Insight ::: 04.22.2024

US attempt to ‘revitalize’ Palestinian Authority risks making the PA less legitimate, more unpopular

as well as the West Bank.

Gaza is still very much in the midst of war, yet discussion is turning to “the day after” the conflict – and who will govern the war-ravaged territory.

The Biden administration has said that a full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip would be unacceptable. Instead, White House officials have discussed “revitalizing” the Palestinian Authority, or PA, the governing apparatus of parts of the West Bank, to take over in Gaza.

Seemingly as an initial step to enable this, the PA cabinet resigned on Feb. 26, 2024. This begins the process of overhauling the authority and setting up a “technocratic government” tasked with basic, short-term governance objectives, presumably in Gaza

But analysts and researchers have questioned what role the PA could have, given that the body has struggled with a legitimacy crisis for well over a decade. And Israel has refused to countenance any PA involvement in post-conflict Gaza.

Moreover, PA officials are wary of entering Gaza “on the back of an Israeli tank,” in the words of resigning Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. As a scholar of Palestinian politics, I believe any possible solution to the war in Gaza involving the PA will face significant challenges over its legitimacy, public support and ability to govern.

But why do Palestinians have such a negative assessment of the PA, and is that justified? To answer that, it is important to understand the shift within the Palestinian national movement since the creation of the PA

in 1994 and the international community’s role in those transformations.

What is the Palestinian Authority?

The PA was created as a result of the Oslo Accords. The accords, a framework for negotiated peace that took place in the early 1990s, represented the first time in which the Palestine Liberation Organization, or PLO, and the state of Israel formally accepted mutual recognition. The accords were intended to end the IsraeliPalestinian conflict and achieve some sort of two-state solution.

In anticipation of a future Palestinian state, the PA was established as a governing body. Elections were held, and the dominant party within the PLO, Fatah, also came to dominate the PA. The goal was that by 1999, the Palestinians would have a state in the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations would continue as the PA built out

the institutions of the state, under the optimistic assumption that both could be arrived at concurrently.

But this shift from seeking liberation to statebuilding signaled compromises on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to the land they were expelled from during the creation of Israel.

Despite this, many Palestinians were supportive of having some pathway forward in which they might achieve self-determination and sovereignty.

The state-building project reoriented a great deal of energy and resources to the institutions of the Palestinian Authority and attempts by Palestinian leadership to achieve a viable Palestinian state.

The second intifada’s aftermath

Trump doubles down on racist remarks, calling for white immigration only

private event,

Trump’s comments, revealed by New York Times correspondent and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman, highlight a troubling stance on immigration that aligns with his past rhetoric. The twice-impeached and four-times indicted former president’s insinuation that only immigrants from certain nations are desirable for entry into the United States drew swift condemnation from the BidenHarris campaign.

“[The comments] are alarming,” said James Singer, a spokesperson for the Biden-Harris campaign. Singer

also noted how Trump has repeatedly praised dictators and declared he’d be a dictator on day one if he’s re-elected. Trump’s campaign declined to comment about what the presumptive GOP nominee said at the private dinner. “Why can’t we allow people to come in from nice countries, I’m trying to be nice,” Trump reportedly said. “Nice countries, you know, like Denmark, Switzerland? Do we have any people coming

in from Denmark? How about Switzerland? How about Norway?”

In addition to his discriminatory remarks, Trump blasted Latin American immigrants, likening them to notorious gang members. Critics have said such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exacerbates divisions within society.

Further, Trump’s speculations about the future of American democracy have

raised alarms. Suggesting that the 2024 election could be the last one in the country’s history, Trump’s comments continue his concerning trend of authoritarian rhetoric that undermines democratic norms. “This could very well be the last election this country ever has,” Trump said, echoing sentiments often heard at his rallies.

O.J. Simpson: A central fire in American legal history

O.J. Simpson, a towering figure in both the sports world and the annals of American legal history, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 76. His family confirmed his death in a statement issued early on Thursday, April 11. The family of Simpson shared a statement that read, “On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, lost his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”

Simpson’s life story, a blend of unparalleled athletic achievement and enduring controversy, began in San Francisco, California, on July 9, 1947. His rise to prominence began at the University of Southern California (USC), where his prowess as a college football star catapulted him into the national spotlight. His remarkable talent on the field, including a legendary game-winning touchdown against rival UCLA, solidified his status as one of the most electrifying athletes of his era. Simpson’s professional career initially experienced difficulties after the Buffalo Bills selected him with the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft. However, under the guidance of coach Lou Saban, he flourished, achieving feats that would etch his name in football history.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) collaborated with the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC) and other partner organizations to host National Building Black Wealth Day on April 13. In more than 100 cities across the United States, seminars and one-on-one sessions empowered communities with steps towards homeownership, property investment, starting a business, free credit bureau reports, and other wealthbuilding opportunities. The local wealthbuilding events coincided with COGIC’s Presiding Bishop’s 100-City Community Impact Day. Other NAREB partners include the African American Mayors Association, the National Bar Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Former President Donald Trump has reignited controversy with inflammatory remarks suggesting a preference for immigrants from predominantly white nations while denigrating those from Latin America, and primarily Black nations. At a

Trump reportedly joked about welcoming immigrants from “nice” countries like Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway, again demonstrating his racial bias in immigration policy.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas meet on Nov. 30, 2023.

