Universities build their own ChatGPT-like AI tools – Inside Higher Ed

When ChatGPT debuted in November 2022, Ravi Pendse knew fast action was needed. While the University of Michigan formed an advisory group to explore ChatGPTs impact on teaching and learning, Pendse, UMichs chief information officer, took it further.

Months later, before the fall 2023 semester, the university launched U-M GPT, a homebuilt generative AI tool that now boasts between 14,000 to 16,000 daily users.

A report is great, but if we could provide tools, that would be even better, Pendse said, noting that Michigan is very concerned about equity. U-M GPT is all free; we wanted to even the playing field.

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The University of Michigan is one of a small number of institutions that have created their own versions of ChatGPT for student and faculty use over the last year. Those include Harvard University, Washington University, the University of California, Irvine and UC San Diego. The effort goes beyond jumping on the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagonfor the universities, its a way to overcome concerns about equity, privacy and intellectual property rights.

We need to talk about AI for good of course, but lets talk about not creating the next version of the digital divide.

Students can use OpenAIs ChatGPT and similar tools for everything from writing assistance to answering homework questions. The newest version of ChatGPT costs $20 per month, while older versions remain free. The newer models have more up-to-date information, which could give students who can afford it a leg up.

That fee, no matter how small, creates a gap unfair to students, said Tom Andriola, UC Irvines chief digital officer.

Do we think its right, in who we are as an organization, for some students to pay $20 a month to get access to the best [AI] models while others have access to lesser capabilities? Andriola said. Principally, it pushes us on an equity scale where AI has to be for all. We need to talk about AI for good of course, but lets talk about not creating the next version of the digital divide.

UC Irvine publicly announced their own AI chatbotdubbed ZotGPTon Monday. Deployed in various capacities since October 2023, it remains in testing and is only available to staff and faculty. The tool can help them with everything from creating class syllabi to writing code.

Offering their own version of ChatGPT allows faculty and staff to use the technology without the concerns that come with OpenAIs version, Andriola said.

When we saw generative AI, we said, We need to get people learning this as fast as possible, with as many people playing with this that we could, he said. [ZotGPT] lets people overcome privacy concerns, intellectual property concerns, and gives them an opportunity of, How can I use this to be a better version of myself tomorrow?

That issue of intellectual property has been a major concern and a driver behind universities creating their own AI tools. OpenAI has not been transparent in how it trains ChatGPT, leaving many worried about research and potential privacy violations.

Albert Lai, deputy faculty lead for digital transformation at Washington University, spearheaded the launch of WashU GPT last year.

WashUalong with UC Irvine and University of Michiganbuilt their tools using Microsofts Azure platform, which allows users to integrate the work into their institutions applications. The platform uses open source software available for free. In contrast, proprietary platforms like OpenAIs ChatGPT have an upfront fee.

A look at WashU GPT, a version of Washington Universitys own generative AI platform that promises more privacy and IP security than ChatGPT.

Provided/Washington University

There are some downsides when universities train their own models. Because a universitys GPT is based on the research, tests and lectures put in by an institution, it may not be as up-to-date as the commercial ChatGPT.

But thats a price we agreed to pay; we thought about privacy, versus what were willing to give up, Lai said. And we felt the value in maintaining privacy was higher in our community.

To ensure privacy is kept within a universitys GPT, Lai encouraged other institutions to ensure any Microsoft institutional agreements include data protection for IP. UC Irvine and UMichigan also have agreements with Microsoft that any information put into their GPT models will stay within the university and not be publicly available.

Weve developed a platform on top of [Microsofts] foundational models to provide faculty comfort that their IP is protected, Pendse said. Any faculty memberincluding myselfwould be very uncomfortable in putting a lecture and exams in an OpenAI model (such as ChatGPT) because then its out there for the world.

Once you figure out the secret sauce, its pretty straightforward.

It remains to be seen whether more universities will build their own generative AI chatbots.

Consulting firm Ithaka S+R formed a 19-university task force in September dubbed Making AI Generative for Higher Education to further study the use and rise of generative AI. The task force members include Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Chicago.

Lai and others encourage university IT officials to continue experimenting with what is publicly available, which can eventually morph into their own versions of ChatGPT.

I think more places do want to do it and most places havent figured out how to do it yet, he said. But frankly, in my opinion, once you figure out the magic sauce its pretty straightforward.

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Universities build their own ChatGPT-like AI tools - Inside Higher Ed

3DEO partners with IHI Aerospace for AM in Japan’s aerospace sector – Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

The partnership aims to integrate the advanced capabilities of Additive Manufacturing with the precision and tradition of Japans aerospace manufacturing sector (Courtesy 3DEO)

3DEO, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA, has announced a strategic partnership and investment with IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd. (IA), based in Koutou-ku, Japan. This multi-faceted, multi-phase deal is designed to enhance the adoption and application of Additive Manufacturing technologies within IA. It integrates advanced AM capabilities with the precision and tradition of Japans aerospace manufacturing sector.

We are deeply honoured to partner with IA, a company that shares our vision for the future of aerospace manufacturing, Matt Petros, CEO and Co-founder of 3DEO, commented. This partnership underscores the incredible progress and potential of Additive Manufacturing, especially when coupled with a highly collaborative design for additive approach.

