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Study connects food insecurity to mental health in young mothers

A new review of research from across sub-Saharan Africa found that inadequate access to food is linked to depression, suicide attempts, HIV vulnerabilities, and poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescent mothers.

Sep 30 • 4:11 PM EDT • Health • news-medical.net

CDC's Latest Youth Behavior Report Offers a Narrower Look at Teen Health

The new report leaves out national findings on substance use, sexual behavior, violence, and disparities.

Sep 30 • 3:17 PM EDT • Health • edweek.org

Florence Pugh feels ‘rage’ over Cornell sexual assault scandal: ‘Fear of it lives in our bodies’

Florence Pugh addressed Instagram censoring her post about sexual assault amid the ‘Cornell 7’ scandal: ‘The fear of it lives in our bodies,’ the ‘East of Eden’ actress said.

Sep 30 • 1:59 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

'We may need to think differently': Star system with 'backward' planet moving the wrong way around its star has scientists puzzled

A newly discovered exoplanet orbits its star backward, and it's a mystery why. The system and others like it could shed light on how some complex planetary systems form.

Sep 30 • 12:07 PM EDT • Science • livescience.com

Chicago Fire FC Sets a New Standard for Luxury Sports Hospitality at McDonald's Park

The city’s MLS Club unveils exclusive spaces and unprecedented VIP access as part of Chicago’s next-generation stadium experience CHICAGO (Sept. 30, 2026) — Chicago Fire FC today revealed its new luxury hospitality offerings for McDonald's Park, featuring only 600 seats across exclusive areas with unprecedented behind-the-scenes stadium access, designed to

Sep 30 • 10:01 AM EDT • Sports • chicagofirefc.com

Did the craving for mammoth kabobs drive early American migration?

A research team that includes an archaeologist in the Pacific Northwest has a new answer to the question of what kind of food early Americans ate.

Sep 30 • 9:00 AM EDT • Science • opb.org

Albanian PM Says 'Science' Will Decide Fate Of Kushner-Linked Luxury Project

Sep 30 • 7:45 AM EDT • Science • yahoo.com

When “DEI” research is cut, what happens to community health?

“I’m just going to run to the grocery store!” How many times have we said this without thinking about it? For most of us, it's usually an easy walk or a short drive to get the cheese we forgot. In reality, though, 13% of the U.S. population (about 39 million people) live in “food deserts,” which means living more than a mile from a grocery store in urban areas and more than 10 miles in rural areas. This was the case for people in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, where a quick run to buy food wasn’t an option. In the 1930s, federal maps marked the Hill as "hazardous" for lending, a practice known as redlining that steered investment away from Black neighborhoods. Decades of disinvestment followed, and residents went about 30 years without a nearby grocery store. This made it hard to keep healthy eating habits and contributed to chronic disease. When a grocery store finally opened in the area in 2013, researchers saw the opportunity and launched the PHRESH study, which initially compared the health of participants from the Hill district to those in the Homewood district. Over time, the study expanded to other factors such as brain health and Alzheimer's risk. Residents like Roderick Blair overcame initial hesitation to share their health data, trusting it would benefit their neighborhood. Then, in August 2026, the NIH abruptly canceled the study’s grant, citing that it was “subjective” and fell outside their scientific scope—an effect of the administration’s interpretation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Research like PHRESH can help determine what changes in a neighborhood actually improve health, so cutting it has left that question unanswered. Other canceled studies have examined health issues like maternal health, preterm birth rates, or sickle cell disease. Courts have reversed some of these grant cancellations, but not all of them. If we really want America to be healthier, research into why some communities get sicker than others is absolutely critical. The law that created the federal minority health research institute passed with bipartisan support in 2000. But these days, as evidenced by grant cancellations, the political shift in attitudes toward DEI means we often lose access to the health information we need to help all communities thrive. DEI vs. health equity vs. equality and the overlap (or lack thereof) The letters “DEI” evoke very different reactions depending on who you are in the U.S. DEI programs can address gender, disability, age, and other factors, but the fiercest debate centers on race. For some people, hearing DEI brings to mind policies that may have cost them a job or a college seat because they are white. Others see DEI as a matter of justice: a way to expand representation and opportunity for groups that have been historically marginalized. Both perspectives are rooted in lived experience, and both center on the same question: whether hiring and admissions practices are fair. Hiring and admission practices, though related, are not the same as health equity. Health equity is “the attainment of the highest level of health for all people.” It’s the recognition that some groups of people consistently experience worse health outcomes than others. For instance, black mothers die from pregnancy-related complications at three times the rate of white mothers, and rural Americans are more likely to die from issues such as heart disease and cancer. Equity is also often conflated with “equality,” which leads to misunderstanding of how to actually best support communities. Equality ignores the fact that we aren’t all starting life with the same resources or circumstances, whereas equity is about helping people get what they specifically need based on their situation so they have the chance to achieve the same outcome as anyone else. For example, if every household in Pittsburgh got a $30 grocery gift card, that would be equal. But during the decades the Hill District went without a grocery store, that card wouldn’t have helped much. Equity means making sure everyone can actually access a store in the first place. DEI policies can overlap with health equity in many ways. For example, they may help expand access to quality education and stable, well-paying jobs, which in turn can provide health insurance, safer housing, and improved finances—all of which can reduce health disparities. But to make that happen, we first need data to identify disparities in communities and to develop solutions that effectively address them. What we lose when the research stops Community data is important to health equity because: You can’t fix what you don’t see: Data show which communities are most affected by health factors such as infection, heart disease, and cancer. If we don’t know what is happening and where, then we can’t develop interventions to help. Poor health costs everyone: Chronic disease is expensive—both to the individual person and to the overall economy. Understanding what groups of people are most at risk allows us to develop interventions that can save everyone money. Disparities exist for many communities: Health equity includes disparities that exist due to a whole host of factors, such as family background, race and ethnicity, rural vs. suburban residence, gender and sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, and lower income. This means many Americans can benefit from research into differences in health outcomes and how to improve them. Trust is easy to lose: Some participants in the PHRESH study were initially vocal about their concerns about participating. But that trust was earned because the researchers kept their promises and centered their work on the community. When projects are canceled mid-cycle, researchers have no choice but to leave behind communities they had promised to help. This hurts trust in the long run. It’s also a very inefficient use of resources, and it will take significant time and effort to redo the work when the government realizes this work is important again. How should we talk about health equity? This is hard because the words “equity” and “DEI” are currently very politically charged. So whether you’re a public health professional, teacher, or friend, how we talk about this topic matters. The right framing can help people who might otherwise be skeptical see why health equity research is important and deserves funding. Here are some suggestions to help your conversations: Choose your words strategically: Who are you trying to reach with your message? Are they likely to be resistant to terms like “diversity” and “equity”? If so, find alternative words to use to still get the message across. It is frustrating to be in that position, but the goal of improving health is too important not to try to make inroads. Sometimes simply reframing can help the message reach those who need to hear it. Focus on the problem: The terms “health equity” and “DEI” are abstract. Make it more specific. For example, discuss differences in maternal death or ways to improve health outcomes in rural communities. These still have equity at their core but will likely be better understood by those you’re talking with. Focus on systems: Disparities exist, but if they are communicated poorly, people can mistakenly think the issue is the individual’s fault. Disparities are largely driven by failures of the system—such as lack of access to health care and a long legacy of racism. When discussing the disparities, frame them around these systemic issues to ensure blame isn’t placed on the individuals impacted. Tell stories: Personalize these policies by using stories from those impacted that connect to the data you’re trying to convey. This helps make the policies and outcomes more concrete and meaningful. Bottom line Some communities end up sicker than others. That’s just the facts. We can argue about the best way to do that research, but canceling it simply because it may be linked to DEI doesn’t make anyone healthier. It just leaves communities like the Hill district behind. And in the end, it causes us all to move backward in our efforts to improve health in this country. Love, EM Big thanks to MacKenzie Isaac & Legairre Radden, who reviewed this piece and generously shared their expertise and lived experience to help improve it. Dr. Liz Marnik, PhD, is Executive Director of The Evidence Collective and a science communicator and immunologist working at the intersection of public trust, science, and public health. To discuss communication training on topics like health equity and storytelling, email Liz at liz@yle.health or learn more on our website. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. The YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Your Local Epidemiologist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe

Sep 30 • 5:05 AM EDT • Health • yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com

For the first time, Minnesota has K-12 health standards. Here’s what to know

Minnesota’s first statewide K-12 health standards were approved Tuesday after an earlier version was rejected in July. The standards cover topics including sexual health, mental health, nutrition and media literacy.

