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Q&A: Commissioner Justin Rodriguez explains why county government is becoming a political battleground
Texas' largest counties have frequently run up against the state's GOP in its quest to innovate, putting a bigger spotlight on their leaders.
Youth Sports Training: Why Some Preteens Are Turning to Private Coaches
As youth sports become increasingly competitive, more preteen athletes are working with private coaches to level up.
All the ways Elon Inc. is already intertwined
The five companies led by Elon Musk have increasingly become intertwined, even before Tesla's $2 billion investment in xAI or merger chatter.
How Chinese short-video streaming firms are reshaping Latin America's media landscape
Short-drama apps, many with Chinese origins, are making significant inroads in Latin America as the region becomes more affluent, research shows.
Inside California Politics: Matt Mahan announces run for governor
(Inside California Politics) — This week, Inside California Politics host Nikki Laurenzo sat down with Matt Mahan, who announced his run for governor on Thursday. In the one-on-one interview, the S…
A year after losing Luka Dončić, the Mavs have brighter days ahead because of Cooper Flagg
AND NEW! Stevenson Dominates Lopez To Become Four-Division Champion
If there was ever any doubt as to how good Shaker Stevenson really is he put it all to rest last night (Sat., Jan. 31, 2026) in New York City against Teofimo Lopez, dominating “The Takeover” for pretty much the whole fight inside Madison Square Garden. From the jump Stevenson made it clear to Lopez […]
Kevin O’Connell’s Backup QBs Are Suddenly Calling Plays
The quarterback room under Kevin O’Connell has quietly become something else, too: a coaching incubator. Two former Minnesota Vikings passers […]
Photos: Krewe du Vieux parades in the cold
Krewe du Vieux paraded through the French Quarter on a freezing evening to the theme, "Save The Wet Glands.” Co-founder and CEO of Glass Half Full, Franziska Trautmann, reigned over the satirical parade with Glass Half Full co-founder Max Steitz as Royal Consort.
Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories
Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study points to a new way of promoting health by targeting microbes rather than the body itself.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Be 6% More Expensive Than Galaxy S25 Ultra Due To DRAM, NAND Price Increases; Samsung Betting On AI, SoC Upgrade & New Camera To Generate Sales
Due to rising mobile DRAM and NAND flash prices, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could end up becoming an estimated 6 percent more expensive than the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Shohei Ohtani WBC Announcement Will Give Dodgers Fans Relief
Los Angeles Dodgers fans no longer have to worry about Shohei Ohtani throwing out his arm during the upcoming World Baseball Classic. That’s because the world’s greatest player won’t be pitching in the WBC, as reported by multiple sources on Saturday. It is apparently Ohtani’s decision not to pitch in the tournament. Ohtani delivered another […]
3 Detroit Lions Who Could Become Cap Casualties
The Detroit Lions could make difficult cap decisions this offseason. Graham Glasgow, Taylor Decker, and David Montgomery are names to watch.
Mamdani names new Department of Correction commissioner
Stanley Richards will become the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails.
Belarus: Snow and cold used to torture political prisoners
Former political prisoners tell DW that winter in Belarus prisons is brutal during cold, snowy winters like this one — because snow and freezing temperatures are used by guards to torment them.
Pirates 'firmly second best' in Doncaster thrashing
Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle says his side were "firmly second best" as they lost 44-12 at Doncaster in the Champ.
NASCAR's Preseason Clash Postponed to Monday Because of Snow
NASCAR's preseason Clash at Bowman Gray has been postponed due to snow. Here are the latest details.
Geno Smith was a garbage time king in 2025
Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback padded stats late in games
Mental Health Distress in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Largely Driven by Sociodemographic, Comorbid Factors
These findings suggest the mental health burden in nonmelanoma skin cancer reflects broader social and clinical factors rather than disease-specific effects.
Electric fields flip the rules of water chemistry
nside electrochemical devices, strong electric fields dramatically alter how water molecules behave. New research shows that these fields speed up water dissociation not by lowering energy costs, but by increasing molecular disorder once ions form. The reaction becomes entropy-driven—exactly the opposite of what happens in ordinary water. The findings also reveal that intense fields can push water from neutral to highly acidic, with major implications for hydrogen production.
How gene loss and monogamy built termite mega societies
Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together, these changes helped termites build colonies that can number in the millions.
At Washington Mardi Gras, Gov. Jeff Landry and Howard Lutnick see bright future for Louisiana
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the pieces are in place for Louisiana to become the next generation’s economic powerhouse.
Calais calls measure on law enforcement relationship mere ‘politics’
The City Council delayed a vote on a resolution urging the governor to veto the measure because several supportive councilors were absent.