By leveraging 3DEOs patented technology, its Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) knowledge and IAs engineering expertise, the partners expect to make a lasting impact on the aerospace industry, enhancing capabilities and setting heightened standards for manufacturing.

Payman Torabi, CTO and Co-founder of 3DEO, added, Working alongside IA presents an exceptional opportunity to apply our Additive Manufacturing technologies to the aerospace sector. Its a collaboration that stands to reduce time-to-market and drive innovation.

The announcement follows 3DEOs recent strategic investment from the Development Bank of Japan and Seiko Epson Corporation.

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3DEO partners with IHI Aerospace for AM in Japan's aerospace sector - Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Maryland: Building on an Aerospace Legacy: Maryland companies navigate the commercial space race. – Site Selection Magazine

A

n incubator of aerospace and aviation engineering going back nearly a century, the Lockheed Martin plant at Little River, Maryland, has a storied history. It was there that the Glenn L. Martin Companys developed the B-26, a medium-range bomber that flew more than 100,000 sorties during World War II. Parts of Gemini and Apollo spacecraft came out of the plant decades later. Shuttered last year as part of a corporate re-organization, the cavernous facility in fairly short order has received a new lease on life.

Literally. Rocket Lab, an agile player in the evolving commercial space game, agreed in November to rent and refurbish 113,000 sq. ft. from Lockheed Martin for a Space Structures Complex. To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce is providing a $1.56 million repayable loan through its Advantage Maryland program. Slotted to create 65 new jobs, its a project the state government seemed eager to get.

With our states close proximity to several federal and defense agencies, combined with Marylands abundance of talented tech and engineering workers, said Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson in a statement, this facility is sure to bring much success to both Rocket Lab and Marylands innovative space industry.

Founded in New Zealand in 2003 and headquartered now in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab is what founder and CEO Peter Beck calls a one-stop space shop. It provides satellite design and manufacturing for both the U.S. government and private clients and launch services to customers that include NASA, the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. Rocket Lab technology went into the James Webb Telescope, developed in part at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, just northwest of Washington, D.C.

Most aerospace companies, youre either a satellite guy or youre a rocket guy, Beck tells Site Selection. Were both, he says. So, when a customer comes to us, we can build a satellite, then we can launch the satellite and we can even operate the satellite with them.

Among recent, high-profile projects, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket sent NASAs CAPSTONE CubeSat on a path toward the moon from the companys Launch Pad 1 in New Zealand. CAPSTONE has settled into a pioneering lunar orbit, the same orbit planned for Gateway, a small space station from which NASA plans to return humans to the Moon.

We operated the spacecraft, says Beck, until it was time to turn it over to NASA.

Rocket Labs Middle River facility is to focus on composites and composite structures Were the only company, says Beck, thats building fully carbon composite launch vehicles with an eye toward building ever larger rockets.

For us to be able to pick up a facility of this size, one with large, open spaces and a hugely thick foundation, is incredibly rare, Beck says of the Lockheed Martin complex.

The facility offers other advantages, as well. Barge access will allow Rocket Lab to float spacecraft and rockets down Chesapeake Bay to its installation at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Virginia. Wallops, says Beck, will be the exclusive launch platform for the companys Neutron rocket, now in development.

Having manufacturing capability so near the launch site is super, super helpful, he says.

The Space Structures Complex will expand Rocket Labs existing footprint in Maryland, where the company already operates a manufacturing facility for satellite separation systems and CubeSat dispensers in Silver Spring. Its experience in Maryland, Beck believes, bodes well for Rocket Labs expansion there.

Theres a deep aerospace community with lots of experience. Theres also a really deep composites industry. You can have a great building, but youre going to need to fill it with the best people to be successful, and what weve seen is a culture of getting stuff done that really aligns with our companys core values.

Were super lucky, Beck believes, because not just in Maryland but down the road at Wallops Island weve always been greeted with warmth and, quite frankly, excitement. Theyve really rolled out the red carpet, and its been a great experience for us.

Genesis: Beyond the Logo

Like Rocket Labs, Genesis Engineering has its fingers in numerous pies, opportunities being what they are in the new Wild West of space travel. Unlike Rocket Labs, Genesis is Maryland-born and bred. And Genesis, let it be known, engineered a singular coup in the history of product placement.

The Genesis logo, attached to Space Shuttle Discovery

Photo courtesy of Genesis Engineering

As astronaut Mike Massimino dangled outside Space Shuttle Discovery during a 2009 spacewalk, a NASA camera swung around to capture what looked like a bumper sticker. Blue letters on a white background, it read Genesis Engineering. Today, that memento hangs on a wall at a Genesis conference room at the companys headquarters in Lanham, near NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center.

That was the last time they allowed a contractor to fly their logo, says Robert Rashford, Genesis founder and CEO. We got free advertising for two days in space. Then they said, No more of that.

Rashford himself is an interesting story. The native of Kingson, Jamaica, emigrated to the U.S. in 1978, earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Temple University. After landing his first aerospace job with the space division of RCA in New Jersey, he moved to Maryland for a position with Fairchild Space and Defense, where he says he learned to build tools employed by spacewalking astronauts. Banking that experience, Rashford struck out on his own. He founded Genesis in 1993, seeding the new companys bank account with $350.

