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VTDigger launches 2026 Vermont general election guide
Explore candidates and races on Vermont’s Nov. 3 ballot, campaign finance data and voting resources in VTDigger’s 2026 General Election Guide.
Consulting's DEI bill hits $63 million as Accenture settles DOJ claim
The DOJ accused Accenture of discriminating on the basis of race and sex in its hiring and promotion practices.
Washington’s AI response falls into predictable patterns: From the Politics Desk
Plus, an early development in the 2028 presidential race.
The Women Fighting for Fewer Rights
Two recent books examine why women embrace a politics that puts them last.
October 2026: Science history from 50, 100 and 150 years ago
Smallpox eradication; skyscraper excavations; research on the racetrack
Can Byron Donalds claw back rural votes he lost in the primary?
GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds lost 17 rural counties. Did race play a factor? \
Max Miller’s challenger launches attack ad based on domestic violence allegations
Democrat Brian Poindexter said that accusations against the Ohio Republican have become “a very prominent topic” in the race.
DeepSeek engineer's viral post offers glimpse inside China's AI race
In a post published on his public WeChat account, DeepSeek engineer Liu Shengyu said he expects AI to soon surpass him at the work he loves.
Diamondbacks Walks Off Marlins on Corbin Carroll’s 2-Run HR
Arizona’s postseason ambitions stayed alive in Phoenix as the star outfielder erased a late deficit, punishing Miami's bullpen to secure a critical victory in the Wild Card race.
Keselowski Quells Rough Season, Reaches NASCAR History at Gateway
Brad Keselowski quelled a new rivalry and not-so-great season with one of his best runs of 2026 in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway Gateway.
Republicans condemn railroad commissioner candidate over online post
Bo French, the Republican nominee for railroad commissioner, has a past of controversial comments about race and religion.
Jo Adell ‘Excited’ for Guardians’ Final Playoff Push
Jo Adell is in his first career playoff race with the Cleveland Guardians, but he still knows exactly what it's going to take to help this team.
Fuel Savings Double Potential Lifetime for NASA’s Roman Mission
The results are in: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s very accurate first mid-course correction, along with other fuel savings, are expected to more
Joe Manchin says he supports Republican candidates in battleground Senate races in Maine and Michigan
Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent, said Monday he supports two Republican Senate candidates running in battleground races in November.
Mastodon Art/Science Fair "Nite at the Races" set for Sept. 19th
The Mastodon Art Science Regional Fair will be holding its annual “Nite at the Races” fundraiser this...
Blazers Should Completely Ignore Channing Frye’s Ja Morant Prediction
Rather than treating their new star as a temporary trade chip, Portland must embrace Ja Morant as the long-awaited centerpiece capable of leading a young core toward contention.
Vance to Campaign in Kansas as Democrats Target a Republican Stronghold
Vice President JD Vance is beginning a key final stretch of midterm campaigning by dropping in on the Senate race in Kansas, where Republicans were long seen as heavily favored.
Police Benevolent Association, NRA Political Victory Fund back Byron Donalds in Governor's race
Significant endorsements continue to come in as the campaign heads toward the stretch run.
How Much Money Have the Parties Spent on the Key Congressional Races in Pennsylvania?
We are just 50 days out from the November 3 general election and the political party money taps are flowing in an attempt to influence your vote for their preferred candidate(s). In just three Pennsylvania congressional districts alone (PA-07, PA-08 and PA-10), the Democrats and Republicans have combined to spend…
Is the Premier League already a two-team title race?
Four games is far too soon to be talking about who is in or out of the title race... isn't it? BBC Sport asks if this is already a two-horse race.
Cal Thomas: Mother’s milk of politics gone sour
“Money is the mother’s milk of politics,” said Jesse M. Unruh, who in the ’60s was a powerful Democratic politician and speaker of the California State Assembly. It is a disgrace, if much is disgraceful these days, that we spend so much on …
Seattle Mayor Wilson still rents. Can she help her fellow renters?
Katie Wilson lives in the same one-bedroom apartment she lived in before winning the mayors' race. She's trying to improve stability for her fellow renters — but big roadblocks lie ahead.
Chelsea joins Arsenal in the race for top teenager
Louis Page was one of the players Arsenal wanted to sign during the summer as they looked to raid Leicester City for some of their best young players and ensure their youth teams remain in fine shape....
Oregon governor’s race ramps up as candidates start making their cases to voters
With the Labor Day holiday over, the race to be the next governor of Oregon is speeding up and it’s safe to expect the candidates will hone and amplify their messaging.
September 14 Playbook: The Races Defining the Midterms
☀️ Good Monday Morning. LFG 🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. Wake Me Up. Avicii PA Weather☀️ Ridgway | Mostly Sunny, 67🌤️ Lebanon | Becoming Sunny, 74☀️ Doylestown | Sunny, 73 PA Sports ⚾ Phillies (83-67, +1.5 GB WC) | Atlanta 9-4 | Tue at Washington⚾ Pirates (75-75) | Chicago Cubs…
Rip City's History of The Backcourt
From Terry Porter’s gritty playmaking to the electrifying arrival of Ja Morant, trace the elite guard pairings that have fueled Portland’s championship dreams and iconic postseason runs.
What two LDS candidates have to say about their big political showdown
They're running against each other in the race to lead Arizona. Here's what these two LDS candidates had to say about their politics, their faith and how the two intertwine.
50 days until 2026 Alabama election: Latest on polls, fundraising, political fights and key races
Alabama's statewide races are taking shape around data centers, residency challenges, and voter turnout.
