Dateline Rice for Nov. 23, 2020 (Weekend Edition)

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

How are holiday concerts, Black Friday being reimagined? Is there hope for the holidays with vaccines?
Kirstin Matthews, fellow in science and technology policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed about the week’s COVID-19 news.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.) 
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-matthews

KNX-AM (Los Angeles)
Emily Garza, director of student judicial programs, is interviewed about Rice’s student-run COVID Community Court, which was established to adjudicate public health violations on campus.
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-garza

Monitoring COVID-19 in sewage
An article mentions that experts from Rice have partnered with officials from Houston to test wastewater to track the spread of the coronavirus. Lauren Stadler, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is quoted.
C&EN
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-stadler

COVID cancels spring break for many Texas colleges
An article mentions that Rice has altered Thanksgiving and spring break schedules to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Provost Reginald DesRoches and Sid Richardson sophomore Emily Ellison are quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front of the City/State section in the Nov. 22 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-desroches-ellison

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Analysis: With silence, GOP enables Trump’s risky endgame
Douglas Brinkley, the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities, is quoted.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 150 other media outlets online, and it appeared in more than 20 print editions in media outlets around the world.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-brinkley
How many Republican lawmakers have turned on Trump urging him to start Biden transition?
Independent
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-brinkley
Con silencio, republicanos habilitan final de partida
The Associated Press (An English translation is not available. This article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-brinkley
Análisis: El silencio republicano valida el juego de Trump
The Associated Press (An English translation is not available. This article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-brinkley

Otters show how predators can blunt climate damage
An article cites a 2018 study by Volker Rudolf, professor of biosciences at Rice, that found predators can alter the effects of climate change.
Scientific American
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-rudolf

Lebanon is set to strengthen its cultural sector after the Beirut blast

Farès el-Dahdah, professor and director of the Humanities Research Center at Rice, is quoted.

Al Bawaba
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-dahdah

Jupiter and Saturn are about to do something not seen for nearly 800 years
Patrick Hartigan, professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted in an article about the Dec. 21 event in which Jupiter and Saturn will appear so close to each other in the sky they will look like a “double planet” for the first time since the Middle Ages.
Fox News
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hartigan
Planets to align over Christmas: Jupiter and Saturn will get closer to each other in Earth’s night sky than they have been for nearly 800 years
Daily Mail
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hartigan
We’re about to witness a super-rare planetary alignment not seen in 800 years
Science Alert
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hartigan
Júpiter y Saturno se verán como planeta doble; no pasaba desde Edad Media
Noreste (An English translation is not available.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hartigan

Do you have the ‘place gene’?
Bill Fulton, director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, authored an article.
Medium
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-fulton

Promethean modesty
Albert Pope, the G. S. Wortham Professor of Architecture, authored an article.
Medium
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-pope

How college students are helping each other survive
An article quotes Jones College junior Neha Tallapragada, who helped establish a mutual aid network at Rice.
The New York Times (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-tallapragada

Nová technológia dokáže efektívne vyčistiť aj nadmerne slanú vodu
Qilin Li, professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering and co-director of the Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment Center, is quoted.
Voda-Portal.sk (An English translation is not available.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-li

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Digging Buffalo Bayou deeper? Houstonians up in arms over Army Corps’ ‘old-fashioned’ flood fixes.
Jim Blackburn, a professor in the practice of environmental law and the co-director of Rice’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-blackburn

New satellite to monitor rising sea levels
John Anderson, the W. Maurice Ewing Professor Emeritus of Oceanography, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front page of the Nov. 23 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-anderson

Houston Grand Opera streams little-known Mozart work
Nova Thomas, professor of voice at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music, is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle’s “Preview” (Subscription is required.) 
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-thomas

Salvation Army rings in annual donation drive amid pandemic, economic distress
Kristen Schlatre, director of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.) 
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-schlatre

Cornyn, Cruz not holding out much hope for Trump to pull off reelection
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science, fellow in political science at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and fellow at Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front of the City/State section in the Nov. 22 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-jones

Offshore driller Talos Energy ‘staying the course’ through waves of challenges
Adrian Duhalt, postdoctoral fellow in Mexico energy studies at the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Center for the United States and Mexico and Center for Energy Studies, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front of the Business section in the Nov. 21 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-duhalt

Houston’s Apollo Chamber Players reflect cultural reckoning in new season
An article features alumnus Matthew Detrick and mentions his former teacher Richard Lavenda, professor of composition and theory at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music.
Houston Chronicle’s Preview (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Nov. 22 print edition and a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-detrick-lavenda

BROADCAST

The presidential transition — complications, legal challenges and what happens next
Paul Brace, the Clarence L. Carter Professor of Political Science, is interviewed.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.) 
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-brace

Despite national outcry, Texas received relatively few voting fraud reports this election
Bob Stein, the Lena Gohlman Fox Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
KHOU Online (This segment also aired on KHOU-TV in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-stein

‘KHOU 11 News’
Mark Finley, fellow in energy and global oil at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice’s Baker Institute Public Policy, is interviewed about how a president’s policies may impact the price of gas.
KHOU-TV (This segment aired four times and appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-finley

