New National Heat Strategy ‘A Game Changer,’ Duke Experts Say

Summary: The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) on Wednesday released the first-ever National Heat Strategy to promote proactive coordination between federal agencies on heat planning, response and resilience. Comments below from Duke University experts Ashley Ward and Jordan Clark are available for your coverage.

Ashley Ward
Quotes:
“Federal leadership is crucial for addressing the growing impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations across the United States,” says Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability. “This report represents years of dedicated work by NIHHIS and its partners. They have developed a sound, evidence-based strategy that can be implemented with the right resources.”

“The strategy’s emphasis on local engagement is its hidden strength. By recognizing the diversity of heat impacts across different communities, it’s setting the stage for a nuanced, bottom-up approach to resilience.”

NC governor, AG powers stripped as part of Hurricane Helene relief bill

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Legislation that both funds hurricane relief and strips power from two high-ranking statewide offices is headed to the governor’s desk.

SB 382 provides hundreds of millions of dollars in relief money for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, but it also changes powers reserved for the governor and attorney general. It passed the House on Tuesday and the Senate on Wednesday afternoon.

The aid package includes money for local government loans and water infrastructure repair. Republicans argued Tuesday that relief is needed now.

Bridging Ethics, Trust, And Inclusivity: Three Organizations Are Shaping The Future Of Responsible AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries and societies, the conversation around responsible AI development is gaining urgency. Ensuring that AI systems are ethical, trustworthy, and inclusive is not just a technical challenge but a moral imperative. Emily Reid, CEO of AI4ALL, Kabir Barday, CEO of OneTrust and Rebecca Finlay, CEO of Partnership on AI are at the forefront, working to ensure AI development prioritizes human interests, promotes diversity, and adheres to ethical standards.

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing what first drew you to the intersection of neuroscience and the arts?

My name is Susan Magsamen, and I’m the Executive Director of the International Arts and Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. I’m also the co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint and co-author of Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. For me, this work has been a lifelong journey. I grew up in a creative household where we made things like knitting, cooking, writing, and poetry.

LISTEN: Head of Duke’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub Ashley Ward

Head of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke’s Nicholas Institute Ashley Ward spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 26. She discussed a recent White House Summit on Heat and a program called “Direct Pay” that offers robust tax credits for clean energy upgrades. She also talked about the coming hurricane and the challenges faced by various communities in North Carolina.