Dateline Rice for June 4, 2025

dateline rice

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

In an unpredictable economy, should we turn to hard or soft data for answers?
John Diamond, the Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal (This segment aired on more than 600 affiliate stations across the U.S.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-diamond
Whitmire supports Texas bill that would reverse some Houston pension reforms, alarming experts
Houston Chronicle
http://dateline.rice/june-4-diamond

Texas considers banning products infused with THC derived from hemp, and retailers are worried
Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
The Associated Press (This article also appeared in more than 175 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-harris

Coastal communities prepare for hurricane season
An article features the Galveston Bay Park Plan, a proposal to protect the region from hurricanes, co-developed by Rice's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center (SSPEED). Phil Bedient, the Herman and George R. Brown Professor of Civil Engineering and co-director of SSPEED, is interviewed. 
Yahoo! News (This article originally appeared in KCPQ Online, and it appeared in KCPQ on YouTube and MSN People and Places. This segment also aired twice on KCPQ-TV in Seattle.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-bedient

Ahead of the budget vote, a new survey shows what Houstonians want money spent on
An article features a survey by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research into how taxpayers want their money spent. Dan Potter, director of the Houston Population Research Center at the Kinder Institute, is interviewed.
MSN (This article originally appeared in ABC 13 Online, and this segment also aired four times on KTRK-TV in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-potter

'Loyal to the oil' – how religion and striking it rich shape Canada's hockey fandom
Judith Ellen Brunton, assistant professor of religion and faculty fellow at Rice's Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, co-authored an article.
The Conversation (This article also appeared in more than 30 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-brunton

As Trump administration eases EPA regulations, Houston could pay a price
An article cites a 2018 Rice study into the emissions of local coal-fired power plants.
CBS News (This segment also aired on more than 150 stations across the U.S., and it appeared in MSN and 10 other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-cbs

California's rooftop solar dreams are dimming from rising bills
An article cites a report by Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Bloomberg
http://dateline.rice/june-4-bloomberg

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Mural honoring Iranian women comes to Houston's Rice University
An article mentions that Hooman Khalili will unveil a temporary mural at Rice June 5. Moshe Vardi, University Professor, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor in Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, and Craig Considine, senior lecturer in sociology, are quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in MSN and five other media outlets.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-considine-vardi

Like him or not, Dan Patrick is very good at what he does | Opinion
Sheila Whitford, former instructor and field supervisor in education with the Rice Algebra Initiative for Success and Equity at OpenStax, authored a letter to the editor.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared on the front of the Opinion section in the June 4 print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-whitford

Houston researchers make headway on affordable, sustainable sodium-ion battery
An article features Rice research into electrochemical energy storage technologies. Co-authors Pulickel Ajayan, chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering, professor of chemistry and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow, and postdoctoral associate Atin Pramanik are quoted.
InnovationMap
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ajayan-pramanik

Evan Mintz named Houston Chronicle editor of Opinion and Community Engagement
An article features alumnus Evan Mintz, former executive editor of the Rice Thresher.
Houston Chronicle (This article also appeared in the June 4 print edition, and it appeared in MSN.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-mintz

Texas A&M bests University of Texas at providing better value to students
An article mentions that Rice is No. 29 nationally for return on investment according to PayScale Inc. and No. 1 overall in Texas according to Niche. 
Austin.com
http://dateline.rice/june-4-austin

Rodeo elects executive leadership for 2025-2026 season
Alumnus Wesley Sinor is featured.
RodeoHouston.com
http://dateline.rice/june-4-sinor

Fun kids activities in Houston this weekend of June 6 includes Slime Bar Experience, Artist Boat World Ocean Day and more!
A roundup mentions that Rice's Moody Center for the Arts will offer the ArtLab: Stories + Silhouettes workshop each Saturday in June.  
Houston on the Cheap
http://dateline.rice/june-4-hotc

BROADCAST

The week in politics (June 4, 2025)
Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor of political science and fellow in political science at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, participates in a roundtable discussion of the week's political news.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-jones
Political roundup: How the Legislature will affect Houston
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/june-4-jones
KRLD-AM (Dallas)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-jones (This segment aired five times.)
KLBJ-AM (Austin)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-jones (This segment aired five times.)