The day before: President John F. Kennedy on the last full day of his life
An article mentions President John F. Kennedy’s “moon speech,” which was delivered at Rice Sept. 12, 1962.
ABC 13 Online
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-kennedy
Houston man recalls meeting Pres. John F. Kennedy day before he was assassinated
ABC 13 Online
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-kennedy

‘Fox 26 News’
A broadcast features collaborative Rice research that found Americans’ attitudes about gun ownership are impacted by the gender and race of firearms’ potential owners.
KRIV-TV (Houston)  
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-rice-gun-study

‘KPRC Channel 2 News’
Rice is mentioned.
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-kprc (This segment appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Americans’ attitudes about guns influenced by owners’ race and gender

An article features collaborative Rice research that found Americans’ attitudes about gun ownership are impacted by the gender and race of firearms’ potential owners. Matthew Hayes, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Science Codex
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hayes

25 Best Colleges in America
Rice is featured.
24/7 Wall St.
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-247

This week’s Houston Deal Sheet
Rice Management Co. is mentioned.
Bisnow (Subscription is required.) 
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-rmc

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

North Little Rock mayor hopefuls eager to get voters out
An article features alumnus Tracy Steele, who is in a runoff election for mayor of North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-steele

SportsTrace aims to help athletes by analyzing video of their movements
An article about sports analytics mentions Rice baseball.
Southeast Missourian
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-sm

SPORTS

Bean’s 66-yard TD run sparks North Texas over Rice 27-17
Several articles mention that Rice’s football team was defeated by the University of North Texas 27-17 Nov. 21. Owl Mike Collins is featured in the Connecticut Post.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 50 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-rice-unt
Rice falls to North Texas
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Nov. 22 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-owls
New Canaan’s Collins making most of time as QB at Rice
Connecticut Post (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-collins
Texas college football rankings: Aggies No. 1 despite COVID-19 delays
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in MSN.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-hc
UNT fans weigh in on attendees, player safety as football returns to Apogee amid COVID-19 surge
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
North Texas has seven active coronavirus cases in athletics following last round of testing
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
‘Tough to block’ Novil leads the way for UNT defense
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
Five thoughts on UNT’s win over Rice
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
UNT notebook: Defense now clicking solidly
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
After long hiatus, shorthanded Mean Green come alive in second quarter to take down Rice
Denton Record-Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-drc
Monthlong football drought leaves North Texas hungry for Rice
North Texas Daily
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-ntd
RECAP: North Texas defense shines on senior day
North Texas Daily
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-ntd
College Power Poll Week 12: Brady McBride and Texas State with a huge win
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-dctf

Rice football coordinators Jerry Mack, Brian Smith keep pushing for diversity gains
An article features Rice assistant football coaches Jerry Mack and Brian Smith, and head coach Mike Bloomgren is mentioned.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared on the front of the Sports section in the Nov. 21 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-mack-smith-bloomgren

Rice basketball preview: Playing transition game again
An article features Rice’s men’s basketball program ahead of the start of its season. Head coach Scott Pera is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required. This article also appeared in the Nov. 22 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-pera

USC guard Drew Peterson eligible this season after transfer
Former Rice basketball player Drew Peterson is featured.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets and the Nov. 22 print edition of the San Antonio Express-News.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-peterson
Rays’ Hunter Renfroe designated for assignment; USF men open Wednesday
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-chron

Business, higher ed thought leaders share insights for Tarleton Forward
Former Rice athletic director Chris Del Conte is mentioned.
The Flash Today
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-delconte

STEVE DeSHAZO: Thanks to COVID-19, football season is nearing Hail Mary status
An article mentions that Rice’s football team was defeated by Middle Tennessee State University 40-34 in double overtime Oct. 24.
Fredricksburg.com
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-rice-midtenn

College football power rankings for Week 12
An article mentions that Rice’s football team is slated to play Marshall University Dec. 5.
ESPN
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-espn

College football coaches poll rankings updated for Week 13
247Sports.com
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-247

Houston defeats North Texas in weekend dual
An article mentions that Rice’s swimming and diving team will compete against the University of Houston Dec. 11-12.
University of Houston News (A similar article also appeared in SwimSwam.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-swim

Texans-Patriots rewind: 5 up, 5 down
Former Rice football player Phillip Gaines is featured.
Houston Chronicle (Subscription is required.)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-gaines

‘KLBK 13 News’
A broadcast mentions that M.J. Singleton has committed to Rice to play football.
KLBK-TV (Lubbock, Texas)
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-klbk (This segment appeared in a previous edition of Dateline.)

NEWS RELEASES

Study suggests when to identify students who take longer to become proficient in English
Students who begin elementary school and haven’t become proficient at speaking English after five years in school should be identified as what educators call “long-term English learners,” according to a new paper from the Houston Education Research Consortium, a program of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-news-release-herc

Understanding frustration could lead to better drugs
Atom-scale models by Rice theorist Peter Wolynes and colleagues show that not only are some specific frustrated sequences in proteins necessary to allow them to function, locating them also offers clues to achieve better specificity for drugs.
http://dateline.rice/nov-23-news-release-wolynes

About Stefan De La Garza

Stefan De La Garza is a news analyst in Rice University's Office of Public Affairs.