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Elon Musk Under Fire for Epstein Links, Grok’s Sexualized AI Deepfakes & SpaceX-xAI Merger (Democracy Now, Feb 2026) Quinn Slobodian (Pardee) elaborates on political pushback happening to Elon Musk, especially with his free speech approaches, and his platform, X as well.
Why These Researchers Say AI Could be Mortal Threat to Democracy (San Francisco Examiner, Feb 2026) Jessica Silbey (LAW) speaks on how AI’s biggest threat isn’t just physical job loss, but it’s ability to also distort public discourse and opinion.
Briefly Noted: The Death and Life of Gentrification (New York Times, Feb 2026) The New York Times offers a brief summary of Japonica Brown-Saracino’s (CAS, Sociology & CISS Affiliate) recent publication, The Death and Life of Gentrification (Princeton University Press, 2026), stating, “Brown-Saracino also zeroes in on a crucial aspect of the term’s [Gentrification] appeal: in an era of ideological land mines.”
America’s Contract to Protect White Women Has Always Been Tenuous (The Guardian, Feb 2026) Saida Grundy (CAS/Sociology) discusses ICE violence, specifically against Renee Good, and how the state defends those who usually uphold a white racial order.
Are YIMBY’s Winning the Housing Wars? Not So Fast, These People Say (The Washington Post, Feb 2026) Adam Guren (CAS/Economics) speaks on the “Yes in My Backyard” Movement, and its advocacy on pushing for building more housing, although this may not necessarily guarantee affordability.
US Life Expectancy Hit an All-Time High in 2024, CDC Says (Associated Press, Jan 2026) Andrew Stokes (SPH/Global Health) discusses trends in life expectancy since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as trends having to do with overdose epidemics.
Is Wellness Culture Ruining Social Fun? (Boston Magazine, Jan 2026) Deborah Carr (CAS/Sociology) talks about differing aspects of wellness culture in Boston, especially having to do with aging, and individual privileges.
In Minneapolis, Far-Right Influencers Frame ICE Resistance as Terrorism (MSNOW, Jan 2026) Joan Donovan (COM/Journalism) elaborates on media manipulation and the rise of influencers documenting political events.
Ancient Humans Were Seafaring Far Earlier than We Realized (NewScientist, Jan 2026) Curtis Runnels (CAS/Anthropology & Archaeology) speaks on prehistoric peoples and their journeys throughout varying conditions, lands, and experiences.
Why Some Experts Disagree With Dave Ramsey on Claiming Social Security Early (Finance Buzz, Jan 2026) Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS/Economics) vehemently disagrees with suggestion of Dave Ramsey, personal finance expert and radio personality, when deciding when to take social security for most people.
Why Is Gen Z So Obsessed with Japan? (Deseret News, Jan 2026) Merry White (CAS, Professor Emerita of Anthropology) speaks to the the culinary scene in Japan, sushi, and the shift of Japan’s influence from an economic power to a cultural exporter.
Healey Reelection Launch Focuses on Cost-Cutting, Trump’s Impact (NBC 10, Jan 2026) Thomas Whalen (CGS/Social Science) is interviewed in discussion of Massachusetts politics and how they have been affected by the Trump administration.
Do You and Your Partner Have Formal ‘Planning Sessions’? (USA Today, Jan 2026) According to Deborah Carr (CAS/Sociology & CISS Director), planning sessions should be about affirmation and accountability, “It helps a couple discuss important yet difficult issues. Once you say it out loud and write it down, the other person can help keep you moving toward that goal.”
‘An Antidote to Hopelessness’: At MLK Jr. Day Events Across Boston, People Call for Action Amid Political Turmoil (The Boston Globe, Jan 2026) Melissa Gilliam (President & CAS/Sociology) discusses hopelessness during times of turmoil and potential antidotes.
Trump Is Taking on High Housing Costs. Will His Ideas Help? (The Boston Globe, Jan 2026) Adam Guren (CAS/Economics) is quoted in this article about the Trump administrations efforts to address high housing costs.
Opinion Piece: The Lifesaving Potential of Opioid Abatement Funds (JAMA, Jan 2026) Christopher Robertson (LAW & CISS Affiliate) discusses the lifesaving potential of opioid abatement funds and the challenges of the program.
The Bones of Children’s Mouths Are Being Wrenched Apart (The Atlantic, Jan 2026) Luke Glowacki (CAS, Anthropology & CISS Affiliate) discusses body modifications, specifically dental expanders, in this article about the benefits and faults of dental modification.
How Trump Could Use ICE Shooting To Impact 2026 Midterms (Newsweek , Jan 2026) According to Thomas Whalen (CGS/Social Science), “…it looks like [Trump] or at least his party is going to lose big time at the midterms,” and therefore the possibility of Trump invoking the Insurrection Act and deploying troops to Democratic cities ahead of the November 2026 midterms should be taken “seriously.“
Caring Sociology: An Author Q&A (Sage Journals, Jan 2026) Celeste Curington (CAS/Sociology & CISS Affiliate) is interviewed in review of her new book, Laboring in the Shadow of Empire: Race, Gender, and Care Work in Portugal (Rutgers University Press, Jan 2026).
Psychologists Are Reimagining How Society Supports Children (American Psychological Association, Jan 2026) Ruth Paris’ (SSW) and her colleagues’ work on a therapeutic intervention for children and their mothers in recovery for a substance use disorder, known as Building Resilience through Intervention: Growing Healthier Together (BRIGHT) is discussed. Delivered alongside an addiction treatment program, BRIGHT addresses parental and child trauma and helps parents attune to their child’s emotions and respond in healthy ways.
Mass. Residents on Venezuela Strike, Trump’s “America First” Policy (WBZ-TV, Jan 2026) Thomas Whalen (CGS/Social Science) comments on the Venezuela strike and Trump’s America first policy.
Here’s the Best Age to Take Social Security, Based on Simple Math (USA Today, Jan 2026) Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS/Economics) offers his own take on the best age to take Social Security, based on simple math.
2026 Changes to Medicare & Medicaid (Newsweek, Jan 2026) Paul Shafer (SPH/Health Law, Policy, and Management & CISS Affiliate) reflects on the coming changes to Medicare and their effects on those in need.
Tatiana Schlossberg, Granddaughter of JFK, Dies at 35 After Battle with Rare Cancer (WCVB, Jan 2026) Thomas Whalen (CGS/Social Science) comments on the untimely passing of Tatiana Schlossberg, grandaughter of JFK.
Presidential Historian Tom Whalen Reacts, Speaks on US Striking Venezuela (Boston 25, Jan 2026) Thomas Whalen (CGS/Social Science) reacts to the U.S. attacks on Venezuela.
Out Of Bounds: How to RUIN a Legacy? Bill Belichick