George Mason University

Following an incident where a neighbor was scammed out of $30,000 using a deepfake video on Facebook, George Mason student Lakshmi Katrapati launched the initiative Word by World. She now visits senior centers across the D.C.-area to teach older adults how to spot AI scams and understand artificial intelligence technology.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urged Virginia's colleges and universities to commit to reforms aimed at restoring public trust by focusing on affordability, free speech, academic rigor, and accountability. University leaders are concurrently navigating significant changes stemming from federal policy shifts concerning issues like student loans and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The National Guard awarded a $292 million contract to Placemakr for up to 2,000 apartment-style units in D.C. to house troops stationed there until 2029. Experts like Terry Clower and Yesim Sayin argue the deal will have minimal impact on the local housing market, citing D.C.'s over 250,000 rental units and current vacancy trends.

Citizen scientists in Northern Virginia are mapping extreme heat through the Urban Heat Island Mapping Project, led by Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions and George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center. Teams used mobile weather stations, including sensors on vehicles, to collect data for urban planning, public health, and environmental equity. The data will be analyzed to create maps and visualizations, with a report expected in October.

A study found that nearly 34% of adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in 2022 experienced admission delays, with wait times increasing sharply after 2020. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analyzed over 124,000 adolescent admissions between 2012 and 2022, linking delays to post-pandemic disruptions and rising demand for care.

A study found that 34% of adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in 2022 faced admission delays, with wait times attributed to pandemic-related disruptions and increased demand. The research, analyzing data from 2012 to 2022, highlights growing challenges in accessing care for CUD among 12-17-year-olds.

A study found that 34% of adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in 2022 experienced delays in admission to care, with wait times peaking after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, analyzing data from 2012 to 2022, linked increased delays to pandemic disruptions and higher demand for services.

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that nearly 34% of adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder in 2022 experienced admission delays. The increase in wait times followed several years of decline and may reflect pandemic-related disruptions and rising demand for care.

A 2022 study found nearly 34% of adolescents seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD) experienced admission delays, with wait times increasing sharply since 2015. The study, analyzing over 124,000 adolescent admissions between 2012 and 2022, linked the trend to pandemic-related disruptions and higher demand for care.

Virginia leaders are working to strengthen and depoliticize public college governing boards through a state commission. Retired Major General Cedric Wins, former VMI superintendent, highlights poor board governance and political influence as key issues, while federal investigations at the University of Virginia and George Mason University underscore concerns over partisan conflicts.

The article discusses the rapid expansion of data centers in Virginia and Pennsylvania, highlighting concerns about their impact on energy prices, water consumption, and public health. While studies on direct health effects are limited, a recent analysis by Neha Gour and colleagues identifies noise pollution and climate change as key challenges, while advocating for sustainable design to mitigate risks.

Data centers are expanding rapidly, particularly in Virginia, but research on their health impacts remains limited. A study by Neha Gour and colleagues highlights potential health and environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for sustainable design and operation to mitigate risks.

The article discusses the limited research on health impacts of data centers, highlighting Virginia's high concentration of facilities and a study by Neha Gour and colleagues that identifies environmental and health challenges. It notes recommendations for sustainable design and operations to mitigate risks, while emphasizing the essential role of data centers in modern services.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor received $4,333 in Bad Bunny concert tickets from Rimas Entertainment during a 2025 trip to Puerto Rico, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received a $2,500 painting for her chambers. Financial disclosures revealed teaching earnings, book royalties, and travel details for multiple justices in 2025.

President Donald Trump claimed vandals caused deliberate sabotage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, including a 250-foot gash and chemical damage, leading to its drainage for repairs. Maryland resident David Hearn was arrested for allegedly touching dislodged blue pieces, but denies the charge. Experts attribute the pool's green discoloration to natural algae growth, not vandalism.

The Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool, recently renovated at a cost of over $15 million, is experiencing visible issues including green algae growth and peeling blue coating. Experts attribute the problems to a rushed project lacking proper design and environmental expertise, with no-bid contracts awarded to expedite completion before the July 4 holiday. Federal officials and the White House have denied involvement in the contracting process.

A survey by George Mason University researchers found that 33% of 557 teenagers reported having a sexualized AI-generated image of them shared without consent. The study highlights the ease with which AI technology can be misused to create and distribute non-consensual explicit content targeting minors.

A California bill introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson would allow deported professors to continue teaching remotely. The bill aims to ensure instructional continuity and protect student learning. It applies to faculty members who departed the US due to immigration enforcement actions.

The International Criminal Court's Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, faces disciplinary action over sexual misconduct allegations involving a subordinate. The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties voted to pursue proceedings, despite conflicting findings from UN investigations. The Trump administration sanctioned Khan in 2025 in response to war crimes warrants against Israeli officials.