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Inside Hegseth’s political ambitions — and the risks threatening them
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has rarely shied away from controversy, but his latest spectacle — announcing that the convicted Fort Hood mass shooter’s execution would be livestreamed — proved a bridge too far even for President Donald Trump.
NC's history shows why political factions are natural
Political factions are natural, but history shows we can still work together despite our deep differences.
Can left or right extremes solve Europe’s housing crisis?
Housing costs have brought about a political crisis in Spain and are fueling political change across Europe. Voters are turning to the far left and far right for radical change in the way living space is regulated.
It’s not just you. There are more Maine political ads than ever this year.
Spending in Maine has broken records set in the 2020 election cycle.
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(ANALYSIS) Political shamelessness threatens democracy by weakening leaders’ respect for ethical principles and the rule of law. Drawing on Plato’s Laws, this article explores reverence as a virtue that encourages humility, self-restraint and recognition of human limitations, arguing that responsibl
Suspicious letters sent to political offices in Massachusetts
California Proposition 4 would allow public funding for political campaigns
California Prop. 4 would allow political campaigns to be publicly funded. Here's what to know.
Political violence: How justifications influence voter approval
What happens when political violence is presented as a justified response to threat or injustice coming from an out-group? A study by Ursula Daxecker, director at the Max Planck Institute for Politics ...
Maine voters are unhappy over political climate as they cast early ballots in midterm elections
Politics Unusual: Governors debate discussion, ballet props
In this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay sits down with politics strategists to discuss the recent New York gubernatorial debate between Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman. Also, a conversation with the executive director of Citizens Union about the five ballot propositions.
Meta denies accusation of anti-Lula political bias in Brazil after electoral court ruling
SAO PAULO (AP) — Tech giant Meta denied accusations Friday that it acted with political bias during Brazil’s presidential campaign, less than a day after the country’s electoral court ruled the platform must give equal treatment to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and opposition candidate Fláv...
Meta denies accusation of anti-Lula political bias in Brazil after electoral court ruling
SAO PAULO (AP) — Tech giant Meta denied accusations Friday that it acted with political bias during Brazil’s presidential campaign, less than a day after the country’s electoral court ruled the pla…
Meta denies accusation of anti-Lula political bias in Brazil after electoral court ruling
Tech giant Meta has denied accusations it has acted with political bias during Brazil’s presidential campaign.
Kathy Castor and Mike Beltran put each other's political records on trial at Tampa forum
Beltran called the Rays stadium deal a "boondoggle" as the candidates sparred over campaign money, education, health care and transit.
Musical chairs in the Maryland Senate president's office and other political notes
Musical chairs in the Maryland Senate president's office and other political notes
AOC's $1 million donation to Abdul El-Sayed sparks political speculation
Former classmate accuses James Talarico of putting political ambition over truth
Fox News host Will Cain discusses accusations from James Talarico’s former classmate Mike Garcia about the Democratic Texas Senate candidate's honesty on 'The Will Cain Show.'
Political insiders break down N.Y. gubernatorial debate
Republican Bruce Blakeman and incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul faced off in their only debate of the election cycle right here on Spectrum News 1.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter & a New ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos Poll, Sunday on “This Week” with Co-anchor Martha Raddatz
Energy Secretary Chris Wright & Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter will be on "This Week" airing on Sunday, October 18.
Barbara Bush's latest political move backs James Talarico's U.S. Senate bid
Barbara Bush gave $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC, which supports Democrat James Talarico in his U.S. Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton.
Trump's team is in chaos as midterms enter final stretch
A White House that has enjoyed relative stability over the past two years has returned to a state of disarray that characterized much of Trump's early political career.
Cook Political Report moves 11 House races towards Democrats as Trump continues campaigning
The non-partisan Cook Political Report moves nearly a dozen races toward Democrats with less than three weeks before the election. NBC’s Monica Alba and Garrett Haake report on President Trump's campaign trip to Georgia and Cook Political Report’s Erin Covey joins to discuss the rating shifts.
Chris Mason: Burnham and Swinney tussle over where power lies in Scotland
UK political debate has a distinctly Scottish feel after SNP's annual conference, says the BBC's political editor Chris Mason.
