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Florida State University brings trauma science, resilience research into Florida courtrooms
The Lindsay Clancy trial was the latest high-profile case that affected defendants, families, jurors, judges and the professionals charged with
StartUp Hutch Announces Latest Rural Business Microgrant Awards - Ad Astra Radio
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — September 21, 2026 — StartUp Hutch has awarded two additional Rural Business Resilience & Expansion Initiative Microgrants to businesses in Arlington. The latest recipients are: Francisco Villanueva, Carolyn’s Essenhaus Destiny Love, Farmers Insurance The Rural Business Resilience & Expansion Initiative Microgrant program provides grants of […]
The next wave of VCs judging Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2026
The next wave of VCs judging the Startup Battlefield 200 contenders on the main stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Register by Sept 25 to save up to $200.
Halo 3, Mass Effect, BioShock, Rock Band, and More: Fall 2007 Was the Greatest Season in Xbox – and Also Gaming
The fact that you can slice up the Fall of 2007 in so many different ways – best Xbox season ever, best PC season ever, best November ever – and the argument for its unmatched brilliance still holds up is iron-clad proof that it is, indisputably, the best season in video game history.
Planetary Health Check 2026 finds mounting pressures across Earth's life support systems
Seven breached Planetary Boundaries continue to worsen as record ocean heat, droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme heat reveal an Earth system under strain, according to the latest Planetary Health ...
Spurs fixture moved for TV coverage
The latest round of television picks have been announced with the Whites having one fixture selected for live coverage in November.Leeds United’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road will n...
How is Scotland squad shaping up for Pocognoli debut?
Sebastien Pocognoli's faces his first test as Scotland head coach against Slovenia on Saturday, but how is his squad shaping up for his debut?
What's the Latest on Syracuse Basketball Transfer Amarri Monroe?
The Orange are looking to add the impact player to the roster, but there are complications here.
Contest: Pick the winners in the Rhode Island's general election
Believe it or not, early voting in Rhode Island’s general election begins 23 days, and Election Day itself is just six weeks away.
The M5 Ultra Mac Studio tears through our benchmark tests
So much power, we’re gonna keep cooking on this one.
Expert Available: How Health Systems Can Help Address America’s Clinical Trial Bottleneck
A recent New York Times opinion essay argues that one of the greatest obstacles to developing new treatments is no longer scientific discovery, but the costly, complex and slow-moving system for testing those discoveries in people. The article also raises concerns that these challenges are driving more clinical research overseas. Adam Samson, president of the Advocate Health National Center for Clinical Trials (NCCT), is available to discuss how large, integrated health systems can help a
Scientists create a needle-thin brain implant that can do three jobs at once
A new needle-thin brain implant can record neural activity, deliver drugs, and stimulate multiple brain regions using a single flexible fiber. Successful tests in mice suggest it could give scientists a more precise, less invasive way to study the brain and may eventually help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy.
California is failing on homelessness. This Sacramento woman’s struggles show why
Califia Carlisle almost graduated from college. Now, she lives on the streets. Her plight speaks volumes about the state mental health system.
CNN, MS NOW, Politico say they've notified Trump they're suing over denied White House access
The actions were a clear escalation of President Donald Trump’s long-running efforts — in the courts and through administrative action — to restrict news coverage by journalists he finds objectionable, and were the latest test of First Amendment protections in the United States.
NJ labor chief criticizes 'river of misinformation' about independent contractor rule
A rule set to take effect Oct. 1 has caused a furor among business groups and freelancers, but the state insists enforcement won't change.
Man City 5-3 Sunderland
What a perfect performance by the lads and what a magnificent way to capitalise on Arsenal's loss yesterday and secure ourselves at the top of the table. Sunderland were a credit and gave us a real test. Brian Brobbey will be a very good player in the near future.
Crime writer Kellye Garrett brings latest book to Coe series
Explore “Missing White Woman,” the latest suspense thriller by crime fiction author and former “Cold Case” writer Kellye Garrett, ahead of her talk at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.
Brighton suffocated Arsenal - and there is much more to come
The latest absentee at the weekend was Lewis Dunk. Luka Vuskovic looked classy again at the back, and clearly has the traits of a ball-playing centre-back, which suits this Brighton team well. There's more to come from him, and - if this weekend is anything to go - there is much more to come from Brighton too.
North Dakota Supreme Court races are nonpartisan, but Republicans play a big role
North Dakota voters have a rare contest for a state Supreme Court seat this fall, one that raises questions about Republican politics in the nonpartisan race.
Rockford is latest West Michigan company to go 100% employee-owned
All 330 of Rockford’s employees are eligible to become owners of the construction firm under an employee stock ownership plan.
Why is trust in science important?
STAT's Alex Hogan sits down for an in-depth conversation with our new trust-in-science reporter, Nicholas Florko, on the latest episode of STATus Report.
