FUNDING

May 17 2026SCIENCE

A Tiny Gene, a Big Journey: How One Student’s Rare Disorder Became a Fight for Science

A young scientist was born with one of only thirty people in the world who share a rare genetic problem that makes them short, bend their spine, and gives them an uneven heartbeat. Doctors called the condition BMP2‑related skeletal dysplasia spectrum disorder, but her own cardiologist nicknamed it “

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May 15 2026POLITICS

Nation’s Science Future at Risk: What the Board Cuts Mean

The National Science Board, which guides a key federal agency that funds research, was abruptly cleared of its members by a recent government decision. This move happened without clear justification and followed major budget cuts to the agency that has been a backbone of American innovation for deca

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May 15 2026EDUCATION

MIT Faces Drop in Funding and Students

MIT is dealing with a sharp decline in research money and graduate numbers. Last year, federal grants fell by more than 20 percent, cutting the university’s total research budget by about 10 percent. Other sponsors have stepped up, but not enough to cover the loss from government sources. Gra

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May 15 2026POLITICS

Who should run Arizona’s schools? The fight over vouchers, spending, and who can manage public money

Arizona’s superintendent race is heating up between two Republicans locked in a public battle over school money. At the center is a voucher program meant to help families pay for private education. An audit last spring found the program’s overseer couldn’t track over half a billion dollars spent in

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May 13 2026POLITICS

Syria’s Food Aid Cut Back: What It Means for Millions

The World Food Programme announced that it has cut its emergency food support in Syria by half because of a lack of money. Only 650, 000 people now receive help instead of the 1. 3 million it did earlier in May. The program also dropped its operations from all 14 regions down to just seven. The mai

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May 13 2026OPINION

Gas taxes in the spotlight as prices climb and budgets shrink

Governments worldwide are cutting fuel taxes to ease pain at the pump, but critics warn these quick fixes could backfire. Temporary breaks in gas taxes, seen in some U. S. states and European nations, might sound like good news for drivers but they shrink funds for roads and bridges. That money gap

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May 12 2026POLITICS

Public schools vs. private school funding: should taxpayers pay for faith-based learning?

Some people get upset when they see their tax money going toward private schools. Why? Because many private schools teach religion as part of their lessons. In places like Louisiana, a new program uses taxpayer funds for private education. That means money from regular schools, libraries, and even p

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May 12 2026POLITICS

Science Advice in Danger: Why Losing the National Science Board Matters

Over two thousand researchers signed a letter last week warning that getting rid of the National Science Board weakens America’s position against countries like China. The board, created in 1950, used to guide how taxpayer money supports science and engineering research. Its twenty-plus members, app

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May 12 2026HEALTH

Why ALS Drug Research Struggles and How to Fix It

ALS is a rare but cruel disease that slowly shuts down the body while leaving the mind intact. Doctors have only approved three drugs for it since the mid-1990s, and none of them cure or stop the disease—they merely slow it down a little. Part of the problem is money. Running trials for ALS is extre

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May 11 2026POLITICS

Alaska Legislature Races to Finish Bills Before May Deadline

The state’s lawmakers are sprinting toward the end of their session, with less than two weeks left to pass a budget and other urgent measures before the constitutional deadline on May 20. Both chambers say a special session could focus on the Alaska LNG pipeline after the regular period ends, but ma

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