Florida governor’s race: Donalds wrong that Jolly wants tax hikes, ignores Florida has no income tax
Jolly, the Democratic Florida gubernatorial nominee, isn’t advocating for tax increases on Social Security or wages. He says it’s fair to tax wages, but he’s open to tax breaks for some tipped income.
Florida governor’s race: Donalds wrong that Jolly wants tax hikes, ignores Florida has no income tax
Jolly, the Democratic Florida gubernatorial nominee, isn’t advocating for tax increases on Social Security or wages. He says it’s fair to tax wages, but he’s open to tax breaks for some tipped income.
Union power vs. MAGA politics in California school superintendent race
Democrat Richard Barrera and conservative Sonja Shaw clash in a high-stakes battle for California’s state superintendent of public instruction post.
Rajarshi Krishna Muppaneni: A Journey of Building Intelligent Business Solutions
AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / September 14, 2026 / Every successful digital transformation begins with a simple objective: helping people solve business problems more effectively. Throughout his career, has embraced that philosophy by designing technology solutions that simplify complexity, strengthen collaboration, and create lasting business value.
What supplement formulators can borrow from pharmaceutical delivery science
Poor absorption is a problem the pharmaceutical industry solved decades before most supplement formulators had to think about it. Compounds that show real biological activity in a lab often perform far worse once they're inside the body, because getting a molecule to dissolve, cross the gut wall and reach circulation is a separate engineering problem from proving the molecule does something useful
Registration open for Apple Harvest Day 5K race in Dover
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce announced registration is open for the 2026 Apple Harvest Day 5k, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3.
The ‘Trump before Donald Trump’ is favored to replace a centrist in Congress
Former Maine governor Paul LePage is seen as the likely winner against progressive Matt Dunlap in the race to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Jared Golden.
NASCAR Chase Standings Are Tight Heading Into Bristol
Two races are down. Eight remain. And the NASCAR Cup Series Chase suddenly has Kyle Larson breathing down Denny Hamlin’s neck. Larson won Sunday at Gateway and jumped from seventh to second. He now trails Hamlin by only nine points. That is a massive swing after one race. Larson Just Changed Everything Kyle Larson entered…
Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott Suffer Brutal Gateway Playoff Blows
Gateway was already chaotic. Then it became a nightmare for Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott. Both drivers entered Sunday’s race with legitimate championship hopes. Both left World Wide Technology Raceway with major playoff problems. And neither driver could blame another competitor. Blaney’s Day Ends With No Brakes Ryan Blaney looked like a contender for much…
Kyle Larson Survives Gateway Chaos to Reignite Championship Hopes
Kyle Larson needed a win. Instead, he got one of the wildest victories of his career. Larson survived a chaotic Gateway race Sunday to win the Enjoy Illinois 300. He beat Alex Bowman in overtime for a Hendrick Motorsports 1-2 finish. The victory ended Larson’s 51-race winless streak. It also launched him into second place…
Gateway Turns the Chase Upside Down After Larson Victory
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase just got a whole lot more interesting. Kyle Larson won a chaotic Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway on Sunday. The victory moved Larson to second in the championship standings. It also ended a 51-race winless streak. Larson beat teammate Alex Bowman in overtime by 0.333 seconds. That Hendrick Motorsports 1-2…
Should race affect BMI guidelines? Doctors are split
BMI is a quick, cheap way for doctors to estimate body fat and screen for conditions like heart disease and diabetes. But medicine has long known that BMI is problematic and unnuanced. By using it, groups of people have fallen through the cracks and conditions have been caught late. So, some doctors want to add nuance – to consider race when using BMI. But using race in medicine comes with its own problems. So what’s the way forward? To find out, we talk to Katie Wu, a science writer at The Atlantic.Read more of Katie’s reporting on BMI and race.Interested in more science health stories? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Football season kicks off as Las Vegas business embraces “sports town” identity
The growing variety of sporting events in the Las Vegas Valley is driving increased tourism and revenue for local businesses and the convention authority.
Inside California Politics
Rep. Kevin Kiley joined Inside California Politics this week to discuss his race against Dr. Richard Pan for California's 6th Congressional seat.
Decorated researcher combines neuroscience and engineering at Yale
Dani Bassett, who arrived at Yale’s Wu Tsai Institute this summer, brings network science to the University’s study of human cognition. Bassett’s lab embraces interdisciplinary methods that span neuroscience, psychology and engineering.
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) Sept. 13, 2026
This episode of Politics Unplugged features an interview with treasurer candidate Nick Mansour on ESA oversight, followed by a panel discussion on Trumpapalooza, a fake AI endorsement photo, and Arizona's governor's race and data center debate.
Third annual IUP College of Health Sciences 'Run for the Health of It' 5K race set for Sept. 27
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s College of Health Sciences’ third annual “Run for the Health of It” fundraising 5K and one-mile walk will be held Sept. 27, with free registration offered
440,000 Forced Out of Advantage Bought Medigap. Their Health Questions Were Waived. Their Claims Came With Them.
Your Plan G premium just jumped and you filed no claims, changed nothing, and did nothing wrong. The reason traces back to 440,000 people who landed in Medigap blocks across the country, and understanding it changes what you do next.
440,000 Forced Out of Advantage Bought Medigap. Their Health Questions Were Waived. Their Claims Came With Them.
Your Plan G premium just jumped and you filed no claims, changed nothing, and did nothing wrong. The reason traces back to 440,000 people who landed in Medigap blocks across the country, and understanding it changes what you do next.
Returning Red Sox pitcher will embrace ‘Swiss Army Knife’ role
Tanner Houck will pitch in two more rehab games for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday and Saturday before potentially rejoining the Red Sox during the final week of the regular season.
Football and politics merge at Michigan tailgate as Senate candidates mingle with attendees
Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams reports from Ann Arbor, Mich., on the Senate race between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed on 'Fox News Sunday.'