Today, Genesis employs about 200 people spread across four buildings in Lanham. The work that earned it that bumper sticker included supplying NASA with tools and tool lockers for stowing all manner of space gear packed to exacting specifications.

We also wrote scripts for the astronauts on the cadence of the spacewalk. That was our bread and butter for several years. Then, we designed and built hardware for the James Webb Telescope.

Having manufacturing capability so near the launch site is super, super helpful.

Peter Beck, Founder & CEO, Rocket Labs

The granular knowledge Genesis gathered from supporting shuttle spacewalks inspired one of the companys most ambitious projects to date. Who knew that spacesuits designed for EVAs (Extravehicular Activities), are essentially one-size-fits all? Ill-fitting suits, says Rashford, can cause skin abrasions and joint problems. Heating and cooling systems can leak water, cutting spacewalks short. The Genesis Single Person Spacecraft, (SPS) designed with the International Space Station, NASAs Gateway program and space tourism in mind, is a self-propelled module that a spacewalker would board to operate outside the mothership sans spacesuit and without the lengthy hours of pre-breathing required to prevent getting the outer space version of the bends.

You can eliminate all of that, says Rashford, because the pressure inside the vehicle is the same as inside the spacecraft.

Orbital Reef, conceived as a space-based business park, is a potential partner for SPS, although Rashford suggests that project led by Blue Origin is being slow-walked due to other Blue Origin priorities. Genesis, says Rashford, is looking for an investor to see SPS to the finish line.

In the meantime, Genesis is developing its first CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite for space research, creating a propulsion system for a private customer and bidding on a billion-dollar contract with Goddard to produce mass spectrometers for space applications.

We feel the time is right to do it, Rashford says. We have the staff, the confidence, the know-how and the partnerships. We think we stand a good chance of winning that contract because of what we have to offer.

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Maryland: Building on an Aerospace Legacy: Maryland companies navigate the commercial space race. - Site Selection Magazine

Oceania Cruises Announces 2026 Around the World Voyage Aboard Its Newest Ship, Vista – PR Newswire

Set sail on an epic 180-day world journey across six continents visiting 43 countries, 101 ports and 81 UNESCO World Heritage sites

MIAMI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Opening up the world to a new era of global exploration,Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, welcomes guests on board its newest ship, Vista, for its highly anticipated inaugural 180-day 2026 Around the World voyage. Having set the standard for extraordinary sailings for over a decade with destination-immersive global journeys, Oceania Cruises sets a new bar with unparalleled comfort and convenience, electing Vista to host this year's circumnavigation visiting 101 ports across 43 countries. Now open for preview, bookings for this unique, all-encompassing journey officially open on March 13, 2024.

Setting sail from Miami on January 6, the boutique 1,200-guest vessel will cross three oceans and 18 seas, exploring the jewels of Southeast Asia and Australia, island-hopping in the South Pacific, calling on unique ports in Europe, and exploring favorite South American cities. Fully charting entire continental coastlines, the journey features both off-the-beaten-path secrets and impressive cities embracing cultural immersions, epicurean discoveries and breathtaking natural wonders.

"After the remarkable success of our most recent world cruises, we have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present travelers with an even more extraordinary experience for our 2026 voyage," remarked Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "With that, we are excited to announce that Vista, Oceania Cruises' pinnacle of luxury and newest ship, will circumnavigate the globe artfully intertwining diverse continents, enriching cultures, and mouthwatering cuisines, creating an unforgettable tapestry of exploration for our guests. With this new voyage, we are excited to offer a rare chance to experience the world from an entirely new perspective and further forward the future of global cruising."

Around the World in 180 Days

The 2026 Around the World journey weaves together a lineup of destinations into a brilliant kaleidoscope of world wonders, marvelous attractions, and exceptional encounters. Vista will start its six-month sojourn with a sweeping six-week exploration of South America, fully charting the continent's western coast before continuing to Mexico and California, and then will island-hop in the dazzling South Pacific and call on unique Australian ports such as the Whitsunday Islands. Farther west, off-the-beaten-path secrets will come to life in Southeast Asia and across India. Toward the end of the voyage, Vista will call into enchanting coastal villages and iconic cities throughout the Mediterranean, British Isles and Nordic region before crossing back over to the United States.

Continuing to elevate The Finest Cuisine at Sea, Vista features 11 onboard culinary venues including the lines' newest additions: Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes with a hint of indulgence; The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries; and new signature restaurant, Ember. At 791 feet (241 meters) long and more than 67,000 tons, Vista offers a market-leading staffing ratio with two crew members for every three guests. On board, culinary aficionados will delight in the gourmet experiences curated by Oceania Cruises' two resident Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale. From immersive Culinary Discovery Tours ashore to hands-on cooking classes back on board, guests will have the opportunity to savor the flavors of cultures from around the world alongside Director of Culinary Enrichment Kathryn Kelly, an Oceania Cruises Around the World first. Vista additionally offers an elevated variety of onboard activities including eight bars, lounges and entertainment venues, including the new Founders Bar, the luxurious Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center and Aquamar Spa Terrace.