Sep 29 • 7:54 PM EDT • Health • mprnews.org

Caviar launches ultra-luxury Black Edition iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo with no cameras

Caviar launches camera-free custom iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo models with aerospace-grade titanium bodies, luxury finishes, and limited production runs.

Sep 29 • 7:22 PM EDT • Technology • gizmochina.com

Former Middleburg High behavioral health assistant arrested on 7 counts involving child sex abuse material

A 36-year-old Fleming Island man was arrested Tuesday on seven counts of knowingly possessing and/or intentionally viewing child sexual abuse material, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Sep 29 • 5:14 PM EDT • Health • news4jax.com

State Senate Democratic Committee: Robyn Vining earns Recombobulation Area endorsement, highlighting her effective legislative record

MADISON, WI – State Representative Robyn Vining’s campaign for State Senate has earned the endorsement of The Recombobulaiton Area and Dan Shafer. During their conversation on The Recombobulaiton Area podcast, Robyn and Dan highlighted her path to political life, her...

Sep 29 • 2:31 PM EDT • Politics • wispolitics.com

Sylvester Stallone is pushing Amazon to let him recut ‘Rocky V,’ calls movie ‘a thorn in my side’

Sylvester Stallone admits that his ‘heart and soul’ weren’t in ‘Rocky V,’ and he hopes to get the chance to recut the film.

Sep 29 • 12:44 PM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

Iowa attorney sentenced to federal prison for health care fraud

A 67-year-old Iowa attorney has been sentenced to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty in a health care fraud case. Timothy Mark Anderson of Garner worked with clients with nursing home expenses who hoped to qualify for Medicaid. According to the Department of Justice, Anderson is also “an avid collector of luxury vehicles” […]

Sep 29 • 11:01 AM EDT • Health • radioiowa.com

Sting adds two new shows to sold-out Brooklyn Paramount residency: How to secure tickets today

Sep 29 • 9:33 AM EDT • Entertainment • syracuse.com

Lesbian Bar Project Co-Founder: Purity Politics Could Destroy Our Remaining Spaces

Subscribe As a professional lesbian and Massachusetts native, I’ve recently been asked by a lot of folks what I think about the saga unfolding at Last Ditch. The now-viral story, first reported by The Boston Globe, centers on a Western Massachusetts lesbian bar that lifted its mask requirement for one night a week to help drum up business. The decision ignited an intra-queer controversy that has been feasted on by media outlets across the political spectrum—from the New York Post to LGBTQ Nation—and is even reportedly being eyed for a Hollywood adaptation. Apparently nothing is more entertaining than a bunch of lesbians and queers fighting with each other over KN-95s. What has been lost in all of the chatter and media coverage is the very real possibility that Last Ditch, which just opened in April 2025, will have to close its doors. The venue’s one remaining founder, Jackie Matellian, revealed in a community Zoom meeting that she’s working four jobs, is now solely responsible for the bar’s $50,000 business loan and is struggling to keep up with the bills. So as we laugh about the controversy’s similarity to a “Portlandia” skit and how one of the bar’s founders left to enroll in clown school, we forget that yet another lesbian bar is facing an existential crisis—and this time the call is coming from inside the house. In 2020, my friend Elina Street and I created The Lesbian Bar Project, an Emmy-, Webby- and GLAAD Media Award-winning docuseries and initiative that tells the stories of lesbian queer bars around the world. We were moved to act because at the time there were only an estimated 16 lesbian bars in the United States, and the pandemic threatened to bring that number down even further. There are now more sapphic bars than there were just before the pandemic—about 36 of them in total—but this is down from approximately 200 in 1980. Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but for the millions of sapphics living in the U.S., this number is calamitous. As the world laughs at lesbians and sapphics, I want to take a second and tell you what I feel when I walk into one of these bars, which are all unique and irreplaceable in their own way: I feel seen. Sometimes I think Cubbyhole in New York City’s West Village neighborhood knew I was gay before I did. When I walked in there for the first time, before I was even out, I was transfixed by the colorful array of tchotchkes hanging from the ceiling and how the women standing next to me were completely unafraid to express their desire for one another. I knew the minute I was ready to come out, I had a home. I also felt the joy of a new couple falling in love at Seattle’s Wildrose, the quiet confidence of a short king lining up her shot at the pool table at Ginger’s in Brooklyn and the kick of cayenne pepper in Julie Mabry’s crawfish at Houston’s Pearl Bar. Subscribe Lesbian bars don’t just serve lesbians; they serve queer folks across the spectrum, including bisexual, pansexual and trans people. As Elina and I traveled across the U.S. and Europe and to parts of Latin America to document the bar owners, staff and patrons that make up the ecosystems of these spaces, we also became uniquely acquainted with the factors that threaten their existence: gentrification, wage gaps, sexism, environmental disasters, gun violence, rising insurance premiums and political administrations working to annihilate queer people and their families. Lesbian bar owners, like all leaders and entrepreneurs, are imperfect. There have been significant issues over the years at lesbian bars: employee harassment, racism, lack of accessibility, sexual assault and transphobia. All bar owners should be held accountable and should listen to their communities to evolve into safer and more equitable spaces. I also acknowledge my privilege: I am able-bodied, white, cis and from a family system that loves me for who I am. Not everyone has that. Queer people, especially trans and bisexual people, are suffering from disproportionately high levels of depression, and our mental health system isn’t equipped to support them. Immunocompromised people and long COVID are real, and many of my friends are suffering to this day. The people with the least safety net are often the ones for whom a bar closing costs the most. And yet, as we’re seeing with Last Ditch, the queer community often lashes out at each other. It’s also the mainstream media taking the internal conflict and making a mockery out of it, distracting from the real possibility that this bar could close due to financial pressures. A bar that many people loved and needed is facing extinction. Perhaps it’s safer to dissent with one another than with the larger forces trying to eradicate us, but in doing so, we risk destroying the few spaces we have left. Due to the constraints of purity politics—some in good faith, some not so much—lesbian bar owners, almost all of whom are queer women themselves, are forced to be everything for everyone, similarly to how women are forced to be everything for everyone. By asking these bars to uphold impossible standards—standards very few other third spaces are asked to consider—we all end up losing. I want to move as a community toward dialogue, compassionate dissent and collaboration to make our spaces better with the goal of keeping them OPEN and thriving, rather than destroying them from the inside with expectations that are arguably unattainable. Subscribe While I have your attention—for this fleeting second of the news cycle—may I urge us to spearhead a way to keep these small businesses afloat without attacking our own community along the way? Bar owners are left with an impasse: They want to be community-centered, but they also have to make money to keep their doors open. Sometimes they might make business decisions that don’t work for everyone—and that’s partly because different patrons have different priorities and want different things—but these owners deserve the opportunity for productive dialogue**.** We have to work with them and with each other to keep our spaces open, to keep them growing. Lesbian bars raised me into the queer woman I am today. One thing I think about as I reflect on the six years of work we’ve done to document these spaces is that shared, unspoken language I have with a stranger the moment we both walk into one of these bars: the nod, the ease, the not having to explain ourselves. I don’t want to lose that, and neither should you. If objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button: Donate

Sep 29 • 7:01 AM EDT • Politics • unclosetedmedia.com

A Tough Ad Reminds Nebraska Voters About a Brutal Crime and a Pardon

A group supporting Dan Osborn, the independent Senate candidate in Nebraska, is airing an ad attacking Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican, for pardoning a man convicted of sexual assault.

Sep 29 • 5:03 AM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com

Trump Officials Revise Biden-Era Sex Discrimination Rules

The change follows a court ruling barring Title IX from protecting L.G.B.T.Q. people and has angered advocates for sexual assault survivors.