Le Pen homecoming centres on housing ahead of 2027 race
The National Rally leader relaunches her campaign by focusing on domestic economic concerns
Elevance leads UBS health benefits survey as employers brace for higher costs
UBS benefits survey ranks Elevance top insurer as 77% of employers rebid 2027 plans; GLP-1 costs surge and big PBMs stay strong—read now.
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
(CNN) — The debate around artificial intelligence is ramping up in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers sounding alarms on the dangers they say the technology poses and Republican leaders suggesting those concerns are inflated and secondary to winning the AI race with China.Some Democratic lawmakers last week pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the chamber immediately to work on AI regulation, citing what they describe as the “catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence.” But the Louisiana Republican on Sunday resisted those calls, instead saying industry leaders should meet with lawmakers to find “balance” in any potential guardrails.“If Congress just races in and does some sort of emergency session to try to regulate AI, we will lose the race to China, and that is a threat to every single American,” Johnson said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama told Democrats to make artificial intelligence regulation a central part of their agenda during a private fundraiser Thursday, warning that the technology could be dangerous “if we don’t get on top of it.”In a fireside chat with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama said whoever runs in the 2028 presidential election should have a “very clear plan” on AI, adding that he saw the need for a “blueprint” on AI guardrails even at the end of his presidency a decade ago.“Certainly, if I were running for president next year, this would be one of my central agendas, and I would have a very clear plan, and I would talk about this, and I would say, ‘Here’s our plan for safety, here’s our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this,’” he said, per excerpts of the remarks provided to CNN by his office. Obama’s remarks were first reported by the New York Times.Concerns over the rapid acceleration of AI reached a fever pitch after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a 3,800-word essay Saturday that the race to develop artificial intelligence is in dire need of a slowdown. The call to action came after an OpenAI test model breached the Hugging Face online platform, deepening concerns about cybersecurity.In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Saturday, Amodei called on industry leaders to work together to avoid “the wrong paths” and the possibility of AI harming humanity.One Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, resigned from the firm over worries that the industry wasn’t doing enough to prevent AI from destroying humanity by the end of the decade.Obama said Democrats need a plan to get their agenda on AI underway should they win the House majority in this year’s midterms.Speaking to Jeffries, who is presumed to be speaker of the House should Democrats prevail in November, Obama said, “Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation, and you can break it out into three or four or five issues.”Obama stressed that the framework should be centered on the reality that the technology can’t be stuffed “back into a box.”“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous. If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial,” Obama said, laying out examples of AI’s potential use in drug development and finding pathways to a clean energy future.“We don’t want to shut off those opportunities, but we have to understand that this is a tool,” he said.Jeffries agreed with the former president in a statement provided to CNN on Sunday.“President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on Artificial Intelligence,” he said, adding, “In the majority, we will move urgently on this issue with a legislative response that recognizes the importance of American companies continuing to lead in the Artificial Intelligence area, while putting in place meaningful guardrails that protect the American people from bad actors and the very real damage that can be done to humanity.”Jeffries also accused Republicans of having “abdicated their responsibility to govern” and said Democrats “will not repeat their error.”A source familiar with Obama’s thinking said the former president sees Amodei’s letter and similar reaction from other tech moguls as an encouraging development.But President Donald Trump waved off their concerns, saying he is not worried about any existential threat posed by AI, focusing instead on the US winning in its development of the technology over China.“We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way,” Trump said to reporters at the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday.About the concerns expressed by Democrats and others over the technology, the president said, “I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.”One of Trump’s top economic advisers, Kevin Hassett, also rejected the calls for slowing the technology down, saying on Sunday the bigger concern is a scenario in which a “malevolent actor has access to an AI that’s better than the one we have that can protect us.”Hassett, the National Economic Council director, said on “State of the Union” the White House may hold meetings this week about addressing Amodei’s concerns, but he did not specify whether Trump had floated greater safeguards.“I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position,” Hassett said. “We are leading China right now.”CNN’s Alison Main and Molly English contributed to this report.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.THE-CNN-WIRE (TM) & © 2026 CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
The debate around artificial intelligence is ramping up in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers sounding alarms on the dangers they say the technology poses and Republican leaders suggesting those concerns are inflated and secondary to winning the AI race with China.
Port Wentworth holds ribbon cutting ceremony for new entertainment center
Members of the community joined Mayor Tracey Saunders in celebrating the city’s newest addition with live music, free ice skating and watching football on the big screen.
Port Wentworth holds ribbon cutting ceremony for new entertainment center
Members of the community joined Mayor Tracey Saunders in celebrating the city's newest addition with live music, free ice skating and watching football on the big screen.
Bangladesh races to vaccinate 19.7 million children as measles, dengue test health system
"Patients are pouring in, and it is very difficult to accommodate everyone."
Fans raise a ruckus over the paywalling of World of Warcraft Forever’s Skyborne ‘cash elves’
As World of Warcraft Forever continues to dominate the conversation among fans after its BlizzCon reveal, another round of chatter is quickly gaining momentum: the matter of the Skyborne race, or as one fan put called them the "cash elves," which is locked behind a paywall and not included with the upcoming variant or game subscription. [...]
Inside California Politics
(Inside California Politics) — Rep. Kevin Kiley joined Inside California Politics this week to discuss his race against Dr. Richard Pan for California’s 6th Congressional seat. Kiley previous…
Reform-style donations rejected by Wales' first minister
Rhun ap Iorwerth says he fears the huge donations will trigger "a race to the bottom".
Chan targets billionaires in Congress race
Supervisor aimed to protect regular folk, communities.