North Carolina could play a key role in this year's midterm elections
Midterm election results in North Carolina could significantly influence the state and shape the national political landscape, says John Dinan, a Wake Forest University professor of political science. Dinan explains what North Carolinians will see on the ballot, the importance of key candidate contests and the potential ripple effects on the state and federal levels.…
Belief in change matters more than political anger when it comes to voting intentions, study suggests
With the 2026 midterm elections around the corner, voters may be feeling everything from excitement to fear. But how might anger motivate political activism and, ultimately, influence who turns out to ...
Gov. Hochul calls inquiry into Rich Schaffer and Suffolk Dems 'political hit job'
At three Suffolk Democrats were questioned by the FBI.
Kendall A. Schnurpel: The line between nonprofit advocacy and political activity
The executive director has already shared both items on her personal Facebook page, which lists her title.
Board of Regents: Candidates talk issues ahead of Nov. 3 election
Name: Edie Hooton Office Sought: Colorado Board of Regents, District2 Party: Democrat How should the Board navigate curriculum debates that have become politically polarized? Curriculum decisions must be anchored in the principle of “shared governance,” as defined in Regent Laws. The responsibility for academic excellence lies with the faculty and subject matter experts, as they […]
Millions of dollars spent on AI-generated political ads as midterms approach
Political action groups and candidates have been using artificial intelligence for campaign ads, spending over $137 million for the midterm elections.
Political analyst talks about upcoming 2nd Congressional District debate and race
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Friday night, KRQE News 13 will host candidates for the hotly contested 2nd Congressional District in New Mexico in a live debate at 5 p.m. Democratic Incumbent Gabe Vasque…
Georgia's Senate and governor races test Trump's political influence
Trump plays a significant role in Georgia's races, with Democrats working to tie their GOP opponents to Trump’s unpopular policies on the economy and war with Iran.
Cook Political Report moves 11 more House races toward Democrats
The election prognosticator says more races are becoming competitive in traditional GOP strongholds because of voter frustration with the economy.
Blue shift: Yet another political forecaster shifts CD 25 race in Jared Moskowitz’s favor
‘The race doesn’t appear to have tightened, so we’re shifting it.’
Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief
U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed more than tripled the fundraising haul of his Republican challenger, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Online records show El-Sayed raised $30,659,157 in the reporting period from July 16 to Sept. 30, while Rogers brought in $9,662,538. Despite that, Rogers’ campaign maintains a nearly […]
Video: Zara Larsson Won’t Abandon Her Politics for Fame
Zara Larsson refuses to censor her political beliefs for money or fame. The Swedish pop singer has spoken out on issues like abortion rights and Palestine, and she shares with Popcast why she refuses to sacrifice her integrity no matter how lucrative the opportunity.
Major independent political analyst moves Jared Moskowitz-Scott Singer congressional race to ‘lean Democratic’
“Democrats (are) in a decent position to hold this seat.” A major political handicapper, The Cook Political Report, moves South Florida’s 25th Congressional District contest to “lean Democratic.”
Zara Larsson Has a Blunt Message for Brands That Dislike Her Politics
Zara Larsson revealed that she has lost several business opportunities because of her outspoken views on political issues. The Swedish pop star emphasized the real-world impact of money, saying, “Mone...
IU Kelley School of Business Expert Weights in on Prediction Markets and Midterm Elections
As prediction markets play a growing role in election forecasting and increasingly compete with traditional polling, Russell Rhoads, clinical associate professor of finance at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, is available to provide expert analysis and commentary. Rhoads can help audiences understand how prediction markets work, what market odds actually signal about election outcomes, and why investors, analysts, and political observers are payin
Albania: Protesting students demand political change and resignation of longtime Prime Minister Edi Rama
Empty lecture halls, burning buildings and demands for change: Albanian students are spearheading a protest movement that has become the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama in years.
Penn State Altoona political science professor publishes new book
A new book by Daniel DiLeo, associate professor of political science at Penn State Altoona, was released by Bloomsbury Press earlier this month.
Cook Political Report shifts 11 House seats away from GOP
Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, shifted 11 more House seats toward Democrats this week, many in red states as the midterms inch closer. Cook has moved dozens of House sea…
Sweden’s Left Faces a Political Deadlock
In September, Swedish voters defeated a governing coalition that the far right had propped up. But the Center Party is now blocking a new government because it wants to keep Left Party ministers out o...
