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From the marriage contract to breaking the glass under the chuppah, many Jewish couples adapt their weddings to celebrate gender equality
From the marriage contract to breaking the glass under the chuppah, many Jewish couples adapt their weddings to celebrate gender equality Many Jewish couples are adapting their weddings to celebrate gender equality, reflecting values of feminism and marriage equality that have transformed both Christian and Jewish wedding traditions. The ketubah, a traditional Jewish marriage contract, […]
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1 in 4 Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial spotlighted the clash between science and religion
1 in 4 Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial spotlighted the clash between science and religion One in four Americans reject evolution, a century after the Scopes monkey trial highlighted the clash between science and religion in 1925. The Scopes trial was sparked by the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association’s campaign to […]
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‘We are the media now’: why Tesla’s robotaxis were dominated by Elon Musk superfans
‘We are the media now’: why Tesla’s robotaxis were dominated by Elon Musk superfans Tesla’s robotaxi launch was dominated by Elon Musk superfans and Tesla influencers who are openly supportive of the CEO’s vision. Journalists and tech bloggers who attempted to ask critical questions about the service were excluded, ridiculed, and mocked by Tesla fans […]
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The Supreme Court just upended internet law, and I have questions
The Supreme Court just upended internet law, and I have questions The Supreme Court has ruled that using age verification to gate adult content does not violate the First Amendment in the US. The court’s decision, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, concludes that states have a valid interest in keeping children away from pornography and […]
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Why energy markets fluctuate during an international crisis
Why energy markets fluctuate during an international crisis Energy markets can be significantly disrupted during international crises, such as wars, political instability, pandemics, and economic sanctions. The fluctuations in energy markets are often driven by imbalances between supply and demand, with disruptions to infrastructure, logistics, and transportation contributing to price volatility. Speculation and investor behavior […]
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What Trump’s budget proposal says about his environmental values
What Trump’s budget proposal says about his environmental values Trump’s budget proposal would significantly reduce funding for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from $9.14 billion to $4.16 billion, a 54% decrease. The proposed budget would eliminate operating grants to state governments, drastically reduce funding for science programs, and cut regulatory and enforcement activities related […]
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Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets
Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets Harmful algal blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie, posing health risks to people and pets. The blooms can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever, and skin irritation, and can be lethal for pets. The main source of […]
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Tesla recently lost two key execs
Tesla recently lost two key execs Tesla has lost two key executives: Omead Afshar, who led operations in North America and Europe, and Milan Kovac, VP of the Optimus humanoid robotics team. Afshar’s departure follows a major slump in Tesla’s automotive business sales, with revenue falling 20% year-over-year last quarter. Omead Afshar was reportedly investigated […]
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Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites
Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites The US Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law requiring age verification to access pornographic websites, ruling that it is constitutional and an “ordinary and appropriate means” for regulating minors’ online access. The court established intermediate scrutiny as the applicable standard, which requires laws to serve important government interests […]
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Supreme Court rules Trump can rapidly deport immigrants to Libya, South Sudan and other countries they aren’t from
Supreme Court rules Trump can rapidly deport immigrants to Libya, South Sudan and other countries they aren’t from The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can rapidly deport immigrants to countries they are not from, including Libya, South Sudan, and others, without giving them time to contest their destination. The decision, which was […]
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Supreme Court rules that states may deny people covered by Medicaid the freedom to choose Planned Parenthood as their health care provider
Supreme Court rules that states may deny people covered by Medicaid the freedom to choose Planned Parenthood as their health care provider The US Supreme Court has ruled (6-3) that states may deny people covered by Medicaid the freedom to choose Planned Parenthood as their health care provider, effectively restricting access to reproductive healthcare services. […]
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NASA Welcomes Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station
NASA Welcomes Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station Axiom Mission 4, the fourth all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, has docked successfully. The crew, consisting of Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu, will remain at the space station for about two weeks. The mission aims to conduct microgravity […]
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NASA Announces Winners of 2025 Human Lander Challenge
NASA Announces Winners of 2025 Human Lander Challenge NASA has announced the winners of the 2025 Human Lander Challenge, awarding $18,000 in prize money to three university teams for their solutions on long-duration cryogenic liquid storage and transfer systems. The challenge was part of NASA’s Artemis III mission, which aims to send astronauts to explore […]
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Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate?