Sep 28 • 6:33 PM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com

Bobby Kotick’s lawyers sent me a bad email (and later apologized)

The message I had received was unsettling—for a moment. Then it was just really confusing. Back on January 20 of this year, at 5:15pm ET, I received an email with the subject line “Legal Correspondence re Bobby Kotick.” It was from the law firm Clare Locke, a firm I’d heard had been emailing reporters in recent years about their coverage of Kotick, the former, longtime CEO of Activision Blizzard. The letter was threatening. A lawyer from the firm introduced themselves as “defamation counsel to Bobby Kotick.” They issued a “demand” that I “correct” a Game File article I’d published a week prior. The article that had irked them had been a scoop of sorts. I’d written about a a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Swedish pension fund, AP7, over Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. The suit wasn’t news, but I was first to review and report about Kotick’s extensive pushback to the fund’s claims. The pension fund’s core contention was that the sale had been rushed by Kotick to avoid the consequences of sexual misconduct scandals swirling around the company in 2021. (He’d not been accused of misconduct himself in those suits, to be clear.) As I wrote at the time, Kotick had denied the allegations of the rushed sale. Beyond that, Kotick used a December 2025 reply to the Swedish fund’s lawsuit to assign blame for those workplace scandals, the bad press and even for the AP7 lawsuit. I’d found Kotick’s arguments novel and newsworthy. Across nearly 3,000 words, I explained Kotick’s take: that a Swedish gaming company was behind the Swedish fund’s lawsuit (the Embracer group; they denied it); that the Microsoft-Activision deal was not rushed and was secured at what Kotick felt history had proven to be an optimal price for shareholders; that he believed a conspiracy of people at unions government agencies, PR firms and the media had spun up claims of widespread workplace misconduct at Activision Blizzard in 2021. The article gave context for all of this, letting readers assess the claims and weigh their credibility. As I’d later write to Kotick’s lawyers: I would be surprised if you could point to any news article about Bobby Kotick in the last five years that has spent more of its wordcount articulating his point of view. He is welcome to do an interview with Game File any time. Nonetheless, there they were in my inbox that Tuesday evening: Clare Locke, the law firm that secured a $787.5 million settlement from Fox News over false statements about voting machines. They were emailing me, threatening that failure to comply with their demand could support a claim of “actual malice,” a legal standard for libel. Unless… Unless, they said, I added a key paragraph to my article. This was a paragraph that I already knew Kotick’s lawyers had been emailing reporters about for at least a year, and it was a paragraph that was already in my article. The paragraph they wanted is from a 2023 settlement that California’s Civil Rights Department struck with Activision Blizzard. The settlement had closed a two-year-old lawsuit over alleged sexual discrimination at the game maker. The paragraph basically said that claims of systemic or widespread sexual harassment—or of execs like Kotick tolerating such behavior—had never been proven. I’d already seen proof that Kotick’s lawyers had pushed for the settlement’s language to be added to reports about 2021 sexual discrimination and misconduct lawsuits brought against Activision Blizzard by California and, separately, by the U.S. federal government (both suits were since settled). I knew that Kotick and his lawyers felt that the California settlement language should be mentioned in the same breath as references to an article he hated and denied, a November 2021 Wall Street Journal article claiming Kotick knew “for years” of sexual misconduct at Activision Blizzard. So, in the Game File article that Clare Locke emailed me about, in the interest of ensuring I was being fair and balanced regarding the person I was covering, I had already included the following excerpt from the California settlement [emphasis added in bold]: (Kotick has repeatedly pushed back against that November article in the Wall Street Journal, citing among other things, language from a court-approved consent decree as part of Activision’s 2023 $54 million settlement over the California suit. It states: “no court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations that: there has been systemic or widespread sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard [or] that Activision Blizzard senior executives ignored, condoned, or tolerated a culture of systemic harassment, retaliation, or discrimination.”) On the evening of January 20, I was incredulous. How do you write a four page legal threat about a week-old article and miss this? While scrambling to also make my kids dinner, I wrote a lengthy reply to Clare Locke’s lawyers, basically asking them to cool it with the threats and to start making sense. In part, I wrote: I hope you can understand why I am having trouble understanding what you’re asking for, when the statement you’re demanding to see in Game File’s article already appears in Game File’s article. Actual malice, as you know, refers to a reckless disregard for the truth. I’m not sure what your argument is when my article already states your client’s position. Here is where I should remind you, the reader, that I am an independent journalist. I publish on Substack, and have availed myself of the Substack Defender program that provides writers on the platform with legal support. But I’m no Wall Street Journal or New York Times, nor even IGN or GameSpot when it comes to such things as, well, having a legal department. There are more fun things for me to do as an independent journalist than writing back to a powerful law firm representing a very rich person. On the evening of January 20th, I was just trying to cook some pasta, broccoli and chicken nuggets for hungry twins. Nevertheless, I wrote back to them. Two hours later, I got a reply. Summarizing: A lawyer for Clare Locke said they’d “reviewed an incomplete version” of my article and they “apologize for the confusion.” (My guess: Someone didn’t read past the piece’s paywall, even though they’d had a full week to scrounge up the funds to do so. What I’d published above the paywall was balanced, as was what came after.)1 That was almost that, but something about the situation bothered me. The letter had been marked “confidential.” I hadn’t agreed to that, and I disliked the idea that powerful people on the beat that I cover would act like they could unilaterally control what I might tell my readers about. On the morning of the 21st, having already gotten the powerful law firm to back off, I oh-so-wisely re-approached them with just one more thing. I thanked them for clearing things up the night before but noted that I’d never agreed to keep their letter confidential. I’m all for agreeing with a source to keep things off the record, but that’s the thing. We have to agree. You can’t just declare it. I’m not bound by that. I wrote to Clare Locke’s lawyer and said, in part: I trust the matter is resolved. It was disappointing to have to spend less time with my kids last night in order to address your legal letter. Family time’s precious. I will add, for clarity’s sake, that, while your letter stipulated that it was confidential, I did not agree to those terms. In the future, should you wish to communicate with me confidentially, I am happy to agree to classifying our communication as “off the record” prior to the actual communication—as is standard with any professional journalist. The firm’s lawyer replied, not directly addressing the confidentiality issue but asserting that the matter was resolved. Why I didn’t write about this until now In May, I told this story on an episode of Simon Parkin’s podcast My Perfect Console, but I held off on sharing it directly with Game File readers. I held off to avoid stepping on the toes of another reporter, the journalist Mikhail Klimentov. He’d interviewed me in the spring of 2025 about an investigation he was working on regarding Bobby Kotick lawyers pressing the media to add the California settlement language to stories referencing the 2021 lawsuits. And about how some outlets had changed their stories and how some simply deleted them. Initially, I was a third-party source for Klimentov’s reporting, providing on-the-record context about the state of the games media. I’d heard about the letters but hadn’t put the time into pursuing the story. I thought it was interesting, and I was glad he was covering it. When the outlet that Klimentov was going to run his reporting in dropped the story, I began talking to him about potentially publishing his reporting on Game File. This was tentative. Then, in January, when I got my own Clare Locke letter, I told Klimentov that I didn’t think it would make sense for me to publish him, not with me now being part of the story. I had my own version of this situation to tell. But I wished him well and said I’d refrain from telling my tale until he could get his reporting out there. Last Friday, Klimentov finally ran his investigation, in a nearly 48-minute video report for People Make Games. It covers various Clare Locke letters, how media outlets reacted to them and what to make of all this. His video weighs the merits of Kotick’s request and looks at some of the articles that were changed (one of which had a glaring error). I highly recommend watching it: (Note, I did some editorial consulting for a People Make Games video last year but nothing to do with this report.) While many outlets haven’t left any public evidence that they updated their Kotick coverage at Kotick’s counsel’s request, at least one has. Back in October 2025, the mainstream outlet Reuters applied the most transparent article update I’ve seen. On the 3rd of the month, they published an article about the state of the Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit. Days later, they added this: In an October 7 letter sent after publication of this article, Kotick’s defamation counsel disputed claims of widespread harassment at Activision. “Not a single investigation, court finding, verdict, or ruling ever concluded that there was any merit” to the allegations of widespread harassment at Activision, Tom Clare and Nick Brechbill of Clare Locke wrote. I’ve never added a statement to my article on Game File, because none was needed. Not for fairness’ sake, nor to meet any demands of Kotick’s lawyers. I’ve nevertheless wanted to be transparent with Game File readers. If someone powerful is questioning my reporting, is threatening a lawsuit over it… if that threat is part of a pattern involving other games media outlets and if, in my case, the whole thing ran into a ridiculous ditch, I want you to know about it. I also share this as a real example of how I handle threats to Game File. I stand up for my own reporting, even when it’s not comfortable to do so. (In that same category of standing up for the work I do, I’ll point to an incident in late August. Asocial media post I published to X/Twitter regarding reporting I did about Take Two and GTA VI was hit by bogus copyright claim by a firm working for the publisher. I pushed back and got it reversed; even while a bigger games media outlet let themselves be censored. This is the other reason I’m sharing this story: To emphasize that dealing with threats from powerful people is one of the costs of covering the video game industry independently and as fearlessly as possible. This is where you come in. Your support, through free and paid subscriptions (sign up here!), can help me keep doing that. It can ensure that I’ve got the back-up I need. And it can help make fiascoes like this even less of a worry, so I can spend my evenings dealing with more important things, such as making sure I steam the kids’ broccoli just right. 1 That pension fund lawsuit I wrote about in January has all but gone away. In May, the fund and Activision Blizzard owner Microsoft agreed to settle. Lawyers for the fund brokered a $250 million settlement for former Activision Blizzard shareholders. In the settlement, the fund’s lawyers changed their rhetoric. Where once they’d questioned the meaning of the California settlement language, they adopted a version of it for themselves. Several weeks ago, while seeking to get a court to sign off on the terms of the settlement, they proposed their fee for their work in the case: $60 million.