This epic voyage features over 80 UNESCO World Heritage sites across 101 destinations, with 11 overnight stays and a series of curated complimentary special onshore events and optional multi-day overland programs. Starting at $59,699 per person for the French Veranda Stateroom category, the 180-day world cruise boasts free first-class roundtrip airfare and transfers, an array of included amenities with the Exclusive Prestige Package such as free laundry services, a free visa package, free Internet, free pre-paid gratuities, free luggage delivery, as well as inclusive simply MORE amenities including a generous shore excursion credit of $8,800 per stateroom and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner.

World Odyssey and Global Wanderlust Voyages

In addition to Vista's Around the World in 180 days cruise, Oceania Cruises is offering more flexibility than ever by offering Global Wanderlust, a 120-day voyage from San Diego to Miami, as well as World Odyssey, a 197-day cruise from Los Angeles to Miami. While the global destinations are naturally the star attraction on this journey, the luxurious ambiance of Vista welcomes guests to the ultimate home at sea. With staterooms among the most spacious ever to be offered on a world journey, Oceania Cruises provides the space for a ritual of rejuvenation before exploring each day.

A detailed brochure for Oceania Cruises' 2026 Around the World journeys may be found here. For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About simply MOREOceania Cruises offers travelers simply MORE, with virtually everything included in the voyage fare: free roundtrip airfare; free airport transfers; a generous shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom to be spent on tours of their choice; and a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner at onboard restaurants featuring dozens of vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers. Created to elevate the guest experience, simply MORE means travelers receive the greatest value in luxury cruising.

About Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visitOceaniaCruises.com.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

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Valentine’s Day 2024 means 3 rocket launches, a SpaceX doubleheader and a moon probe for space lovers – Space.com

Update for Feb. 14: SpaceX is now aiming to launch the IM-1 moon lander mission for Intuitive Machines no earlier than Thursday (Feb. 15), due to a liquid methane temperature issue during preparations to fuel the Odysseus lander. You can read our story and see the updated times for the mission below.

SpaceX also recently announced another mission with a Feb. 14 liftoff, however: The company plans to launch 22 of its Starlink internet satellites from California at 7:30 p.m. EST (0030 GMT on Feb. 15).

This Valentine's Day is going to be out of this world for space fans.

With up to three rocket launches possible on Wednesday (Feb. 14), including at least two by SpaceX one of which carries a private moon probe Valentine's Day 2024 is certainly shaping up to be a space lover's dream. You can even watch them all live online, but you'll need to be both an early bird and a night owl.

The space action actually starts before dawn with SpaceX's launch of the private IM-1 moon lander Odysseus for the company Intuitive Machines. The mission will launch to the moon on a Falcon 9 rocket from Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:57 a.m. EST (0557 GMT) and you can watch it online, with NASA's webcast beginning at 12:15 a.m. EST (0515 GMT).

Odysseus is the first Nova-C lander built by Intuitive Machines and is carrying a suite of NASA experiments as part of a $118 million contract under the agency's Commercial Lunar Payloads Services program. If all goes well, the spacecraft will touch down in a crater near the lunar south pole on Feb. 22 to deliver NASA's experiments and host of other commercial payloads to the lunar surface.

Have Your Own Starship

You can have a SpaceX Starship of your own with this desktop rocket model. Standing at 12.5 inches (32 cm), this is a 1:375 ratio.

SpaceX will follow the IM-1 moon flight with the launch of USSF-124, a classified payload for the U.S. Space Force. That mission is scheduled to lift off at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT) atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

SpaceX is expected to provide a livestream of the military space launch beginning 10 to 15 minutes before liftoff, but the company may cut off the stream shortly after liftoff at its customer's request as has been done in the past for classified missions. You can watch that USSF-124 launch at SpaceX's page on X (formerly Twitter).

Because of its classified nature, not much is known about the USSF-124 mission, but it is part of SpaceX's commitment for its National Security Space Launch contracts, according to Spaceflight Now.

Finally, Russia's space agency Roscosmos will close out Valentine's Day with an uncrewed Progress cargo ship launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. A Russian-built Soyuz rocket will launch the Progress MS-26 vehicle, also known as Progress 87, to the ISS at 10:25 p.m. EST (0325 Feb. 15 GMT).

Progress 87 will deliver nearly 3 tons of food, fuel and supplies to astronauts on the ISS. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the station on Saturday (Feb. 17) at 1:12 a.m. EST (0612 GMT) to deliver its bounty. NASA will provide a live launch webcast for Progress 87 on NASA TV starting at 10 p.m. EST (0300 GMT).

If rocket launches don't light your space fire, there is one other big space event to track on Valentine's Day.

The future of the International Space Station will take center stage at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) during a congressional hearing of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in Washington, D.C. The hearing, entitled "ISS and Beyond: The Present and Future of American Low-Earth Orbit Activities," will discuss NASA's plans to retire the ISS around 2030 by burning it up in Earth's atmosphere, as well as the agency's efforts to spur the development of private U.S. space stations as a replacement.

"This hearing will also provide the Committee with insight into NASAs end-of-life planning for the International Space Station (ISS) as well as the status of commercial space station development," the hearing's charter states.