By Dana El Kurd Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has named Jill A. Anderson to be its new Managing Director. Anderson will assume the post on July 22, 2024. She succeeds Kimberly Motes, who departed in October 2023 to become Executive Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

CTC Board Member Steven J. Thompson has served as Interim Managing Director since Motes’ departure.

“I am thrilled to join the staff, board, and artists of Children’s Theatre Company, and to partner with Rick Dildine in leading this remarkable organization,” said Anderson. “I’ve long held CTC in the utmost regard, and am humbled by the opportunity to return to a community I love - and a theatre where I first worked more than 20 years ago - to build upon CTC’s strong foundation with such a dedicated and talented team.” Anderson has been responsible for Syracuse Stage’s $8 million operating budget and has had oversight of fundraising, marketing, and operational matters within the organization. Under Anderson’s leadership, Syracuse Stage has achieved operating surpluses in seven consecutive years, maintained full employment throughout the COVID pandemic, and has seen two of its world premiere productions open on Broadway. The company has also launched major expansions of its community engagement and educational programming and was recognized with the Onondaga Historical Association’s Medal and Interfaith Works’ Racial Justice Award. “Jill is one of the most distinguished executives in the American theatre,” says incoming Artistic Director Rick Dildine, “and I am delighted that she will be joining me this summer to embark on a new adventure at Children’s Theatre Company. I look forward to working closely with Jill as we collaborate with the amazing

Business

completed a $7 million capital campaign and campus expansion, doubled its operating budget, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts and a Regional Theatre Tony Award. Under the O’Neill’s aegis, Anderson also developed the Baltic Playwrights Conference, an annual international new play development retreat held in Hiiumaa, Estonia.

Previously, Anderson spent five years in the production office at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage, after working as a stage manager in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Massachusetts. In addition, Anderson is an instructor in the theater management program of the Syracuse University Department of Drama, building on her work with high school and college students elsewhere, including at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. “After an extensive international search process, I couldn’t be more thrilled

to welcome Jill Anderson to CTC as Managing Director,” says Board Chair Silvia Perez. “Jill’s expertise in this field is unparalleled, and I can’t wait to experience the excellence and spirit of innovation that she’ll bring to our organization.”

“We are so pleased and excited to have Jill join the leadership team,” says Interim Managing Director Steven J. Thompson. “Her experience and knowledge of the theater community will insure that CTC will continue its tradition of excellence and positive community impact.” Anderson has been recognized as part of the Central NY Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” and serves on numerous municipal and nonprofit boards. Originally hailing from Marshfield, Wisconsin, Anderson is delighted to return to the Upper Midwest and to the community in which her professional career began.

Funding will train and place 1,200 Minnesotans over the next 15 months; benefit 3,000 businesses

The Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Drive for Five program provides grants to workforce training and business organizations. The grant recipients will train and place an estimated 1,200 Minnesotans over the next 15 months in high-demand jobs, benefiting an estimated 3,000 Minnesota businesses.

“Today is a big day for Minnesota workers and Minnesota employers. The grantees announced today will engage together in a holistic approach that will closely align training with sector skills needs – while targeting familysustaining, high-demand, career-path employment,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “The breadth of the initiative’s geographic and industry reach, coupled with the depth of experience and the

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz last week announced the recipients of nearly $20 million in grants to grow Minnesota’s workforce through the Drive for Five Workforce initiative, a new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education. “We’re partnering with organizations across the state to expand job training programs and grow the workforce for the future,” said Governor Walz. “By investing in career training, we’re helping businesses find the skilled workers they need while helping Minnesotans find fulfilling careers and earn family-sustaining wages. This is good for our workers, our businesses, and our economy.”

dedication of our partners, will provide program participants throughout the state with lifechanging opportunities and help Minnesota employers hire the skilled employees they need now. It’s one of the ways DEED is delivering for Minnesota’s workers.”