Championship leader endures Madrid nightmare race as rivals pounce
Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic took advantage of a well-timed Safety Car to make his pit stop and rejoin at the front, using track position to secure victory in the Formula 2 Feature Race in Madrid. It was a race to forget for championship leader Nikola Tsolov, who finished well outside the points.
Excitement, confidence at Detroit Symphony ahead of opening-night gala
The DSO has embraced the theme "Your City, Your Sound" amid expanded musical offerings and a mission to be a leading entertainment destination.
Will the economy motivate voters? This Central Valley swing district could be a test
The 22nd District is one of fewer than two dozen toss-up races nationwide that will likely determine which party controls the U.S. House in the second half of President Trump’s term.
Deepfakes are the latest weapon in Texas’ Senate race
Generating unflattering or even false images of the nation’s leaders is as old as the republic itself. Today, technology can make those spoofs far more convincing.
Pols & Politics: The Massachusetts primary winners and losers are …
The Herald takes a look at the winners and losers from the Sept. 1 primary, where some races, particularly one pitting Boston’s mayor against the state Senate, were still up in the air a week later.
Walters: California’s political hopefuls remain silent on state’s job losses, unemployment
California has lost jobs and its workforce. By many measures, it has some of the highest unemployment and underemployment rates in the country.
I-5 closure begins: Drivers, businesses brace for impacts
Portland’s southbound I-5 Rose Quarter shutdown is underway for five weeks as ODOT begins concrete and rebar repairs. Early impacts were light, but backups hit I-84 and ODOT warns rush-hour trips could double or triple.
Non-gaming entertainment brings huge tax revenue to Nevada
The state of Nevada is reporting a nearly 400% increase in tax revenue that can be traced to a surge of live events and shows across the Las Vegas Valley.
Mariners Game #149: Mariners (69-79) @ Athletics (60-88)
Still mathematically in the race
Saffie Osborne makes history as first female jockey to win a British Classic
Saffie Osborne has become the first female jockey to win a British Classic horse race while riding Highwayman in the St Leger at Doncaster.
Michael R. Worthington: Political campaigns for congressional races heat up
Labor Day is the unofficial start of campaign season. Many political offices in North Carolina are up for election in November, but the ones that have attracted the most national
Joey Logano Smacks NASCAR Cup Field With Gateway Pole
Joey Logano earned the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway Gateway, the Enjoy Illinois 300, after he and Blaney topped practice.
Trump's teasing is the price Paxton had to pay to use Republican midterm convention to raise money
Trump mocked Ken Paxton on stage, then endorsed him as Paxton asked for support and donors poured money into the Senate race.
NASCAR Cup Series Starting Lineup: Enjoy Illinois 300 At Gateway
The NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway Gateway is officially set. Joey Logano will lead the field to the green flag after setting the fastest time in qualifying. Kyle Larson will start alongside Logano on the front row, while Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell will start […] The post NASCAR Cup Series Starting Lineup: Enjoy Illinois 300 At Gateway appeared first on Stadium Rant.
Arsenal joins the race for Bundesliga midfielder
Arsenal have been named as one of the clubs interested in a move for Angelo Stiller, as the midfielder could be sold by Stuttgart at the end of this season.In the last transfer window, he was linked w...
Diego Moreira brace rescues draw for AC Milan at Lazio
Diego Moreira scored twice in three minutes as AC Milan came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Lazio, who dropped points in Serie A for the first time this season. The hosts were well on top in the first half and led through goals from Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin.
The Benefits And Risks Every Business Leader Needs To Understand About AI
Businesses that consciously embrace AI, seizing its revolutionary advantages while skillfully and strategically handling its risks
The Benefits And Risks Every Business Leader Needs To Understand About AI
Businesses that consciously embrace AI, seizing its revolutionary advantages while skillfully and strategically handling its risks
WUD Wellness Committee event promotes mental health, wellbeing education amidst semester start
The University of Wisconsin Wisconsin Union Directorate Wellness Committee hosted a new event titled The Amazing Wellness Race Sept. 24 outside at Union South. The event was a collaborative effort from University Recreation & Wellbeing, Mental Health Services and Badger Recovery. The Amazing Wellness Race is a participatory, educational mental health and wellbeing fair, with...
Ohio Republican in Key Senate Race Fires Campaign Aide, Citing Social Media Photo of Nazis
Senator Jon Husted dismissed his political director because of activity displaying a “complete lack” of judgment, according to a spokeswoman.
Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit
Trump asked for an exhibit beginning now and continuing through Feb. 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. For Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Trump asked the institution to install the 11-foot statue of Washington featured at the recent Freedom 250 IndyCar race in the museum's Flag Hall.
What would it take for a third-party candidate to win Wyoming’s race for governor?
by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile No minor party candidate has ever won a statewide elected office in Wyoming. Voters have exclusively elected Republicans
Spanish GP: Lewis Hamilton crashes at Kimi Antonelli tops final practice from Charles Leclerc in Madrid
Lewis Hamilton crashes in final practice at the Spanish Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli tops the session; watch Spanish GP Qualifying from the all-new Madring circuit live on Sky Sports F1 at 3pm on Saturday, and the race at 2pm on Sunday
Ashley Moody already has 50% support in new poll of Senate race
Nixon has a narrow path to close the gap, given most voters know who they like already.