Sep 28 • 4:13 PM EDT • Technology • gamefile.news

Madonna reunites with ex-boyfriend, ‘Justify My Love’ star Tony Ward, at VMAs after MTV banned their sexual music video

Ward dated Madonna, whose “Justify My Love” music video was banned by MTV for sexually suggestive material.

Sep 28 • 3:38 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

Human Contractors Are Seeing All Your Horny — and Creepy

Human contractors are reviewing Microsoft Copilot user's image editing prompting, many of which are for sexually explicit material.

Sep 28 • 3:19 PM EDT • Technology • futurism.com

Zhen Xu Receives Golden Goose Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

This award recognizes transformative work enabled by federal funding, which was crucial to advancing the tumor-destroying soundwaves until they were ready for the clinic.

Sep 28 • 2:16 PM EDT • Science • bme.umich.edu

The Fitzroy Grove in Rogers sells for $51.85 million

A 250-unit luxury apartment complex east of Interstate 49 in Rogers sold recently for $51.85 million. The purchase price equals $207,400 per unit. An Arkansas limited liability company, whose manager...

Sep 28 • 1:57 PM EDT • Business • talkbusiness.net

Ohio economists wrestle with data centers and abatements

As the battle over data centers continues, even economic experts see mixed messages.

Sep 28 • 1:53 PM EDT • Business • crainscleveland.com

Trump Sends Political Messages With Taxpayer Cash

In American politics, presidential public service announcements have encouraged Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccines, raised awareness of sexual assault or promoted volunteerism in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. With less than 40 days before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump has ...

Sep 28 • 12:40 PM EDT • Politics • usnews.com

Humans Are Reading Copilot Prompts

Human contractors are reviewing Copilot users’ prompts and uploaded images, according to internal documents obtained by 404 Media. The contractors are also bombarded with users’ requests for sexual AI images.

Sep 28 • 9:26 AM EDT • Technology • 404media.co

Clinic owner stole millions from military health program to buy luxuries like gold-plated Cybertruck, DOJ says

A Texas man is accused of stealing millions of taxpayer dollars from a military health care program.

Sep 27 • 7:06 PM EDT • Health • livenowfox.com

PAHO Walk for Health brings together staff, families, partners and delegates ahead of 63rd Directing Council

Washington, D.C., September 27, 2026 (PAHO) — On the eve of the 63rd Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Directing Council, PAHO staff, families, friends, delegates from Member States, partners and community members came together for the 2026 PAHO Walk for Health, highlighting the importance of physical activity, healthy environments and social connection.

Sep 27 • 1:27 PM EDT • Health • paho.org

Power & Politics: NJ Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns following probe into allegations of sexual harassment, state ethics violations

Republican State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, former State Rep. John Wisniewski and Republican Rep. Jefferson Van Drew join the show.

Sep 27 • 8:58 AM EDT • Politics • newjersey.news12.com

Power & Politics: NJ Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns following probe into allegations of sexual harassment, state ethics violations

Republican State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, former State Rep. John Wisniewski and Republican Rep. Jefferson Van Drew join the show.

Sep 27 • 8:58 AM EDT • Politics • longisland.news12.com

Scientists analyzed 22,000 hours of bear videos. This is what they learned.

Virginia Tech researchers sought a better understanding of the factors shaping hibernation.

Sep 27 • 6:00 AM EDT • Science • washingtonpost.com

What's a pumpkin concierge? Meet the southern Indiana business delivering fall magic

"Hello Pumpkin LLC" is a luxury pumpkin concierge service that delivers pumpkins to your front porch, creates a porch display for you and removes them at the end of the season.

Sep 26 • 11:57 AM EDT • Business • wlky.com

NJ Lt. Gov. resigns after sexual harassment and ethics complaints

Sep 25 • 6:32 PM EDT • Politics • cnn.com

Jodie Turner-Smith’s rep slams ‘fictional lawsuit’ against actress and her brother for alleged sexual misconduct and drug use

According to three Jane Does, the “Queen & Slim” actress enabled her brother’s conduct by financially supporting him.

Sep 25 • 5:37 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

NASA teases new PRIMA telescope that could peer even deeper into the infrared universe than the James Webb Space Telescope

NASA has announced that a new telescope concept called PRIMA is moving forward in consideration for a 2033 launch to look at the origins of planets and galaxies.

Sep 25 • 4:56 PM EDT • Science • livescience.com

New Jersey’s lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment and ethics complaints

Gov. Mikie Sherrill had given Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell until Friday to bring an end to a scandal that threatened to be a drag on her fledgling administration.

Sep 25 • 4:11 PM EDT • Politics • pbs.org

Jason Priestley named grand marshal for Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Jason Priestley will serve as grand marshal for the Focused Health 302 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series playoff race on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Sep 25 • 4:07 PM EDT • Health • fox5vegas.com

New Jersey’s lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment and ethics complaints

New Jersey’s Democratic lieutenant governor has resigned after the governor demanded he step down over allegations of inappropriate behavior with women. Gov. Mikie Sherrill had given Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell

Sep 25 • 3:01 PM EDT • Politics • lancasteronline.com

For Trump and Xi, a warm farewell and unfinished business

The presidents praised their relationship over tea and viewed America’s founding documents, with few apparent breakthroughs on the issues dividing their countries.

Sep 25 • 2:24 PM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com

Bipartisan group of senators urge Trump to disinvite Putin from G-20

Top senators on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees argue the invitation legitimizes the Russian assault on Ukraine.

Sep 25 • 1:30 PM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com

Adventist Health strikes $18.5M settlement resolving sexual abuse lawsuit

Adventist Health has struck an $18.5 million settlement resolving a lawsuit brought by former patients who alleged sexual abuse from an employed physical therapist. | The settlement translates to more than $2.6 million per plaintiff, “representing one of the nation’s largest per-plaintiff recoveries in a sexual abuse case involving a medical provider,” law firm Lewis & Llewellyn said.

Sep 25 • 12:00 PM EDT • Health • fiercehealthcare.com

iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked

MacRumors has just leaked the next iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models, all of which are likely to be announced this October. The most notable iPad mini details revealed in the leaks include an A20 Pro chip, a new speaker design, and a landscape front camera, while images have revealed that the next HomePod mini will be available in new colors like green and pink.