The industries selected to be part of Drive for Five are projected to be high-growth in the years ahead and provide family-sustaining wages for workers, defined as having a median hourly wage at

or above $19.46. Drive for Five will benefit Minnesotans who want to join the labor force in these in-demand fields and who need training and employment assistance. It will benefit Minnesota’s economy by preparing people for in-demand careers and meeting the needs of employers. “We’re excited to announce this great slate of Drive for Five grantees. I’m looking forward to the work we’ll do together over the coming years” said DEED

board and staff to build a vibrant future for

Prior to joining Syracuse Stage, Anderson spent a decade as general manager at

in a

When a state was not achieved by 1999, the second intifada, or uprising, broke out.

The Palestinian Authority struggled to maintain order and stability during the period, crucially because the Israeli military raided urban centers and attacked PA infrastructure. Analysts refer to the intifada as a moment of “infilaat amni,” or a collapse of order. It saw massive disruption to Palestinians and Israelis and many lives lost.

For the remnants of the PA and its American benefactors, the lesson learned from the second intifada was that such a collapse could never be allowed to happen again.

In the aftermath, the focus of the U.S. and

Immigration

From 3

Trump’s engagement with billionaire backers on taxation matters has further highlighted concerns about cronyism and inequality. By prioritizing tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy, opponents said Trump’s policies perpetuate economic disparities and favor the interests of the elite.

• The Biden-Harris campaign noted the list of billionaires backing Trump, arguing that they’re scammers, racists, and extremists. Among

single NFL campaign, remains an indelible mark of his athletic prowess. Off the field, Simpson’s magnetic personality and commercial appeal transcended sports, propelling him to become a cultural icon. His groundbreaking

the international community turned to restructuring the PA, expanding and “professionalizing” its security forces and ensuring that the PA would be a stalwart partner to Israel in maintaining security in the occupied territories.

But to an increasing number of Palestinians, this focus on security coordination and restructuring did not serve the needs of a people living under occupation. In fact, in the name of security, Palestinians saw themselves more and more repressed not just by the occupation forces but by their own government.

By the mid-2000s, after the intifada tapered off, it was clear the peace process was going nowhere; the Israeli government had become increasingly right wing, and Palestinian leadership seemed both less willing and less capable to represent its people’s

them:

• John Paulson wants to cut Social Security and opposed financial regulations to protect Americans after the 2008 crash, which he profited from.

• Robert Bigelow, who complained he couldn’t evict tenants out of his buildings during the pandemic and supports Florida’s extreme Don’t Say Gay law.

• John Catsimatidis, who compared taxes on the wealthy to Hitler killing Jews and his business, has been forced to pay millions in lawsuits over unfair labor

endorsement deals, such as the memorable Hertz rental car campaign, revolutionized celebrity advertising and broadened his appeal to a diverse audience.

However, Simpson’s legacy became irrevocably entangled with controversy

interests. In what amounted to a referendum on the status quo, Hamas beat Fatah and won in the 2006 parliamentary elections for the territories. But the results immediately led to instability and conflict between the two main Palestinian political factions: Fatah, which until then dominated the PA, and Hamas.

The international community also did not support the election results and empowered Fatah to remain in power.

This led to a split in governance between the West Bank and Gaza, with the PA losing control of Gaza entirely in the aftermath of infighting between the two parties.

In response, the international community – led by the U.S. – worked to bolster the PA once again.

The PA has not

practices and consumer safety violations.

• José “Pepe” Fanjul refused to fire his assistant, who was married to (two!) KKK leaders commented via a company spokesperson that “we wouldn’t terminate them for that.”

• Jamie McCourt pocketed over $10 million from her stock shares before public citizens were made aware of the pandemic’s severity, all while Trump played down the virus.

• Former GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler, who touted 2020 election lies, backed an antiLGBTQ adoption agency and

following the brutal murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in 1994. The ensuing “Trial of the Century,” characterized by its intense media scrutiny and stark racial divisions, captivated the nation and resulted in Simpson’s

held elections since, with the president of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas, remaining in office well past his term limit.

Over the years, the PA has continued to play a security coordination role in the West Bank but is perceived as a burden by Palestinians and as having achieved little in improving their living conditions.

Rather, repression and fragmentation have only worsened within Palestinian society, even as the challenges imposed by the occupation have only amplified with a now 17-year-long blockade on Gaza and continued settlement building in the West Bank. Many Palestinian today see the PA as little more than a “subcontractor of occupation in the West Bank.

Public opinion today

It is, then, perhaps

supported ripping away health care from millions of Americans by repealing the Affordable Care Act.

• Robert Mercer opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, calling it a major mistake, and believed the government was backward for helping “weak people get strong.”

• New York Jets owner, Jeff Yass has avoided $1 billion in taxes and wants to privatize Social Security.

• Woody Johnson has repeatedly disparaged women for their looks and questioned why the Black community celebrates Black History Month.

dramatic acquittal. Despite winning the criminal case, Simpson’s life continued to be filled with upheaval, including his subsequent civil liability for the murders and his 2008 conviction on robbery and kidnapping charges.

unsurprising that the Palestinian Authority has faced an ongoing legitimacy crisis.