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Valentine's Day 2024 means 3 rocket launches, a SpaceX doubleheader and a moon probe for space lovers - Space.com

Supreme Court hears 14th Amendment challenge to Donald Trump – NPR

A banner is displayed in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday as justices prepared to hear arguments in a case about whether former President Donald Trump can be disqualified from state ballots. The case has profound implications for the 2024 presidential election. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

A banner is displayed in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday as justices prepared to hear arguments in a case about whether former President Donald Trump can be disqualified from state ballots. The case has profound implications for the 2024 presidential election.

Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical Thursday of the effort to disqualify Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump from a state primary ballot because he allegedly engaged in an insurrection to try to cling to power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.

The historic dispute comes from Colorado, where the state's Supreme Court threw Trump off Colorado's Republican primary ballot. But the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling could have national implications for Trump and his political fate.

The plaintiffs in the case argue that Trump's actions in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election automatically disqualify him from office. Trump's lawyers counter that the case against him is one of overreach.

The court's justices on Thursday, over more than two hours of oral arguments, broadly appeared to be searching for a way to keep Trump on ballots, leaving election decisions to voters.

Chief Justice John Roberts asked the Colorado plaintiffs' attorney Jason Murray to ponder the consequences of his side's case.

"I would expect that a goodly number of states will say whoever the Democratic candidate is, 'You're off the ballot.' For the Republican candidate, 'You're off the ballot,'" Roberts said. "It will come down to just a handful of states that are going to decide the presidential election. That's a pretty daunting consequence."

Justice Elena Kagan, a liberal-leaning justice, similarly asked about the national implications of the Colorado move.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Murray: "What about the idea that we should think about democracy? ... Because your position has the effect of disenfranchising voters to a significant degree."

To this Murray responded: "The reason we're here is [former] President Trump tried to disenfranchise 80 million Americans who voted against him."

Jason Murray (right), the lead attorney behind the lawsuit by six Colorado voters, and the lead plaintiff, Norma Anderson, speak with reporters after Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court arguments. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

The case was brought by Norma Anderson, who watched intruders storm the U.S. Capitol three years ago on television, from her home in Colorado.

"They're trying to overthrow the government is what I was thinking," Anderson recalled before Thursday's oral arguments.

Anderson, 91, is a Republican. She was the first woman to lead the Colorado House of Representatives and, later, the state's Senate. She said taking part in the lawsuit is her way of protecting democracy.

"You have to remember, as old as I am, I was born in the Great Depression," she said. "I lived through World War II. I remember Hitler. I remember my cousin was with Eisenhower when they opened up the concentration camps. ... I mean, I understand protecting democracy."

Anderson and five other Colorado voters are relying on part of the 14th Amendment, passed after the Civil War to keep Confederates out of office.

"Those who drafted Section 3 of the 14th Amendment back in the 1860s were very clear that they understood this provision not just to cover former Confederates but that it would stand as a shield to protect our Constitution for all time going forward, and so this is not some dusty relic," Murray, their lawyer, said prior to Thursday's arguments.

The 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify candidates only eight times since the 1860s, most recently two years ago, in the case of a county commissioner from New Mexico who trespassed at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It has never been used against a presidential candidate.

"In an ideal world, it would have been great to have years to build cases in different states and different parts of the country regarding defendants at different levels," said Noah Bookbinder, the president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which is backing the lawsuit. "We didn't have that luxury because this person who played such a central role in making that insurrection happen, Donald Trump, was suddenly trying to put himself in a position of power again."

Murray said there's a reason to revive dormant language in the Constitution now, in this case: "No other American president has refused to peacefully hand over the reins of power after losing an election," he said.

The language in what's often called the insurrection clause is simple: Anyone who engages in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution is barred from holding public office, unless two-thirds of Congress votes to grant that person amnesty.

Extending that logic to a former president would have profound consequences, said Scott Gessler, a former Republican secretary of state of Colorado who now works as a lawyer for Trump.

"If the U.S. Supreme Court allows these doors to open, what we're going to see is a constant stream of litigation," Gessler said. "You're going to see attacks on President Biden. You're going to see attacks on ... Vice President Harris. You're going to see attacks on senators, representatives, other people, trying to prevent them from being on the ballot. "

In court on Thursday, Trump's legal team argued that part of the 14th Amendment doesn't apply to the president because he was not an officer of the United States as that term is used in the Constitution.

They said Trump did not engage in insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Indeed, while Trump is fighting 91 criminal charges across four jurisdictions, including for actions related to his efforts to cling to power, he hasn't been charged with violating the statute against insurrection or rebellion. And the U.S. Senate did not convict Trump in an impeachment process just weeks after the Capitol riot.

Lawyers for the former president also said Congress needs to pass a law that answers questions about how to enforce that part of the 14th Amendment.

"We have no guidance from Congress on what the proper standards are, what the proper burden of proof is, what insurrection means," Gessler added.

Another Trump lawyer, Jonathan Mitchell, presented his side in court on Thursday.

The case puts the Supreme Court in the middle of the presidential election for the first time since it stopped the Florida recount and handed the White House to George W. Bush in 2000.