Sep 25 • 11:18 AM EDT • Technology • macrumors.com

iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More

Apple's next-generation iPad mini will feature the A20 Pro chip, a rearranged front-facing camera, and a new speaker system, leaked code reveals. The information originates from Apple's own code (spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris) and also shows clear product images of the new iPad mini. Although images of the device only show the front, leaving any design changes of the rear or side profile unknown, there are still visible changes.

Sep 25 • 11:18 AM EDT • Technology • macrumors.com

World's first luxury theme park to open in Mexico with £1.1bn of rides, fine entertainment and deliberately limited crowds

Mexico’s £1.1bn luxury theme park will feature major thrill rides, Cirque du Soleil entertainment and deliberately limited visitor numbers.

Sep 25 • 8:16 AM EDT • Entertainment • the-european.eu

Former sports medicine director accused of sexually abusing more than a dozen college athletes

A grand jury indicted Robert Murphy on nine counts of sexual contact under pretext of medical treatment and 23 counts of sexual battery.

Sep 25 • 12:29 AM EDT • Sports • wowt.com

Former sports medicine director accused of sexually abusing more than a dozen college athletes

A grand jury indicted Robert Murphy on nine counts of sexual contact under pretext of medical treatment and 23 counts of sexual battery.

Sep 25 • 12:29 AM EDT • Sports • wabi.tv

NJ Gov. Sherrill calls for lieutenant governor to resign after probe

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign after a report released Sept. 24 detailed state ethics violations and alleged that Caldwell sexually harassed a

Sep 24 • 10:54 PM EDT • Politics • centraloregondaily.com

New Jersey Gov. Sherrill calls on her lieutenant governor to resign

An investigation found Dale Caldwell sexually harassed a woman and violated state ethics rules. He has denied allegations of misconduct. Sherrill said Caldwell had until Friday to step down.

Sep 24 • 9:08 PM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com

Adventist Health's Sonora hospital settles sexual abuse lawsuit for $18.5M

Adventist Health Sonora will pay $18.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by seven women who say they were sexually abused by a physical therapist, the plaintiffs' law firm announced this week.

Sep 24 • 4:06 PM EDT • Health • fox40.com

CDC’s latest youth behavior report offers a narrower look at teen health

The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey report focuses on five areas — diet, physical activity, sleep, digital behavior, and mental health and suicide risk — while largely leaving out national findings on substance use, sexual behavior, violence and disparities among student groups that were prominent in previous reports.

Sep 24 • 3:34 PM EDT • Health • stateline.org

Italian Renaissance home pairs historic distinction with modern luxury

Architectural distinction meets modern luxury and timeless charm in this Italian Renaissance home built in 1927.

Sep 24 • 2:00 PM EDT • Business • siouxfalls.business

Ex-NC State sports medicine director arrested after accusations of sexual abuse

More than 30 former NC State athletes have accused Robert Michael Murphy Jr. of sexual abuse.

Sep 24 • 1:26 PM EDT • Sports • nytimes.com

Detroit’s entertainment economy needs more than star power to grow, Big Sean and others say

Entertainment should be a bigger part of Detroit's economic pie, said panelists during a Detroit Homecoming discussion with Grant Gilbert, Sean “Big Sean” Anderson and Shawn Wilson.

Sep 24 • 12:05 PM EDT • Entertainment • crainsdetroit.com

Energy Department will spend nearly $2 billion to squeeze more electricity from the nation's aging power grid

The money will go toward 31 projects across 26 states that are expected to produce more than 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity — enough to power 16 million homes.

Sep 24 • 11:56 AM EDT • Politics • pbs.org

Ken Griffin runs into Miami resistance over personal helipad

It's a rare instance of pushback to the financier’s South Florida development spree.

Sep 24 • 11:28 AM EDT • Business • chicagobusiness.com

Caesars Entertainment Offers Guests More Exciting and Unique Ways to Celebrate the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2026

LAS VEGAS, September 24, 2026--As the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX returns to the iconic Las Vegas Strip in 2026, Caesars Entertainment is once again putting guests at the center of the action with race week festivities, luxury accommodations, superstar culinary experiences and exclusive viewing opportunities. From the company's collection of eight resorts, all located within the track footprint, Caesars is delivering immersive experiences designed to bring guests closer than ever to

Sep 24 • 9:07 AM EDT • Entertainment • finance.yahoo.com

Ex-NC State sports medicine director indicted, arrested on sexual abuse involving student-athletes

Robert Murphy's arrest comes a week after a grand jury indicted him on multiple counts involving the sexual abuse of male student-athletes.

Sep 24 • 7:45 AM EDT • Sports • abc11.com

Former NC State sports medicine director arrested in Florida, facing dozens of sexual abuse charges

NC State's former sports medicine director is in a Florida jail on dozens of sexual abuse charges out of North Carolina.

Sep 24 • 4:23 AM EDT • Sports • wral.com

Ex-NC State sports medicine director arrested after indictment

Former NC State sports medicine director Robert Michael Murphy was arrested Wednesday evening after a grand jury indicted him last week on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts involving the sexual abuse of male student-athletes he had treated.

Sep 23 • 11:17 PM EDT • Sports • espn.com

For Family Offices In Motion, Business Aviation Is An Increasing Priority

We tease out figures collected by ACJ, part of the European aviation conglomerate, about the use of business aviation resources of family offices.

Sep 23 • 8:00 PM EDT • Business • familywealthreport.com

St. Paul police chief sues Mayor Kaohly Her alleging sexual harassment

MINNEAPOLIS — St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming that Mayor Kaohly Her sexually harassed and battered him, and that the city retaliated against him when

Sep 23 • 7:45 PM EDT • Entertainment • thederrick.com

Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 15 years after being convicted of sexually assaulting ex-“Project Runway” staffer

The disgraced producer appeared in court on Sept. 23.

Sep 23 • 1:56 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

Lili Reinhart explains importance of ‘startling’ sexual harassment scene in “The Love Hypothesis”

The actress tells EW that she and costar Arty Froushan did not “shy away” from bringing the moment to life.

Sep 23 • 12:29 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 15 years for sexual assault after retrial

Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Sep 23 • 11:12 AM EDT • Entertainment • centraloregondaily.com

Simone Biles says 3 masked men stole luxury sports car from Chicago-area home

Simone Biles said three masked men stole her luxury sports car from her Chicago-area home.