Hello Houston (June 3, 2025)
Rodrigo Ferreira, assistant teaching professor in computer science and a Rice Faculty Scholar in the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed about the key findings from a recent symposium on AI and its impact on the future of work in the U.S. and Mexico.
Houston Public Media (This segment also aired on KUHF-FM in Houston.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ferreira
Hello Houston full episode – June 3, 2025
Houston Public Media on YouTube
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ferreira
Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (June 3, 2025)
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ferreira
AI, the future of work and impact on US-Mexico trade and labor relations
Houston Public Media on YouTube
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ferreira

Invasive Asian needle ant spreading in Texas, experts warn of painful stings, ecosystem risks
Scott Egan, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is quoted.
Click2Houston
http://dateline.rice/june-4-egan

Think anglerfish are weird? Wait until you hear how they evolved
Alumna Rose Faucher is featured.
NPR's Short Wave
http://dateline.rice/june-4-faucher

Exploring Black representation in contemporary art — or the lack of it.
An article features the exhibit "Figurative Histories" at Rice's Moody Center for the Arts, which is on view through Aug. 15. Alison Weaver, executive director of the Moody Center, is interviewed.
Houston Public Media
http://dateline.rice/june-4-weaver

'UFOs: Investigating the Unknown'
A broadcast features Jeffrey Kripal, the J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religion, and mentions Rice's Archives of the Impossible.
Viceland (This segment aired three times.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-kripal

Here is your 2025 Hurricane and Flood Survival Guide
An article features a new study by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research into the percentage of Houstonians who feel prepared for a natural disaster.
Click2Houston
http://dateline.rice/june-4-c2h

Texas House shines light on Lone Star State innovators at SXSW London
An article mentions that leaders from Rice spoke on a panel at South by Southwest London's Texas House.
KXAN Online
http://dateline.rice/june-4-kxan

'KPRC Channel 2 News'
A broadcast features a report by Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research into the growth of area counties.
KPRC-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-kprc (This segment aired five times.)

'Houston's Morning Show'
A broadcast mentions Rice's Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning.
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-kriv

'Great Day Houston'
Alumnus Brock Wagner, who co-founded Saint Arnold Brewing Company, is mentioned.
KHOU-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-wagner

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Major funders line up behind OpenStax's mission: Free digital textbooks
An article features OpenStax, a Rice-based publisher of open educational resources. Richard Baraniuk, the C. Sidney Burrus Professor of Engineering, professor of electrical and computer engineering and computer science and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow, is quoted.
Inside Philanthropy 
http://dateline.rice/june-4-baraniuk

Rice Wind Energy secures second place at national Collegiate Wind Competition with steadfast resolve
An article mentions that the Rice Wind Energy team earned second place in the U.S. Department of Energy's Collegiate Wind Competition. The team consists of Izzie Driewer, Ava Garrelts, Raj Anthony and Jason Yang. The team's faculty advisers included David Trevas, lecturer of mechanical engineering; Gary Woods, distinguished professor in the practice of electrical and computer engineering; and Jose Moreto, assistant teaching professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Scienmag
http://dateline.rice/june-4-rice.wind.enery

SoCalGas' Aliso Canyon site, home to historic methane leak, moves toward closure
Ken Medlock, the James A. Baker III and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics and senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Pipeline & Gas Journal (This article also appeared in the May print edition.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-medlock

Artist Cho-Liang Lin addresses student burnout amid rising academic pressure
Cho-Liang Lin, the Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Distinguished Professor of Violin at Rice's Shepherd School of Music, is featured.
Cultr
http://dateline.rice/june-4-lin

Employers demand more from benefit vendors on costs, outcomes
Elaine Britt, executive director of human resources operations, is quoted.
Modern Healthcare
http://dateline.rice/june-4-britt

Rice researchers lay groundwork for designer hybrid 2D materials
An article features collaborative Rice research that created glaphene, a new 2D hybrid material that combines graphene and silica glass into a single, stable compound. Co-authors quoted or mentioned include Pulickel Ajayan, chair of the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering, professor of chemistry and a Rice Academy Senior Fellow; and graduate student Sathvik Iyengar.
PlasticStar
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ajayan-iyengar

