Turmoil in Big Sky politics

Edition: US - Today's top story: Why Montana just elected Greg Gianforte, a man charged with assault, to Congress [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 27 May 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note The special election to fill Montana’s sole seat in the U.S. House took an ugly turn this week when the Republican candidate Greg Gianforte was charged with assaulting a newspaper reporter who asked him about Trumpcare. Still, Gianforte won. Lee Banville of the University of Montana offers a primer on Big Sky politics and explains why [Gianforte’s win wasn’t a referendum on the media](. It was 80 years ago that San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic. It set plenty of records in its day and is still admired for its art deco lines and “international orange” paint job. West Virginia University’s Hota GangaRao and Maria Martinez de Lahidalga de Lorenzo consider its success – and what advances in technology mean for whether today’s engineers [would make the same choices](. When Google Maps launched its Street View platform 10 years ago, they probably didn’t think it would inspire artists around the world. Communication professors Allison Rowland and Chris Ingraham look at the ways artists have culled images from the millions snapped by Google’s Street View cars to [create works that comment on issues ranging from surveillance to sex work](. And there’s more coverage of the Manchester attack from Conversation authors around the world [here](. Emily Costello Senior Editor, Politics + Society Top story U.S. Rep-elect Greg Gianforte in Bozeman, Montana on May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Colter Peterson [Why Montana just elected Greg Gianforte, a man charged with assault, to Congress]( Lee Banville, The University of Montana The race pitted a singing cowboy against a millionaire software entrepreneur – and it got ugly at the end. Politics + Society - [When Trump met NATO: Blunt talk and meaningful silences]( Simon Reich, Rutgers University Newark Candidate Donald Trump called NATO 'obsolete.' Since becoming president he has reversed that view, but what he said – and didn't say – during his recent visit will not have put NATO leaders at ease. - [New public database reveals striking differences in how guns are regulated from state to state]( Michael Siegel, Boston University; Molly Pahn, Boston University How have state firearm laws changed over time? Over the past 27 years, some states have loosened the rules for gun owners and the gun industry, while others are getting stricter. - [The Islamic State group has weaponized children]( Mia Bloom, Georgia State University To the terrorist, children have become but a means to an end. Weapon and target. Ethics + Religion - [Why it was once unthinkable for the president to be seen with the pope]( David Mislin, Temple University The GOP was once the political home of anti-Catholicism. And the Vatican, it was believed, would use a Catholic president as a way to meddle in US politics. - [Who are the Coptic Christians?]( Paul Rowe, Trinity Western University Among the Christians of the Middle East, the largest number – some eight million or so – is of Egypt’s Copts. Here's their story. Economy + Business - [Poor and middle-income families need a better way than 529s to save for college]( Robert H. Scott III, Monmouth University; Steven Pressman, Colorado State University More than half of American families aren't able to save a dime to cover the cost of college, and the 529 college savings plan has done almost nothing to change that. - [America's worsening global reputation could put billions in US exports at risk]( Daniel Korschun, Drexel University; Boryana V Dimitrova, Drexel University; Yoto V. Yotov, Drexel University Surveys show Trump's election is damaging America's reputation abroad, which research suggests could deal a sharp blow to US trade. - [Brazil plunges once more into political crisis, jeopardizing economic recovery]( Terry L. McCoy, University of Florida Brazil's president, who came to power after his ex-boss was impeached, now finds himself embroiled in corruption charges, which threaten to derail the economic recovery he has championed. Science + Technology - [Designing games that change perceptions, opinions and even players' real-life actions]( Lindsay Grace, American University School of Communication Readers read, viewers watch and players do. That level of engagement gives games real power to influence people both within and outside the play itself. - [How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage?]( Kerry Hanson, University of California, Riverside Energy from the sun's rays can cause skin damage and cancers. Sunscreens can absorb or reflect the dangerous UV light. Here's how it works. - [How would engineers build the Golden Gate Bridge today?]( Hota GangaRao, West Virginia University; Maria Martinez de Lahidalga de Lorenzo, West Virginia University It's been 80 years since this beloved landmark opened to San Francisco traffic. In the interim, technology has advanced – is there a better way to span this strait? Health + Medicine - [Beyond the CBO score: How Trump Budget and the AHCA are dismantling America's safety net]( Simon Haeder, West Virginia University The CBO analysis of the new health care bill not only shows that tens of millions would lose insurance. It is a major shift in this country's attitudes and policies toward helping the poor. - [How childhood trauma can affect mental and physical health into adulthood]( Shanta R. Dube, Georgia State University We've known for years that childhood trauma can have lifelong effects on our health. It's time for medicine and public health to start addressing the problem head-on. - [“Our research showed that childhood trauma increased the risk of alcohol use by age 14 and illicit drug use by age 15. Childhood trauma also contributed to the likelihood of adolescent pregnancies and adolescent suicide attempts.”]( Shanta R. Dube Georgia State University [Read more]( [Shanta R. Dube] Education - [Trump budget would abandon public education for private choice]( Derek Black, University of South Carolina The Trump administration's new education budget cuts money from traditional schools and funnels it toward school choice. Is it a nail in the coffin for public education? - [Here's how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health]( Daniel J. Flannery, Case Western Reserve University; Mark I. Singer, Case Western Reserve University Children are increasingly being exposed to more violence. The impact? They could get desensitized to violence and come to believe that it is an acceptable way to solve problems. Environment + Energy - [Scientists at work: Forecasting the Atlantic hurricane season]( Phil Klotzbach, Colorado State University; Michael M. Bell, Colorado State University Two atmospheric scientists explain how they weigh evidence such as ocean temperatures, wind speeds and other climate patterns to predict how many Atlantic hurricanes are likely to form this year. - [With a tight federal budget, here's where to focus clean energy research funding]( Erin Baker, University of Massachusetts Amherst President Trump's budget reportedly will slash funding for clean energy research and development. An energy expert explains the importance of government support and spotlights some key opportunities. Arts + Culture - [How Google Street View became fertile ground for artists]( Allison L. Rowland, St. Lawrence University; Chris Ingraham, North Carolina State University In the 10 years since Google Street View launched, the platform has provided ample fodder for artists, who have used it to comment on surveillance, poverty and gentrification. - [How data is transforming the music industry]( Brian Moon, University of Arizona Does musical taste even matter anymore? Or does a data-driven feedback loop – where what you enjoy in the past shapes what you hear today – influence what you'll like in the future? [The Conversation is a non-profit and your donation is tax deductible. Help knowledge-based, ethical journalism today.]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 USA