Sep 23 • 9:15 AM EDT • Sports • abcnews.com

Reform and the UAE – a threat to British politics

By Alex Carlen The United Arab Emirates likes to present itself as part of the solution to the climate crisis. The oil-rich Gulf state has committed to Net Zero by 2050, hosted COP 28, and even declared “championing climate action” as one of three strategic objectives for this week’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. But behind the scenes the UAE has quietly built one of its closest political relationships in Europe with the party most hostile to climate action in Britain: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. There is no evidence that the UAE is funding Reform. But a new FairSquare report, Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat, published today, documents a growing political relationship that should concern anyone interested in the integrity of British democracy. Reform’s leaders have embraced the UAE’s political model and promoted positions that align closely with the Emirati government’s priorities, while the UAE has given Farage and his party unusually warm access and public backing. What is emerging is not simply a relationship between British politicians and a wealthy Gulf state, but a channel through which an authoritarian government can cultivate political influence here, and abroad. Democracy for Sale relies on its readers. If you already support us, thanks so much. If you don’t, sign up to support fearless independent investigative journalism. Subscribe Back in January, Nigel Farage appeared at a GB News event in Dubai. On the 50th floor of a tower overlooking the luxury resorts and upscale residences of Palm Jumeirah, the Reform leader declared: “I want Clacton to look like this.” At the event – which Farage never declared on his official register of interests – senior Emirati officials mixed with British expats. Farage was keen to flatter. “We recognise you are our friends”, he said, assuring them that “a Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.” Controversy surrounding Reform’s finances and its susceptibility to foreign influence have centred around high-profile donations from billionaire crypto donors, and the jailing of Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, for accepting bribes to give pro-Russia speeches. Far less attention has been paid to Reform’s blossoming new alliance with the UAE, an oil-rich authoritarian state with a track record of ruinous anti-democratic interventions. Farage wasn’t always so fond of the UAE. Back in 2023 he called it an “absolute monarchy with an abysmal human rights record.” Now Reform’s hierarchy calls the UAE home. Deputy leader Richard Tice splits his time between his constituency and Dubai and has called on the UK to learn from the UAE. The party’s treasurer Nick Candy runs a firm which has been in partnership with a UAE-state linked firm since 2024. Nadhim Zahawi sits on the board of an Abu Dhabi think tank alongside an array of the most senior UAE officials and is reportedly close to three brothers of the country’s despotic ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed. Reform’s leading lights have effusively praised the UAE’s governance model, defended it from criticism, and advanced its political agenda in the UK. GB News, whose two major shareholders – the Legatum Foundation and Paul Marshall – have strong links to the UAE, has been more than happy to broadcast UAE propaganda and was forced to pay damages in 2025 after airing a false claim about a UK charity by the UAE “disinfluencer” Amjad Taha. The UAE has responded in kind. When the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to the UK in May, Farage was the only non-government figure granted an audience. UAE state media publicised the meeting, and said that they discussed “the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves mutual interests.” For the UAE these ‘mutual interests’ largely concern its paranoia over political Islam, and in this regard the UAE-Reform alliance is part of a broad and troubling pattern. Following a crackdown on dissent at home in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the UAE has offered material and political support to a range of violent and authoritarian actors willing to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood with no regard for the consequences. Its meddling in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and most notably Sudan, have been devastating. The UAE’s strategy of seeking out partners on the political fringes who it believes will advance its interests is not unique to Britain – it extends beyond the Middle East to Europe and the US. In France, it has offered clandestine support to Marine Le Pen through secret meetings, as well allegedly funding trips to the region after which Le Pen returned with a renewed focus on the UAE’s perceived enemies – Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has accused the UAE of smearing him and of “encouraging discrimination, hatred or violence”. In the US, the UAE actively supported the rise of Donald Trump, establishing itself as a key ally during both his first and second terms. Around these relationships sits a wider ecosystem of figures willing to amplify UAE narratives, that even extends to Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. Subscribe In Britain, the UAE has used a combination of aggressive diplomacy and illicit, disruptive tactics to achieve its policy goal of eliminating any perceived threat from political Islam. In 2012, for instance, it threatened to block billion-pound arms deals with the UK and stop inward investment if David Cameron did not act against the Muslim Brotherhood and rein in the BBC’s coverage of the group – going so far as to suggest, with no supporting evidence, that the group had infiltrated the BBC. It has financed smear campaigns against a high-profile UK charity and funded a mercenary to secretly surveil, and possibly assassinate, a British national on British soil. In Reform UK, the UAE has finally found an ally willing to not only ban the Muslim Brotherhood, but to publicly vilify the group and repeat the UAE’s claims that dangerous Muslims are a fifth column in British society, a narrative that aligns with the Islamophobia and anti-immigration sentiments that underpin Reform’s populist politics. The Rycroft review into foreign interference concluded that “hostile states and non-state actors have a clear incentive to attempt to undermine UK democracy.” The UAE’s network and alliance with Reform must be understood within that framework. It is a powerful, disruptive and deeply authoritarian actor with the resources and networks to intervene in our politics, and a track-record of doing so in a multitude of other countries. The evidence of the threat the UAE poses is overwhelming. The question is whether parliamentarians are willing to call the UAE out and demand action using the tools that the government has to respond. Placing the UAE on the “Enhanced Tier” of the Foreign Registration scheme alongside Russia and Iran would send a powerful signal to the UAE that its meddling will no longer be tolerated, and would place Farage’s next trips to the UAE under the scrutiny they deserve. Alex Carlen is research and advocacy manager at London based human rights organisation FairSquare and author of its new report Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat. Subscribe

Sep 23 • 6:50 AM EDT • Politics • democracyforsale.substack.com

The hunt for extraterrestrial life is fundamentally flawed. But there's a fix.

We search for aliens on exoplanets by looking for the chemical signatures of life. But without understanding the host star better, we may be misled.

Sep 23 • 5:00 AM EDT • Science • livescience.com

First Diagnostic X-Rays in Space Mark New Era for Astronaut Health

A team of researchers acquired the first diagnostic X-ray images during a commercial spaceflight, demonstrating that X-ray medicine can be performed in space.

Sep 22 • 11:15 PM EDT • Health • universetoday.com

Former Fox News producer Jennifer Eckhart dies by suicide at 36

Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox Business Network associate producer, settled a sexual assault lawsuit against ex-"Fox & Friends" weekend anchor Ed Henry in 2025.

Sep 22 • 5:31 PM EDT • Entertainment • latimes.com

Situation Report No.11: Earthquakes in Venezuela 2026 (M7.2 and M7.5)

Nearly three months after the 24 June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela, the response has moved into early recovery while sustaining essential emergency operations. Efforts now center on maintaining continuity of care across mental health, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and neonatal care, NCDs, and rehabilitation, alongside restoring affected facilities, supporting transitional camps, and strengthening Health Cluster coordination as Emergency Medical Teams and international partners withdraw. Health system recovery is advancing, with 16 ASICs and 356 health facilities assessed (61% operational) and rehabilitation progressing under CERF, CFE and US funding, while fluctuating electricity, medication refrigeration and emergency-generator gaps continue to challenge the safe continuity of essential health services. Public health surveillance and prevention remain active, with 47,145 cumulative vaccine doses administered and 556 health professionals trained, while intensified surveillance in La Guaira and Miranda and mounting environmental risks from tropical rains and heatwaves continue to require sustained vector-control and water/sanitation action. Contraception remains the most consistent unmet need across assessed shelters, particularly among adolescents and young women, while mental health needs continue to rise across the transitional camps amid limited supplies and specialized personnel. PAHO/WHO continues to support the response with critically needed medical supplies and medicines, having shipped 46.6 metric tons to Venezuela to date, benefiting 72 actors and reaching 117,714 people with treatment through PAHO and partner donations, while sustained technical and logistical support to the Ministry of Popular Power for Health (MPPS) has strengthened the national supply chain and ensured the continuity of health services through the coordination, reception, and mobilization of international donations of essential medical products.

Sep 22 • 12:04 PM EDT • Health • paho.org

What CDC's new teen health survey shows, and what it skips

Teen suicide risk hit a 10-year low in 2025. Guns, sexual violence, and self-harm. Where are the 2025 data on transgender teens? Missing data changes public health policy. Teen suicide risk hit a 10-year low in 2025. CDC asked more than 10,000 high school students over 100 questions in spring 2025. Yesterday, it published a report covering a fraction of them. The report focsed on five areas: diet, physical activity, sleep, digital behaviors, and mental health, reflecting the priorities of the Make America Healthy Again movement. There was good news. Fewer teens seriously considered suicide in 2025 than in any survey year since 2015: 14%, down from 20% in 2023. Sadness fell. Underlying Conditions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Sports participation, which dipped to 49% in 2021, is back to its 2015 level of 58%. Daily PE fell from 27% to 20% in two years, while fewer students eat breakfast daily than a decade ago. Guns, sexual violence, and self-harm. The questionnaire is public, and it goes well beyond those five areas. Students answered questions about sexual violence, self-harm, and whether they got help when they felt sad or anxious. They said how quickly they could get a loaded gun. They reported whether food ran out at home and whether they felt close to people at school. There were questions about sexual identity, including whether they were transgender. The report did not publish any of the answers students gave to those questions. CDC posts the raw survey data online, so anyone can see what the report left out. The report doesn’t cover the health of sexual minority students. Among students who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, or another non-straight identity, persistent sadness fell from 66% to 57% between 2023 and 2025. Serious thoughts of suicide fell from 41% to 30%. Those drops were bigger than the ones among straight students, although the gap remains wide: 28% of straight students reported persistent sadness, about half the rate of LGBQ+ students. About 1 in 7 girls reported sexual violence in the past year. One in 6 students hurt themselves on purpose. Among students who needed help for sadness or anxiety, half rarely or never got it. And among students who had seriously considered suicide, 43% said they could get a loaded gun without an adult’s permission. One protective factor rose sharply. In 2023, 55% of students said they felt close to people at their school; in 2025, 63% did. CDC’s earlier research ties that kind of connection to better mental health. Where are the 2025 data on transgender teens? In 2023, CDC's national survey asked high school students, for the first time, whether they were transgender. Their answers are the only nationally representative data on transgender teens, and their mental health is by far the worst of any demographic. That year, 71% of transgender students reported persistent sadness, 54% seriously considered suicide, and 26% attempted it, compared with 38%, 18%, and 8% of cisgender students. But we don’t have 2025 data. The timing matters because students took the survey in spring 2025, as federal policy toward transgender youth shifted. On January 28th, an executive order directed agencies to end federal support for gender-affirming care for people under 19, and several hospitals paused that care within days. In February, the CDC said it would no longer process transgender identity data. Later in 2025, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and HHS ended the 988 Lifeline’s dedicated line for LGBTQ+ youth. Researchers disagree about how much state policy shapes trans teens’ mental health. A 2024 Trevor Project study estimated that anti-trans laws increased suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth. Critics dispute its methods and its estimates. The 2025 survey could have added national evidence to that fight. CDC collected the data but hasn’t publicly released it. Missing data changes public health policy. Surveillance works as a feedback loop. It can show officials whether their policies help or hurt. The CDC didn’t provide data on the students most exposed to transgender policy shifts. The report kept measures that frame health as personal choice, like fruit, breakfast, and sports. It left out measures that track policy, like gun access, mental healthcare, food at home, and school climate, all of which respond to what legislators and agencies decide. HHS did not respond to questions that I sent on September 21st.