What's the difference between looking and seeing?
Rice is mentioned.
ELLE Decor (This article also appeared in AOL.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-elle

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

ANU experts recognised at world's largest robotics conference
An article features collaborative research by alumnus Tianyang Pan. 
Australian National University
http://dateline.rice/june-4-pan

Savannah State student magazine beats out Yale and Rice University for national award
An article mentions that the undergraduate literary magazine at Rice won second place in the Association of Writers and Writing Programs' Prize for Undergrad Lit Mags.
Savannah Morning News
http://dateline.rice/june-4-smn

Glick, Alomar, Sweeney round out top 5 Iron Horse graduates
Rice is mentioned.
The Daniel Island News
http://dateline.rice/june-4-din

Invitan a participar en clubes de ciencia
Graduate student Alan Covarrubias is mentioned.
El Vigia
http://dateline.rice/june-4-covarrubias

SPORTS

'Houston's Morning Show'
A broadcast features former Rice football player Jarett Dillard, who is on the ballot for induction into the National College Football Hall of Fame.
KRIV-TV (Houston)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-dillard

Rebels' Ellis receives football scholarship offer
Rice assistant football coach Eli Turner Jr. is pictured.
Midland Times
http://dateline.rice/june-4-mt

2025 Louisiana football schedule
An article mentions that Rice's football team is scheduled to play the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Aug. 30 to open the 2025 season.
HERO Sports
http://dateline.rice/june-4-hero

VB season and single match tickets on sale now
An article mentions that Rice's volleyball team is slated to play Baylor University Sept. 7.
BaylorBears.com
http://dateline.rice/june-4-bbears

Volleyball announces 2025 season schedule
An article mentions that Rice's volleyball team is slated to play the University of Texas at Austin Sept. 3.
TexasLonghorns.com (This article also appeared in Yahoo! Sports and KXAN Online.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-longhorns

Miners baseball excited for the future after another stellar season
An article mentions that Justin Michaelis has signed to play football at Rice.
The Park Record
http://dateline.rice/june-4-pr

Parkway's Devon Oliver opts to change direction with his athletic, academic future
An article mentions that Devon Oliver has signed to play football at Rice.
Shreveport Times
http://dateline.rice/june-4-st

Texas WR Davis McCray gives UK a 'physical' commit
Rice is mentioned.
YourSportsEdge.com
http://dateline.rice/june-4-yse
The Czech is in the mail
Elgin Courier
http://dateline.rice/june-4-ec
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman adds Texas running back to 2026 recruiting class
MSN Sports (This article originally appeared in The Topeka Capital-Journal.)
http://dateline.rice/june-4-msn

ESPN FPI bashes on Utah State
Rice football is mentioned.
Cat Country
http://dateline.rice/june-4-cc
Kentucky lands a 3-star wide receiver out of Texas for 2026
UK Wildcats Wire
http://dateline.rice/june-4-uk.ww

NEWS RELEASES

Engineered with heart: Student-designed device could streamline imaging for cardiac procedures
One of the major challenges of cardiac ablation is keeping the imaging catheter in place: In operating rooms across the country, a second surgeon or technician is often stationed bedside solely to hold the catheter steady. That is the problem six Rice students — working together as team AnchorCat — set out to solve with their senior engineering design project. Vivian Lang and teammates developed a device that holds and stabilizes an intracardiac echocardiography catheter during heart procedures, allowing the primary physician to maintain precise control of the catheter without needing a second set of hands.
http://dateline.rice/june-4-news-release-anchorcat

Rice student venture HEXAspec wins NSF grant to enhance computer chips for breakthrough thermal management technology
The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Rice is proud to announce that HEXAspec, a cutting-edge spinout from the lab of professor Jun Lou, has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation Partnership for Innovation grant. The funding will support HEXAspec's work to enhance the future of computing by substantially improving the thermal conductivity of chips.
http://dateline.rice/june-4-news-release-hexaspec

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