CAS Connection - Jan 2026 Issue

President Donald Trump has faced a surge in Republican revolts over the past few weeks, but political analysts told Newsweek that does not necessarily mean his grip on the GOP is slipping. Chandler James, a political science assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, said, “Over time for any president, their political capital and grip on their party, we would expect to diminish." And Republicans may also be thinking about a post-Trump presidency, in addition to the midterms, James said.

Women's Health covered new research published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle that suggests our fitness levels start to peak at a certain age — but you can extend your fitness longevity. The publication interviewed Brad Wilkins, assistant professor of human physiology and Director of the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory at the College of Arts and Sciences. Despite the fitness peak, you're not doomed after age 35. “The height of your fitness peak and how fast you come up and go down does seem to be changeable,” he said. It's all about consistent training and focusing on better nutrition and sleep as we age.

Portland media outlet KATU interviewed Reuben Zahler, a College of Arts and Sciences history associate professor, about the US-Venezuela relationship. The Latin American country was one of the few places the US did not heavily intervene during the Cold War. However, the dynamic shifted dramatically about 25 years ago with the rise of Hugo Chávez, who promised a new socialist era for Venezuela, marking the start of an anti-American stance, Zahler said.