Sweden’s Left Faces a Political Deadlock
In September, Swedish voters defeated a governing coalition that the far right had propped up. But the Center Party is now blocking a new government because it wants to keep Left Party ministers out of the cabinet.
Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
Big Tech and Big Business are spending millions to block progressives on the California ballot
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. With less than three weeks until Election Day, outside groups are pouring millions of dollars into two types of state legislative races: purple districts featuring a Democrat and a Republican, and safely Democratic districts featuring Democrats of different ideological stripes. Political action committees […]
Adam Schiff Warns AI-Generated Political Ads Are Making It Harder to Know What’s Real Ahead of Midterm Elections: 'Congress Can't Afford to Sit on the Sidelines'
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) warned that deceptive artificial intelligence-generated political advertisements could mislead voters and interfere with elections, urging Congress to address the growing t...
Candidates for Congressional District 2 talk political parties, affordability
Incumbent Maggie Goodlander and challenger Lily Tang Williams face off in NH's 2nd District race, focusing on affordability and energy.
Is your phone being flooded with political text messages? Here’s what you need to know
Political text messages are becoming an increasingly popular way for campaigns to connect with voters.
Why America’s Political Divide Is Also an Economic Divide
Plus, the Justice Department sued California to block mail-in ballots from 20,000 people, and Trump nixed the planned livestream of a military execution.
Miller-Meeks, Bohannan Congress rematch unfolds amid rocky Iowa economy
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Christina Bohannan face a third showdown in Iowa's 1st District. Can a changed political climate alter the result?
Geothermal finds rare political sweet spot amid AI boom
The bipartisan appeal, combined with surging electricity demand from AI, is helping fuel investment in the niche energy source.
Should California taxpayers chip in to fund political campaigns? Prop 4 lets you decide
Proposition 4 would lift a ban that prohibits state and most local candidates from using public funding for their political campaigns. Proponents argue the mechanism helps more candidates run for office, but opponents are skeptical.
Commentary: Mainers are tired of dark money and the rigged horse race
Allegations that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was being investigated by the FBI for a potential connection to a pay-for-play scheme until President Donald Trump purged the bureau’s anti-corruption unit, to some observers, seemed like a political bombshell destined to crater the senator’s re-election efforts. But based on conversations with several Maine voters, the ProPublica investigation […]
The Unraveling of Centrist Politics in Germany: The September Elections
As centrist politics begins to unravel in Germany, the extremes are moving to occupy the space once held by the political center.
Commentary: Vote to protect public health
It’s election season, and we’re all awash in political ads, some dealing with issues like high grocery prices, others seeking to distract us from those issues. But one topic deserves
Busan Film Festival 2026 Takeaways: Record Crowds, Political Storm
Busan 2026 takeaways: record crowds, ‘The Assassin(s)’ row and Majid Majidi’s war speech, plus co-production, AI and the ACFM market.
Exclusive Brethren church denies claims of coordinated political campaign in Australia
Parliamentary inquiry demanded the global leader of the sect and his son attend to answer questions.
Weird and misleading political ads: How to talk to kids about them
It’s hard to distinguish reality from fiction in a world of AI and desensitization.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Watch: Will disenchanted Iowa Republicans reject Trump in the midterms?
The BBC's Sarah Smith travelled across the state ahead of the midterms, as the president faces political headwinds.
A closer look: More Democrats mention gas prices in political ads
Political contributor and KQED politics reporter Guy Marzorati examined how Democrats are using gas prices to win back the House.
Political reporter Shaun Boyd gives a Reality Check on an ad attacking Democrat Manny Rutinel
Trump ally removed from role after report of State Department feud
A political appointee with deep ties to the Trump family has been removed from his special envoy role following a report of a feud with a top State Department official.
US Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García reflects on 4 decades in Chicago politics as retirement nears
U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García spoke with ABC7 as he is preparing to close the book on a political career that has stretched across 40 years, reflecting on accomplishments, disappointments and his decision to step away.