In a September 2023 poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 76% of Palestinians polled within both territories expressed dissatisfaction with the PA’s governance.

This lack of support for the PA does not necessarily signal support for Hamas either; in questions about possible parliamentary elections, Hamas garnered only 34% of the potential vote – second to Fatah.

These low approval trends are echoed in other polling. The Arab Barometer, for example, conducted polling merely days before Oct. 7 and found only 27% of respondents in Gaza selected Hamas as their preferred party. Comparatively, only 30% favored Fatah. Although subsequent polling in December shows a bump

• Steve Wynn, who was accused by dozens of workers of sexual misconduct.

• Chicago Cubs owner Todd Ricketts, who made his money screwing over retirees by shedding pension obligations and health care promises, opposes the idea that the “government can serve to protect the public’s well-being.”

• Phil Ruffin fought against housekeepers trying to unionize at his Vegas hotel (jointly owned by Donald Trump) and furloughed more than 4,000 of his own employees without pay.

• Wilbur Ross, whom

In the following years, Simpson’s story remained a subject of fascination, inspiring numerous television adaptations and documentaries that sought to unravel the complexities of his life and legacy.

for Hamas, this is much more pronounced in the West Bank than in Gaza. And the majority of Palestinians still are unsupportive.

It is clear that most Palestinians are fed up with their political options. Furthermore, the PA has long abandoned attempting to reflect Palestinian public opinion – in no small part because of the international community and the role it wants the PA to play.

Revitalizing the PA, as the U.S. appears intent on doing, looks to be a Herculean task, given how low the body is held in the eyes of many Palestinians. Moreover, any outside attempt to empower unaccountable leadership –and ignore Palestinian public demands and input – risks repeating history. After all, this was precisely how the PA lost its legitimacy to begin with.

the Biden-Harris campaign said made his fortune laying off American workers and using bankruptcy to strip retirees of health benefits.

• Meanwhile, Singer said its vital American voters reject Trump’s authoritarian impulses and uphold the values of democracy and inclusivity.

“Independence Day in Donald Trump’s America will apparently no longer be July 4,” Singer stated. “He’s promised publicly he’ll be a dictator on his first day, and now privately muses about this November’s election being our country’s last.”

At the local events, one-on-one counseling was available with NAREB members (Realtists), lawyers, housing counselors, and lenders. The HUD-approved NID Housing Counseling Agency provided free credit reports and counseling to consumers. The goal of the event was to give Black residents the information they need to build wealth and get answers to questions like how to buy a home. How do you deal with property after the death of a loved one? How to improve your credit score? Rose, NAREB’s President. She added that National Building Black Wealth Day is part of the organization’s historic Building Black Wealth Tour initiative, hosting wealthbuilding events in cities throughout the country over the next two years. Calling the nation’s wealth gap “intolerable,”

Notably, Simpson’s recordbreaking 1973 season, during which he became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards

Theater Latté Da Artistic Director, Justin Lucero, and Managing Director Elisa Spencer-Kaplan,) are reminding regional audiences that the production of The Color Purple is now on stage.

Directed by Daniel J, Bryant, choreographed by Heather Beal, with music direction by Sanford Moore, performances of The Color Purple run through May 5, 2024 at the intimate Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis. Tickets on sale now at www.latteda.org or by calling 612-339-3003.

The Color Purple “Deftly delivers what has become Latte Da’s trademark: musical theater made intimate.” says The Pioneer Press. Critics are saying “Theater Latté Da’s newest production, in co-production with Geva Theatre Center, of The Color Purple, can easily be called one of the most transcendent experiences that has been mounted on a twin Cities stage, in ages. [BroadwayWorld], “one of the most exhilarating transformations in modern musical theater.” [Pioneer Press], and “...it’s a stunner of a piece.” [MinnPost]

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, The Color Purple is a stirring family chronicle following the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope, to discover her own unique voice and place in the world.

Theater Latté Da’s production of The Color Purple continues through May 5, 2024 at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis. The cast of The Color Purple features Ronnie Allen, Carnetha Anthony, Zola Dee, Lynnea Doublette, Lamar Jefferson, Dwight Xaveir Leslie, Heather McElrath, Nubia Monks, David L. Murray, Nambi Mwassa, Dennis W. Spears, Angela Stewart, and Angela Wildflower. Understudies include Deidre Cochran, Erin Nicole Farsté, France Roberts, and JoeNathan Thomas. The creative team and production staff includes

led organizational development by implementing racial equity and advocacy initiatives. She also addressed training needs throughout the state to improve outcomes for families and children involved in juvenile and family court proceedings.

