have forecast that the future settler, after generations of evolutionary conditioning, will look less like an Übermensch and more like ET,” Wismayer writes. Juliette Portala
11-year-old taken into custody after stabbing at St. Cloud business
Police say an 11-year-old boy stabbed an 18-year-old man at a St. Cloud business on Tuesday, landing him in the hospital.
El-Sayed gives progressives another victory and a new challenge
In Michigan’s primaries, the most progressive candidates won out, extending their movement into the Rust Belt and setting up a major test in November.