This time, the justices have a few options:

Not providing a clear answer before the November election or the certification in January 2025 could confuse or disenfranchise voters.

"When you have such divided opinion and you have such a volatile situation, it's just better to have some certainty about this issue as soon as possible," said Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Hasen and two other election law experts wrote a friend-of-the-court brief to say a decision by the court not to decide could "place the nation in great peril."

"We think it creates conditions for great political instability if the court leaves this issue open," Hasen said.

Murray, the Colorado voters' lawyer, also said he sees danger ahead but danger from Trump.

"If you read Trump's brief, he has a not-so-subtle threat to the court and to the country that if he loses this case, there's going to be bedlam all over the country," Murray said. "And I take that as Trump once again trying to hold this country hostage. And I don't think the country should stand for it."

Trump has pointed out he named three of the six conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Speaking Thursday from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the Supreme Court arguments were "a beautiful thing" and repeated his false assertion that court cases against him amounted to election interference by his Democratic opponents.

Trump allies Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speak to reporters outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

Donald K. Sherman, the chief counsel at CREW, said the Supreme Court, including justices appointed by Trump, has voted against his interests in the past, including a case where the court allowed the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 siege to access documents related to Trump's conduct.

"We are fully prepared to accept the results of the court's decision, and we expect that state officials across the country are fully prepared to do that," Sherman said. "The one big question that always remains is, is Donald Trump going to follow the rule of law or is he going to do something different that endangers our democracy?"

The Supreme Court hasn't offered a timetable for its decision, but some legal experts think the justices could rule before the Super Tuesday primaries, in early March.

The court also may decide Trump's broad claims of presidential immunity, which were denied this week by an appeals court.

The question about Trump's disqualification in Colorado is playing out in different ways in dozens of other states too. Maine's secretary of state found that Trump is disqualified from appearing on Maine's primary ballot, but the decision is stayed pending Trump's appeal. Litigation is also pending in 11 other states.

Where challenges to Trump's appearance on primary ballots have already been dismissed, new challenges could be brought to his eligibility for the general election.

Hasen, of UCLA, said he thinks Chief Justice Roberts will be working hard to avoid a sharp conservative and liberal split.

"Unanimity, of course, would be best, but finding some way of reaching something where you bring in not just the Republican-appointed justices but at least some of the Democratic-appointed justices is behind the scenes going to be one of the most important things," Hasen said before Thursday's arguments.

One way might be to find that the key part of the 14th Amendment requires Congress to pass a new law before it can be used.

"I don't think that's a strong legal argument, but it's a very nice off-ramp if you're looking for one," Hasen said. "It avoids the merits and it kicks it to another body and it keeps Trump on the ballot."

NPR legal intern Elissa Harwood contributed to this story.

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Supreme Court hears 14th Amendment challenge to Donald Trump - NPR

Photos: NFL stars and other celebrities at the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – Golfweek

One of the best weeks of golf is here, even if it has been reduced a bit.

The 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is set to kick off Thursday as the first full-field signature event of the PGA Tours season. Unlike in years past, there are only 80 players in the field, but playing with them the first two rounds will be celebrities from all realms.

Bill Murray. Josh Allen. Aaron Rodgers. Buster Posey. And dozens of others will tee it up at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill the first two rounds before the competition switches to pros only at Pebble Beach over the weekend.

Heres a look at the best photos of celebrities at the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach

Former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays a shot on the third hole prior to

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays a shot on the third hole prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the third tee prior to

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the third tee prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the fifth tee prior to

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the fifth tee prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the third tee prior to

Josh Allen of the NFL Buffalo Bills plays his shot from the third tee prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Former NBA player Pau Gasol plays a shot prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at

Former NBA player Pau Gasol plays a shot prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrities

Former MLB player Buster Posey plays his shot from the fourth tee prior to the AT&T

Former MLB player Buster Posey plays his shot from the fourth tee prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on January 31, 2024 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Photos: NFL stars and other celebrities at the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Golfweek

10 U.S. National Parks With Beaches – TheTravel

Summary

There are 63 national parks in the US, and over 400 national park units are managed by the National Park Service. With so many millions of protected miles to explore, these national parks manage to protect every type of environment.

This is good news for those struggling to decide if they want a beach-side vacation getaway or a full-blown national park road trip through the US; some parks make it possible to enjoy both. Located off the coast of some of the most popular ocean-side cities or along the miles of shore along the Great Lakes, there are hundreds of miles of beaches to explore in the US.

These 10 national parks in the US have some truly exquisite beaches, with a variety of wildlife, sandy space, and surrounding natural beauty to enjoy.

Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA, one of Maine's most beautiful beaches

Acadia National Park in Maine has been ranked as one of the most beautiful places in the US, and its scenic New England beaches are just one more thing to love.

Acadia National Park features both beautiful ocean beaches like Little Hunters Beach, and scenic lakeside shores, such as Echo Lake Beach. Visitors to the park often find themselves struggling to decide whether to set up at the beach or enjoy the ocean and lake views from one of the best hiking trails in Acadia National Park.

The variety of shorelines to explore means that guests can enjoy everything from sunbathing to kayaking to swimming (although guests should remember that this is the northern corner of the US, even in the summer, the water is brisk at best).

