Good morning. It's Saturday, Nov. 8, and in this weekend edition, we're covering an Ivy League school's deal with Trump, a fast-casual restaurant's latest business move, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.5 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
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Cornell University announced yesterday a $60M deal with the Trump administration to restore over $250M in federal research funds, becoming the fifth university to reach such a deal since early July. The administration began withholding funding from the Ivy League school in April over alleged civil rights violations, largely stemming from Israel-Gaza demonstrations last year.
Cornell admitted no wrongdoing under the deal, which requires it to pay the federal government $30M over three years. The rural land-grant school will invest the remaining $30M in initiatives to support US farmers, with a focus on artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. Cornell also agreed to share admissions data through 2028 and train staff on Department of Justice guidance disavowing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
University officials had announced a series of financial austerity measures in June, citing strain from the federal funding freeze, inflation, and an anticipated tax on income from its nearly $12B endowment, among other factors. |
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Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik to run for NY governor.
US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21) entered New York's gubernatorial race yesterday. Her announcement video took aim at New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who is seeking reelection. President Donald Trump nominated Stefanik to be UN ambassador last year, but withdrew the pick over tight GOP House margins. The gubernatorial election is set for Nov. 3, 2026. |
Researchers near more powerful, cheaper mRNA vaccines.
MIT researchers unveiled a new mRNA vaccine formulation yesterday that is as effective as existing mRNA vaccines but at approximately 1/100 the typical dose. The researchers first tested the formulation in a flu vaccine delivered to mice and believe it can be adapted to protect humans against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Learn how mRNA vaccines work here (w/video). |
Sweetgreen to sell salad-making technology for over $186M.
The salad chain is selling its robotics unit to Wonder Group, a startup that acquired Grubhub last year. The roughly $100M cash and $86M stock deal follows an 80% decline in Sweetgreen's market value this year. Sweetgreen will now purchase the technology, which reduces staffing needs by assembling up to 500 meals per hour, from Wonder, with plans to have it operating in over 30 stores by year's end. |
James D. Watson, pioneer in DNA research, dies at 97.
Watson was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1962 for codiscovering DNA's double helix structure in his early 20s. The American scientist went on to direct the Human Genome Project, an international initiative that mapped the human genetic code. Though celebrated for his groundbreaking discoveries, Watson has been condemned for making racist remarks. He died in hospice care Thursday after a brief illness. |
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to welcome new inductees.
Cyndi Lauper and The White Stripes are among several rock outfits who will be welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at a Los Angeles ceremony tonight. The nonprofit foundation has inducted honorees since 1986 and is based in Cleveland, where disc jockey Alan Freed popularized the term "rock and roll" in the 1950s. Explore the best resources we've found on the music genre here.
Separately, the Recording Academy yesterday announced nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards, presented Feb. 1. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, who's up for seven awards. See the list of nominees here. |
Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown arrested on attempted murder charges.
The 37-year-old former wide receiver, who previously faced battery and domestic violence charges, is accused of shooting a man after a Miami boxing event in May. Brown allegedly used a handgun taken from a security staffer to fire two shots, one of which grazed the victim's neck. The 12-season NFL player was arrested by US Marshals in Dubai and is being held in New Jersey as he awaits extradition to Miami. |
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Notre-Dame hosts rare wedding for carpenter who spent three years rebuilding cathedral's timber frame after 2019 fire. (More, w/video) |
Massachusetts man expands affordable, accessible basketball program he created during recovery from Stage 3 colon cancer. (More) |
Good Samaritan replaces bride-to-be's wedding dress after original was stolen from her doorstep. (More, w/video) |
Young man surprises friend by baking beloved pastries from her childhood in Iran. (More, w/recipe and video) |
Over 350 students and parents in New Jersey transform biking to school into weekly community ritual. (More) |
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In partnership with EnergyX |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Ellen B. in Bend, Oregon.
"Last week, our niece reported that a huge tree had fallen across one of our favorite hiking trails, but because of the current government shutdown, US Forest Service staff wouldn't be able to remove the fallen tree. So my niece, my husband, our 9-year-old grandson, and I banded together and hiked in with saws and axes to take on the tree. Several hours and plenty of chopping later, we succeeded in cutting out an opening so that the trail remains accessible again."
What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. |
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New on the 1440 Topics Website |
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1440 Topics pairs staff-written overviews with the best resources we've found, curated in a single place for you to explore. Additions to the site include: |
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"My life has been a quest for knowledge and understanding, and I am nowhere near having achieved that. And it doesn't bother me in the least." |
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