Director Burkes holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. “ Burkes maintains a strong appetite for learning. “What I continue to learn in the classroom is important, but what I learn from the people around me is just as powerful,”

Director Burkes said. “The Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office will succeed because we will first listen to the needs of those we serve — Black women and the community that supports and uplifts the voices of Black

women. We will learn from them and we will work to bring light to people who are often in some of the darkest moments of their lives.” Legislation to establish the MMBWG Office was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in 2023. The office will address systemic barriers that perpetuate the disparate violence that Black women experience. For example, Black women are three times more likely to be killed than their white counterparts.

Additionally, although Black women make up only 7 percent of the population in Minnesota, 40 percent of domestic violence victims in Minnesota are Black women. The MMBWG Office is under DPS’ Office of Justice Programs. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides leadership and resources to reduce crime, improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and assist crime victims. To accomplish this, OJP administers grants, provides training and technical assistance, conducts research, publishes reports, protects crime victim rights, and provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime.

Pictured: L-R (Heather McElrath, Angela Stewart, Lynnea Doublette, Dennis Spears, Nambi Mwassa.) Photo by Morgan Gray courtesy of Theater Latté Da.

Photo by Dan Norman. Pictured L-R: Carnetha Anthony, Zola Dee, Angela Wildflower, Nubia Monks, Angela Stewart, Lynnea Doublette, Heather McElrat

Countless Americans entrust financial advisors with their financial well-being and the management of their finances.

Interestingly, the choice of a financial advisor is often made through a brief internet search rather than through personal endorsements. This means that millions of Americans could be entrusting their entire financial positions on a person who appeared on a search result, rather than a personal recommendation or other

source. MarketBeat.com carried out a study of Google review scores of financial advisors across America to identify where are the best and worst advisors. The implications of this study are important; selecting a financial advisor is not a trivial decision. The impact of their advice and strategy permeates the financial future of their clients, often shaping their long-term economic outcomes. The average Google review

It’s official. Joe Biden and Donald Trump have secured the necessary delegates to be their parties’ nominees for president in the 2024 election. Barring unforeseen events, the two will be formally nominated at the party conventions this summer and face off at the ballot box on Nov. 5.

It’s a safe bet that, as in recent elections, this one will play out largely online and feature a potent blend of news and disinformation delivered over social media. New this year are powerful generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Sora that make it easier to “flood the zone” with propaganda and disinformation and produce convincing deepfakes: words coming from the mouths of politicians that they did not actually say and events replaying before our eyes that did not actually happen.

The result is an increased likelihood of voters being deceived and, perhaps as worrisome, a growing sense that you can’t trust anything you see online. Trump is already taking advantage of the so-called liar’s dividend, the opportunity to discount your actual words and deeds as deepfakes. Trump implied on his Truth Social platform on March 12, 2024, that real videos of him shown by Democratic House members were produced or altered using artificial intelligence.

The Conversation has been covering the latest developments in artificial intelligence that have the potential to undermine democracy. The following is

a roundup of some of those articles from our archive.

1. Fake events

The ability to use AI to make convincing fakes is particularly troublesome for producing false evidence of events that never happened.

Rochester Institute of Technology computer security researcher Christopher Schwartz has dubbed these situation deepfakes. “The basic idea and technology of a situation deepfake are the same as with any other deepfake, but with a bolder ambition: to manipulate a real event or invent one from thin air,” he wrote.

Situation deepfakes could be used to boost or undermine a candidate or suppress voter turnout. If you encounter reports on social media of events that are surprising or extraordinary, try to learn more about them from reliable sources, such as factchecked news reports, peerreviewed academic articles or interviews with credentialed experts, Schwartz said. Also, recognize that deepfakes can take advantage of what you are inclined to believe.

2. Russia, China and Iran take aim

From the question of what AI-generated disinformation can do follows the question of who has been wielding it. Today’s AI tools put the capacity to produce disinformation in reach for most people, but of particular concern are nations that are adversaries of the United States and other democracies. In particular, Russia, China and Iran have extensive experience with disinformation campaigns and technology.

“There’s a lot more to running a disinformation campaign than generating content,” wrote security expert and Harvard Kennedy School lecturer Bruce Schneier. “The hard part is distribution. A

score nationally was 4.4.

The top 10 best cities for financial advisors:

1. Wilmington, Delaware: 4.9

2. Aberdeen, South Dakota:

4.8

3. Boise, Idaho: 4.8

4. Wichita, Kansas: 4.8

5. Omaha, Nebraska: 4.8

6. Albany, New York: 4.8

7. Bartlesville, Oklahoma:

4.8

8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 4.8

9. Tulsa, Oklahoma: 4.8

10. Sioux Falls, South Dakota: 4.8

Infographic highlighting the cities home to the top financial advisors

1 Minnesota city placed above the national average of 4.5; two were rated as ‘mediocre’. Overall, financial advisors in the state were in line with the national average of 4.4. Here are their national positions, and average Google review scores.

