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Psychology Expert Explains Why Nostalgia Hits Us So Hard

Whether it’s the smell from a vintage shop or the recent social media trend of sharing 2016 photos, Professor Cathy Cox from TCU’s Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science & Engineering recently spoke to TCU News about why our brains respond so strongly to nostalgia. Read the full interview below and check out her Explained in 60 Seconds video: Looking to connect with Cathy Cox? Simply contact Holly Ellman, Associate Director of Communication, today at h.ellman@tcu.edu.

Tick Population Surge Raises New Lyme Disease Concerns

A surge in tick activity across Connecticut is renewing concerns about Lyme disease, prompting experts to examine the environmental factors driving tick populations, the challenges of prevention, and the future role of vaccines. Recently reported by CT Community News and CTNewsJunkie, researchers are seeing unusually high numbers of ticks infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, with infection rates reaching levels typically not observed until peak season. Experts point to a combination of environmental conditions, including a snowy winter that insulated overwintering ticks, milder seasonal temperatures, and continued residential expansion into wooded areas where ticks thrive. According to Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at UConn Health, the increase in Lyme disease cases is influenced by multiple factors. While improved reporting may account for some of the rise, environmental conditions continue to play a significant role in the number of infections seen by clinicians each year. “Lyme disease is chronically underreported.” Dr. David Banach Dr. David Banach is an infectious diseases physician who leads UConn Health's Infection Prevention Program and serves as hospital epidemiologist. View his profile The article also explores ongoing efforts to develop new Lyme disease vaccines. Dr. Paulo Verardi, head of UConn's Department of Virology and Vaccinology, notes that vaccines could become an important tool in reducing disease risk, but cautions that vaccination alone will not solve the broader challenge posed by expanding tick populations and changing environmental conditions. Effective control, he argues, will require a combination of public education, land management, and efforts to reduce tick abundance. “To really control tickborne diseases, there needs to be more land management, public education and a drop in the overall tick population.” Dr. Paulo Verardi Dr. Paulo Verardi is a virologist who specializes in vaccine research and development. He is a Department Head and Associate Professor at UConn and a member of the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research. View his profile As Lyme disease continues to spread across North America, understanding the intersection of climate, ecology, public health, and vaccine development is becoming increasingly important. Researchers are working to better understand why tick populations are expanding, how disease risk is changing, and what strategies can best protect people who live, work, and spend time outdoors. Covering Lyme or other tickborne diseases? We can help. To learn more about Lyme disease, tick-borne illnesses, vaccine development, infectious disease trends, and public health preparedness, connect with experts such as Dr. David Banach and Dr. Paulo Verardi, whose research and expertise help explain the growing challenges posed by tick-borne diseases.

[Webinar] Make your university the visible authority

Your university has the expertise. The question is whether the world can find it. In this webinar, we'll show you exactly how leading institutions are building topical Authority Hubs that get their faculty in front of journalists, students, and partners at the moments that matter most. DATA & TIME Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 am EDT (1 hour) We'll walk through three real examples: Performing Arts -- Carnegie Mellon University The exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards since 2014. With 60+ alumni wins and 15 consecutive years of nominations, CMU built an Authority Hub that makes decades of genuine institutional strength finally visible and media-ready. Papacy & Catholic Studies -- Villanova University When Pope Leo was elected, Villanova had qualified scholars ready. Their topical hub connected journalists with the right experts within hours -- showing what it looks like when a university moves at the speed of the news cycle. Sports Events & Research -- University of Delaware Multiple topical hubs built around major events and enduring institutional strengths -- serving media relations, prospective students, and research partners with one repeatable, scalable approach. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How to identify the moments and topics where your institution already has authority How to structure faculty expertise so journalists and AI platforms can find it How to go from idea to live hub fast -- without technical resources or coding What makes an Authority Hub perform over time, not just at launch WHO SHOULD ATTEND University communications and media relations teams, research communications leads, and anyone responsible for faculty visibility and institutional reputation.