Nurses strike because health care is rigged for CEOs, not us
As a nurse for 31 years, I stand with the striking NYC nurses who refuse to accept exhaustion, injury and disposability as the cost of care.
How Singapore is Emphasizing K-pop to Become Asia’s Ultimate Entertainment Hub with BTS and Major Concerts - Travel And Tour World
Explore how Singapore has become a hub for K-pop culture and live entertainment, hosting major concerts and boosting tourism through global collaborations.
Mother sues Novant Health after death of daughter left her with haunting questions
LaChunda Hunter didn't think she could have kids. When she learned she was pregnant, she called it a miracle. That miracle quickly became a nightmare after birth.
‘It’s a substantial amount’: BCBS faces criticism over $800 refund delay for Oakland County couple
An Oakland County couple said they were over $800 out because Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan wouldn’t refund their overpayment.
PSA: OpenAI will soon remove several models from ChatGPT
From time to time, OpenAI removes older models from ChatGPT’s model picker, as users become accustomed to newer ones. Here are the details.
Samsung Soldout Its $3,000 TriFold Phone in Minutes
Galaxy Z TriFold, the $2,899 foldable from Samsung, sells out in minutes. You probably missed it because you didn’t see the need to make a note on your calendar for a... #GalaxyZTriFold #Samsung
Kylie Kelce’s Advice for Sports Parents Can Be Summed Up in 2 Words
"It's so hard to get officials for sports nowadays because of the parents and their feedback."
Kylie Kelce’s Advice for Sports Parents Can Be Summed Up in 2 Words
"It's so hard to get officials for sports nowadays because of the parents and their feedback."
Which free agents should the Denver Broncos re-sign?
Heading into the 2025 season, the Denver Broncos had several key players in the final year of their deals who would become free agents at the end of the year. However, the team did a lot of the heavy lifting throughout the year and signed defensive linemen Zach Allen and Malcolm Roach, wide receiver Courtland […]
The Penguins scoring depth is becoming biggest surprise of season
The Pittsburgh Penguins are still getting contributions from all over their lineup this season.
Clay gets a $1 million boost to revive its waterfront, a step toward becoming entertainment destination
The grants will help pay for a boat launch and shoreline improvements at Three Rivers Point.
How the Miami RedHawks became college basketball's most unlikely undefeated team
At 21-0, the Miami (Ohio) men's basketball team is one of just two remaining undefeated Division I men's teams. Here's how the RedHawks got here
March Madness bubble watch: Indiana becomes NCAA Tournament contender
The NCAA men's tournament bubble will only get shorter as February rolls around, and Indiana has inserted itself into the March Madness conversation.
Why the UK’s toughest immigration voices are often politicians of colour
As parties harden their stance on borders, minority politicians have become political cover against racism accusations.
Starmer arrives in Shanghai as he looks to boost UK business opportunities
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in the Chinese financial center of Shanghai in his bid to boost business opportunities for U.K. firms in the world’s second-largest economy, just hours after President Donald Trump signaled a possible opp...
How Red Light Therapy Became Big Business for Beauty Brands
Glowing masks make for social-media friendly selfies, but red light therapy has potential beyond content fodder. Brands and specialists weigh in.
Is Trump’s ICE dream over?
Jonathan Freedland speaks to George Conway, a conservative lawyer and the ex-husband of Trump’s adviser Kellyanne Conway, about what happens next for Trump’s ‘ICE patriots’
Ian Cunningham is the new Falcons GM
Atlanta hires away Chicago’s assistant GM as their new general manager.
Report: Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham to become Falcons GM
Chicago Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham named Falcons general manager, per reports
Gambling could become a mental health crisis for teen boys
A new report from Common Sense Media found that more than a third of boys ages 11 to 17 have gambled in the past year. NBC News Now Daily anchor Kate Snow joins the "Here's the Scoop" to discuss the rise in gambling among teenage boys and why some experts worry it could cause a mental health crisis.
Nash County leaders warn of potential measles exposure at UNC Health Nash
The Nash County Health Department is alerting the public after an unvaccinated child who recently traveled internationally tested positive for measles following a visit to the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department.
The Observatory and WHO Ukraine reflect on productive partnership and continued collaboration
Why have some health systems coped better than others during the COVID-19 pandemic? Some answers might become clear if we could assess how resilient health systems are in response to crises or shocks, such as the current pandemic and other emergencies, including financial ones, or how well health systems were prepared for such events in the first place. The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has just published a new policy brief, “Strengthening health systems resilience”, which includes a framework to help policy-makers understand health system resilience and how to strengthen it. This policy brief highlights the key features of resilience and provides examples of strategies which have been applied in different countries.