102. Rochester 4.5

131. St. Paul: 4.4

146. Grand Prairie: 4.4 Matt Paulson,

founder of MarketBeat.com, commented on the findings, saying, “Our study sheds light on the fascinating dynamics of trust in the digital age. The critical takeaway for consumers is to remember that while an online review is a useful tool, it should be the starting point, not the end, of finding a financial advisor. We encourage clients to engage in comprehensive research and consider all aspects of an advisor’s practice. After all, this is about your financial future, and it deserves more than just a quick Google search.”

propagandist needs a series of fake accounts on which to post, and others to boost it into the mainstream where it can go viral.”

Russia and China have a history of testing disinformation campaigns on smaller countries, according to Schneier. “Countering new disinformation campaigns requires being able to recognize them, and recognizing them requires looking for and cataloging them now,” he wrote.

3. Healthy skepticism

But it doesn’t require the resources of shadowy

intelligence services in powerful nations to make headlines, as the New Hampshire fake Biden robocall produced and disseminated by two individuals and aimed at dissuading some voters illustrates. That episode prompted the Federal Communications Commission to ban robocalls that use voices generated by artificial intelligence. AI-powered disinformation campaigns are difficult to counter because they can be delivered over different channels, including robocalls, social media, email,

text message and websites, which complicates the digital forensics of tracking down the sources of the disinformation, wrote Joan Donovan, a media and disinformation scholar at Boston University. “In many ways, AI-enhanced disinformation such as the New Hampshire robocall poses the same problems as every other form of disinformation,” Donovan wrote. “People who use AI to disrupt elections are likely to do what they can to hide their tracks, which is why it’s necessary for the public to

remain skeptical about claims that do not come from verified sources, such as local TV news or social media accounts of reputable news organizations.”

4. A new kind of political machine AI-powered disinformation campaigns are also difficult to counter because they can include bots – automated social media accounts that pose as real people – and can include online interactions tailored to individuals, potentially over the course of an election and potentially with millions of people.

Harvard political scientist Archon Fung and legal scholar Lawrence Lessig described these capabilities and laid out a hypothetical scenario of national political campaigns wielding these powerful tools. Attempts to block these machines could run afoul of the free speech protections of the First Amendment, according to Fung and Lessig. “One constitutionally safer, if smaller, step, already adopted in part by European internet regulators and in California, is to prohibit bots from passing themselves off as people,” they wrote. “For example, regulation might require that campaign messages come with disclaimers when the content they contain is generated by machines rather than humans.”

Read more: How AI could take over elections – and undermine democracy

Racial prejudice and bullying, a lack of funding, inadequate mental health support, and inexperienced teachers — those are just some of the challenges Black students face in America’s K-12 public schools. We see some of these issues show up on television on “Abbott Elementary,” but representations of Black students and schools are a mixed bag on the big screen.

Some films — we’re looking at you, “Dangerous Minds” — dive right into the stereotype of the white savior teacher who rescues bad Black kids from their terrible neighborhoods and families. So, where can teachers see accurate and empathetic representations of the struggles, successes, and joys of teaching Black kids in deliberately underfunded and disenfranchised schools?

Books & Films

And, most importantly, where are films that present possible suggestions and solutions for educators? Here are four films every educator teaching Black students should watch. They’ll give folks an idea what the challenges are, what solutions people are trying, and sometimes they make us smile:

1. The Great Debaters Featuring Hollywood A-listers like Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, and Kimberly Elise, the 2007 hit movie, “The Great Debaters,” is based on a true story about historical Wiley College’s first debate team.

Portrayed by Denzel Washington, professor Melvin B. Tolson inspires the 1935 team to perform at their highest level as they go through a nearly undefeated season. The Southern heat, a lynch mob, Jim Crow, and sexism, all the while working tirelessly to make it to the championship match against Harvard University’s debate team.

Whether it’s opportunities not being presented, being judged harsher than their white counterparts, or simply the prejudice they receive from simply being Black, the film is a modern-day parallel to the challenges Black students, teachers, and coaches face when pursuing excellence.

2. Teach Us All

In 1957, nine African American students were escorted to the doors of Little Rock Central High School, three

years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision deemed it illegal to segregate schools. During their first few attempts to enter, the students were spit on, blockaded, and forced out of Arkansas high school. But eventually, they would walk into the building. Decades later, the discrimination and inequalities Black students faced then have taken on new shapes and forms all over the country. The 2017 documentary, “Teach Us All,” produced by Ava DuVernay’s film distribution company ARRAY, puts what happened in Little Rock as the backdrop to looking at education in three different cities – New York, Los Angeles, and Little Rock. The film looks specifically at the roles of teachers in creating educational change, as well as how the community and students themselves are demanding justice.