Blizzard Announces World Of Warcraft: Forever, Expanding Vanilla WoW With New Zones, Raids, 1,000 New Quests Set
The long-rumored Classic+ mode also introduces a new playable race. - Game Informer
Germany’s Political Tailspin: Your Weekly SPIEGEL Recap
It might be tempting to dismiss the results of last Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raked in 43.8 percent of the vote, as a rather unimportant extremist blip in a state that hardly anyone can find on the map. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to do so. The state’s population – around 2.1 million – is a mere 2.5 percent of the German total. And while the state capital of Magdeburg was once the political heart of the Holy Roman Empire back when Otto the Great used to hang out there (more than a millenium … no … milennium … nope … millennium ago), it is today something of a backwater, albeit one with a ginormous cathedral in its center. We wanted to briefly interrupt this week’s newsletter to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our subscribers, both new and old. And to remind you all that a free subscription gets you access to this newsletter every Saturday. A paid subscription, by contrast, gets you one DER SPIEGEL article every weekday, delivered to your inbox. We strive to select pieces that both demonstrate what Europe’s leading newsmagazine has to offer and provide an international audience – namely, you – with an insight into how Germany and Europe view the world. If you haven’t already signed up for a paid subscription, please consider doing so if you can. Our Substack channel relies entirely on reader support and we are excited to continue offering you the best of DER SPIEGEL. Subscribe But even beyond the fact that a huge percentage of the voters in the state decided to place an X next to a party with an ideological lineage that runs rather directly back to the right-wing extremist soup out of which the Nazi Party was born, the results are a perfect example of a phenomenon that has been plaguing German elections in recent years: the lack of an obvious path to a majority. Call it the Balkanization of German politics. There are a number of developments driving the phenomenon, but for the purposes of this newsletter, here are two of the most salient: Persistent voter frustration with the country’s two (former) big-tent parties – the Christian Democrats (CDU) on the center-right (17.2 percent in Saxony-Anhalt last Sunday) and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the center-left (9.3 percent). The presence of parties on the far left (Left Party), the populist left (the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – BSW) and the far right (AfD) with which mainstream parties are reluctant to form coalitions. So what happens now? Stories of the Week A Lack of Leadership The answer for many people in the country, and particularly within the CDU, is clear: pin (some of) the blame on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a survey taken directly after the election in Saxony-Anhalt, 88 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that if the federal government in Berlin were doing a better job, the AfD wouldn’t be as strong. And it is true that the predominant impression of the federal government ever since Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, is one of ineffectiveness and bickering. His rather unique combination of bumbling-plus-bravado has also not exactly endeared him to the German public. Indeed, his standing in the country is so shaky that his popularity – according to recent polls – has now dropped even below the historic lows associated with his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The situation is such that the CDU even opted to keep him largely out of the campaign ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt vote. And since then, dissatisfied rumblings within the CDU have grown louder. DER SPIEGEL’s Swantje Karich notes that the problems with the CDU go much deeper than Merz. “The center-right has a trust problem. At a press appearance following the devastating election result in Saxony-Anhalt, Friedrich Merz said that the party wanted to ‘reach people more effectively’ through ‘emotional engagement.’ It sounded as though he were announcing a political program. On the basis of that statement, it is difficult to take his empathy seriously.” “The Chancellor’s chastened appearance did, at least, reveal where he stands: with his back to the wall. Elections will be held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next week, and the CDU could fare even worse there. The party is polling at between 8 and 10 percent in the state.” “What is at stake is the political tradition that has lent stability to the Federal Republic since 1945: a democratic conservatism that understands what must be preserved, but also how to embrace progress and openness to the world. If the Union continues along its current path, it risks becoming politically irrelevant after the 2029 federal election – and Germany could soon find itself with a government of the far right.” The Trumpification of Political Debate? It is often said in Germany that to understand the political and social trends that will soon be dominant in Europe, one need only look across the Atlantic to the United States. When it comes to political debate, that has certainly proven true. Donald Trump understood early on that triggering mouth-foaming outrage among Democrats is an ideal way to both generate headlines and to secure loyalty among supporters. And he realized that far more quickly than the left side of the political spectrum understood that simply ignoring the old man might be the best recipe. To be sure, there have been signs recently that the US president may be over-relying on the strategy. Earlier this week, in an apparent grandpa-discovers-AI moment, Trump sent out 60 posts in the space of 10 hours, many of them AI-assisted images portraying him as a hero – or showing Iceland as part of the US (outrageous!!!). It was also during that slew of schlock that he explicitly backed the AfD with an “MGGA” post. In Germany, though, the outrage cycle remains in full swing, with much of the focus on those who would dare to vote for the AfD. They are alternately portrayed as being dim-witted, ungrateful, backward, racist or all of the above. That, argues DER SPIEGEL columnist Sabine Rennefanz, is not particularly helpful. “Everywhere on election night, people spoke of a watershed moment, a rupture, a turning point. But what is that supposed to mean in concrete terms? A watershed would imply an interruption, a moment of pause – perhaps even a willingness to rethink and learn. At first, there was little sign of that in the main television panels. Instead, the familiar rituals that had already shaped the election campaign continued: outrage, lecturing and abuse.” “That’s just the tone, one might object. They’re only talk shows. Given that the party’s state branch has been classified by domestic intelligence officials as confirmed right-wing extremist, there are more important problems than hurt feelings on television. Yet although the condescending tone is not the cause of the AfD’s success, it is an expression of the broader mood within the so-called political center – a kind of institutional blindness that too often treats material concerns as a communications problem.” “People have a pretty good sense of whether you like them – whether you approach them with curiosity or merely study, lecture and manage them as a problem