Expert Insight: The ‘100 Deadly Days of Summer’

A recent article in the Hartford Courant examining a sudden increase in fatal crashes across Connecticut has transportation safety experts sounding the alarm as the busy summer travel season begins. The story featured Eric Jackson, executive director of the Connecticut Transportation Institute and director of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center, who noted that 16 roadway fatalities were recorded in just nine days — a significant increase that quickly narrowed what had been a year-over-year decline in traffic deaths. Jackson points to a combination of warmer weather, longer days, increased travel, and more vulnerable road users on the road as factors that contribute to what safety professionals often call the "100 Deadly Days of Summer" between Memorial Day and Labor Day. He also warns that motorcycle fatalities may continue to rise as more riders return to the roads, particularly amid higher fuel prices. For journalists covering traffic safety, transportation trends, infrastructure, or public policy, Jackson offers valuable insight into the data, behaviors, and seasonal factors influencing roadway fatalities. The latest data released by the University of Connecticut Crash Repository — which tracks fatal crashes throughout the year — shows that 16 fatalities were reported on Connecticut’s roads between May 10 and May 19, when the numbers were last updated. That many fatal crashes in that short of a time span is a “huge” number and one that “we usually don’t see,” said Dr. Eric Jackson, a research professor at UConn. The overall number of traffic fatalities is still down across the state compared to the same time last year, but the gap has shrunk drastically in the last few weeks, according to Jackson, who serves as the executive director of the Connecticut Transportation Institute and the director of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center. As of May 10, there were 64 traffic deaths reported in 2026 compared to 78 at the same time last year. The most recent data shows that 80 fatal crashes have now been reported so far this year, compared to 83 at the same time in 2025. One potential reason for the drastic uptick in fatalities could be the increased activity that goes along with warmer weather and longer days. “People are out and about more,” Jackson said. During the first several months of the year, cold weather and a number of winter storms could have contributed to keeping many people inside and slowing down those who did go out, Jackson speculated. “Snowstorms, huge weather events usually prevent fatalities because people aren’t driving as fast,” he said.   The trend is especially concerning as higher fuel prices have more people looking to motorcycles as a way to get around in better weather while reducing their fuel consumption. Nine riders have died in Connecticut in the past few weeks, leading some local news outlets to ask: Are high gas prices fueling a rise in deadly motorcycle crashes? Looking to know more?  We can help. Connect with Eric Jackson to discuss seasonal traffic safety trends, motorcycle safety, transportation data analysis, and strategies to reduce roadway fatalities.

Approximately 4,400 degrees conferred during Georgia Southern’s 2026 Spring Commencement ceremonies