M12's Cheng: Health Care One of The Fastest AI Adopters
Cheryl Cheng, managing partner at M12, Microsoft’s venture fund, says health care has shifted from being slow to adopt technology to becoming one of the fastest adopters of AI. She speaks with Romaine Bostick and Katie Greifeld on “The Close.” (Source: Bloomberg)
A No. 1-vs.-2 showdown between Brother Martin and Jesuit has been moved because of weather
Brother Martin and Jesuit will play their rivalry soccer match two days later than originally scheduled.
Trump Says He Only Appeared to Nod Off in Last Cabinet Meeting Because It Was ‘Boring’
Mr. Trump’s allies have strenuously insisted that he was alert and attentive at the meeting last month. The president said he had only closed his eyes.
Tanzania eyes East Africa’s pharmaceutical hub crown {Business Africa}
Tanzania is betting on local drug manufacturing to reduce imports and become East Africa’s pharmaceutical hub and we find out how Africa's private sector is fixing the supply chain to minimise the billions lost in post-harvest logistics.View on euronews
Stop killing your SSD: 6 must-do Windows 11 tweaks
Follow these tips for a long-lasting SSD!
San José Mayor Matt Mahan, a Newsom critic and political moderate, is running to become California's next governor
San José Mayor Matt Mahan announced he is running for California governor, joining an already crowded field.
Why Music Catalogues Are Becoming The Hottest Asset In Entertainment
Music catalogs are emerging as stable, long-term assets, attracting investors with consistent returns and cultural value.
Driving Habits Provide Window Into Seniors' Brain Health
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Larry Duncan valued driving as part of his independence. But Duncan — a retired business owner from Pinehurst, North Carolina — started to become more nervous behind the wheel prior to his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s ...
Google Chrome Gets Gemini Side Panel and Agentic Browsing Features
AI-powered browsing features have become a battleground among browser makers in recent months. OpenAI launched its Atlas browser in October, while Microsoft Edge and Opera have also introduced AI assistants and automated browsing capabilities. And now Google is upping the ante. The company has announced a slew of new AI features fro Chrome, including a persistent sidebar for the Gemini chatbot and "auto browse" capabilities that can perform web tasks on your behalf.
Americans Are More Worried About Health Care Costs Than Gas or Groceries
The price of health care tops the US public’s long list of economic worries ahead of the midterm elections, according to new polling data, as “affordability” has become a buzzword championed by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
Science at risk: Massachusetts must lead the fight for facts
Rejecting evidence threatens lives and innovation. Massachusetts must defend the scientific method.
Pakistan becomes latest Asian country to introduce checks for deadly Nipah virus
Authorities in Pakistan have ordered enhanced screening of people entering the country for signs of infections of the deadly Nipah virus after India confirmed two cases, adding to the number of Asian countries stepping up controls.
Tim Walz Fears a Fort Sumter Moment in Minneapolis
The Minnesota governor warns of a national unraveling.
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding and more
The video for Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" — the fifth single from her album 1989 — has become her latest to rack up 1 billion views on YouTube. It's her sixth video to hit that milestone, following “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” “You Belong With Me,” “Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”
Tesla
Telsa’s revenue and profits tumbled in the fourth quarter, capping off the most difficult year for the electric automaker since it became profitable six years ago.
These two viruses may become the next public health threats, scientists say
Two emerging pathogens with animal origins—influenza D virus and canine coronavirus—have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but researchers warn conditions are ripe for the viruses to spread ...
Eau Claire County Health Department releases measles and respiratory update
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department’s communicable disease team released statements about both measles and a respiratory update.
Some of ‘Star Search’s’ biggest losers became megastars. Can the revival live up to its past?
Aaliyah, Britney and Beyoncé famously lost when they appeared on “Star Search” back in the day. Those who bested them look back as a new reboot takes off.
Fact check: Trump says Democrats don’t talk about affordability anymore (they do) because inflation is over (it isn’t)
President Donald Trump tried Tuesday to concoct an alternative reality on the subject of “affordability” – piling lie on top of lie to try to convince Americans that the issue has vanished.
Patriots Rival Reportedly Loses Defensive Coordinator, Longtime Coach To Packers
The New England Patriots are gearing up for the Super Bowl, but two of their division rivals are in the middle of coaching changes. The Miami Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel to hire Jeff Hafley, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator for the last two years. The Buffalo Bills promoted Joe Brady to head coach from […]
Learner Tien shuts down Trump question at Australian Open amid political grilling of American players
American tennis players at the Australian Open continue to face political questions about the Trump administration, with rising star Learner Tien becoming the latest to decline comment.