Sandy beach onSan Miguel Island in Channel Islands National Park, California, USA

For those looking for some truly untainted beaches in US national parks, it's hard to imagine a better destination than Channel Islands National Park.

Accessible only by ferry, the beaches and rocky shores of the Channel Islands have been spared the wear and tear of motorized vehicles. Additionally, because the Channel Islands are one of the most difficult national parks in the US to visit, the shores here are perfect for a quieter day at the beach.

A beach in Olympic National Park, Washington, USA

Olympic National Park is the most visited of Washington State's three national parks, and for good reason. In addition to the temperate rainforests and miles of incredible hiking trails in Olympic National Park, this scenic area just two hours from Seattle protects some of Washington's most beautiful beaches.

There are over a dozen beaches to choose from in Olympic National Park, including Ruby Beach, Sand Point, and Rialto Beach. Unlike the white sand beaches of the more southern national parks, visitors to Olympic National Parks beaches are likely to see dramatic rock formations and red-tinted sand on their beach excursions.

View from Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in the US, thanks to its inaccessibility off the coast of the Florida Keys. While the beaches of the seven islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park require months of planning to get to, there is no doubt that these sandy shores are worth the work.

The Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas Beach Section is the most isolated beach in the Florida Keys, which manages to further emphasize its beauty. Since the seaplanes only carry 10 passengers at a time, with limited flights to the park, guests will have these white sand beaches practically to themselves.

Scenic coastline inRedwood National Park, California, USA

Giant redwoods and beautiful California coastline? Redwoods National and State Parks may just be the perfect combination of land and sea. While the northern shores of California are a little chilly for full-blown swimming excursions, there are plenty of black sand, striking rock formations, and rolling sand dunes to explore.

While all of the beaches at Redwoods National and State Parks are beautiful, Enderts Beach and False Klamath Cove are two of the best beaches for those looking for some coastal wildlife. With thriving tidepools and unusual rock formations, these beaches highlight the beauty of the California coast and are some of the best US National Park beaches overall.

Boca Chita Beach and Lighthouse,Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA

Biscayne National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the US. Nearly 95% of Biscayne National Park is underwater, featuring protected coral reefs and coastal formations. The other 5% are some of the best national park beaches in the US.

The Boca Chita Key Beach, which also features the Boca Chita lighthouse, is perhaps the most photographed beach in Biscayne National Park. However, the entire Sands Key and Elliott Key, both of which frame the underwater portion of Biscayne, are lined with beautiful shorelines. Each one of these sandy stretches is perfect for a relaxing day on a US National Park beach.

The rocky volcanic coast ofHawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

While the volcanoes and frozen lava flows may be the most famous part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this popular destination on the Big Island also has some of the best national park beaches in the US.

While some of the scenic shoreline, namely the region that is part of the Kahuku-Phue parcel, is closed to the public for the time being, other beaches like Halape Cove can be enjoyed by adventurous travelers. After backpacking through the rugged jungle formed by the rich volcanic soil, the beaches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are a truly one-of-a-kind sight.

View of Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska

While the beaches in Alaska may not be full of white sand and warm ocean water, there is something inherently beautiful about these northern shores. Lined with wildlife, from river otters to sea lions, the beaches of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve are some of the most enchanting places to see the region's spectacular beauty.

The namesake Glacier Bay is the crowning jewel of the park's beaches. With wildflowers in the spring, floating glaciers in the bay, and a variety of Alaska's iconic animals, a beach visit to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve may just be the seaside getaway travelers didn't know they needed.

Canoers on the shore of Lake Superior in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

When travelers think of beaches, they often think about crashing ocean waves along the coast. The US is home to thousands of lakes, however, and some of those lakes hide the best national park beaches in America.

One such example is Isle Royale National Park, a conglomeration of islands on the Great Lakes that features miles of lake beaches. Another national park that cannot be reached by car, the beaches of Isle Royale National Park are pristine. Despite being a lake beach, the depth of the Great Lakes means that not only is swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking available, but snorkeling can be enjoyed as well.

Aerial view of Trunk Bay on St John Island, US Virgin Islands National Park, USA

While not part of the 50 states, the Virgin Islands are a territory of the United States, and the idyllic Virgin Islands National Park has some of the most beautiful national park beaches in the US.

Nearly half of the land protected by Virgin Islands National Park is underwater, so beachgoers often find themselves snorkeling off the shore to make the most of their visit. A tropical destination near the Caribbean, there is no doubt that the beaches of Virgin Islands National Park, including Salomon/Honeymoon Bay and Hawksnest Bay are perfect for casual visitors and avid ocean explorers alike.

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10 U.S. National Parks With Beaches - TheTravel

Cris Cyborg To Face Unbeaten Foe in Second Pro Boxing Fight – BoxingScene.com

World Fighting Championships returns Jan. 19 at the beautiful Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a stacked card highlighted by Cris Cyborg vs. Kelsey Wickstrum in the main event.

The card is WFCs first of the year, and first at the casino. It will be streamed beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the 19th at spectationsports.com.

Cris Cyborg (1-0), regarded as one of the top MMA female fighters in the world, embarks on her second fight of her professional boxing career. Cyborg shined in her professional debut in 2022, knocking down Gabrielle Holloway en route to a four-round, wide unanimous decision in Omaha.

