Here’s a selection of articles we read this week.
Hot Times in the Arctic – OPINION: “Preparing for future shifts in weather extremes also requires a better understanding of how climate is changing. This will require long-term government investment in surface-based and satellite observations, and in the continued development of new computer models for improved predictions.” – Dr. Cecilia Bitz, professor of atmospheric sciences and director of the Program on Climate Change at UW. Read more from Dr. Bitz at the New York Times.
Antifa is Winning – Richard Spencer, the white nationalist who has been speaking on college campuses in recent months, said Sunday in a video posted on YouTube that he is rethinking his strategy for public events after violent protests led by Antifa and other opponents. Read more from the Washington Post.
Who Can Fix College Athletics? – In Orwell’s “1984,” Winston Smith throws news articles into the memory hole when past truths no longer suit Big Brother’s present needs. The NCAA version is called “vacating wins.” Although intended to punish schools for rules violations, the idea that an NCAA decree can erase what was won on a playing field is at once creepy and ridiculous…. The NCAA’s website claims it “prioritizes academics so student-athletes get the most out of their education.” Does anyone believe that? Read more from the Wall Street Journal.
Who Run the Senate? – Girls. All told, women run the staff of 32 Senate offices, not counting committees — and Republicans are outpacing Democrats. Nineteen female chiefs work for the GOP, compared to just 13 on the other side. That number has grown even in the past few months. Read more from Roll Call.
T-Minus Seven Days – Here we are, once again: Federal spending is set to expire on March 23, leaving Congress a week to negotiate and pass a bill to keep the government open for business. As of Thursday, Republicans and Democrats had yet to agree on what is expected to be a massive $1.3 trillion piece of legislation, leaving Americans with more questions than answers about what Congress plans to do to avoid a third government shutdown this year. Read more from Washington Post.