In The News: Department of Political Science
You follow an account for travel tips or parenting advice. Then one day, that same account starts telling you what to think about a war, an election, or a country. It doesn't look like propaganda — it sounds personal, familiar, and convincing. That's the new reality of AI-powered influence operations.

Discussion of climate change surged in the 2010s, then dipped. When Democrats talk about the environment now, it’s mostly in the context of affordability.

As the 2026 midterm election draws closer, voters are weighing who they will support at the polls and which issues matter most to them — including young voters who could play an important role in the outcome.

Nevada’s Consumer Protection Bureau finds itself arguing against a utility billing change designed to better balance costs — something it has long supported.

Nevada’s Consumer Protection Bureau finds itself arguing against a utility billing change designed to better balance costs — something it has long supported.
The AI race between the US and China is no longer just about faster chips or bigger models — it's a battle over entire technology ecosystems. And sitting at the center of it all is Taiwan, the island that builds the chips powering both sides, yet has little say in how AI's rules are written.

There are dozens of data centers in Nevada — and more on the way. Are they really as bad for the environment as they’re made out to be?

Former Family Court Judge Paul Gaudet is hoping to regain the Dept. N seat he lost in 2024 to now-Judge Kerri Maxey, who defeated Gaudet by more than seven percentage points. Gaudet says the reason Maxey won is simple – she’s a woman. He will appear on the ballot this cycle using his middle name, Michel, in an effort to make voters think he’s a woman.

The governor's direct control over state and national economic factors is more limited than most realize, but that doesn't matter to voters.

The governor's direct control over state and national economic factors is more limited than most realize, but that doesn't matter to voters.
An undeleted line from an AI prompt was found in a post on a Chinese content farm. The prompt instructed writers to target a Taiwanese audience, rewrite the article in Traditional Chinese while preserving historical accuracy, and limit it to 500 words.
Playing out on Taiwan's outlying islands: preparations for what many fear could be the world's next major flashpoint. This is part of Han Kuang, Taiwan's annual military exercises. Active units and reservists mobilized all over the island, reacting to a simulated invasion from China.