group. They notice whether you genuinely want to understand their fears and pain, or whether you are simply waiting for the chance to correct them. They can also tell whether someone still has the energy to change things, or whether they have barricaded themselves behind platitudes and empty phrases.” “Anyone who wants an egalitarian democratic society cannot promise equality only to those whose language, tastes and moral convictions they share. They must also acknowledge the wounds, resentments and fears of those whose political conclusions they consider wrong. Acknowledging them does not mean agreeing with them. But a democracy that communicates with almost half its citizens only through warnings and labels gives up on political debate before it has even begun. An atmosphere must be created in which people can express their opinions without fearing that they will be canceled. We are currently a long way from that.” East-West? One of the clear undercurrents in the election last Sunday was, of course, Germany’s ongoing east-west divide, particularly as it pertains to the success of the AfD. Historically, the party has been far stronger in the former East German states than in former West German states. The fact that this generalization no longer reliably holds is certainly one of the primary concerns that many have about the party’s growth. And yet, there is still a distinct flavor of “stupid easterners, they don’t understand democracy” to the coverage. In the weeks before the vote, there was even a rather interesting back-and-forth in Germany’s culture pages about how ungrateful eastern Germans allegedly are for being pulled out of their pre-reunification backwardness and into the light of the West. DER SPIEGEL’s Jochen-Martin Gutsch has had enough. “Ten years ago, in 2016, elections were also held in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won more than 20 percent, which at the time rightly provoked outrage and incomprehension in western Germany. Today, in 2026, the AfD is also polling at around 20 percent in western German states, but this no longer provokes outrage and incomprehension. Instead, it is now regarded as proof of democratic conviction and civilizational resistance. After all, in the east, it’s 40 percent!” “This allows people to continue feeling morally superior to the East, but the wiser course would be to admit: if something doesn’t happen soon, the West will turn AfD-blue too. Or bluish.” “But will anything happen? The truly depressing thing about election night was not so much the AfD leaders intoxicated by their own success. It was the representatives of the other parties, who once again said that they were utterly shocked, needed some time to digest the result and would, of course, not simply return to business as usual. The SPD, a former big-tent party, celebrated its ‘stable’ result of 9.3 percent. Congratulations!” “For 10 years, the AfD has gone from one electoral success to the next. And still, the established parties remain ‘shocked’ and scratch their heads in astonishment. How long can they keep being shocked? Friedrich Merz says he may need to communicate his reform ideas in a more ‘emotional’ way. So the CDU’s political professionals sit down together after the election, mull over a strategy, and in the end come up with this: Fritz, try to be a little more relaxed, charismatic and emotional – or something. Beyond that: no political plan, no defiance, no promise of a future. That is frightening.” What was good, what was bad for democracy? Good: Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt was 77.8 percent, the highest ever recorded in the state. Whatever one thinks of the result, that figure is encouraging. Democracy needs citizens to take an interest. Bad: Although a strong AfD result had been expected in Saxony-Anhalt, many politicians from the mainstream parties – including in Berlin – appeared confused, helpless and overwhelmed in their initial reactions. That is not how they will win back voters’ trust. Last Week’s Highlights: 🗳️ Meet the Germans Who Voted for the AfD: Why would voters in a country like Germany, with its Nazi past, vote for a right-wing party? It’s a question only an editor in Berlin could come up with. On the ground, the view is different. 🟦 How the AfD Wants to Expand Its Power Across Germany: The far-right AfD is planning to decimate public broadcasting in Saxony-Anhalt, revamp education and install extremists in positions of power. And it is eyeing victory on the national stage as well. 🕯️ The Continuing Reverberations of September 11: It was a generational shock, and the consequences can still be felt today - from massive surveillance and significant increases in presidential power to violent excesses at ICE. 🤝 “For Europe, Canada Is the Preferred Partner in Trans-Atlantic Relations”: In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne discusses his country’s failed trade deal with the US and why Canada is looking to Europe. 🏛️ The True Historical Roots of the AfD: During the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, there were numerous parties on the extreme right espousing “Germany first” nationalism. The Nazis may not be the best comparison for today’s AfD. 🌊 AfD in a Landslide: Merz Is the Wrong Leader for Germany: The right-wing Alternative for Germany won in a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt state elections on Sunday. What does that mean for the country at large? Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful week! Subscribe Share Leave a comment Your SPIEGEL Substack Team Compiled and edited by Charles Hawley
Sweden braces for election nail-biter as right closes gap
The opposition's 8% lead has disappeared and the vote is too close to call
The politics and possibilities of ‘AI could kill us all’
I found myself fielding a lot of questions from folks who don’t usually talk much about AI this week. They were mostly along the lines of “do you think AI is going to kill us all?” or “how worried should I be about this human extinction stuff?” Motivating this wave of existential anxiety was the highly dramatic resignation of now-former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, who quit his job while publicly sharing his concerns about safety practices at the leading AI companies. More specifically, he declared that almost everyone at OpenAI and Anthropic, the leading AI labs, believes that there’s a decent chance the AI systems they’re producing could “kill us all” by the end of the decade, and the companies aren’t “acting responsibly.” Other AI safety researchers, including those still employed at Anthropic and OpenAI, all confirmed that yes, Coxon is correct, they’re all worried that their company’s products might prove fatal for the entire human race as well. Two more AI employees quit and joined the chorus. Now, the warning shot has been covered everywhere from the Wall Street Journal to Fox News to WIRED to the Guardian. I understand why all this sounds scary, but my response to those who have asked, has generally been: No, you don’t need to worry that AI will kill go rogue and kill us all. But that does not mean we shouldn’t worry, period. Far from it. The companies building AI products are now among the wealthiest and most powerful entities in the world. And they very much are building enormous engines of mass surveillance, extraction, and automation. They can and have allowed their AI systems to carry out felony hacks of other companies, provided the government with autonomously generated kill lists, and sold