Why is trust in science important?
STAT's Alex Hogan sits down for an in-depth conversation with our new trust-in-science reporter, Nicholas Florko, on the latest episode of STATus Report.
Can RFK Jr. help GOP win the midterms? Iowa is a test
How one state's governor's race is a test of whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA movement has an enduring political draw.
England latest: Cole Palmer withdraws from Thomas Tuchel's squad ahead of long international break
Cole Palmer was recalled to Thomas Tuchels squad after being snubbed for the 2026 World Cup; Palmer has scored four goals in seven games this season for Chelsea; Palmer had previously stated he felt back to his best after an injury-hit 2025-26 campaign
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Waking up with the hottest in Florida politics — Sunburn brings the heat
Whether you like it or not, celebrities have an impact on politics
The global groundswell of support for Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian advocacy serves to remind us that maybe celebrity activism really is that deep after all, writes Cheek’s Varsha Yajman. Subscribe In the last week, publications, podcasts, and influencers that have either rarely or never spoken about Israel’s genocide in Palestine have flooded my social feed. And it was all because singer Ed Sheeran and his team dropped Macklemore as his opener for saying “Free Palestine” on stage. Millions raised, millions speaking up in support of Palestine - all of this confirming my view that, whether I like it or not, celebrities do have an impact on political outcomes. And this is interesting when much of the time celebrity activism can induce an eye roll - I love to see Charli XCX pointing out a Palestinian flag in the crowd, but it’s hardly the bold symbol of allyship that some fans would make it out to be. But there’s a line between healthy scepticism and outright dismissal - and I’d argue that the latter lets the rich and powerful off far too easily. For instance, actress Jennifer Lawrence, once outspoken about her political views, last year told The Times she no longer believes celebrities have a role to play: “Celebrities do not make a difference whatsoever on who people vote for. So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s going to add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart.” While it’s a narrative she might find comfort in, it simply is not true. Grassroots movements often garner worldwide attention when celebrities and other high-profile spokespeople bring a mainstream platform to their causes. And this frustrates me. We have had three years of a live-streamed genocide. Macklemore himself has been calling for a Free Palestine long before he booked the Sheeran concert. Yet it’s the high-profile fallout of the last week that finally seems to have made saying “Free Palestine” socially acceptable in the mainstream. It feels like the collective mood has shifted, where calling out censorship is now the obvious response - not just the business of ‘radical’ activists. To recap, Sheeran’s decision followed an ultimatum from billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, one of the venues Sheeran was scheduled to perform at: either drop Macklemore as your opener after only two of the eight scheduled shows, or you do not play at any stadiums. Sheeran’s disappointing decision to stand on the side of billionaire-led censorship has ultimately seen a surge in support for Free Palestine. It began when all his openers and his backing band pulled out of Sheeran’s tour, in solidarity with Macklemore and with the Palestinian cause. It was met with an uproar of support from those who had never or barely touched politics before: influencers lip-syncing to Macklemore’s music, singers like Jack Antonoff singing “Free Palestine,” and publications and podcasts standing with Macklemore. And finally, we saw material support: Macklemore donated $1 million in profits from his two nights opening for Sheeran’s tour to several Palestinian aid groups and called for Sheeran and Kraft to match it, which they have since promised to do. We’ve also seen children’s entertainer Ms Rachel follow suit with a $1 million donation to Palestinian aid, and publication PopBase has donated $10,000. Anera, a humanitarian aid group working in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan, said donations since Macklemore’s announcement were more than triple this month’s daily average. The group’s Instagram page has also gained 8,000 followers. Macklemore far from the first celebrity to speak and participate in politics in the Western World. In 1924, singer Al Jolson supported Republican candidate Warren G. Harding for president, and decades later, celebrities such as Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne, and Aretha Franklin voiced their public support for the Civil Rights movement. More recently, in the lead-up to the 2024 US election, ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah partnered with the organisation Power the Polls to recruit poll workers to address shortages- a problem disproportionately affecting voters of colour. The campaign saw 170,000 new sign-ups - 35,000 of which came directly through the TV show’s link - resulting in the recruitment of 713,000 total poll workers that year, an almost three-fold increase on the organisation’s goal. Alongside recruiting workers, celebrities in the US (where voting in elections is not compulsory) have made a huge difference by calling for people to register to vote. Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 saw over 400,000 visitors on the voter registration site within 24 hours of her Instagram post. In 2023, Swift had urged her fans to register, resulting in 35,000 new voter registrations. Similarly, Ariana Grande promoted voter registration in 2019 by setting up booths at concerts on the American leg of her tour, resulting in over 33,000 voters registering. And the same thing is happening closer to home. This year, musician Jack River successfully called for government action to ensure creatives in Australia do not have their work scraped by generative AI companies. Celebrity as the mediator between the punter and the politician Celebrity activism isn’t just a feel-good news story - research tells us it actually makes a difference. By directing attention to issues affecting the average person, like voting inaccessibility or a lack of action on a genocide, researchers Alfred Archer and Amanda Cawston state that “celebrities can play a useful bridging role between political elites and the people they represent”. Alternatively, in a world where talking about politics is “not cool,” or where people lack exposure or knowledge to engage with politics, celebrities can act as an educational resource or an entry point into the political world - when they speak up about an issue, their audience gets exposed to it. Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival is a perfect example. Rodrigo partnered with twelve organisations focused on women’s issues, such as reproductive rights. These organisations had stalls at the festival for people to meet them and were also featured heavily on social media, giving their issues global attention and raising $20 million for the organisations. We have also seen celebrities at award shows such as the Emmys wearing F*CK ICE pins, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s treatment and detainment of people - generally people of colour. When celebrities speak up about political issues in public forums, they put the issue at the forefront of mainstream media, rally their supporters, and make it clear that, however much they disagree, the government cannot simply ignore it. Our over-reliance on celebrities versus our politicians As much as I love seeing my favourite celebrity use their platform for a good cause, there is an important question to ask: not whether celebrity activism is good or bad, but whether we should have to rely on celebrities. And the answer would, in an ideal world, be no. In an ideal world, or merely a just world, action on Palestine would’ve happened decades ago, climate change would be taken seriously, and most importantly, people would understand their democratic rights. However, that is not our reality. Only around 28 per cent of Australian Year 10 students reach proficiency in civics and citizenship. In the US, almost two-thirds of people under 30 say high school civics education didn’t prepare them to understand voting deadlines, how to research candidates, or how to vote by mail. When civics education is weak, our trust in these institutions and our understanding of change-making processes also decline. This is where celebrity steps in and becomes our main source of reliance. As Mary R. Connelly notes in _The Tartan, “_Celebrities will always be involved in campaigns in one form or another, but their presence is not what causes people to vote blindly. The lack of political engagement and literacy is what allows celebrities to wield their influence on the political sphere so impactfully.” About the author Varsha Yajman is the Digital Content Producer at Cheek Media. She is a youth advocate and lawyer with a background in climate litigation and is passionate about looking at the intersection between race, climate justice, and mental health. Thanks for reading Cheek Media Co. ! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share
Michael Carrick believes Man Utd can still have big season despite equalling club's worst Premier League start- Paper Talk
Latest transfer news and headlines include: JJ Gabriels reason behind wanting to leave Manchester United; Andoni Iraola continuing to want more from Alexander Isak despite his winning goal against Bournemouth; Martin ONeill ponders his future as Celtic boss
45th annual Health Fair and Expo brings free screenings to Mountain Home on Oct. 7
Twin Lakes area residents can get free health screenings, lab test vouchers and time with local providers on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when the Health Fair and Expo returns for its 45th year. Baxter Health and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot present the fair, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymnasium
Republic of Ireland braced for testing Nations League
BBC Sport NI looks at how Republic of Ireland and their opponents - Kosovo, Israel and Austria are shaping up for the Nations League.
Rating and TRP for Rohit Sharma's TV show: Family Full House with Rohit Sharma
Family Full House with Rohit Sharma rating: Check the latest IMDb score, TRP rating and official television viewership figure.
Trans rights supporters face off again with conservative protesters at Portland’s ‘Sports Bra’
People supporting trans rights and a right-wing group clashed Sunday afternoon during a demonstration outside the Sports Bra that spilled into northeast Portland.
Telehealth companies keep exposing customers' medical data. What should they do?
The FTC recently filed a lawsuit alleging Hims & Hers secretly exposed customers’ health data and signed them up for hard-to-cancel subscriptions without permission. It's the latest in a series of similar cases.
China tests first practical submarine solar farm at 10 metres depth in open sea
Scientists successfully charge batteries and power a LED using lead halide perovskite solar cells in world-first test.
Trump decries Democrats as 'communists,' even as he looks to impress China's communist leader
President Donald Trump says that communism is the greatest threat the U.S. has ever faced | 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA
Trump decries Democrats as 'communists,' even as he looks to impress China's communist leader
President Donald Trump says that communism is the greatest threat the U.S. has ever faced.
Young people in Morocco split over whether politics can deliver change as election draws near
SIDI MOUSSA EL MAJDOUB, Morocco (AP) — A funeral in rural Morocco for an elderly woman became an unlikely campaign stop for candidates trying to motivate disenchanted young voters ahead of parliamentary elections Wednesday. Moroccan young people’s struggles to find jobs and opportunity drove Gen Z-led protests last year and a surge of migration to […]
Science Snapshots: September 20, 2026
Explore groundbreaking discoveries on North Korea's nuclear impact, amoebic evolution, and the health benefits of regular exercise.