By Andrea Swensson

3. Building Bridges Being the first Black student to attend an all-white elementary school couldn’t have been easy in 1960 Louisiana? But that was the reality for 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, who had to be protected by federal marshals as she entered William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. The 1998

the role teachers can play in counteracting disrespect and racism in schools.

4. Waiting for Superman School choice has been helpful for some families, harmful for others, and life changing for a select few. The 2010 documentary, “Waiting for Superman,” follows the five young New York City students during the high stakes lottery selection to get into one of the city’s charter schools. Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim puts faces and names to education statistics and gives us a look at the education system from a parent and child perspective. It also sparks plenty of reflection on the lengths families will go to

As Minnesota educators, we believe all students should feel safe and welcome at our public schools. Yet districts across the state are facing staff shortages, impacting our students and the support they receive. We can change that together.

Know more about what our educators are facing:

Insight 2 Health

By Kyle Doudrick

Chemists invented PFAS in the 1930s to make life easier: Nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant carpet were all made possible by PFAS. But in recent years, the growing number of health risks found to be connected to these chemicals has become increasingly alarming. PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are now either suspected or known to contribute to thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage and cancer, among other health issues. They can be found in the blood of most Americans and in many drinking water systems, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency in April 2024 finalized the first enforceable federal limits for six types of PFAS in drinking water systems. The limits – between 4 and 10 parts per trillion for PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA and GenX – are less than a drop of water in a thousand Olympicsized swimming pools, which speaks to the chemicals’ toxicity. The sixth type, PFBS, is regulated as a mixture using what’s known as a hazard index. Meeting these new limits won’t be easy or cheap. And there’s another problem: While PFAS can be filtered out of water, these “forever chemicals” are hard to destroy. My team at the University of Notre Dame works on solving problems involving contaminants in water systems, including PFAS. We explore new technologies to remove PFAS from drinking water and to handle the PFAS waste. Here’s a glimpse of the magnitude of the challenge and ways you can reduce PFAS in your own drinking water: Removing PFAS will cost billions per year

Every five years, the EPA is required to choose 30 unregulated contaminants to monitor in public drinking water systems. Right now, 29 of those 30 contaminants are PFAS. The tests provide a sense of just how widespread PFAS are in water systems and where.

The EPA has taken over 22,500 samples from about 3,800 of the 154,000 public drinking water systems in the U.S. In 22% of those water systems, its testing found at least one of the six newly regulated PFAS, and about 16% of the systems exceeded the new standards. East Coast states had the largest percentage of systems with PFAS levels exceeding the new standards in EPA tests conducted so far. Under the new EPA rules, public water systems have until 2027 to complete monitoring for PFAS and provide publicly available data. If they find PFAS at concentrations that exceed the new limits, then they must install a treatment system by 2029.

How much that will cost public water systems, and ultimately their customers, is still a big unknown, but it won’t be cheap. The EPA estimated the cost to the nation’s public drinking water systems to comply with the news rules at about US$1.5 billion per year.

But other estimates suggest the total costs of testing and cleaning up PFAS contamination will be much higher. The American Water Works Association put the cost at over $3.8 billion per year for PFOS and PFOA alone. There are more than 5,000 chemicals that are

considered PFAS, yet only a few have been studied for their toxicity, and even fewer tested for in drinking water. The United States Geological Survey estimates that nearly half of all tap water is contaminated with PFAS.

Some money for testing and cleanup will come from the federal government. Other funds will come from 3M and DuPont, the leading makers of PFAS. 3M agreed in a settlement to pay between $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion to help reimburse public water systems for some of their PFAS testing and treatment. But public water systems will still bear additional costs, and those costs will be passed on to residents.

Next problem: Disposing of ‘forever chemicals’ Another big question is how to dispose of the captured PFAS once they have been filtered out.

Landfills are being considered, but that just pushes the problem to the next generation. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” for a reason – they are incredibly resilient and don’t break down naturally, so they are hard to destroy.

Studies have shown that PFAS can be broken down with energy-intensive technologies. But this comes with steep costs. Incinerators must reach over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 Celsius) to destroy PFAS, and the possibility of creating potentially harmful byproducts is not yet well understood. Other suggested techniques, such as supercritical water oxidation or plasma reactors, have the same drawbacks.

So who is responsible for managing PFAS waste?

Ultimately the responsibility will likely fall on public drinking water systems, but the EPA has no waste regulations for PFAS. Steps to protect your home from PFAS

Your first instinct might be to use bottled water to try to avoid PFAS exposures, but a recent study found that even bottled water can contain these chemicals. And bottled water is regulated by a different federal agency, the Food and Drug Administration, which has no standards for PFAS.