Last week, approximately 4,400 graduates from Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro, Armstrong, Liberty and Swainsboro campuses received associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees in five Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero welcomed the graduates and their guests to the ceremonies, held at the Allen E. Paulson Stadium and Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center in Statesboro, Enmarket Arena in Savannah and East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro on May 11, 13 and 14. “To our graduates, congratulations,” Marrero welcomed the crowds. “Today we recognize and honor your hard work, perseverance and personal growth throughout your academic journey. The road to this moment has not been without its challenges, and your presence here is a reflection of your dedication, resilience and strength. You have every reason to be proud. This commencement is a meaningful milestone not only for each of you personally, but for the entire Georgia Southern community.” The Commencement speakers included: Bob Somers (’83) Nick Westbrook (’20) Berry Aldridge (’15) Kim Hartsock (’20, ’21) Rep. Butch Parrish Somers opened the ceremonies at Paulson Stadium with words of encouragement for the new graduates. “While this day marks your formal education coming to a close, the truth is your education and life is just now beginning,” he said. “When I look out at you, I don’t look at graduates. I see future leaders. And our future is bright because of what you’re going to bring to this world. “Georgia Southern gave me structure, opportunity and people who believed in me. One of my proudest moments was graduating from this incredible institution. Find your north star. What kind of person are you? What are your values? Be genuine with yourself and others. If you’re authentic, people will trust you and they will follow you. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Real leadership requires vulnerability.” Westbrook relayed the importance of service and character alongside leadership. “You will have the opportunity to influence people, organizations, companies and industries,” he said. “Use that influence for good. Your opportunity will not only be for a better job, more income or a higher position. The highest calling of your opportunity will be what you can do for the people who are affected by your influence. In a world that is becoming increasingly transactional, be the leader that goes the extra mile to make your world a little more relational, more kind, more human.” Aldridge enthusiastically challenged graduates to consistently recalibrate the way they think, and to consciously surround themselves with support. “Class of 2026, you’ve accomplished something incredible, but you’ve done it during a very strange and chaotic time in history,” he said. “I’m not breaking any news when I say that we are standing on the edge of a massive change to our jobs, our technology, our society. “I don’t know how AI is going to change the way we work or influence the job market. I challenge you to be skeptical even in your own most passionately held beliefs. That’s the only way to keep ourselves in check, and it’s the only way to keep ourselves growing. Nurture three types of relationships — one who lifts you up, another who tells you the truth, and one who will always show up — in order to succeed, he continued. And then be that person for others. Hartsock reflected on the generational impact of earning a degree. “For some of you, this is not just a personal achievement, it’s a historic one,” she shared. “You may be the first in your family to earn a college degree, and that accomplishment carries special significance. You are changing the trajectory of your family and setting an example for generations to come.” She asked them to be intentional about who they learn from. “Seek out people who can teach you things that books never will,” she said. “It’s important to look for leaders whose lives are marked not only by achievement, but also by joy and purpose. “Invest in this university. Join the alumni association. Help recruit future Eagles. Create a scholarship. Create opportunities for students to learn from you and work with you. Stay involved,” she said. “You never know, 25 years from now, you might be standing right here where I am. Congratulations, class of 2026 and Hail Southern!” In the closing ceremony in Swainsboro, Parrish encouraged graduates to continue learning. “Today is by no means an end,” he said. “It’s just the beginning. Your education has prepared you for what lies ahead. Your education allows you to create your own path forward. You have a unique opportunity to define your own path. You don’t have to follow anymore. Education is like insurance for whatever you’ll be facing in the future. “Education comes in many forms. There’s formal and informal, traditional, nontraditional and learned education, just to name a few. So, I encourage you to pursue a career in something that you really have a passion for and something that you really want to do. Whatever you decide to do is up to you, and your future is bright and it’s unlimited.” Video and Photo Links Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony 9 a.m. video on May 11 in Statesboro Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony 6 p.m. video on May 11 in Statesboro Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony video on May 13 in Savannah Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony video on May 14 in Statesboro Spring 2026 Commencement photos here Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Canada’s Retirement Problem Is Not “Boomer Luxury Communism”