Alec Pierce injury update as Colts WR exits against Chiefs
The Colts lost top wide receiver Alec Pierce to a heel injury against the Chiefs. Here are the latest updates.
Christian McCaffrey joins elite company with his 100th career touchdown
Christian McCaffrey put himself in some elite company with two short touchdown runs. McCaffrey's two 1-yard TDs in a 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday made him the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era to reach 100 career touchdowns and the third player ever with at least 50 TDs with two franchises. “It means a lot,” McCaffrey said.
Video: Stellar Blade Nintendo Switch 2 vs. PS5 graphics comparison
A brand-new graphics comparison video has surfaced for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 versions of Stellar Blade. For those that missed the news, Shift Up just dropped a demo for the Nintendo Switch 2 release on the eShop today. That’s where the latest footage comes in. Note that it’s possible we could see changes / improvements in the...
Saquon Barkley set for MRI
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley will undergo tests after suffering an injury in Week 2
H-E-B competition gives tiny Texas border town BBQ business a big shot
A family-owned Rio Grande Valley seasoning company is among 10 finalists in H-E-B's Quest for Texas Best contest.
Europe faces Q4 jet fuel supply deficit even as South Korea becomes latest big supplier
Europe faces a fourth-quarter jet fuel deficit, even as it turns to far-flung suppliers including South Korea, which is set to boost its jet exports to Europe to a four-year high in September, according to analysts and shipping data.
Mike Onwenu injury update: Latest news on Patriots offensive guard
This is the latest injury update on New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu.
Bruins Suddenly Place Recent Trade Acquisition on Waivers
The Boston Bruins are set to compete in their first exhibition contest of the 2026-27 NHL campaign on Sunday evening, as they’ll take on the Washington Capitals on home ice. However, before the matchup, the Bruins have made a personnel move as they work toward getting their roster finalized. The Boston Bruins Have Waived Forward […] The post Bruins Suddenly Place Recent Trade Acquisition on Waivers appeared first on HEAVY.
Trump reportedly to form health funding board that could veto ‘woke’ initiatives
President’s latest order expected to bring NIH funding under control of Trump administration to align with agenda
Florida voters won’t see a debate between Jolly and Donalds
Is the debate dead in Florida?
Major Billboard Hit, Ranked Among 'Greatest Songs of All Time,' Was Originally Not Written for Britney...
Before "Toxic" became a defining Britney Spears hit, the song had a very different destination.
Major Billboard Hit, Ranked Among 'Greatest Songs of All Time,' Was Originally Not Written for Britney...
Before "Toxic" became a defining Britney Spears hit, the song had a very different destination.
Major Billboard Hit, Ranked Among 'Greatest Songs of All Time,' Was Originally Not Written for Britney...
Before "Toxic" became a defining Britney Spears hit, the song had a very different destination.
LSU Loss to Ole Miss Reveals Truths About Team
We learned a lot during the latest Magnolia Bowl. Thanks to Lane Kiffin, we expected the stage in Mississippi to rank among the peak game backdrops in the sport, and it delivered. The raucous environment in Oxford, Mississippi, exposed the college football world to the raw energy of hatred and the passion that accompanies a …
[NAW] Champion Focus FNCS Cup Battle Royale : Session 1
Stay focused. Play like a champion. Compete in the Champion Focus FNCS Cup for a chance to earn Champion Focus cosmetic rewards. Put your skills to the test and keep your sights on victory. Good luck and have fun!
1988 No. 1 Hit, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Guitar Solos' of All Time, Gets a Carrie Underwood Makeover at Guns...
The classic rock hit became the band's only No.
