Earth Talk: Keeping pets healthy

Roddy Scheer

Believe it or not, our pets may be exposed to more harsh chemicals through the course of their day than we are. Researchers at the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that pet dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people.

New UVa. Center for Politics book examines 2012 election

Chris Graham

As President Obama prepares for his second inaugural, the University of Virginia Center for Politics has released the first comprehensive analysis of the 2012 election. Barack Obama and the New America: The 2012 Election and the Changing Face of Politics, published by Rowman and Littlefield, brings together some of the nation’s top academics, analysts and journalists to examine how Obama won a second term and what his victory might mean for the nation’s political future.