LIVE: KAFA 97.7 FM | THE ACADEMY

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LIVE: KAFA 97.7 FM | THE ACADEMY

March 24, 2026
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Broadcast Club • United States Air Force Academy

 

American Highschoolers try REAL British food for the first time!

March 23, 2026
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In today’s episode we visited an American High school to see what they think of British Comfort Food! — Josh & Ollie @JOLLY

Approximately 80–85% of the USA’s founding stock (the European-descended population that established the country by the late 18th century) originated from the nations of the United Kingdom/British Isles — primarily England, with significant contributions from Scotland (including Ulster Scots/Scots-Irish), Wales, and Ireland (then under British rule).

This figure is based on the 1790 U.S. Census and scholarly estimates. Among the roughly 3.2 million European Americans at that time:

  • English and Welsh: ~60–64%
  • Scottish (direct and Scots-Irish): ~15–16%
  • Irish (mostly Protestant): ~5–6%
  • Total from British Isles/UK nations: ~80–86%

When leaving the large coastal cities aside, the share becomes even higher — often 85–95%+ in rural, interior, and non-coastal regions (New England countryside, Appalachian backcountry, Southern Piedmont, etc.). These areas were overwhelmingly settled by English, Scots-Irish, and other British Isles groups, who shaped much of early American culture, law, and westward expansion.

The remainder of the white population was mainly German (~9%), Dutch (~3%), and smaller groups. The founding stock refers to the colonial-era core population (pre- and around 1790) and their descendants, not later immigration waves.

British High Schoolers Try American Fried Chicken, Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

By contrast, non-coastal, rural, and interior regions –Great Lakes Midwest, Mountain and High Plain Heartland, New England countryside, Appalachian backcountry, Southern Piedmont — were overwhelmingly British in founding stock:

  • New England states routinely showed 93–96% English ancestry (e.g., Connecticut ~96%).
  • Scots-Irish settlers dominated the Appalachian interior and backcountry South, forming a major cultural stream distinct from coastal planter elites.
  • Pennsylvania was an outlier with more Germans, but this was concentrated in certain counties rather than uniformly coastal.
  • Western Michigan was the destination for Dutch expats who were driven out of New York City boroughs.
  • Upper Peninsula Michigan drew Baltic/Hanseatic populations from Scandinavia

Excluding the large coastal cities therefore makes the UK-origin share even higher — often 85–95%+ in the rural/interior “heartland” founding population. These interior groups (English Puritans/Yankees, Scots-Irish borderers, etc.) were the primary expanders westward and shaped much of early American culture, law, and demographics outside the ports.

In the American experiment, race has proven to be the one constant that outlasts ideology, economics, and time itself.  Understanding our roots and our branches is made easier through food.

The Student Version of an English Breakfast

Grandfather Provisions

March 20, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com
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Today at the usual hour we examine a few proposals for the 2028 National Electrical Safety that involve the degree to which merchant utilities should be required to replace system elements with elements meeting a higher standard than the standard to which the system element was originally built.  Use the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

NESC 2028 Call for Comment

Current Issues & Recent Research

Spring Equinox

March 20, 2026
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The Earth’s precession is a slow, cyclical motion of the rotational axis that causes the position of the celestial poles to change over time. This motion is caused by the gravitational influence of the Moon and Sun on the Earth’s equatorial bulge, and it has a period of about 26,000 years.

Over astronomical time, the Earth’s precession has caused a number of changes in the position of the stars and constellations in the sky. For example, due to precession, the position of the North Star, or Polaris, has shifted over time, and in ancient times, other stars, such as Thuban, were used as celestial markers for navigation. Additionally, precession can cause changes in the length and timing of the seasons over long timescales.

The Earth’s precession is affected by a number of factors, including the gravitational pull of other planets, the shape of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, and the distribution of mass within the Earth itself. These factors can cause slight variations in the rate and direction of precession over time.

Overall, while the effects of precession on the Earth’s rotation and position in the sky are not easily observable on human timescales, they are an important component of the Earth’s long-term astronomical behavior.

Gallery: Other Ways of Knowing Climate Change

Egg and Cheese Muffin

March 19, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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Standards Nebraska

Nebraska Western Meadowlark State Bird image 1

University of Nebraska Foundation $2.3B


UNL CAMPUS & LANDSCAPE MASTER PLANS

Floor & Pathway Safety

March 19, 2026
mike@standardsmichigan.com

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“Weather is fate”

Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu

“Road to Versailles at Louveciennes” 1869 Camille Pissarro

Today and its Slip and Fall season everywhere. Accordingly, at the usual hour, we review best practice literature for the safety and sustainability of the surfaces beneath our feet; with special focus on the risk aggregation in educational estates.

Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, 433 U.S. 350 (1977)

Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces


Related coverage:

Heat tracing is a process used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels in order to prevent freezing, maintain process temperature, or ensure that products remain fluid and flow through the system properly.

Heat tracing works by using an electric heating cable or tape that is wrapped around the pipe or vessel, and then insulated to help retain the heat. The heating cable is connected to a power source and temperature control system that maintains the desired temperature by regulating the amount of heat output from the cable. Heat tracing is commonly used in industrial applications where temperature control is critical, such as in chemical plants, refineries, and oil and gas facilities.

There are several types of heat tracing, including electric heat tracing, steam tracing, and hot water tracing, each of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the appropriate type of heat tracing depends on the specific application and the required temperature range, as well as factors such as cost, maintenance, and safety considerations.

The literature for snow and ice management (and enjoyment) produced by these standards-setting organizations:

Accredited Snow Contractors Association

American Society of Civil Engineers

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASTM International

FM Global

Destructive Deep Freeze Strikes Cold and Hot Regions Alike

Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers

Electrical Heat Tracing: International Harmonization — Now and in the Future

International Code Council

International Building Code: Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures

National Electrical Contractors Association

National Fire Protection Association

Winter is Coming: Is Your Facility Protected? (Holly Burgess, November 2022)

National Electrical Code: Articles 426-427

National Floor Safety Institute

Snow and Ice Management Association

Underwriters Laboratories

Manufacturers:

Chromalox Electrical Heat Tracing Systems Design Guide



It is a surprisingly large domain with market-makers in every dimension of safety and sustainability; all of whom are bound by state and federal regulations.

Join us at 16:00 UTC with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.


There have been several recent innovations that have made it possible for construction activity to continue through cold winter months. Some of the most notable ones include:

  1. Heated Job Site Trailers: These trailers are equipped with heating systems that keep workers warm and comfortable while they take breaks or work on plans. This helps to keep morale up and prevent cold-related health issues.
  2. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs): ICFs are prefabricated blocks made of foam insulation that are stacked together to form the walls of a building. The foam insulation provides an extra layer of insulation to keep the building warm during cold winter months.
  3. Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA): WMA is a type of asphalt that is designed to be used in colder temperatures than traditional hot-mix asphalt. This allows road construction crews to work through the winter months without having to worry about the asphalt cooling and becoming unusable.
  4. Pneumatic Heaters: These heaters are used to warm up the ground before concrete is poured. This helps to prevent the concrete from freezing and becoming damaged during the winter months.
  5. Electrically Heated Mats: These mats are placed on the ground to prevent snow and ice from accumulating. This helps to make the job site safer and easier to work on during the winter months.

Overall, these innovations have made it possible for construction crews to work through the winter months more comfortably and safely, which has helped to keep projects on schedule and minimize delays.

Somewhat related:

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