ELECTION

Dec 29 2024ENTERTAINMENT

Flying Fun: How Movies Land On Your Seatback

Ever wondered how your favorite movies end up on the seat back in front of you during flights? Let's dive into the fascinating world of in-flight entertainment! Around 50-80% of travelers can't wait to hit play, while some passengers, like those on late-night flights from Las Vegas or kids under two

reading time less than a minute
Dec 28 2024TECHNOLOGY

Fake Videos Had a Minimal Impact on Elections

You might think that deepfakes would have a big effect on elections, but it turns out they’re not that good yet. At least, that’s what some recent research says. Despite all the fake images floating around the internet, it looks like people can still spot a phony when it counts. Researchers found t

reading time less than a minute
Dec 28 2024POLITICS

The 2025 Races to Watch: What Early Elections Tell Us

2025 is set to start with a bang as key state and local races kick off across the U. S. These contests aren’t as flashy as the presidential elections, but they’re crucial for understanding the political landscape. In Virginia, special legislative elections in January will decide the control of the s

reading time less than a minute
Dec 28 2024POLITICS

Voting Tech Company Wants Secret Murdoch Docs

A company that makes voting machines is trying to get its hands on some secret documents. These aren't your average secret documents, though. They're part of a private court battle between Rupert Murdoch and his kids over who will lead his media empire after he's gone. But why does a voting machine

reading time less than a minute
Dec 28 2024POLITICS

Dark Money vs. the People: A Tale of Maine's Fight

In the 2024 U. S. presidential election, billionaires like Elon Musk and Michael Bloomberg spent record amounts, highlighting the influence of wealthy donors. In Maine, a small state with a big idea, residents voted to limit super PAC donations to $5, 000 per individual or entity. This law went into

reading time less than a minute
Dec 27 2024POLITICS

Germany's President Calls for New Elections in February

Germany's President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has decided to dissolve the country's parliament and call for new elections on February 23. This move comes after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government lost a confidence vote and collapsed due to disputes over the economy. Steinmeier believes that a new el

reading time less than a minute
Dec 27 2024POLITICS

North Carolina's Political Surprise: A Democrat Governor Emerges

Picture this: in a state that typically votes Republican, a Democrat wins the governor's race by a significant margin. This is the story of North Carolina's recent election. Josh Stein, a former prosecutor, clinched the victory with an impressive 15-point lead over his opponent. But how did a Democr

reading time less than a minute
Dec 27 2024HEALTH

COVID-19: How Politics Played a Role in Colorado's Death Toll

Imagine walking through the streets of Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic. You might have noticed that some counties were hit harder than others. Why was that? Researchers found a surprising link between the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and COVID-19 mortality rates. Let's break it d

reading time less than a minute
Dec 26 2024POLITICS

Marianne Williamson Aims for DNC Leadership

Marianne Williamson, a well-known author and former Democratic presidential candidate, has thrown her hat in the ring to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). She believes she can bring a unique perspective to help the party win in the coming years. Williamson has talked

reading time less than a minute
Dec 26 2024SCIENCE

Checking for Non-Normal Traits in IRT Models: A New Approach

Ever wondered how to spot if something's off with the hidden traits in your data? Researchers have come up with a neat way to do just that. They've created what they call the "generalized Hausman test. " This isn't your average test; it's designed specifically for those tricky unidimensional latent

reading time less than a minute