The Odds: Is DHS Secy. Noem becoming an unavoidable political problem for President Trump?
Hidden struggles: Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their success
In a career defined by constant questioning, self-doubt can become an occupational hazard. Now, for the first time, a group of Cambridge scientists reveal the personal struggles they’ve faced – and continue to face – as they strive for success.
Teamsters California endorses proposed billionaires tax
Teamsters California, with 250,000 members statewide, becomes the largest union to back the proposed November ballot measure to enact a onetime billionaires tax.
Why comedian Katherine Ryan won't make fun of her kids on stage: 'I don't wanna get Brooklyn Beckhamed'
The British-Canadian comedian says she steers clear of making any of her five children the punchline for fearing of stirring up Beckham-style family drama.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Scientists say these two viruses may become the next public health threats
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Two emerging pathogens with animal origins — influenza D virus and canine coronavirus — have so far been quietly flying under the radar,…
Three-time UT San Antonio graduate advances health research across South Texas
Alumna Rebecca Jones' path to public health research at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine began at UT San Antonio.
The Gen Z gender divide in politics
As Gen Z becomes older, a college student fears there will be less social cohesion and greater risks to democratic consensus.
When Pittsburgh sports fans look at Baltimore, we see our reflection
I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, specifically Beaver County, where most young boys dream of becoming star athletes. But now I find myself residing in...
How scientists predict big winter storms : Short Wave
This past weekend, Winter Storm Fern struck the States. Sleet, snow and ice battered Americans all the way from New Mexico to New York. Scientists predicted its arrival in mid-January, and in anticipation of the storm, more than 20 state governors issued emergency declarations. But how did scientists know so much, so early, about the approaching storm? NPR climate reporter Rebecca Hersher says it has to do with our weather models… and the data we put into them. Which begs the question: Will we continue to invest in them?Interested in more science behind the weather? Check out our episodes on better storm prediction in the tropics and how the Santa Ana winds impact the fire season this time of year. Have a question we haven’t covered? Email us at shortwave@npr.org. We’d love to consider it for a future episode! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by our showrunner Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones and Rebecca Hersher checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez. News clips were from CBS Boston, Fox Weather, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, and PBS Newshour.
Ethan Hawke says Tom Cruise makes him 'angry' because he's 'changed what’s expected for actors'
Ethan Hawke says that over the years, a certain aspect of Tom Cruise's star persona has gotten him 'angry,' because now, the star has 'changed what's expected for actors.'
Holli Herndon takes on Rebecca Bays in Citrus County Commission race
It's another competitive Commission race in Citrus County.
Clawdbot sheds skin to become Moltbot, can't slough off security issues
: The massively hyped agentic personal assistant has security experts wondering why anyone would install it
The iPhone Air sold poorly, and now we know exactly what people hated about it
Not enough cameras? A single speaker? Poor thermals? Most of you think that the iPhone Air flopped because it fails to meet a number of expectations.
UPS Will Cut Up to 30,000 Jobs in 2026
The delivery company said it was planning the cuts this year because it expected to deliver fewer packages for Amazon, a large but unprofitable customer.
Employer Health Insurance Isn't Fitting the Bill. We Need a New Way Forward.
America has a health insurance problem – and it’s only getting worse. These days, most Americans get their health insurance through employer-sponsored health plans. However, that system is becoming increasingly costly, with premiums up 25% in the last five years. And it’s not just individual ...
Even in ‘business-friendly’ states, federal policy shocks are hurting Latino-owned firms
Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are so-called “business-friendly” states worth watching because they sit at the intersection of rapid growth, demographic dependence, and policy volatility.
What's the Nipah visrus? Why health officials are tracking disease
While only two people reportedly contracted the virus, health officials are concerned because of the high mortality rate if it spreads.
Has sports betting become part of your daily routine? Tell us about it
It's never been easier to bet on sports. And polls show the majority of American men are involved in sports betting. To learn more, we want to hear from you about your betting experiences.
NOCD acquires Rebound Health
The move signals virtual behavioral health companies are starting to adopt the platform approach that has become popular in other digital health segments.
NOCD acquires Rebound Health
The move signals virtual behavioral health companies are starting to adopt the platform approach that has become popular in other digital health segments.
Pistons launch tough road trip with test vs. Nuggets
The slog of an 82-game schedule becomes tough in January, when winter has settled in and injuries add up.