Your best option is to rely on the same

technologies that treatment facilities will be using: Activated carbon is similar to charcoal. Like a sponge, it will

Racial

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knows why. “All this time, all this stress and worry, was all because I’m Black,” Ebanks stated with intense incredulity in an interview with the Washington Informer.

At issue is a once widely used test that overestimated how well Black people’s kidneys were functioning, making them look healthier than they really were. An automated formula calculated results for Black and non-Black patients that were far different from those of others, delaying organ failure diagnosis and, ultimately, proper evaluation for a kidney transplant.

Gossett’s silver screen breakthrough came with his role in “The Landlord,” paving the way for a proli that spanned over 50 movies and hundreds of television shows. From “Skin Game” to “Lackawanna Blues,” Gossett captivated audiences with his commanding presence and versatile performances. However, his portrayal of “Fiddler” in Alex Haley’s groundbreaking miniseries “Roots” earned Gossett critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award. The HistoryMakers noted that his golden touch extended to the big screen, where his role as Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman” earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him a trailblazer in Hollywood history. Beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Gossett was deeply committed to community activism. In 1964, he cofounded a theater group for troubled youth alongside James Earl Jones and Paul Sorvino, setting the stage for his lifelong dedication to mentoring and inspiring the next generation. Gossett’s tireless advocacy for racial equality culminated in the establishment of Eracism, a nonprot organization dedicated to combating racism both domestically and abroad. Throughout his illustrious career, Gossett remained a beacon of strength and resilience, using his platform to uplift marginalized voices and champion social change. Gossett is survived by his children, Satie and Sharron.

The disparity only exacerbated existing inequities, with Black patients being more susceptible to needing a new kidney but less likely to receive one. “On the one hand,” Ebanks remarked, “I have not only been put on the waiting list, but moved up to where I am now more confident that I will get a new kidney. On the other hand, it’s infuriating that we keep seeing how racism in medicine, bias in healthcare, is causing unnecessary pain and suffering among African Americans.” The U.S. organ transplant network has now ordered hospitals and care facilities to use race-neutral test results only when adding new patients to the kidney transplant waiting list. Further, the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology told laboratories to transition to race-neutral equations when calculating kidney function.

The policy shift has led to major adjustments, and between January 2023 and mid-March 2024, over 14,300 Black candidates had their wait times recalibrated, resulting in more than 2,800 successful transplants, including Ebanks.

Dr. Nwamaka Eneanya, an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, emphasized the detrimental impact of race-based equations on clinical decisions, particularly in assessing renal function.

Dr. Eneanya, a vocal advocate for removing race from medical equations, highlighted the lack of biological differences between races and the inherent flaws in using race-

based multipliers. She told her university’s newspaper that, despite mounting evidence, many clinicians continue to rely on these outdated practices, perpetuating harm to Black patients.

“Human genome studies have shown there are no inherent biological differences between races,” Dr. Eneanya stated. “Those studies reporting that Black people had greater muscle mass were flawed, but no one questioned them.” As the director of Health Equity, Anti-Racism, and Community Engagement at Penn Medicine, Dr. Eneanya spearheads internal initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion within the Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension Division.

Additionally, she is actively involved in community outreach programs to address racial disparities in kidney disease awareness and screening. “Not everyone approaches medicine with a health equity lens. Many clinicians are not aware of existing disparities — how Black patients do not get referred to nephrology as early as white patients and do not have sufficient access to transplant [procedures],” she asserted. “In medicine, the tendency is to say, ‘This is what a study showed, so this is what we should do,’ focusing on biomarkers and statistical tests without examining issues of ethics or health equity.” Dr. Eneanya noted that the revelation of racial bias within the kidney transplantation system underscores the pressing need for reformative measures to ensure equitable healthcare access for all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity. “I sit on a joint American Society of Nephrology-National Kidney Foundation task force that is revising formal eGFR reporting guidelines to exclude racial bias,” Dr. Eneanya stated. “Many physicians across the country, including some at Penn, have stopped using the race multiplier already. And while the eGFR is a frontline test for kidney function, there are other tests that don’t incorporate race. When there is any doubt about the accuracy of an eGFR score, other confirmatory tests that do not use race should be performed.”

Five years ago, Arlette Ebanks experienced severe kidney pain that she believed suggested a criminal need for a transplant. Her doctors disagreed, but the 52-year-old Northeast, D.C., resident, and mother of two who worked for the Department of Transportation for more than half of her life until her deteriorating health landed her on permanent disability, had grown ever more anxious as health care providers attempted various measures of maintenance.

Recently, physicians at George Washington University Hospital told Ebanks that she should have been on the transplant list, and understandably, Ebanks wondered why previous doctors hadn’t done so. Now, Ebanks