Morocco vote to test youth’s faith in politics
Morocco vote to test youth’s faith in politics
BYU Moves into AP Top 10 After Colorado State Win
After a 41-23 road win over Colorado State, BYU moved up 2 spost to 9 in the latest AP Poll released Sunday. This is the first time BYU has been ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll in September since 2009. It’s also the third straight season BYU has been ranked in the […]
When Ebola Strikes, HIV Care Cannot Stop
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) confronts its 17th and fastest-growing Ebola outbreak, a troubling warning is emerging from community networks
Ebola outbreak update: Cases and deaths; Dungu health zone, Haut-Uélé province now affected
A total of 73 new confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) were reported on September 18, 2026, including 25 community deaths. Of these confirmed cases, 46 were from Ituri province, 18 from North Kivu, 6 from Haut-Uélé, and 3 from Tshopo. A new health zone, Dungu, in Haut-Uélé province, was affected during the day. As this zone borders South Sudan, strengthening cross-border surveillance is necessary. During the day on September 18, 2026, 12 deaths within Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs)—10 in Ituri and 2 in North Kivu—were unfortunately recorded, bringing the total number of deaths for the day to 37. However, 41 patients were declared recovered (30 in Ituri, 6 in Haut-Uélé, 3 in North Kivu, and 2 in Tshopo) after testing negative for EVD twice. Since the start of the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a cumulative total of 7,614 confirmed cases, including 3,676 deaths, has been recorded, representing a case fatality rate of 48.3%. The epicenter remains Ituri province, which accounts for 77.2% of the confirmed cases reported across the seven affected provinces and also accounts for 63.0% of the new confirmed cases. A new health zone was affected on September 18, 2026. Consequently, 63 out of 167 health zones (37.7%) across 7 provinces are affected. Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube Response measures feature 97% traveler screening at entry points, surveillance expansion to new area Dungu, and community outreach sensitizing over 110,000 people in one day. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health system faces deep, structural constraints that predate the current Ebola outbreak and make epidemic response far harder. These problems are most acute in rural areas and the conflict-affected east. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Eastern provinces have seen health facilities damaged, looted, or abandoned. Insecurity delays patients, blocks supply deliveries, and exposes staff to attacks. Millions of displaced people live in camps with poor water, sanitation, and health services, increasing outbreak risk. Vast distances and poor roads mean many people walk hours or days to reach care. These same weaknesses explain why Ebola has continued to spread into new, under-prepared health zones even as some original hotspots show improvement: surveillance, laboratory turnaround, contact tracing, and infection control remain thin outside the best-supported sites. The Ministry of Health and partners have scaled up treatment centres, laboratories, and vaccination in the current outbreak, and some digital surveillance systems (DHIS2) provide a useful backbone. However, the underlying gaps in staffing, basic infrastructure, reliable funding, and logistics have not been closed. Without sustained investment in those foundations, the system will remain vulnerable to both routine disease burden and the next large outbreak. If you like the reporting on Outbreak News Today, please consider a paid subscription for $5/month or $30 a year. Help support the cause of this niche journalism. It is appreciated.
1956 John Wayne Classic, Considered His Most Compelling Role, Named ‘Greatest Noir-Western of All Time'
Having the Latest AI Model Can Actually Be a Bad Business Decision. Here’s How to Know When an Upgrade Is Worth It.
A technically superior AI model isn't always a smart business move. Here's how to evaluate if it's truly worth the investment.
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
NYC Health expands Legionnaires' disease outreach area in South Bronx as testing continues
The NYC Health Department is expanding its South Bronx Legionnaires' disease outreach into two additional ZIP codes following a recent uptick in cases.
Who is Arsenal’s fastest player?
The figures also produced one particularly surprising name near the top of Arsenal’s match-day speed rankings at the Amex.Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesAgainst Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday,...
Ms. Rachel Says Ed Sheeran Caved Over Macklemore Exit
The children's educator says Sheeran failed a moral test after venues reportedly threatened to block Loop Tour dates featuring Macklemore.
Alaskans will decide fate of ranked choice voting system after chaotic end to state's primary
The August primary revealed some of the headaches related to a major change in how Alaska voters select their candidates and was the latest example of how the real-world experience of state voting changes don't always line up neatly with expectations.
Promoted pair cancel each other out in Gelsenkirchen
Two sides that earned promotion to the Bundesliga together last season renewed their acquaintance at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, as Schalke's defensive resilience was tested by Elversberg’s attacki...
KIII 3 News
KIII 3NEWS is the ABC affiliate in Corpus Christi, Texas, operating to serve, inform and improve communities in the Coastal Bend. The station began broadcasting in South Texas on May 4, 1964. Today, KIII 3NEWS dominates one of the fastest-growing markets in Texas. The station’s service to the community and commitment to local news and weather coverage has consistently made it the Coastal Bend's news leader for decades.
Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium to host 2027 Women’s Champions Cup
Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium will stage the 2027 Women’s Champions Cup. Miami had been announced as the hosts for the final phase of the competition, contested by the reigning continental champions from each confederation (UEFA, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and AFC) in a calendar year, by the FIFA Council in April. World football’s governing body and Inter Miami confirmed on Saturday that the MLS side’s newly-opened stadium would hold the semi-finals, bronze medal match and final in January 2027. Th
Meta's TV Muse ad is the latest sign that agents are going mainstream
Meta released a TV ad for its Muse AI agent, and the internet is buzzing. Fears about agents going rogue haven't dissuaded hype about the new tech.
