The Conversation Daily — June 29, 2026
10 stories · June 29, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Fireworks, heat and drought make this July 4th a recipe for wildfires
theconversation.com · Lauren Lowman, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wake Forest University
Leaving the pyrotechnics to the professionals is safer and more spectacular. YinYang/iStock/Getty Images Plus Across the United States, the sky will be erupting with fireworks on July 4, 2026, and the…
- 2
Texas approves mandatory Bible readings in public schools, reigniting a century-long debate
theconversation.com · Charles J. Russo, Joseph Panzer Chair in Education and Research Professor of Law, University of Dayton
Texas' new list of required readings for public schools, which includes biblical stories and excerpts, will begin to take effect in 2030. AP Photo/David Goldman On June 26, 2026, the Texas State Board…
- 3
Many students listen to music to focus and stay motivated while they study – but it doesn’t always help
theconversation.com · Bridget K. Daleiden, Instructor in educational psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The relationship between listening to music and studying is complex, depending on factors like what kind of music a person is listening to. Steven Errico/Stock Photos/Getty Images Walk into any…
- 4
Why Gen Z is falling in love with film photography
theconversation.com · Rotem Rozental, Lecturer in Critical Studies, Roski School of Art and Design, University of Southern California
Children look at developed film in a darkroom during an analog photography workshop held in southeastern Turkey on June 14, 2026. Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images Film photography is experiencing a…
- 5
As Route 66 turns 100, what is it that we’re actually celebrating?
theconversation.com · Daniel Milowski, Adjunct Professor of History, Arizona State University
A stretch of Route 66 in Albuquerque, N.M., pictured on June 7, 2026. Towns and cities located along the highway are gearing up to celebrate the iconic road's centennial. Heather Diehl/Getty Images…
- 6
8 principles from human ecology can help AI work for human well-being
theconversation.com · Dipesh Navsaria, Professor of Pediatrics and Human Development & Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison · Lori DiPrete Brown, Distinguished Teaching Faculty of Civil Society & Community Studies, Director of Global Health and Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison · Soyeon Shim, Dean of the School of Human Ecology, Professor of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
AI is a factor in human well-being, whether harmful or helpful. EvgeniyShkolenko via Getty Images Artificial intelligence is reshaping relationships by providing conversation and companionship, and…
- 7
Can you make a black hole in a laboratory?
theconversation.com · Stephen DiKerby, Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University
The active galaxy Centaurus A, with jets emanating from the central black hole. ESO/WFI (Optical); MPIfR/ESO/APEX/A.Weiss et al. (Submillimetre); NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al. (X-ray), CC BY Curious…
- 8
El Niño is back, and ocean temperatures are already near record highs – that can spell disaster for fish and corals
theconversation.com · Dillon Amaya, Climate Research Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
It’s official: El Niño is back. By late fall 2026, forecast models give a 2-in-3 chance of a strong-to-very strong El Niño affecting the weather, climate and ocean temperatures across the planet. El…
- 9
Efforts to combat climate change often exclude Indigenous people – and they may not have any recourse
theconversation.com · Buket Altınçelep, Ph.D. Candidate in Global Governance and Human Security, UMass Boston
Fred Ngusilo, left, a member of the Ogiek community, works with a relative to sift through the ruins of their grandfather's house in the Mau forest, destroyed by Kenyan police. Tony Karumba/AFP via…
- 10
Trump’s AI security order acknowledges risks but stops short of regulating industry
theconversation.com · Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University
The White House addresses the need to protect against powerful AI systems. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Some technology and policy watchers were surprised when President Donald Trump signed an…