enterprise technology to firms around the world that is explicitly intended to replace jobs. But “AI” has done these things not because they have all-powerful minds of their own but, ultimately, because people have programmed, calibrated, and directed them to. In other words, it’s not AI we need to worry the most about. It’s the people and corporations working to profit from and gain power by deploying it. The technology is sophisticated, sure, and, especially in cybersecurity contexts, potentially disruptive to plenty of existing systems. But if we want to stop this predatory, profiteering, and extractive form of AI—and it’s worth noting that at this point, most people do—we absolutely can. A quick note/plea: I can only do all of this with the support of readers like you, so if you find value in independent, critical tech journalism and analysis, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. I want to keep as much of this un-paywalled as absolutely possible, and I need your support to do so. Many thanks to all who continue to chip in, it’s very much appreciated. Onward. Subscribe First, some context: AI industry folks like Coxon have been discussing the prospect that AI will destroy humanity for years. Even before the beginning of the AI boom, many working in the industry, from the executive staff to the rank and file researchers, have obsessed over ‘x-risk’, or the possibility that AI will become sentient or semi-sentient and move one way or another to exterminate humanity. This is ostensibly why Elon Musk bankrolled OpenAI in the first place, and is the grounds for his lawsuit alleging OpenAI betrayed its charter by abandoning its nonprofit status to become a commercial enterprise. Many AI engineers and startup founders have calculated their own personal p(doom), or the probability that the tech product they are working on will initiate an actual humanity-extinguishing apocalypse. 10-25% p(doom)s are pretty common. (I wrote about a long weekend I spent among these folks at one of their top conferences here, to give you an idea of their ideas and belief systems.) Sam Altman himself drove the narrative of the imminent rise of a super-powerful AI, or artificial general intelligence, to prominence by declaring that the technology he was building posed an existential risk to humanity. This idea is in other words baked into the DNA of modern AI companies and into the products they engineer. It’s also why the industry is routinely accused, by myself and others, of “doom marketing,” ie, using such proclamations and framings to impart the sheer power of the technology behind your product onto investors, partners, consumers, and the state. Some ambient understanding of this tendency may have helped prevent the press from repeating the claim every time one of the x-risk folks made it over the years, including when they quit their jobs at AI companies while doing so. Yet Coxon’s AI x-risk alarm has broken containment, as they say, and has exposed the idea to the mainstream media once again. This has happened, I think, for a number of reasons. First, when AI CEOs were going around saying AI might kill everyone in 2023, their companies were well-capitalized, but not nearly to the extent they are today. They were more easily dismissed as eccentric geeks of the sort that Silicon Valley is supposed to produce. Now, not only do their products have much greater market saturation, but people are more aware of a) the often unethical ways the executives and companies comport themselves b) the other adverse impacts of AI that have already arrived, and c) the physical cost of building these systems, particularly when it comes to data centers. Finally, toss in the constant stream of headlines in 2026 about AI models going rogue or potentially upending the world’s infrastructure. [ ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) [ With the backlash to data centers, Flock and AI glasses, a mass opposition to big tech is underway. Silicon Valley is in denial. ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) Brian Merchant · Aug 27 [ Read full story ](https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/with-the-backlash-to-data-centers) As a result, general sentiment was already overwhelmingly skeptical of AI and its overlords, so the table was pretty well set for someone to come along and say ‘just a reminder, the companies that are building the product that promises to take your job and leave a data center in your neighborhood also think that it might exterminate the human race’ and get a strong reaction from the media and the public. The question is: Should we understand this stuff as hype, strategically fanned to feed already swelling valuations? Is it doom marketing? Genuine cause for alarm that the infrastructure that undergirds modern life is facing a novel threat vector? Or reason to be sincerely worried that AI companies are amassing too much power, and that their products are genuinely dangerous? The answer, I’m afraid, is “yes.” Let me try to untangle all of this a bit, because arguments over how to navigate this moment are extremely heated right now, as they are essentially arguments over how to approach the politics of AI at a moment where there may be a unique opening for action. Those sympathetic to AI alignment concerns and x risk arguments—which increasingly includes a faction on the left who want to shut down AI over safety concerns—argue that people who dismiss AI as all hype have their heads in the sand. Meanwhile, critics of the x-risk narrative—which I might note includes a cadre of investors and tech folks on the right, too—argue that it is hype and can be used to further inflate valuations or for pursuing regulatory capture. The challenge is that many feel that dismissing AI as just hype or purely marketing also diminishes the urgency of taking on the AI industry as the novel and threat to labor, civil society, and the public sphere it is; others that by accepting the industry’s own terms, we imbue it with undue power and enable it. But let’s be clear: Declarations that AI is so powerful it might end the world are a kind of marketing, and anyone who says otherwise is just as off base as those who say that’s all that it is. If you don’t think that these sub-trillion dollar companies have higher-ups who noticed that when their founders talked about super-powerful dangerous AI they got spikes in media interest and phone calls from investors, or that those founders didn’t notice that themselves, and lean into certain narratives to advantage their products, then I don’t know what to tell you. Not all marketing is a Pepsi ad campaign with a celebrity spokesperson. Yet confronting the AI industry should certainly be considered an urgent project. Do I share the x-riskers’ fear that out-of-control, super-intelligent AI agents might end the world? I do not. I’ve read a good deal of AI extinction literature over the last couple of years and I have not come across a credible, step-by-step documentation of how exactly AI might move from self-recursively improving AI to killing every single human on the planet. Most of what I’ve read seems predicated on a sort of reverse Ian Malcolmian logic: Eventually, it becomes smart enough and AI, uh, finds a way (to exterminate humanity). Are the AI companies also overstating and dramatizing what their products can do? Yes, pretty much all the time. They’re in a knife fight for market share and are trying to win customers and government contracts before their investors come knocking. And yet. They have