Why politicians should pay more attention to the polls (reprise)
Welcome to the 231st edition of The Week in Polls (TWIP), a polling newsletter that always welcomes new readers. So please don’t keep TWIP a secret; share it with your friends and colleagues: Share The Week in Polls With all the stories swirling around Reform, JL Partners and political polling, I am finally tearing myself away from talking about the regulation of polling this week - and instead re-running a previous piece reminding us why the solution to problems with polls isn’t simply to ban or ignore them. Rather, we need them to play a vital role in making our politics - and politicians - better. This is followed by summaries of the latest national voting intention polls, seat projections from MRPs and the most recent party leader ratings. Subscribers who pay for the full edition can also read ten insights from the latest polls and analyses, including: A trio of organisations and a pair of professors have been casting their eyes over the Liberal Democrats ahead of the party’s autumn conference; What impact did the summer heatwave have on views on climate change? and Which wins out between chocolate and cheese? If you are not yet a paid subscriber, you can read all ten by starting a free trial now: Get FREE 7-day trial For more polling news as it comes in ahead of next week’s edition, you can also follow The Week in Polls on Bluesky. Picking up on my doubt last week about whether or not 35% of British train travellers have tried to order a takeaway for delivery to a railway station or carriage, thank you to reader Iain, who has been in touch to say he has done just that… in India. Another quick pair of updates, this time on the controversies around Reform and polling. Politico has a further scoop - “Farage aide caught in donor sting attended Egypt retreat with JL Partners” - and Ian Dunt has written about the problems with polling too: “Seeing the response of many polling experts in the last few weeks suggests that they are nervous about what is happening and keen to mitigate against it. Seeing the response of journalists, which has been basically non-existent, suggests the precise opposite.” My usual reminder as well: please do hit reply if you’ve spotted a poll, focus group or new piece of poll-based research that you think should be in contention for coverage in a future edition. Thank you! And with that, on with the show. How politicians get public opinion wrong I have written before about the benefits that come from widespread availability of high-quality political polling. We need more polls and more good coverage of polls. However, what I’ve not dug into before is the research into how accurately politicians estimate public opinion on issues. Thankfully we have academic research to tell us. First, the bad news: We present results from a study of 866 politicians in four countries.1 Politicians were asked to estimate the percentage of public support for various policy proposals. Comparing more than 10,000 estimations with actual levels of public support, we conclude that politicians are quite inaccurate estimators of people’s preferences. They make large errors and even regularly misperceive what a majority of the voters wants. Politicians are hardly better at estimating public preferences than ordinary citizens. Walgrave, S., Jansen, A., Sevenans, J., Soontjens, K., Pilet, J.B., Brack, N., Varone, F., Helfer, L., Vliegenthart, R., van der Meer, T., Breunig, C., Bailer, S., Sheffer, L. & Loewen, P.J. (2023a), “Inaccurate Politicians: Elected Representatives’ Estimations of Public Opinion in Four Countries”, The Journal of Politics, 85(1): 209-222. The bad news is not quite as bad as that makes it sound because, when asked whether the majority of public opinion was for or against various policies, politicians picked the wrong option ‘only’ 29% of the time. However, this included getting it wrong even when public opinion is far from evenly split on an issue: They do not only get it wrong when the public is divided and hard to read (e.g., when there is a 51%:49% distribution). Seventy percent of the misplacements occur for policies with a relatively clear distribution of at least 60% (dis)agreeing citizens. Moreover, the public scored only slightly worse than politicians, picking the wrong option 2.7 out of 8 times on average, compared with 2.3 times for politicians. Turning to the other measure of accuracy (not which side is in the lead but what the percentage support is for each side), politicians on average were 18 percentage points out in their guesses. Again, this was only slightly better than the public, whose error came in at 21 percentage points.2 Further research, using the same mix of countries, gives a little more comfort about how (in)accurate perceptions are: We show that politicians have a better understanding of public opinion when they think the issue matters to voters. Further, when an issue is personally important to politicians they more accurately estimate their party supporters’ opinions. The results confirm that politicians hold more accurate perceptions of voters’ preferences when they think it is important to do so but not necessarily when the issues actually are important to voters. Butler, C., Walgrave, S., Soontjens, K. & Loewen, P.J. (2024), “Politicians are better at estimating public opinion when they think it is more salient”, Party Politics: 1–13. Even so, it’s not a good picture. The remedy for this? Politicians should spend more time reading the polls. So forward this newsletter to someone you know… Share For a more general argument against banning polls, see my 2024 piece. Is “Let Bartlet Be Bartlet” good advice or not? The latest episode of my Political Fictions podcast heads across the Atlantic for a dip into one of the political TV classics: Mark and Cory talk about a giant of American political drama for the first time this week, as they tackle The West Wing. They talk about Let Bartlet Be Bartlet, the nineteenth episode of series one. In it, Mark wonders if The West Wing is actually the epitome of the “Boris Johnson school of politics”, Cory outmanoeuvres Mark into confirming we will record a Christmas Special about Love, Actually and they debate whether the central message of this episode has been misunderstood. Cory’s email newsletter is Paperback Rioter and Mark has a family of email newsletters. Subscribe to our newsletter for some additional bonus content and to get alerted whenever a new episode comes out. Our theme tune is “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” by Kevin MacLeod/incompetech.com and licensed under the Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. You can also listen to our episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the web or YouTube. Elsewhere from me… [ A Lord's Eye View How to fix the problem of money in our politics Welcome to my latest update on work in the House of Lords. This time I am taking a look at how our political system is regulated, and the protections we need to keep democracy safe from becoming simply a contest to see who has the biggest bank account… Read more 5 days ago · 3 likes · 2 comments · Mark Pack ](https://lordseyeview.substack.com/p/how-to-fix-the-problem-of-money-in?