In just six years, the U.S. has pivoted from a complete ban on sports betting to a place where it is legal in most states, and young men could be paying a heavy price.
Joshua B. Grubbs, associate professor of psychology at the University of New Mexico, found in his research risky types of drinking -- both heavy and binge drinking -- often go hand in hand with sports wagering.
Grubbs analyzed data from more than 4,000 adults across the country who shared their drinking and betting habits. He said excessive drinking can lead to problematic betting behaviors.
"With sports gambling in particular, it tends to appeal to young men -- and we already know from past research that watching sporting events is associated with drinking more -- it's the common American hobby of, you watch the game, toss back a few beers with your friends," Grubbs noted.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to adopt sports betting, although it is still illegal in 12 states, including the two most populous, California and Texas. New Mexico does not allow online betting, but does allow "in person" betting at a handful of tribal casinos.
Grubbs pointed out on average, gamblers report more frequent binge drinking episodes than the general public but episodes among sports gamblers are considerably higher than either group. Because people drawn to such activities are typically younger, they are also more impulsive, which he said makes it important to set a "loss limit," a firm amount of money they are willing to lose.
"If you go into gambling saying, 'I'm going tonight with my friends to the casino, I have a $100 I can lose and I'm willing to lose $100 to have fun with my friends.' If that mentality is something you stick to, you're very unlikely to have a problem," Grubbs contended.
Grubbs added while there are designated federal research funds for drug use or alcohol misuse, they have not been used for treating gambling addiction, despite clear links between gambling and substance use problems. The research, funded by the International Center for Responsible Gaming, was published on the JAMA Network Open.
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With book bans in public schools increasing, public libraries have a larger purpose. The Town of Little Elm in northeast Texas has found a unique way to help people get a library book.
Little Elm is the latest city in Texas to provide the public with a 24-hour library kiosk to dispense books and DVDs.
The library's Managing Director of Library Services Diana Slavinsky said there is only one main library in the town, and they wanted to offer services to more people.
"The kiosk itself is like a vending machine," said Slavinsky. "There are 340 titles on display, and you can use your library card to check out materials from there. It - like - rotates around like a carousel. It displays everything nicely, so it's a fun kiosk."
Other library systems across the state offering kiosks include Garland, Grand Prairie, Harlingen, and Houston.
The Little Elm Kiosk is available to anyone with a library card, which are free for all Texas residents.
Slavinski said books from the main library can be transferred to the kiosk for after-hours pick-ups.
She added that with book bans increasing, she said she hopes the kiosk is a way to ensure anyone who wants a book can get it.
"I think always as a library we want to get books in hands," said Slavinsky. "We want to get library cards in hands. We definitely see this as a method of improving access to materials. "
House Bill 900, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023, restricts what books students can check out of school libraries - leading districts across the state to take hundreds of books off school shelves.
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The U.S. Surgeon General has declared a public health crisis of loneliness and social isolation.
New research from Colorado State University suggested Americans are pretty happy with the number of friends they have, they just want to spend more time with them.
Natalie Pennington, communication studies researcher at Colorado State University and co-leader of the American Friendship Project, said she was eager to learn more about how interactions across a person's social network -- from Facebook acquaintances to forever besties -- can affect people's lives.
"Understanding how, over time, how changes in our relationships might affect our well-being," Pennington outlined. "Things like life satisfaction, loneliness, stress, connection, disconnection."
Researchers looked at three different surveys conducted by the American Friendship Project starting in 2022, and found 98% of respondents said they had at least one friend. Three in four American adults said they are satisfied with their number of friends but just half said they're satisfied with the time spent together. Four in 10 said they want deeper connections with the friends they have.
Pennington pointed out people did lose some friends during the pandemic, a time of prolonged social isolation, especially relationships with weaker bonds. But she added many friendships grew closer.
"Your closest friends, you actually kind of strengthen those because now, suddenly you can't see each other," Pennington explained. "We have this need to belong to each other. We're reaching out and deepening a few connections, even though we might lose some as well."
Maintaining connections with friends, especially those who now live far away, can be challenging. Pennington emphasized there are ways to remain close if you do not have the time or resources to meet up in person.
"In the absence of that, knowing that there are little ways we can connect, sending emails, sending a text message, phone call, voice memo, those are ways that we can sustain that relationship," Pennington concluded.
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More Americans are learning about the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation this election season, but its influence has been decades in the making.
Its controversial Project 2025 to reshape the federal government includes standard conservative ideas like slashing regulations, along with more extreme plans to restrict abortion and certain contraceptives.
Zachary Albert, assistant professor of politics at Brandeis University, said the think tank has played a key role in pushing Republicans toward more conservative policies.
"They are policy demanders, who have strong opinions about the direction they want government to go and the research is the first step in pushing for that type of policy change," Albert explained.
Albert pointed out a growing share of think tanks, including the more liberal-leaning Center for American Progress, are engaged in direct political advocacy. The President of the Heritage Foundation has described its role as "institutionalizing Trumpism."
It is also spending money to influence elections and lobby politicians through its 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, Heritage Action for America. It spent more than $13 million in the 2022 midterms through its Super PAC, Sentinel Action Fund.
Albert noted it has earned Heritage and similar groups the label of "do tanks" rather than think tanks.
"By forming these other 501(c)(4)s and even Super PACs, these think tanks are allowed to engage in aggressive, direct political advocacy to force their ideas into the political system, rather than hoping that they trickle in," Albert emphasized.
Ideas presented in Project 2025 may already be ingrained. Nearly two-thirds of the authors behind the plan served in former President Donald Trump's administration.
Albert added the fact it has gained such widespread attention ahead of the November elections is a telling indication of its expected influence.
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