A recent Washington Post column by Pulitzer Prize-winner George F. Will caught my attention. A prominent American conservative warns about a demographic apocalypse. Normal Monday. His argument: an aging population and a politically powerful senior cohort are driving unsustainable government spending, leaving younger generations to foot the bill. He even has a name for it: “Boomer Luxury Communism.” (Does George Will need a Snickers bar?) It made me wonder: are the same forces reshaping retirement here in Canada? I’ve heard the generational accusations. Boomers took the good pensions. Boomers drove up housing. Boomers left the mess. Boomers won’t move and sell me their house. But here’s the thing. Boomers don’t have a case of “Pierre don’t care.” Most of them are quietly terrified. After 25 years in financial services and a decade sitting across kitchen tables from Canadians over 55, I think the story is a lot more complicated than that. According to Statistics Canada data, nearly one in five Canadians (19.5%) is now aged 65 or older, representing more than eight million people nationwide, signalling significant growth in the demographic. Retirement itself has also changed dramatically. Fewer Canadians have access to defined benefit pensions. Costs are rising, from groceries to housing to healthcare. And most people want to remain in their homes as they age. The result is straightforward: retirement is lasting longer, costing more, and relying more heavily on individuals than ever before. That much we share with the United States.  But the Canadian reality is more complicated. Canada’s Seniors Are Not Living the Way Many People Assume Where the comparison begins to break down is in how we interpret what’s happening. The idea that Canadian seniors are broadly living comfortably at the expense of younger generations simply doesn’t match what I see in practice. In fact, many older Canadians are experiencing something quite different: Financial uncertainty. Despite having significant assets.  On paper, many retirees look secure. They may own their home outright. They may have some savings and receive income from programs like CPP and OAS. But much of that wealth is tied up in housing. Families led by someone aged 65 or older now have a median net worth exceeding $1.1 million, the highest of any age group. (Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Financial Security) Yet the same data also reveals something important: The value of the principal residence for many seniors far exceeds their retirement savings. Many Canadians are increasingly finding themselves asset-rich on paper but cash-flow constrained in practice. The Rise of FORO: Fear of Running Out When you look more closely at the financial picture for many retirees, income streams are often modest and heavily exposed to inflationary pressures. Longevity adds another layer of uncertainty: A Canadian reaching age 65 today can expect to live another 20 years on average. Longevity is, of course, a triumph of modern society, although financially speaking, it has a way of extending the spreadsheet. Which leads to a question I hear repeatedly around the kitchen table: “Will I have enough money to retire?” This concern is so common that I’ve written extensively about it as FORO: "Fear of Running Out." It shows up in everyday decisions. Let’s call balls and strikes: FORO is real, and left unchecked, FORO thinking gets calcified into a permanent crouch. It’s cautious, it’s understandable — and it can quietly cost you your retirement. Worse than an ill-timed "reply all" to a company-wide email. • People delay travel • They hesitate to help their family. • They postpone home repairs • They underspend, even when they may not need to. I’ve met people who won’t replace a 20-year-old furnace because they’re saving money for an emergency. The furnace failing IS the emergency. This is not reckless consumption.  It’s cautious financial restraint. A recent Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Retirement survey found that nearly half of Canadians approaching retirement worry about outliving their savings. Other research from Fidelity Canada shows that many retirees spend less than they comfortably could because they fear future financial shocks or healthcare costs. This anxiety matters because retirement is not just a math problem. It is also a confidence problem. This Isn’t Boomer Excess. It’s a System That Shifted What’s happening in Canada is not primarily a story of overconsumption by retirees. It is the result of a long-term structural shift. Canadians are living longer than ever. In fact, the number of Canadians over age 85 - already one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic groups, is projected to nearly triple over the next 25 years. (Source: National Institute on Aging) Over the past several decades, pensions have disappeared. Employers steadily moved away from guaranteed pensions while individuals assumed far greater responsibility for funding their own retirement years. Defined benefit pension coverage has declined significantly in the private sector, particularly among younger workers, leaving more Canadians to manage retirement risk on their own. The CD Howe Institute has written extensively on this topic, calling for pension reform. At the same time, housing became the country’s dominant store of wealth.  For many Canadians, rising home values created the impression of growing financial security. But the current housing environment is far more complicated.  Now, real estate markets have become less liquid. Some regions are now seeing much softer housing prices after years of extraordinary growth. Cue the song, "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end." The result is a retirement system increasingly dependent on housing wealth, whether policymakers openly acknowledge it or not. Government is beginning to feel the financial pinch as well. A recent report from the C.D. Howe Institute estimated that demographic aging alone could create more than $2 trillion in long-term fiscal pressure for provincial governments, driven largely by healthcare and age-related spending. In the mid-1970s, there were nearly seven working-age Canadians for every retiree (Source: Statistics Canada). Today, that ratio has fallen to closer to three-to-one.  