Sep 22 • 10:31 AM EDT • Health • celinegounder.com

RWJBarnabas Health Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Multi-Specialty Ambulatory Care Facility in Toms River

RWJBarnabas Health celebrated the grand opening of its updated, state-of-the-art Women’s Health and Urology suites yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Toms River Nexus Building.

Sep 22 • 10:25 AM EDT • Health • newswise.com

MSCHF bends and twists LEXUS cars into surreal full-scale sculptures in new york

two vehicles are stretched into impossible geometries, translating squash-and-stretch animation into full-scale automotive sculpture.

Sep 22 • 10:07 AM EDT • Technology • designboom.com

Rabies is on the rise: Experts offer advice

With rabies on the rise, infectious disease experts from Michigan Medicine share advice.

Sep 22 • 5:04 AM EDT • Health • uofmhealth.org

Jiang Feng: The Unravelling of German & European Politics

A state election in eastern Germany has become a revealing test of the changing political landscapes of Germany and Europe, writes Jiang Feng, Professor and Chairman of the Council of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies (SAGGAS) at Shanghai International Studies University. His analysis follows the decisive victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) (which has been classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities)in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, in which it finished far ahead of its mainstream rivals. Jiang previously served as Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. The following article was published on 8 September 2026 on huanqiu.com, the online platform of the Global Times. On 6 September, the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, were announced. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as far-right by German authorities, made history by becoming the largest party in the state parliament, winning 43.8 per cent of the vote — twice its share in the previous election. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed the state continuously for 24 years, won just 17.2 per cent, its worst result ever in Saxony-Anhalt. On the night the results were announced, the atmosphere at the CDU gathering was unusually calm. There was neither shock nor argument, as if the defeat had long been expected. Several veteran party members who had spent years working in the state government said: “Defeat is not a bad thing. It is time to make changes.” This state election has not only upended Saxony-Anhalt’s political landscape, but also laid bare the deep tensions between Germany’s traditional party structure and model of governance, on the one hand, and an increasingly polarised society on the other. Its repercussions are already being felt at the federal level, making Saxony-Anhalt a useful case study of the broader trend towards political polarisation and realignment in Europe. Governing Difficulties after Electoral Victory The most immediate consequence of the election is a historic setback for the mainstream party order that took shape in post-war Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD has leapt from a peripheral party to the largest political force in the state. Its electoral base has expanded beyond the traditional category of “marginal protest voters” to take on the characteristics of a cross-class coalition. The party has not only consolidated its support in rural areas, but also attracted many middle-class voters and even members of the social elite with stable jobs, their own homes, and substantial incomes. It has thus evolved from a “protest party” into one with the potential to govern. Despite its commanding lead in the vote, however, the AfD faces an institutional obstacle to governing the state: the mainstream parties’ long-standing “firewall” against it. Neither of the two potential routes to forming a government appears likely to break the current political deadlock. The first would be a coalition of establishment parties, led by the CDU and bringing together the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Left Party (Die Linke) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in a cross-camp government. In terms of parliamentary arithmetic, such a coalition could prevent the AfD from forming a government and preserve the outward stability of the traditional political order. Yet these parties are fundamentally divided over key issues including immigration, the energy transition, economic management, and cultural and education policy. Coalition negotiations would therefore be extremely difficult, and even if a government could be formed, it would most likely prove short-lived. More importantly, an alliance of establishment parties aimed at keeping the largest party out of government would play directly into the AfD’s narrative that “political elites are suppressing public opinion”. It could deepen perceptions of political unfairness, further strengthening the AfD’s political capital, and creating a dynamic in which “the more it is suppressed, the more people vote for it”. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s candidate for state premier, has said that if efforts to form a government fail because other parties refuse to cooperate, the AfD will push for a fresh election, which he believes could deliver the party an absolute majority of seats. This points to more intense political battles ahead. The second option would be a coalition between the AfD and the BSW. Together, the two parties would command a simple majority in parliament, making this, on paper, the quickest route to forming a government. The BSW is the only elected party that has not ruled out cooperation with the AfD, and the two parties share some common ground, including on policy towards Russia. There is therefore a degree of political basis for cooperation. Were such a coalition to materialise, Germany would see its first state government jointly formed by a party defined as far-right and one with a far-left background, creating what might be called a “bipolar anti-establishment alliance”. Such an outcome would fundamentally break with the ideological boundaries of post-war German party politics. It is worth noting that even if the AfD ultimately fails to enter the state government, its roughly 47 per cent share of parliamentary seats would give it a powerful blocking minority. Without its consent, major decisions requiring a two-thirds majority — including constitutional amendments, significant budgetary adjustments, and state-level institutional reforms — would be extremely difficult to pass. Therefore, whoever ultimately forms the government, the AfD will be an unavoidable force in Saxony-Anhalt politics, with a direct influence on the state’s legislative process. Systemic Failures in Germany’s Governance Model The Saxony-Anhalt election result reflects a systemic failure of Germany’s post-war mainstream-party model of governance to adapt to rapidly changing socioeconomic conditions. It stems from multiple, mutually reinforcing structural tensions and highlights the existing political system’s difficulty in adapting to “an increasingly polarised society First, collective anxiety has replaced individual material hardship as a central driver of political mobilisation. The rise of the AfD can no longer be explained simply by poverty or social marginalisation. Its increasingly cross-class electoral base suggests that what is driving voters towards the party is, above all, concern about the broader direction of society. This anxiety about the future of the political community goes beyond individual gains and losses. In political discourse, economic anxiety has become closely intertwined with immigration, while immigration and refugee issues are, in essence, questions of social fairness. This perception turns conflicts over the distribution of social resources into negative assessments of governing parties, providing a broad social basis for far-right political narratives. Second, regional disparities and East German identity have undermined the strategy of addressing eastern Germany’s structural challenges at the regional level. More than three decades after German reunification, eastern states such as Saxony-Anhalt have experienced periods of economic growth, but their underlying economic structures remain weak, and household incomes and wealth remain significantly below those in western Germany. At the same time, they continue to face population outflow, an ageing population, labour shortages, and other structural challenges. At a deeper level, historical experiences — including the collapse of the former East German economic system, mass unemployment during the transition, and the westward shift of decision-making power over major issues — have left some residents with a sense of being “second-class citizens” and of being excluded. For years, the German government treated the “syndrome” of reunification as a regional problem to be gradually addressed at the local level. That approach is becoming increasingly unsustainable, as regional development disparities emerge as a core structural factor shaping national politics. Third, the erosion of institutional trust is perhaps the most decisive factor. AfD supporters tend to distrust establishment institutions, including parliament, government, and the mainstream media. Their concerns about economic security, pensions, and social fairness are significantly greater than the social average. Increasingly, their support for the AfD reflects not an expectation that the existing system can be improved, but a search for an alternative to the current political order. Such a systemic deficit of trust will be extremely difficult for the traditional parties to repair in the short term. Fourth, a generational shift in political mobilisation has amplified political polarisation. Unlike traditional parties, which rely heavily on offline rallies and mainstream media coverage, the AfD has developed a social-media mobilisation strategy built around “raising an issue — identifying who is responsible — offering a simplified solution — building a shared identity”. It turns complex social tensions into concise political narratives, rapidly channelling public sentiment into political support. The contrast on the eve of the election was particularly telling. The establishment parties, together with trade unions and churches, organised an offline march attended by more than 10,000 people, but its reach was largely confined to those present and to traditional media coverage. The AfD held a much smaller indoor event, yet livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms, combined with the involvement of online influencers, gave it a reach and mobilising capacity far beyond that of the march. The contrast illustrates how the traditional parties’ methods of political mobilisation are increasingly struggling to keep pace with a political environment transformed by changes in media technology. A Microcosm of Structural Political Change in Europe The shockwaves from the Saxony-Anhalt election quickly travelled beyond the state to the federal level. Calls for political accountability followed immediately after the results were announced. The governing CDU and SPD are now under enormous pressure, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil face an unprecedented test. Political polarisation in Germany is no longer simply a regional phenomenon. The post-war model of multiparty government by establishment parties is breaking down and being reshaped. Viewed in a broader European context, the Saxony-Anhalt election is part of a continent-wide wave of party polarisation, mainstream-party decline, and rising right-wing forces. Far from an isolated phenomenon, it is a microcosm of the structural political changes unfolding across Europe. Weak economic growth, cultural tensions over immigration, and declining trust in institutions are fuelling the rise of right-wing forces in several countries, challenging the liberal internationalist order established in post-war Europe. As a core member state of the European Union, Germany’s ability to adapt its political system and the direction of its politics will have profound implications for both European integration and the evolution of the international order. Subscribe [ Pekingnology China’s Germany watchers take stock of Berlin’s uneasy turn On 7 December 2025, nearly 50 Chinese scholars and policy researchers gathered in Beijing for the 2025年德国形势年终研讨会 “2025 Year-End Seminar on the Situation in Germany… Read more 9 months ago · 31 likes · 1 comment · YIRUI LI and Yuxuan JIA ](https://www.pekingnology.com/p/chinas-germany-watchers-take-stock?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1151841) [ Jiang Feng on Germany's 2025 and beyond: no easy exit ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond) Yirui LI and Yuxuan JIA · Jan 24 The following is an op-ed by Jiang Feng, published on 29 December 2025 at Shanghai Observer 上观新闻, the digital platform of Jiefang Daily, the official newspaper of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). [ Read full story ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond)