I am excited to be making my California boxing debut with Pechanga Casino and WFC, said Cyborg. Kelsey Wickstrum is ranked #3 in the USA at super welterweight for womens boxing, and it will be a great challenge.

Cyborgs opponent, undefeated Kelsey Wickstrum (2-0, 1KO) is coming off a first round stoppage win over Sudana Moore last April in Maryland.

My team and I feel great about this fight, said Wickstrum. I am very grateful for the opportunity. This is the biggest fight of my career against a legendary woman in the world of mixed martial arts and women's combat sports. All my preparation leading up to this fight was to make sure I am prepared mentally and physically to handle this fight, no matter what direction it may go. I am confident in my skills and I bet on me always. I am always the underdog and I am always overlooked, which has proved to be a mistake. One thing about me is I always come prepared and I do not come to lose. I expect nothing less than an awesome fight and performance.

This is a great card to kick off 2024 for World Fighting Championships, said Matt McGovern, promoter and CEO of WFC. Were excited to have Cris Cyborg on the card, and she is facing a very tough opponent in Kelsey Wickstrum. Were very grateful to Pechanga Resort Casino and the Pechanga Band of Indians for partnering with us on this event.

In the co-main event, San Diegos Jesus Resendiz (7-0-1, 5KO) faces Rosekie Cristobal (15-6, 11KO) of the Philippines in a six-round bout at welterweight. Resendiz is coming off a third round knockout over Jose Leon. Cristobal will be fighting for the first time since 2021.

Also on the card, San Diego super lightweight Angel Estrada (10-1-1, 7KO) faces Frank Brown (3-3-2, 1KO) of San Antonio. Super welterweights Angel Munoz (5-0, 4KO) and Keith Carson (1-6-1) face off, and Californians Freddie Johnson (debut) and Alex Gutierrez (0-3) mix it up at super featherweight.

Kevin Salgado (4-1, 2KO) will be in action at 147 lbs, Fernando Gonzalez (debut) faces John Darcy (2-1, 2KO) at light heavyweight, Ulysses Navarro (1-0, 1KO) and Michael Hansen (debut) square off at featherweight, Christian Tinoco (debut) will face brandon Truong (0-1), and Jack May (8-0, 7KO) faces Trevor Kotara (3-3-1, 1KO) at heavyweight.

The card will also feature several amateur bouts.

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Cris Cyborg To Face Unbeaten Foe in Second Pro Boxing Fight - BoxingScene.com

Nazi-Looted Painting Returned to Collector’s Heir | Smart News – Smithsonian Magazine

The painting is attributed toDutch artist Cornelis van Haarlem. Kaye Spiegler

A painting stolen by a high-ranking Nazi official during World War II has been returned to the original owners heir, reports the Observers Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly.

The official in question is Hermann Gring, who held many powerful positions in the Nazi party. According to ARTnews Angelica Villa, Gring acquired the artworkalong with some 1,100 other piecesfrom the collection of Dutch-Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker in Amsterdam in 1940.

Some of the looted pieces were eventually returned to the Dutch government, which gave 200 paintings to Goudstikkers family in 2006 after a lengthy legal battle. Many of the works, however, are still missing.

Art historians think the newly returned artwork, titled Adam and Eve, was painted by Dutch artist Cornelis van Haarlem in the 16th century. It recently resurfaced when a private collector tried to donate it to the Muse Rolin, an art museum in Autun, France.

When Agathe Mathiaut-Legros, the museums curator, and Axelle Goupy, her assistant, inspected the piece, they discovered a label bearing Goudstikkers name, reports Meriem Souissi of the French newspaper Le Journal de Sane-et-Loire. They began researching the paintings provenance and determined it was one of the works stolen from Goudstikkers collection during World War II.

The museum then notified Marei von Saher, Goudstikkers daughter-in-law and only living heir, to let her know about the discovery. The New York law firm Kaye Spiegler helped facilitate the return.

The identity of the donors has not been revealed. According to the law firm, they did not know the piece had been looted.

The museum really acted in the way that you want museums to be acting; they flagged it, they contacted the family, they were doing the right thing to resolve this in a fair and correct way, says Yal Weitz, an attorney who worked on the case, to the Observer. They handled it in a way that we hope other museums will going forward.

Roughly 800 pieces looted from Goudstikkers collection still have not been returned to the family, though a few have made their way back in recent years. In 2022, the German city of Trier returned a painting called Ice Skating, created by Dutch artist Adam van Breen during the 17th century.

Still, not all Von Sahers efforts to retrieve the familys stolen paintings have been successful. For example, a San Francisco court ruled in 2018 that the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California, could keep two looted 16th-century paintings created by Lucas Cranach the Elder. In 2019, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.

Last month, the Muse Rolin held a ceremony to mark the return of Adam and Eve.

I am deeply appreciative of the efforts that led to the recovery of this piece of our familys history, says Von Saher in a statement from Kaye Spiegler. It is so gratifying to see justice achieved and have this painting returned to its rightful owners.

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Nazi-Looted Painting Returned to Collector's Heir | Smart News - Smithsonian Magazine