concentrated enormous amounts of compute, have extensive data collection and surveillance capacities, have inserted themselves into the state in numerous capacities, including military kill chains, and they are being run by egomaniacal billionaires who are rushing to monopolize an entire new market. The way I think about their most recent frightening-seeming exploits is not as a “swarm of rogue AI agents building a new civilization” or whatever, but as corporations with a hitherto-unimaginable amount of compute at their disposal recklessly experimenting with automation programs, completely unafraid of any repercussions because we have been unwilling or unable to impose any on them. So I think we should welcome any newfound imperative to hold them accountable. I also think that ultimately, the AI critics, Pause AI folks, leftists, doomers, effective altruists, and, honestly, most of the public, want a lot of the same things: legitimate checks and limits on AI companies’ power, actual transparency into what the companies are doing, and for more of AI to be under public control. (Ultimately, a lot of what animates the x-risk fears are rooted in just that: a fear of losing control.) How we move towards all this, exactly, is the question of the day, and while there’s much to be argued over in terms of building a viable political platform to challenge the AI industry’s power, I do want to cast a vote against one particular approach. Not to pick on Chris here, as there are a lot of folks out there proposing stuff like this, and the policy ideas actually stem from AI safety groups. But not only would this be challenging to land politically (I can already hear the ‘China will beat us to AGI’ calls) and all but unworkable in practice, this approach is a) far too limiting, b) fails to address the current harms caused by AI and c) would likely only wind up serving Anthropic and OpenAI; it’s what regulatory capture looks like in action. Full model transparency is the floor for what should be on offer here. If these companies believe their products will kill us, the very least we deserve is to know how. It’s in the public interest. I would also argue we might get a lot of the way to stopping any currently envisioned robot apocalypse simply by forcing AI companies to assume liability, and to submit to the full brunt of the law. If Sam Altman were liable to be charged with a felony for approving the hack on Hugging Face1, if Google was forced to pay defamation fines each time it published a false and injurious AI Overviews, these companies might suddenly find cause to restrain their models’ output, and we might hear less about rogue AI. We would need to introduce new frameworks and available tools for tracking automated lawbreaking, to be sure, but I’d wager that little would frighten the AI companies more than actually being held accountable for what their products enable. To that end, Illinois has passed an AI liability law, which the industry fought tooth and nail, and Florida is considering one. The next steps would be towards moving AI under public control; again, it’s only reasonable, since everyone, not just AI insiders, should get a say over how a technology whose developers say might kill us is developed and deployed. Dismantling the whole industrial project as currently structured should be on the table, too, pending democratic input. But that’s for another post. For now, suffice to say that while I won’t be losing any sleep about an AI-enabled extinction event, Mr. Coxon and co. have given us an opportunity to underscore the urgency of the clear and present damage AI companies are doing, the extreme power they wield and the extent to which they hold themselves unaccountable, and the abundance of political capital there is out there for taking them on. Subscribe 1 Purely speculative! I do not know if he did or not.
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Marcus Dell’Artino on the November election
Republican strategist Marcus Dell’Artino returns to talk about polling for the election races and whether Democrats may gain control of the Legislature. Dell’Artino says affordability—covering inflation, housing and gas prices—continues to dominate voter concerns. They also examine whether low Republican energy, Democratic turnout efforts and negative campaigning could reshape the governor’s race. Water security and Colorado River cuts are rising on voters’ priority lists as Arizona’s growth continues. The discussion also looks at whether Trump fatigue and a possible Democratic wave could affect control of the Legislature.
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Marcus Dell’Artino on the November election
Republican strategist Marcus Dell’Artino returns to talk about polling for the election races and whether Democrats may gain control of the Legislature. Dell’Artino says affordability—covering inflation, housing and gas prices—continues to dominate voter concerns. They also examine whether low Republican energy, Democratic turnout efforts and negative campaigning could reshape the governor’s race. Water security and Colorado River cuts are rising on voters’ priority lists as Arizona’s growth continues. The discussion also looks at whether Trump fatigue and a possible Democratic wave could affect control of the Legislature.
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Marcus Dell’Artino on the November election
Republican strategist Marcus Dell’Artino returns to talk about polling for the election races and whether Democrats may gain control of the Legislature. Dell’Artino says affordability—covering inflation, housing and gas prices—continues to dominate voter concerns. They also examine whether low Republican energy, Democratic turnout efforts and negative campaigning could reshape the governor’s race. Water security and Colorado River cuts are rising on voters’ priority lists as Arizona’s growth continues. The discussion also looks at whether Trump fatigue and a possible Democratic wave could affect control of the Legislature.
Russell: “Antonelli Has Done a Better Job Than Me”
The Briton acknowledges that the Italian deserves to lead the championship and that he will need luck to close the 66 point gap. Despite the disadvantage, he assures that he does not give up and that he will continue fighting race by race for the title.
Iowa business group endorses GOP candidates, skips governor's race
The political action committee for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry endorsed Republican candidates in several statewide races but did not make an e
3 reasons to believe Chivas will beat Pumas
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Elon Musk's PAC adds Maine 2nd District race to electioneering bid
Musk's America PAC is already spending on the high-profile Maine U.S. Senate race. Now it's sending text and phone messages hoping to boost Republican Paul LePage in his contest against Democrat Matt Dunlap.
Enjoy Illinois 300 and Confluence Music Festival return
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Gov. Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa argue gender politics in governor race
Gov. Greg Abbott releases attack on Gina Hinojosa calling her a "gender bender" regarding Texas children ahead of the Texas governor race.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” ends at BBC after 8 seasons and ‘very difficult choices’
“Drag Race UK” began on the British network in 2019, and included iconic winners like Lawrence Chaney and the late returning “All Stars 7” queen The Vivienne.