Michelin Guide scrutiny could boost Philly tourism, but will it stifle chefs’ freedom to experiment and innovate? Philadelphia’s restaurant scene is abuzz with the news that the Michelin Guide is coming to town, which could boost tourism and revenue for the city. The Michelin scrutiny may lead to a focus on consistency over innovation, potentially […]
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Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas
Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies − but that didn’t stop Jewish and converso writers from describing the Americas Jews were barred from Spain’s New World colonies, but Jewish and converso writers continued to describe the Americas through their writings. The theory that Christopher Columbus was secretly Jewish has been widely debunked as […]
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Hurricane Helene set up future disasters, from landslides to flooding – cascading hazards like these are now upending risk models
Hurricane Helene set up future disasters, from landslides to flooding – cascading hazards like these are now upending risk models Hurricane Helene’s impact on the Southeastern U.S. landscape has led to a new understanding of cascading hazards, which are natural events that alter the landscape and lead to future hazards. Cascading hazards are not random, […]
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How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyberattack in the US?
How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyberattack in the US? Critical infrastructure in the US, including water, health, and energy systems, is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. A “hybrid” battle between physical and digital attacks is becoming more common, making critical infrastructure a target for both nation-state and non-state actors. The 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack […]
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How the end of carbon capture could spark a new industrial revolution
How the end of carbon capture could spark a new industrial revolution The US Department of Energy’s decision to claw back $3.7 billion in grants from industrial demonstration projects may create an unexpected opening for American manufacturing, as many grant recipients were deploying carbon capture and storage technologies. The reversal could paradoxically accelerate emissions cuts […]
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Grilling with lump charcoal: Is US-grown hardwood really in that bag?
Grilling with lump charcoal: Is US-grown hardwood really in that bag? Many lump charcoal products sold in the US do not accurately reflect their contents, with some containing tropical woods that are not native to the region and may have been harvested unsustainably. A study found that nearly half of all lump charcoal examined was […]
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Federal energy office illustrates the perils of fluctuating budgets and priorities
Federal energy office illustrates the perils of fluctuating budgets and priorities The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) within the Department of Energy faces challenges due to fluctuating budgets and priorities, which can lead to destabilization of agencies and cut off long-term projects. EERE’s funding levels have varied significantly over the years, with […]
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Diversifying the special education teacher workforce could benefit US schools
Diversifying the special education teacher workforce could benefit US schools The special education teacher workforce in the US has remained predominantly white despite the increasing diversity of the student population. The proportion of special education teachers of color has been static, even as students with disabilities who are students of color have become more prevalent […]
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Cyberattacks shake voters’ trust in elections, regardless of party
Cyberattacks shake voters’ trust in elections, regardless of party Cyberattacks are eroding trust in American elections, affecting both Democrats and Republicans, regardless of party affiliation. The digital transformation of voting systems has made them more accessible and efficient, but also more complex and vulnerable to cyber threats. A recent study found that even exposure to […]
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Checking in on New England’s fishing industry 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters
Checking in on New England’s fishing industry 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters 25 years after the release of “The Perfect Storm,” New England’s commercial fishing industry has undergone significant changes, including the shift from open-access fisheries to limited-entry programs. The introduction of limited access and catch shares has helped rebuild populations […]
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Charitable giving grew to $593B in 2024, propelled by a strengthening US economy and a booming stock market
Charitable giving grew to $593B in 2024, propelled by a strengthening US economy and a booming stock market Charitable giving in the US reached $593 billion in 2024, a 3.3% increase from the previous year and the second-highest level on record after adjusting for inflation. The growth in charitable giving was driven by a strengthening […]
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US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next?
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next? The US launched a surprise attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, using “bunker buster” bombs and Tomahawk missiles in the early hours of June 22, 2025. The strike was likely intended to cripple […]
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What’s the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans
What’s the right way to mark Juneteenth? The newest US holiday is confusing Americans Juneteenth, the newest US federal holiday, has become its most puzzling one due to confusion over how to celebrate it and its proper meaning. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, freeing […]
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The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential
The hidden bias in college admissions tests: How standardized exams can favor privilege over potential The use of standardized tests in college admissions can favor privilege over potential, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. Research has found that these tests are not as valid or equitable as some argue, and that they systematically favor those […]
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Team confirms earliest evidence of humans in the Americas
Team confirms earliest evidence of humans in the Americas A new study confirms that humans arrived in the Americas between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago, contradicting previous estimates. The evidence comes from ancient footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, which were previously dated using seeds and pollen but have now been […]
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Outsourcing cost of ‘impact’ data could mean 13% more bang for every charitable buck
Outsourcing cost of ‘impact’ data could mean 13% more bang for every charitable buck Charitable donors often make gifts without knowing which organizations are delivering the biggest impact, potentially wasting their money. A study found that when donors pay for information about a charity’s impact per dollar, they are more likely to direct their gifts […]
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NASA History News and Notes – Summer 2025
NASA History News and Notes – Summer 2025 NASA’s history is marked by critical decisions that have shaped the agency’s national legacy and promoted confidence in times of crisis. The Shuttle-Centaur program was canceled in 1986 due to increased safety measures following the loss of Challenger, marking a difficult decision for NASA Administrator James Fletcher. […]
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