Missouri State University political science professor discusses impacts of inauguration, Trump presidency

Science and Health

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – There’s no question that a second Trump presidency, from the election cycle to the actual term, will have a historical impact. Now, political scientists are waiting to see just how significant it’ll be.Grover Cleveland was the last and only president to serve non-consecutive terms in 1892. President-elect Trump’s second term is already set up to have a historical impact.Dr. Kevin Pybas, a political science professor at Missouri State University, says that a number of things made this Trump win happen, but he says very little changed with Trump. Instead, failures on the Democratic side may have cost them the win.“I don’t know that he changed that much again. It’s kind of what I was getting at earlier. I think the Democrats overplayed their hand right, that Biden was sold and campaigned as a moderate kind of the sane choice, stable, but then hasn’t governed in that way,” said Dr. Pybas. “A lot of dissatisfaction with the current configuration or current Democratic Party. Allowing someone who clearly, and I think to many at least, clearly wasn’t capable of serving a second term, and then when all that came to light in that debate back in June, then pushing him out on the side and not really having a competitive primary season, just elevating the vice president who was very unpopular.”So, where do we go from here? Dr. Pybas says that that is a good question.“I think that’s what all professional political sciences are trying to figure out is what does it mean? It’s hard to know when you’re in the middle of something. I think you can only kind of get a glimpse of things and intimations of things. You know, 20 years down the road, we’ll have a better understanding,” said Dr. Pybas.Dr. Pybas says one thing to consider with the Democratic party is they’ll have to shift from here, reestablish, and find stronger leadership.“That’s one of the interesting things always after an election is what the internal sort of the navel-gazing that the losing party does, so that that’s ongoing. Now you have these conflicts though among Democrats,” said Dr. Pybas. “It’s a very stinging loss to to lose to someone who was defeated four years ago.”As for the Republican party, it depends on how this administration goes. If this term doesn’t go well, it’s not certain who will rise to the challenge of replacing President-elect Trump, who has been a staple in the party for the last decade. If it is successful, however, Dr. Pybas says it could be a clear succession.“In two or three years, how we were beginning to look about look on this administration, if we see it generally successful as terms are, I mean as presidents are are historically just, inflation is controlled. If Trump can have a role in ending the conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine, for example. So, if Trumpism to use the word is looking good and going strong, if JD Vance aspires to the Presidency, and I assume he does or he wouldn’t have accepted the position as vice president, I would think that he would be unstoppable as the Republican nominee,” said Dr. Pybas.As for U.S. politics as a whole, it’s unsure how they’ll turn out. Midterms will be a big player. Political experts recommend keeping an eye on politics will be crucial over the next four years.To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.

Missouri State University political science professor discusses impacts of inauguration, Trump presidency

Science and Health

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – There’s no question that a second Trump presidency, from the election cycle to the actual term, will have a historical impact. Now, political scientists are waiting to see just how significant it’ll be.Grover Cleveland was the last and only president to serve non-consecutive terms in 1892. President-elect Trump’s second term is already set up to have a historical impact.Dr. Kevin Pybas, a political science professor at Missouri State University, says that a number of things made this Trump win happen, but he says very little changed with Trump. Instead, failures on the Democratic side may have cost them the win.“I don’t know that he changed that much again. It’s kind of what I was getting at earlier. I think the Democrats overplayed their hand right, that Biden was sold and campaigned as a moderate kind of the sane choice, stable, but then hasn’t governed in that way,” said Dr. Pybas. “A lot of dissatisfaction with the current configuration or current Democratic Party. Allowing someone who clearly, and I think to many at least, clearly wasn’t capable of serving a second term, and then when all that came to light in that debate back in June, then pushing him out on the side and not really having a competitive primary season, just elevating the vice president who was very unpopular.”So, where do we go from here? Dr. Pybas says that that is a good question.“I think that’s what all professional political sciences are trying to figure out is what does it mean? It’s hard to know when you’re in the middle of something. I think you can only kind of get a glimpse of things and intimations of things. You know, 20 years down the road, we’ll have a better understanding,” said Dr. Pybas.Dr. Pybas says one thing to consider with the Democratic party is they’ll have to shift from here, reestablish, and find stronger leadership.“That’s one of the interesting things always after an election is what the internal sort of the navel-gazing that the losing party does, so that that’s ongoing. Now you have these conflicts though among Democrats,” said Dr. Pybas. “It’s a very stinging loss to to lose to someone who was defeated four years ago.”As for the Republican party, it depends on how this administration goes. If this term doesn’t go well, it’s not certain who will rise to the challenge of replacing President-elect Trump, who has been a staple in the party for the last decade. If it is successful, however, Dr. Pybas says it could be a clear succession.“In two or three years, how we were beginning to look about look on this administration, if we see it generally successful as terms are, I mean as presidents are are historically just, inflation is controlled. If Trump can have a role in ending the conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine, for example. So, if Trumpism to use the word is looking good and going strong, if JD Vance aspires to the Presidency, and I assume he does or he wouldn’t have accepted the position as vice president, I would think that he would be unstoppable as the Republican nominee,” said Dr. Pybas.As for U.S. politics as a whole, it’s unsure how they’ll turn out. Midterms will be a big player. Political experts recommend keeping an eye on politics will be crucial over the next four years.To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.

