Idaho courts set aside AI pilot to focus on governance
An Idaho courts report says an initially envisioned AI pilot was set aside so the Judicial Branch could first develop governance, policy and readiness processes.
Science & Technology
Scientific research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data, privacy, communications, space, engineering, and technology policy.
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Roman telescope measures optical error below its requirement
NASA says Roman’s Wide Field Instrument measured 63 nanometers RMS of optical error, below its approximately 90-nanometer requirement.
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UT, Vanderbilt join Southeast regional computing consortium
The University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt are founding members of a multi-state effort to expand access to advanced computing for research.
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NASA selects 12 institutions for $12 million in research awards
NASA selected 12 U.S. institutions for M-STAR awards supporting research tied to Moon, Mars and deep-space exploration.
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WSU-SEL wildfire initiative is focused on research planning
Washington State University and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories announced a planning initiative aimed at developing research concepts and groundwork for a possible wildfire resilience consortium.
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IU research spending tops $1 billion for second straight year
Indiana University reported more than $1 billion in FY2026 research and development expenditures. Federal awards, NIH funding and nonprofit-funded research expenditures also increased.
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NASA opens final competition for commercial space stations
NASA is seeking proposals for commercial destinations in low Earth orbit, with submissions due Dec. 8, 2026, and awards expected in spring 2027.
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UT Knoxville engineer receives $450,000 Air Force research award
Han-Gyu Kim’s three-year award will support research into damage in composite aerostructures under extreme, coupled conditions.
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64% of U.S. adults say AI is developing too fast, poll finds
A nationwide AP-NORC survey found 64% of U.S. adults think AI is developing too quickly. Respondents also prioritized human control and worker protection in government’s approach.
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New Mexico, Fujitsu pursue quantum center under three-year deal
A three-year agreement sets out plans for quantum research and workforce development, but makes no financial commitments and does not set a center location or opening date.
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Marshall says $2.5 million grant will fund forensic DNA capacity
Marshall says the grant will support DNA profiling for forensic genetic-genealogy testing in West Virginia, but gives no timetable or case target.
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MyEPWater app offers account access, with tracking limits by meter
El Paso Water’s free app supports account and payment tasks, but detailed water-use tracking and leak alerts require an advanced meter.
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Streamflow model’s benchmark edge came with extra input
In one test across 516 U.S. basins, h-Diffusion scored modestly higher than two LSTM models, but it used daily simulated hydrologic states the other models did not.
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2026 Nobel Prize honors Halzen’s IceCube contributions
Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for contributions to IceCube and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos from space.
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NASA Fuels Roman Space Telescope Ahead of Aug. 30 Launch
NASA says technicians completed fueling the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope with 290 gallons of hydrazine as preparations continue for a planned Aug. 30 launch from Kennedy Space Center.
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FCC Opens 2026 Broadband Data Filing Window
The FCC’s 2026 broadband data filing window is open, with provider submissions due Sept. 1 and reply comments on proposed program changes due Aug. 24.
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NSF Commits $380 Million to Nationwide Network of AI-Enabled Automated Laboratories
The National Science Foundation says 20 teams will build a nationwide network designed to test and scale AI-driven automated science.
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USPTO Says AI Trademark Tool Reaches Full Agency Adoption After 250,000 Applications Analyzed
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says its Trademarks organization fully adopted Scout LLM on July 1, while a related tool, Class ACT, has analyzed 250,000 applications.
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NASA’s Roman Space Telescope remains scheduled for Aug. 30 launch
NASA lists Aug. 30, 2026, as the launch date for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a mission designed to study dark energy, exoplanets and the wider universe.
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USPTO expands AI tools across trademark examination after 250,000 application analyses
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says its trademark organization fully adopted Scout LLM on July 1, while a related classification tool had analyzed 250,000 applications by July 13.
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FAA launches initiative to streamline commercial space licensing
The Federal Aviation Administration says it is pursuing faster, easier approvals for rocket launches, spacecraft reentries and launch and reentry sites.
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European Commission Publishes AI Transparency Guidance Ahead of EU Rules Taking Effect
The European Commission has issued guidance on disclosure requirements under the EU AI Act, including notices for certain AI interactions and labels for some deepfakes and other manipulated content.