Sep 22 • 3:04 AM EDT • Politics • eastisread.com

The show must go on: struggling luxury brands seek catwalk boost in Milan and Paris

Glitzy runway shows by the world’s biggest fashion brands in Milan and Paris ​mask a worrying picture for luxury executives behind the scenes: a slowdown that appears to be getting ‌worse as war in the Middle East rages on.

Sep 22 • 1:09 AM EDT • Business • reuters.com

Bats test positive for rabies in North Platte, health officials urge caution

A bat collected in North Platte has tested positive for rabies, local public health officials announced.

Sep 21 • 6:20 PM EDT • Health • knopnews2.com

Jennifer Eckhart Dies: Fired Fox Business Staffer Who Sued Company Was 36

Jennifer Eckhart, a fired Fox Business staffer who sued the network and Ed Henry for sexual harassment and later hosted a podcast, was found dead Sept. 19 at 36

Sep 21 • 5:25 PM EDT • Business • deadline.com

Marietta/Belpre Health Department holding diaper drive through September 30

Health department collecting diapers and wipes for local families.

Sep 21 • 4:12 PM EDT • Health • wtap.com

Does your natural scent repel or attract people? What the science shows. - Futura-Sciences

Despite decades of perfume marketing and pop-science claims, researchers have never confirmed the existence of a human sexual pheromone that triggers attraction. Instead, controlled brain-imaging and behavioral trials reveal a far more subtle reality: human scent acts as a fleeting emotional signal rather than a switch for sexual desire. From...

Sep 21 • 2:30 PM EDT • Science • futura-sciences.com

Kamala Harris campaigning for Democrats in 2026 midterms as her 2028 decision looms

Harris has not announced any upcoming trips to South Carolina, where Democrats will hold their first primary. She has emphasized the importance of focusing on the midterms for now.

Sep 21 • 2:08 PM EDT • Politics • pbs.org

Xulon Press announces a new work where theology and science meet, The Dimensional Universe: Quantum Ontology, Dynamics and Patterns of Duality from author Jack K. Mayfield.

Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xulon Press announces the release of The Dimensional Universe: Quantum Ontology, Dynamics and Pa...

Sep 21 • 12:00 PM EDT • Science • markets.businessinsider.com

Xulon Press announces a new work where theology and science meet, The Dimensional Universe: Quantum Ontology, Dynamics and Patterns of Duality from author Jack K. Mayfield.

With the existence of a mysterious immaterial dimension governed by quantum mechanics that still baffles the world’s top physicists, Mayfield builds a bridge long thought impossible: rigorous science standing shoulder to shoulder with theology.

Sep 21 • 10:00 AM EDT • Science • globenewswire.com

Made in Tarrant: Firm keeps small businesses organized

Anexus CFO provides financial management and other services to small businesses.

Sep 20 • 4:00 PM EDT • Business • fortworthreport.org

Boston 25 News

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced the eighth human case of West Nile virus in Massachusetts on Friday.

Sep 20 • 11:19 AM EDT • Health • facebook.com

U.S.-China gastrodiplomacy: Despite political tension, fast food chains from both countries gain popularity in each other’s territory

Mixue, one of the world’s largest fast-food chains with more than 53,000 locations, opened its first three U.S. stores in December.

Sep 20 • 11:19 AM EDT • Politics • fortune.com

Detroit Free Press on Instagram: "Two teams from the Savannah Bananas traveling baseball tour came to Comerica Park for a pair of games on Sept. 18-19. Rivals the high-energy Party Animals and the stunt-performing Firefighters, brought their brand of baseball entertainment to Comerica Park on Friday and Saturday, turning America's pastime into a mix of sports, comedy, dancing and crowd interaction. Check the link in our bio for more. 📷 by Kimberly P. Mitchell @kpmitchellphoto, Detroit Free Press #detroit #michigan #comericapark #entertainment #bananaball @thefirefighters @thepartyanimals #baseball"

17 likes, 0 comments - detroitfreepress on September 20, 2026: "Two teams from the Savannah Bananas traveling baseball tour came to Comerica Park for a pair of games on Sept. 18-19. Rivals the high-energy Party Animals and the stunt-performing Firefighters, brought their brand of baseball entertainment to Comerica Park on Friday and Saturday, turning America's pastime into a mix of sports, comedy, dancing and crowd interaction. Check the link in our bio for more. 📷 by Kimberly P. Mitchell @kpmitchellphoto, Detroit Free Press #detroit #michigan #comericapark #entertainment #bananaball @thefirefighters @thepartyanimals #baseball".

Sep 20 • 10:03 AM EDT • Entertainment • instagram.com

Chicago Athletic Association: Inside the private club turned hotel

I stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association, a historic gentlemen's club turned luxury hotel with Gilded Age charm and whimsical designs.

Sep 20 • 8:10 AM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com

'Babies' review: Child-free couples finally have a comedy that doesn't make them a punchline

Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen tackle a heteronormative stigma with humor.

Sep 20 • 5:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • mashable.com

Sally Field says she doesn’t have ‘overt sexuality,’ so used this actress as inspiration for “Norma Rae”

The “Remarkably Bright Creatures” star said she typically played the tomboy in her early roles.

Sep 19 • 6:30 PM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com