It's a profound demographic shift that is placing growing pressure on labour markets, healthcare systems, and public finances. As retirements accelerate, fewer younger workers are available to replace them, reshaping the country’s economic and fiscal balance. Even high levels of immigration are unlikely to fully offset Canada’s aging challenge over the long term. These pressures are real. But the Canadian story is still more complicated than the increasingly combative generational narratives emerging in the United States. Retirement Became a DIY Project Over time, we slowly moved away from a system that delivered predictable retirement income. Now we ask individuals to assemble their own retirement strategy from scratch. Choose your own adventure: except the stakes are your retirement, and there’s no going back to page one. That shift created flexibility but also risk. And today, that risk is showing up as uncertainty. And while it's tempting to frame this as a generational issue, the more meaningful divide in Canada increasingly looks like this: • homeowners versus non-homeowners • those with pensions versus those without • those with access to advice versus those navigating alone Looking at the issue through this lens helps us better understand how we arrived at this point, and why it should serve as a wake-up call for consumers, policymakers, and the financial industry. Still not convinced?  Look at this data from the Statistics Canada Net Worth Report: Near-retirement households with both a workplace pension and homeownership had a median net worth exceeding $1.4 million. Remove those two structural advantages, however, and the financial picture changes dramatically: renters without pensions had a median wealth of less than $12,000. Let me stop and let this one land. Pause, breathe, and read on. The wealth gap, when you look at homeownership and pensions, is staggering. It reveals how profoundly retirement security in Canada is shaped not only by age but also by structural access to housing and pension systems. Two Canadians of the same age can now face entirely different retirement realities depending on just a few foundational variables. That’s not a generational conflict. It’s a serious design problem — a bug, not a feature. The Accumulation Paradox Here is another gap that rarely gets discussed. Canada has done a reasonably good job of helping people accumulate assets.  BUT We have done a much poorer job helping them convert those assets into sustainable income. This is especially true when it comes to housing. Research from the National Institute on Ageing and CMHC consistently shows that the overwhelming majority of older Canadians want to age in place rather than downsize or move into institutional care.  But Canada’s retirement system increasingly depends on housing wealth, even as many retirees remain reluctant to use it strategically. For many Canadians, home equity is their single largest financial resource. Yet, culturally and psychologically, it is often treated as something to preserve rather than deploy. The result is what I call the Asset Accumulation Paradox: People can be asset-rich and cash-flow constrained at the same time, a perfect example of 2 things being true at the same time. That disconnect sits at the heart of much of the retirement anxiety we see today. Where Canada Stands Compared to the United States In some important ways, Canada is better positioned than the United States.  The Canada Pension Plan is actuarially reviewed and designed to remain sustainable over the long term. (Source: Office of the Chief Actuary). And according to International Monetary Fund data, Canada’s public debt burden also remains materially lower than that of the United States as a share of GDP. But that does not mean we can afford complacency. Because beneath the surface, there is a growing gap between what Canadians have and what they feel confident using. If we want to improve retirement outcomes, we need to focus less on assigning blame and more on improving design. That means better tools, better guidance, and more open conversations, especially about how to turn assets into income. The warnings coming out of the United States are worth paying attention to.  But Canada’s challenge is different. The risk is not that seniors are taking too much.It’s that too many Canadians are living with uncertainty despite having more options than they realize. The challenge now is not simply helping Canadians accumulate wealth. It is helping them use that wealth with greater confidence, flexibility, and security. So, let’s call this what it is. George Will is not entirely wrong. The numbers are real, the fiscal pressure is real, and yes, someone is going to have to deal with it. But the story he’s telling is a blunt instrument in a situation that requires a scalpel. Canada’s retirement challenge isn’t Boomer Luxury Communism. It’s more like Boomer Luxury Paralysis: sitting on a million-dollar asset, terrified to touch it, underspending in the present to guard against a future that may never arrive. FORO doesn’t discriminate by generation. It just quietly rearranges your life until you’re postponing the trip, skipping the furnace repair, and waiting for permission to enjoy the retirement you actually saved for. The good news? The options are better than most people think. The conversation isn’t about giving anything up. It’s about using what you already have. Sue Don't Retire...ReWire! My Book is Now Available for Pre-Order I hope you will consider pre-ordering a copy of Your Retirement Reset for you, a friend or loved one. It's available September 8, 2026 - You can now order on the ECW Press site here. And if you love supporting Canadian booksellers, please also check with your local independent bookstore. Most can easily order it for you.

