In the News
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October 18, 2024
Both presidential candidates support easing restrictive zoning laws and building houses on federal land, says Brian Connolly, assistant professor of business law: “It’s not super clear how they would do that, because a lot of regulation of the housing market happens at the local level. Just because the federal government wants to cut regulation doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be able to do that.”
WCMU Radio -
October 18, 2024
Interest in career and technical education has grown over the past several years, says Brian Jacob, professor of public policy, education and economics: “Regular four-year college costs have gone up and concerns about student debt load have gone up. … (CTE) courses themselves can be more engaging. They’re more kind of applied, hands on, real world. And I think for many students that can be a motivating factor to stay in school.”
Michigan Public -
October 18, 2024
“There is certainly a coherent case for making interest on car loans tax deductible. It is the same case as that for making any loan interest deductible,” said James Hines, professor of economics and law and research director of the Office of Tax Policy Research. “Of course, you only get the benefit of interest deductibility if you itemize your deductions,” which only about 10% of taxpayers currently do.
Detroit Free Press -
October 17, 2024
“On the one hand, we want (judges) to be nonpartisan, unbiased people who are lawyers, who apply the law without fear or favor. On the other hand, we know that judging is an activity — especially at the (state) Supreme Court level — that entails a lot of political judgment,” said Nicholas Bagley, professor of law. “That ambivalence … has really scrambled our elections, and put us into this, I think, unfortunate spot.”
Michigan Public -
October 17, 2024
“A lot of times people feel like, ‘It doesn’t matter how long I sleep. I wake up and feel like a truck ran over me,’” said Sonja Schuetz, clinical associate professor of neurology, about people who experience unrefreshing sleep without a clear underlying medical cause — a phenomenon that seems linked to inadequate deep, restorative rest.
TIME -
October 17, 2024
“It’s important to point out that the existence of (ballot) vulnerabilities is not in and of itself evidence that any past election result was compromised. But it’s certainly a concern looking ahead. … Of course, as a voter, the existence of vulnerabilities isn’t a reason not to vote,” said J. Alex Halderman, professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
National Public Radio -
October 16, 2024
“We have seen a remarkable decline in young adult smoking over the past decade. However, rates among older adults who smoke have remained stagnant,” said Thuy Le, assistant research scientist in health management and policy, who along with Ken Warner, professor emeritus of health management and policy, found that quitting smoking after age 65 will add at least eight years of life for nearly 10% of people.
U.S. News & World Report -
October 16, 2024
“We did find that the switch from Biden being at the top of the ticket to Harris being at the top of ticket did have a significant effect on Detroiters saying they were extremely likely to vote in the election,” said Mara Ostfeld, research associate professor of public policy, whose research shows a 7% rise in voter interest after President Biden dropped out, with 77% of 18- to 34-year-old, moderate-income Detroiters now planning to vote.
WEMU Radio -
October 16, 2024
“They’ve already done the rigging before the election. They’ve made it difficult for people to register to vote. In the areas where they are strong, they then make sure that they do a more comprehensive registration,” said Anne Pitcher, professor of political science and Afroamerican and African studies, about Frelimo, the political party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975.
The Guardian (U.K.) -
October 15, 2024
“We’ve had 100 years to refine the safety of gasoline-powered vehicles, and we’re a little over a decade in terms of high-volume production of (electric vehicles). Events are rare but they catch a lot of attention,” said Alan Taub, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering, about the likelihood of EV lithium-ion batteries catching fire. Greg Less, director of the U-M Battery Lab, said “in spite of what might sound like dire warnings, we still believe EVs are safe to drive and safe to own.”
The New York Times