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1269283) If you spot a factual error… Borrowing an idea from Stuart Ritchie and others, if you spot a factual error in an edition of this newsletter, I will give you a free 12-month subscription to the paid-for version (or an extra 12 months on your existing one). Factual errors qualify, but grammatical errors or disagreements over interpretation do not, and my decision is final. Messages about both of those are always welcome, though. Voting intention and leadership ratings Here are the latest voting intention polls from different pollsters. It is all pretty static at the moment, with a small and consistent Labour lead in nearly all the polls. The table is also online here, along with explanations about what is included. It is updated regularly throughout the week as new polls are released. Next are the seat projections from MRPs, also sorted by fieldwork dates, listing those which are based on dedicated fieldwork (rather than models based on averages of other polls). Because such MRPs are published infrequently, some of the entries below are quite old. Finally, here is a summary of leadership ratings, with a graph from PollCheck: Detailed numbers from the latest polls are online here, and both that and the graph are updated regularly throughout the week as new data comes out. For historical figures on both voting intention and leader approval stretching back to the 1930s, including Parliamentary by-election polls, see PollBase. Catch up on the previous two editions [ ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ A crisis point for political polling Sep 13 ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ Read full story ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/a-crisis-point-for-political-polling) [ ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) [ Extra questions about the polls in Reform’s funding scandal Sep 6 ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) [ Read full story ](https://theweekinpolls.substack.com/p/extra-questions-about-the-polls-in) My privacy policy and other legal information are available here. Links to purchase books or other items are usually affiliate links which pay a commission for each sale. Quotes from social media messages are occasionally lightly edited for punctuation and clarity. If you are subscribed to other email lists of mine, please note that unsubscribing from this one will not automatically remove you from the others. If you wish to be removed from all my lists, simply reply to this email to let me know. A quintet of Lib Dem polling analyses, and 9 other polling insights you shouldn’t miss The following ten findings from the most recent polls and analyses are only for subscribers who pay for the full edition, but you can sign up for a free trial to read them straight away. Ahead of the start of Liberal Democrat conference, we have a trio of organisations and a pair of professors with pieces out about Ed Davey’s party:
Minecraft Takes Science to a New Level: A Fly’s Brain Was Transplanted Into the Video Game
The experiment demonstrated the potential of gaming as a tool for testing consciousness in a virtual environment.
Inside the Fear, Anger, and Hope at Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia Concert
The latest Loop tour stop drew heightened attention after a week’s worth of statements and fallout following Macklemore's removal from the tour
Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon
Scientists have explored ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, including through air capture, changes to ocean chemistry and reforestation. Now, researchers are testing deeper-rooted soybeans.
In ‘Lioness’ finale: Arlington hospital, Fort Worth restaurant and more
The Paramount+ series has wrapped up its third season.
Analysis: Eagles unlucky to not gain win
This was a good test for boss Pierre Sage, with the Eagles playing on Thursday in the Europa League and having three days less preparation time than Leeds. Crystal Palace created the first chance of the match, only for Quinten Timber to fire over from 25 yards, before Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell had their only other chances of note in the first half, with both strikes deflected and easily dealt with. Palace had conceded a late goal to lose 3-2 to Ipswich Town last weekend and it would have been harsh on them if something similar had happened here.
1955 Country Hit Voted One of the ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time' by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone ranks it No.
🔥 Fiery Madrid derby! Atlético star lucky after horror tackle
In the Madrid derby, things got heated almost as expected. Just six minutes in, Atlético coach Diego Simeone was shown a yellow card after protesting too aggressively to the referee.Shortly before ha...
Bayer 04 Mourns The Loss Of Peter Hermann
The quintessential assistant, Hermann masterminded German football’s greatest triumphs from the shadows, leaving an indelible mark on Leverkusen and Bayern Munich during a legendary forty-year coaching career.
Optimism and tight polls: Can Florida Democrats flip Sunshine State blue in 2026?
Florida Democrats gathered in Miami with renewed hope as tight polls signal potential turnarounds in key 2026 midterm races.
Scientists Tried to Prove Out-of-Body Experiences Are Real. Here’s What Happened.
