VA hospitals have once again defied the odds by topping the charts in care quality and patient satisfaction, leaving their non-VA counterparts in their dust. But what's behind this remarkable achievement? Is it a result of their unwavering commitment to serving veterans? Or are there other factors
Imagine a film that weaves a complex tapestry from trauma, memory, and the enduring strength of human connection. Directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, this dark veteran dramedy explores the complicated friendship between two U.S. Army Afghanistan veterans, Merit and Zoe. The film delves into a complex
Imagine having a PS5 that can render gameplay at mind-boggling 45% faster clip, with stunning ray-tracing capabilities and AI-enhanced upscaling. That's what the PS5 Pro promises to deliver, but is it worth the hefty price tag of $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199.95? First, let's consider the new hardwa
Imagine a technology that can save lives by providing rapid aid to victims of gun violence. ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, seems to be just that. However, it doesn't solve crime – it's not a magic bullet. A study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab found that areas with ShotSpotter t
Imagine living in a world where the ability to express your thoughts and opinions is slowly being eroded away. It's not a reality from a dystopian novel, but our current reality. The erosion of free speech is happening, and it's not a single, dramatic event, but rather a thousand tiny cuts. From th
California's Proposition 4 is set to borrow $10 billion to fund a plethora of environmental projects. But is this measure more about politics than sound policy? After this year's budget debacle, the state should be focusing on cutting debt, not increasing it. The measure's 100+ programs lack a sens
Imagine a world where men and women are equal, but not the same. Harvey Mansfield, a renowned Harvard political theorist, wants to create. In his book, he argued that traditional gender norms are not just outdated, but dangerous. He believes men and women have different strengths and weaknesses, and
Imagine if Social Security's sacred guarantee wasn't on the chopping block, but rather, it was fully funded for decades to come. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) claims that cracking down on mega-rich tax dodgers could keep the New Deal program whole until the end of this century. Wyden estimates that the ul
The Supreme Court of South Carolina has dealt a major blow to the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program, ruling it unconstitutional for using public money to fund private school education. The ESTF, signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster in May 2023, allowed qualifying parents to appl
Is the summer COVID-19 surge finally dipping? Or is it just a temporary reprieve? The data is mixed, but there are some early signs that the surge may have peaked. However, not all metrics are moving in the rosy direction. For instance, positivity rates are still relatively high, and COVID-19 deaths