Anta Sports Set to Become Puma’s Largest Shareholder in $1.8 Billion Deal
The Chinese sportswear company has agreed to acquire a 29.06% stake in Puma, which will make it the German company’s largest shareholder.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Sundance Institute Name Winners of Science-In-Film Initiative’s Feature Film Prize and Artist Grants
L–R: Jonathan Cuchacovich, Sonia Kennebeck, Alan Fischer, Daeil Kim, Andrew Stanton, Colby Day, Tetiana Anderson 2026 Sundance Film Festival Awards Juried Sloan Feature Film Prize to In The Blink of An Eye by Director Andrew Stanton and Grants Three Screenwriting Fellowships PARK CITY, UTAH, JANUARY 26, 2026 — Today at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival,
Businesses face pressure to respond to immigration enforcement while also becoming a target of it
On Sunday, after the U.S. Border Patrol shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter calling for “an immediate deescalation of tensions."
‘My People Need Me!!! And I Need Them’: Bad Bunny’s Political Awakening in Puerto Rico
An exclusive excerpt from the book 'P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance' traces the star's music and activism.
AP Top 25: Duke, Nebraska earn boosts in latest college basketball rankings
There was movement in the top 10 of the latest AP Top 25 poll
In downtown Wilmington, Live Oak shutting down inclusive small business center
Live Oak Bank is turning Channel off. Described by Live Oak as an inclusive small business center, Channel opened in November 2021 to serve as a free resource for small business owners, helping numerous minority-owned and other small businesses from its headquarters downtown at 106 Market St. "After careful consideration, we’ve decided to bring Channel ... to a close at the end of this month. Live Oak determined that the needs of Wilmington’s small business community have evolved. Since Channel opened, the local small business ecosystem has grown significantly, with many strong organizations now offering education, technical assistance and community programming for entrepreneurs," stated Claire Parker, managing director of corporate communications for Live Oak Bank, in an email Monday. "With those resources firmly in place, Live Oak is refocusing on what we do best – providing banking and financing solutions that help small businesses grow and thrive." Channel's demise also resulted in the elimination of two positions – those of Channel's director, Chakema Clinton-Quintana, and Atiba Johnson, the certified professional business advisor (CPBA) at Channel. On Monday, Clinton-Quintana, who was elected to the Wilmington City Council in November, said of her immediate plans after Channel: "I will continue my work serving the public while I look for other full-time opportunities." She said Channel "served over 1,000 small business owners in the greater Wilmington area, as well as some of the surrounding areas, such as Brunswick and Pender. A lot of folks had reached out to us needing those resources because they were free, and we were able to assist them in that capacity." Johnson said he will be devoting his time to the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce, which is not affiliated with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The minority chamber is celebrating its launch from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilmington Sportsman Club, 1111 Castle St., Wilmington. Johnson, the founder and executive director of the new chamber, said about 50 businesses are on board to join the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce. According to a news release, the new chamber "was established to foster growth, networking, and advocacy for underrepresented business owners. By providing essential resources and community engagement, the chamber aims to build a more inclusive and prosperous local economy." Johnson said the creation of the new chamber is in response to "lapses in funding, education, advocacy for minority businesses...Some of the things that are going on now just don't reach all the way down to those businesses." For Lynne Jones, owner of LJ Design Studio LLC, the loss of Channel also means a reduction in income. She had contracted with Channel to run the center's social media and to provide some marketing for small business owners. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that it is closing...it was a place to connect with other small business owners and collaborate. It was like a family for those of us who were there. If you had issues or things that you needed to talk through concerning your business, there was always someone there that you could sit down with and talk things through, recalibrate, and they set you off on your way to make that pivot and move in a different direction," Jones said Monday. She said she worked with many Channel participants creating their websites and will miss seeing the joy on their faces when those websites were up and running. Dawn McDowell, owner of Creatively Covered Co. LLC, credits Channel with helping her business grow and regrow after her social media pages were hacked and shut down in 2023. "Channel was a great resource for small businesses, for women-owned businesses, for minority-owned businesses; they provided a lot of assistance, especially when you needed it," McDowell said. "If it wasn't for Channel, I don't know if I'd be where I am now, in my business, and regrowing my business and even finding out about some of the certifications and things that were out there for small businesses that I just didn't know about ... because there was no one really sharing that information for small businesses, for minority- and women-owned businesses in particular." Parker said shutting down Channel was not part of an overall cost-cutting plan. She stated in the email, "Live Oak’s commitment to Wilmington remains strong. We are continuing to support entrepreneurs by focusing our efforts where we deliver the greatest value – through specialized banking and financing solutions aligned with our mission to be America’s small business bank." As for Channel's downtown office, Live Oak had leased the 5,000-square-foot space above Seabird restaurant in 2021. The bank’s lease for the office is up in March, Parker said.
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