Read books, win prizes this winter at La Crosse County libraries

Arts & Culture, Books

Ready to cozy up with a good book? Win prizes for reading this winter with La Crosse County Library’s annual reading program for adults, Hot Reads for Cold Nights, which runs Jan. 21 through March 1.To participate, pick up a Reading Record at any La Crosse County Library location. Read or listen to three books, then return the completed bookmark to the checkout desk to choose an item from the gift basket. You’ll also be entered into the grand-prize drawing for a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a cozy mug!The winners will be announced the first week of March. One entry per person.La Crosse County Library operates five locations in Bangor, Campbell, Holmen, Onalaska and West Salem. Go to www.lacrossecountylibrary.org for more information.

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Peter Forguson’s second book, ‘Contemporary Michigan,’ celebrates state’s architectural heritage

Arts & Culture, Books

Michigan, often overlooked in discussions of architectural brilliance, is taking center stage in Peter Forguson’s latest book, “Contemporary Michigan: Iconic Houses at the Epicenter of Modernism.”This follow-up to his 2022 bestseller, “Detroit Modern: 1935-1985,” offers a comprehensive exploration of Michigan’s modernist residential architecture from 1910 to the present day.The cover of Peter Forguson’s latest book, “Contemporary Michigan: Iconic Houses at the Epicenter of Modernism,” features the David Mark House, designed by Young & Young Architects of Bloomfield Hills in 2014. (Photo courtesy of James Haefner)Forguson, a landscape designer based in metropolitan Detroit, has dedicated his career to documenting the state’s modern architectural treasures.“Residents of Detroit, and indeed the entire state of Michigan, have been living with some of the finest work by such Modern masters as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Eliel Saarinen since the dawn of the 20th century,” he said.His fascination with these homes led to “Detroit Modern,” which sold out within nine months. Encouraged by its success, Forguson expanded his focus to include residences across the lower peninsula.The journey to compile “Contemporary Michigan” was extensive. Forguson scoured archives, consulted scholars and even explored Michigan’s coastlines and university towns in search of architectural marvels. The book features over 100 homes, including the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in Midland, Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary Broadacre Community homes, and a lakeside vacation retreat commissioned by the Briggs family.The Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in Midland was designed by architect Alden B. Dow in 1939. (Photo courtesy of Balthazar Korab)Each home is paired with vintage automobiles, allowing readers to trace the evolution of auto design alongside modernist architecture. Forguson’s attention to detail is supported by photographer Jason Grube and graphic designer Marla Meltzer, who helped bring the book to life despite challenges such as coordinating shoots across hundreds of miles.Why Michigan?Forguson is adamant that Michigan is an architectural powerhouse.“What outsiders have yet to discover is that Michigan’s contributions to the modern aesthetic are unparalleled,” he said. “Institutions like Cranbrook, the University of Michigan and Lawrence Tech have fostered world-renowned architects and designers, from Eliel and Eero Saarinen to Charles and Ray Eames”.Peter ForgusonForguson emphasizes that Michigan’s heritage extends beyond architecture, encompassing industrial design, decorative arts and even boat building.“In this book, you will see houses situated in a host of different settings, such as: located in a long-standing densely populated neighborhood of revival-style houses, growing from a hillside overlooking a stream in the suburbs, nestled into a postwar subdivision in a university town, or projecting from a bluff suspended high above Lake Michigan,” Forguson said. “All of these scenarios have come to life thanks to the vision of intrepid clients and architects who collaborated to challenge traditionalists and create unique masterpieces of modern domestic design.”The book is dedicated to Don Paul Young, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple and prolific Michigan architect who died in 2024 at 97. Forguson describes Young as a “treasure” whose work brought the Prairie Style full circle in Michigan.“Throughout his seven-decade career, Don created modernist spaces that stood the test of time while honoring his deep roots in the organic nature of the Prairie School,” Forguson said.The James & Jean Douglas House was designed by architect Richard Meier of Harbor Springs in 1973. (Photo courtesy of Scott Frances)Both of Forguson’s books are available at peterforguson.com.For those who have long admired Michigan’s unique contributions to modernism — or are just discovering its architectural riches — “Contemporary Michigan” promises to be a visual and historical feast.“I hope readers will gain an appreciation for how lives are enriched through architecture by taking full advantage of the seamlessly unlimited natural splendor of the state of Michigan,” Forguson said.