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Why are Feds keeping Texans in the dark on measles outbreak?

For the second time in two years, Texas is experiencing a significant measles outbreak. But unlike last year’s outbreak in the South Plains, there’s little information available about the new surge because it erupted at a privately operated federal detention center — and company officials aren’t talking. What has blunted the effect of this outbreak is that the West Texas Detention Facility is in Hudspeth County. That expansive county is even more sparsely populated than Gaines County, where last year’s outbreak was centered. Still, there are already dozens of cases at the ...

Raw emotion fuels moon mission

So much for journalistic objectivity. The BBC science editor covering the launch of Artemis II couldn’t contain her enthusiasm when the first plumes of smoke spread out from the launch pad. “Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed, clapping like a schoolgirl. As the rocket lifted off, she got visibly emotional: “It’s not just what you see and you hear as the rocket lifts off. You can feel the force of it through your body. This is the most powerful rocket that NASA has ever built!” Rebecca Morelle can be forgiven for falling in love with the subject of her ...

Eulogy for an irreplaceable canine

My sister-in-law’s dog, Molly, died recently. She was a sweet, graying Portuguese water dog, one of the gentlest pups I’ve ever met. She displayed a propensity for stealing food off the counter, refused to walk in heat, rain or cold and had an unhealthy obsession with eating dirt, but otherwise, she was an excellent pooch. My kids also grew up with her. They don’t remember a time before Molly was born. And though she didn’t live with us, they somehow felt as if she were also a little bit “their” dog. During the pandemic, my sister-in-law, who lived across the street from ...

Homeowners in Ohio trying to stay afloat

Rising prices and a general economic malaise are hitting home — literally — in Ohio, as a new report shows foreclosure activity is increasing in the state. Realtor.com says the Buckeye State has a foreclosure filing rate higher than the national average — 1 for every 2,787 housing units. That is sixth on the list — just ahead of New Jersey, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The national average is one in every 3,701 housing units entering foreclosure proceedings. The report shows elevated foreclosure activity particularly in Cuyahoga, Highland, Jefferson and Lake ...

The case against Iran war

I am an Iran hardliner. But I’m struggling to understand how other hardliners can be so credulous about President Donald Trump’s leadership of this war. It’s as if you were stranded by the side of the road and accepted a ride from an obviously drunken driver. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal editorial board scolded those of us who were not cheerleading for this war: “There’s remarkable pessimism in the media and political class about the U.S. bombing campaign against the terrorist regime in Iran. Five days into the war, you’d think from the coverage and ...

Don’t make Christianity political project

Two thousand years ago, Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem on a Sunday with crowds cheering on the arrival of a king. Riding on a white donkey, the crowd laid palm branches on the ground for him. Before the week was out, Jesus would be dead. Many of those who heralded his arrival would, by Friday, be cheering for Barabbas, a murderer and jeering the Messiah. Men want political solutions for spiritual problems. Barabbas started an insurrection against the Roman occupiers. The people of Jerusalem expected Jesus to be a warrior and political operator. Instead, he told them not to give in ...