LI’s Rising Costs and Housing Market Pose Challenges

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, talked to Newsday and News 12 Long Island about the region’s economic challenges and housing market. For an article on the high cost of living, Levy explained that Long Island’s many layers of government, including 124 school districts, and residents’ expectations of quality services — from police protection and garbage pickup to senior programs — drive high property taxes. “In other areas of the country, statewide broad-based taxes pay for a lot of services that we rely on the property tax to pay for, such as public education,” he said, adding that about two-thirds of a Long Islander’s tax bill goes to fund public schools.

TV News Talent Looks to Build Their Brand on Nontraditional Platforms

Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter for the article “With TV News In Free Fall, Anchors Try Breaking Away,” about the trend of TV news veterans leaving the declining world of linear media to build businesses and their brand on social media, podcasts, and other platforms.

Get Over It: Pluto Isn't A Planet!

Put down the protest signs already. Retire the “Save Pluto” pins. Step away from the planetary outrage. Seriously. So says University of Rochester astrophysicist Adam Frank in his latest column in Forbes. Frank explains that the real story behind Pluto being stripped of its planetary status in 2006 isn’t about what Pluto lost, but what scientists found. Pluto made news recently when NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman replied to a Florida girl’s handwritten plea to restore Pluto’s designation as a planet, saying he supported such a move. Frank has one word for Isaacman: Stop! “Now Isaacman seems like a good guy and I sure don’t want to make little kids cry,” Frank writes. “Still, there’s an amazing science reason why Pluto got kicked out of the planet club.” For decades, Frank explains, we thought the solar system ended with the nine familiar planets, with Pluto being the most distant. But beyond Neptune lies the Kuiper Belt, a vast expanse filled with icy remnants from the birth of the solar system. These objects are essentially the leftover building blocks of planets. Pluto, it turns out, is one of them. That matters because this cosmic debris holds crucial clues about how planets form. Studying Pluto and its neighbors helps scientists understand the origins of Earth and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. So, Pluto isn’t an outcast; it’s a key witness to our cosmic history. It belongs to a newly understood class of worlds that are central to modern astronomy. Rather than mourn Pluto’s status and push for restoring its former title, Frank suggests we celebrate its reclassification as the moment astronomers realized the solar system is far richer than they had ever imagined. If you’re a journalist looking for an expert to talk about Pluto — or planets and worlds formerly known as planets — Frank is your scholar. He is a frequent contributor to the likes of CNN, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and MSNBC, and can help your audience make sense of our vast universe.

Professor James Sample Provides National Commentary on Voting Rights, Key Supreme Court Cases

Professor James Sample of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University continued to serve as a prominent national commentator this month, appearing across ABC News, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), SiriusXM, and Newsday to analyze fast-moving developments in election law, constitutional doctrine, and executive power. Across these appearances, Professor Sample focused on the evolving legal and practical implications of the SAVE America Act, including its potential burdens on married voters and broader access concerns. He also examined a series of high-stakes Supreme Court matters, including disputes over mail-in ballot deadlines and the constitutional debate surrounding birthright citizenship, offering insight into how the Court’s rulings could reshape election administration and individual rights. In addition, Professor Sample provided analysis of expanding presidential authority following the Court’s immunity ruling, situating current developments within a broader conversation about the scope and limits of executive power.