None of the 21 participants identified a hidden image, but two accurately described researchers' positions in observations that weren't formally tested.
Scientists tested whether pets really make us happier: the answer is surprising - Futura-Sciences
Pets are often described as good for both mental and physical health, helping ease loneliness and support emotional well-being. But a new study suggests the picture is more complicated than simply owning a dog, cat, or another companion animal. Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland found little evidence...
El-Sayed condemns harassment of Haley Stevens after 'gallows' rhetoric
It follows an incident where an activist followed Haley Stevens to her car, calling her a war criminal and saying, "We will see you at the gallows."
Roman telescope captures its first test image
NASA's Roman telescope captured its first test image with its 300-megapixel infrared camera. Full scientific images are expected in early 2027.
A Lafayette native oversees high-tech concerts for Ye, aka Kanye West. Here's how he got there.
The shows feature Ye rapping through his greatest hits in a complex production of lasers, lights, fog, video and fireworks.
Who's in, who's out for Bears-Vikings in Week 2?
The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings square off on Sunday. We're keeping track of the latest injury updates and inactives.
This Truth Emerges as Political Situations Change Fast: Maps Show Us Our World, but Not Neutrally
NEW YORK (AP) — Maps. Where would we be without them? And how would we even know? They can anchor us in a place or help us get somewhere else. They can show us global political realities via the drawing of contested country borders. We take it as truth that not only does X mark the spot, it shows us ...
Famitsu review scores - September 20, 2026 - Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, more
The latest Famitsu review scores for the week of September 20, 2026 are as follows: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave – 9/9/9/9 Marvel’s Wolverine – 9/9/9/9 Silent Hill: Townfall – 8/8/9/8 Derby Stallion 2 – 8/8/8/8 Sullyland Nursery Rhyme – 8/8/8/8 Gobble – 7/7/7/7 Patlabor the Case Files – 7/7/7/6 Solarpunk – 7/7/6/6 Note that for each review, four editors gave...
3 notable business takes that flew under the radar this week
Inside the latest chatter from important business leaders.
1993 Classic, Starring Kurt Russell, Features the ‘Greatest Western Movie Character of All Time'
This film became a success at the box office.
1993 Classic, Starring Kurt Russell, Features the ‘Greatest Western Movie Character of All Time'
This film became a success at the box office.
Financial Ties Drive Misleading Alzheimer's Blood Test Claims Online, Study Finds
New research reveals how social media promotes Alzheimer's blood tests for symptom-free screening, often without mentioning the real risks.
Mount Vesuvius Buried These Scrolls for 2,000 Years – Now Scientists May Read Them
Researchers recreated a damaged ancient scroll to test a new way to study the past. Lead in ancient ink could help researchers read the Herculaneum papyri, Roman scrolls buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. Many are now too brittle to open, and reading them with X-rays poses its own problem. The ink and
UH gets $3.6M grant to study health risks from state’s plantation-era contamination
A University of Hawaii at Manoa-led research team has received a five-year, $3.6 million National Institutes of Health grant to investigate whether pollutants left behind by Hawaii’s plantation era still could be affecting residents’ health — and whether wildfires and other natural disasters can bring those contaminants back into the environment.
Byron Donalds takes his testimony to Boca Raton
'We invite everyone to come and be part of this special Sunday service.'
‘Voters are like, No thanks’: Trump’s tariffs fall flat with the working class
It’s become an article of faith for trade hardliners in both parties that a protectionist agenda is a guaranteed pathway to building support among working-class voters. But now that President Donald Trump is testing that theory in practice, it is largely flopping on the campaign trail.
'We are on our way to groundbreaking science': NASA shares first test image from Roman telescope's 300-megapixel camera
This week, NASA turned on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's powerful 300-megapixel camera for the first time. The debut test image promises "groundbreaking science" to come with NASA already talking about doubling the mission's lifespan.
'Trespasses' review: Come for the romance, stay for the historical drama
This adaptation of Louise Kennedy's 2022 debut novel on PBS follows a clandestine affair between a young Catholic schoolteacher and a Protestant barrister during the Troubles in Ireland.
'We are on our way to groundbreaking science': Stars turn neon-green in first test image from NASA's Roman telescope — Space photo of the week
This week, NASA turned on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's powerful 300-megapixel camera for the first time. The debut test image promises "groundbreaking science" to come with NASA already talking about doubling the mission's lifespan.
‘Pat McAfee Saved Sports Media,’ ‘Can’t Get Enough of This Guy’ — CFB Fans Heap Praise on ESPN Star After ‘College GameDay’
Pat McAfee’s latest College GameDay appearance was chaotic, controversial, and entertaining… to some people, at least. He made the trip to Oxford for the showdown between the LSU Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels and gave the internet plenty to talk about.