In the News
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October 8, 2020
Four years after President Trump vowed he would save the industry, coal is expected to provide less than a fifth of the nation’s electricity this year, down from more than half a decade ago. “I’m hard-pressed to think of any state or analyst upbeat about the future of coal. Increasingly, the discussion is about how we can navigate a just, humane transition (to clean energy),” said Barry Rabe, professor of public policy and the environment.
Chicago Tribune -
October 8, 2020
“Every now and then, people get drunk and wander down the street naked and drunk. And they don’t always get hit by a car. It would be a mistake from my perspective to say that means getting drunk and wandering naked down the street is safe,” said Theodore (Jack) Iwashyna, professor of internal medicine, offering an analogy to explain how he thinks about the meaning of President Trump’s apparent recovery from COVID-19. “I’m still going to be wearing a mask when I go out, regardless of what happens to the president.”
Vox -
October 8, 2020
“They’re clearly keeping kids safe. It’s not always consistent, but violence is going down, criminal justice involvement is going down. Where we can measure it in New York, mortality is going down, and it seems to be from homicides,” said Sara Heller, assistant professor of economics, on the presence of youth employment programs and the reduction of violent crime among participants, even well after the programs have ended.
The New York Times -
October 7, 2020
“What I see being really different now compared to 10 years ago is the pervasiveness of social media and the persuasiveness of smartphones with cameras. Anybody can be a broadcaster and anything can go viral. More things are getting political or have a political charge to them, partially because it’s easier to research,” said Jerry Davis, professor of management and organizations, on the boycotting businesses and individuals because of their social or political views.
Detroit Free Press -
October 7, 2020
Marcelle Soares-Santos, assistant professor of physics, was quoted in a story about what the future holds for particle physicists in the United States, an often fractious community whose primary research projects are all in the works at the Department of Energy — the field’s main U.S. sponsor.
Science Magazine -
October 7, 2020
“What sorts of things would represent violations or fraud? It’s very murky and so, as a consequence, people have to exercise their own discretion, and when that happens, all bets are off, so it is certainly dangerous in that regard,” said Vincent Hutchings, professor of political science, who believes President Trump’s comments about monitoring voting sites are stirring legitimate concerns that overzealous supporters will cause trouble, particularly in Black communities.
The Associated Press -
October 6, 2020
The big takeaway in the revelation of President Trump’s tax returns is that Trump’s business empire appears to be floundering, says Reuven Avi-Yonah, professor of law: “I think he really is not a very good businessman. His investments since 2011 have been reckless, and they’ve lost him a lot of money. And at this point, he really is at risk. (But) the fact that he’s a bad businessman does not mean that he’s not also cheating on his taxes.”
National Public Radio -
October 6, 2020
“The video takes a little formality out of it, so I kind of raise the formality by wearing a white coat,” said Chad Ellimoottil, assistant professor of urology and director of U-M’s Telehealth Research Incubator, who believes dressing the part is important because patients should know they’re getting the same treatment during virtual visits online as they would in person.
Marketplace -
October 6, 2020
The impact of lead poisoning caused by Flint’s drinking water will have long-lasting effects, especially on the region’s children: “Lead poisoning most often builds up slowly over time, due to repeated contact with small amounts of lead. … Even in small quantities, exposure can cause kidney damage, speech and learning problems, delays in physical growth and seizures,” said Karen Peterson, professor and chair of nutritional sciences.
Forbes -
October 5, 2020
“That was the only time since 1869 that any president has tried to pack the court. And you had a president at the height of his political power who tried to do it,” said Richard Friedman, professor of law, on the U.S. Senate’s rejection of President Franklin Roosevelt’s attempt to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 15 in 1937. “The court was a thorn in Roosevelt’s side, so he tried to weaken it as a resistant force.”
Marketplace
