News

Editorial coverage from the Peoria USA Wire newsroom.

Science
Are partisan politics even changing up our accents? They just might be, y’all
With the midterms fast approaching, communicating just the right message has been top of mind on all sides of the political aisle.
SyndicatedValerie M. Fridland, Professor of Linguistics, University of Nevada, RenoOct 20, 20265 min read
Culture
Are transgender sports bans really about protecting women? Survey data tells a different story
Relatively few transgender athletes participate in high school and collegiate sports. Still, since 2020, 27 states have passed laws banning them from participating in sports based on their gender identity.
SyndicatedTatishe Nteta, Provost Professor of Political Science, UMass AmherstOct 20, 20263 min read
Education
State takeovers of struggling Texas school districts come at a high cost, with little evidence of success
Local school boards and district administrators typically determine how public schools are run. If students are not meeting basic academic standards, though, state governments sometimes step in and take over the day-to-day operations of ent…
SyndicatedDaniel H. Robinson, Professor, College of Education, University of Texas at ArlingtonOct 20, 20266 min read
Government
I’m a Philly forensic psychologist who has conducted dozens of psychopathic evaluations – here’s why an evaluation of R.C. Horsch in the ‘80s didn’t identify him as a possible psychopath
Seven missing women have been linked to the house that was shared by 44-year-old Eugene Horsch and his late father, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, in the Olney section of Philadelphia.
SyndicatedDavid DeMatteo, Professor of Law and Psychology, Drexel UniversityOct 20, 20265 min read
Business
Many vapes and e-cigarettes are now banned in Pennsylvania – here’s what Philly consumers and businesses need to know
Many popular nicotine vapes are now banned in Pennsylvania, with only six companies approved to sell their products in the state after a legal ban went into effect on Oct. 19, 2026.
SyndicatedAna Santos Rutschman, Professor of Law, Villanova UniversityOct 19, 20264 min read
Environment
Federal spending on climate change before 2024 election boosted incumbents of both parties
A massive federal spending effort to combat climate change passed in 2022 without a single Republican vote in the U.S. House or the Senate.
SyndicatedKayla Morton, Assistant Professor of Blue Economy and Policy, University of DelawareOct 19, 20265 min read
Education
A pregnant mom let her 5-year-old stay outside to collect goose feathers – and was placed on the child abuse and neglect registry
Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg is a leafy, gated community in Virginia’s colonial-era historic region with 10 miles of trails and 24-hour security.
SyndicatedJennifer L. Brinkley, Assistant Professor of Law, University of DaytonOct 19, 20266 min read
Science
The science and politics behind the panic over ultraprocessed foods
Ultraprocessed foods have a terrible reputation.
SyndicatedGarrett M. Broad, Professor of Communication Studies, Rowan UniversityOct 19, 20266 min read
Environment
Why and how US and Canadian energy markets are so deeply intertwined
The 50% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on imports from Canada in July 2026, and the reciprocal 50% tariffs imposed by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration on imports to Canada from the U.S.
SyndicatedStefano Tijerina, Senior Lecturer of Management, University of MaineOct 19, 20264 min read
Environment
How candidates are (quietly) talking about climate change – 3 election strategies you’ll see across the US
Amid wars, inflation, emerging risks from artificial intelligence and threats to democracy, Americans have a lot to be worried about these days.
SyndicatedGeoffrey Henderson, Assistant Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganOct 19, 20265 min read
Education
Students take up to 88 standardized tests before high school, but more testing doesn’t improve learning
The public K-12 school system in the United States has become pervasively shaped by standardized testing.
SyndicatedLiza Bondurant, Associate Professor of Secondary Math Education, Mississippi State UniversityOct 19, 20263 min read
Government
Maine Sen. Collins’ success bringing home federal funds is a perfect example of the thin line between political favoritism and effective representation
Give politicians the power to decide who gets a government contract, and people will naturally want to get on their good side. After all, the power to hand out something valuable is itself something valuable.
SyndicatedNicholas Jacobs, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government, Colby College; Institute for Humane StudiesOct 19, 20266 min read