Oct. 15: Why Feds Are Investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar and Why Science Journalist Cleo Abram is Optimistic about AI
Just weeks before the midterm elections, federal agents searched the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., seizing her phone and issuing around a dozen subpoenas, two people familiar with the DOJ investigation told NBC News. NBC News senior justice reporter Ryan J. Reilly explains how the move fits into a broader trend of the DOJ going after President Trump’s perceived political enemies and why it’s so unusual to launch this kind of probe right before an election. Then, Cleo Abram is a video journalist and the host of the widely popular YouTube series “HUGE* if true” and “HUGE* conversations,” where she looks at the potential and the solutions offered by science and technology. Cleo talks about why she’s still a tech optimist in light of growing AI doomerism and how her interviews with industry leaders have shaped her perspective on security and regulation. Lastly, we wade into the internet’s favorite controversy this week: singer and TV personality Kelly Clarkson’s social media fight with a Brooklyn shop over a mechanical bird. NBC News entertainment correspondent Chloe Melas spills the tea on the back-and-forth – and why the bird is now going for $15 million.
Iowa politics: KCCI to host Congressional 3rd District debate between Nunn, Trone Garriott
KCCI, Iowa’s News Leader, will host a 3rd Congressional District debate as part of its Commitment 2026 political coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Gov. Spencer Cox & Martin Luther King III Discuss Bridging Political Divides
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R), South Carolina former Gov. David Beasley (R), and Martin Luther King III discussed how faith leaders and political leaders can bridge political divides. They each shared a call to action, which included breaking bread with someone of a different background, working to make the world a better place, and preaching hope. The Salt Lake Tabernacle hosted the discussion.
Political heavyweights campaign in Michigan amid crucial Senate race
The most recent Decision Desk HQ polling numbers show El-Sayed holds a 4% advantage over Rogers.
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe appears in political PSA on political differences
KRCG offers coverage of news, sports, weather and local events in the Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri area, including the communities of New Bloomfield, Shaw, Boonville, Ashland, Hallsville, Sturgeon, Centralia, Mexico, Auxvasse, Fulton, California, Tipton, Eldon, Wardsville, Westphalia and Sedalia, Missouri.
'The Diplomat' Season 4 is now streaming: Expect more political chaos — and plenty of marital drama.
"The Diplomat," Debora Cahn's critically acclaimed political drama starring Keri Russell, is back for its fourth season.
Independent candidate for governor accuses Sen. Marsha Blackburn of favoring political self-interest over the people
Independent candidate for governor Lauren Pinkston made claims against frontrunner Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. Pinkston claims that Blackburn’s office is more worried about political gain that the people.
Ahead of the midterms, Alaskans’ phones are blowing up with political calls and texts
The messages are a cheap, easy way to fundraise, get out the vote and collect data, but some people are exhausted by the constant messaging.
Fired FBI agents and analysts sue to regain jobs over Trump files probe
They are calling their terminations unlawful acts of “political retribution"
Ayotte calls on X to suspend NH Libertarian Party’s account for calling for political violence
Gov. Kelly Ayotte called for X to suspend the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire’s account after it posted the latest in a series of calls for political violence.
'He's a bad apple': Mamdani goes after Blakeman in political ad supporting Hochul
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has posted a political ad going after Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman in support of Gov. Hochul.
Americans are warming to a healthcare idea that once seemed politically impossible
A new national survey reveals an unexpected divide over Medicare for All, but Americans appear to agree on one thing: Healthcare is getting too expensive.
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District debate: Political rhetoric
Nebraska 2nd Congressional District debate: Political rhetoric
Wyoming Business Council CEO resigns amid agency reform efforts
Josh Dorrell's tenure saw the council navigate through a shifting economic and political landscape that included an effort to dismantle the agency.
Lehigh County commissioners reject plan to use taxpayer money to fund political campaigns: ‘Completely ridiculous’
Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel’s landmark initiative to create a taxpayer-supported fund to seed local political campaigns got a thumbs-down from the county commissioners Wednesday.
Guest opinion: End Wisconsin’s ban on fusion voting to expand political choice
Anoop Prakash and Tom Florsheim Jr. argue that Wisconsin’s century-old ban on fusion voting protects the two-party duopoly, limits voter choice and weakens political competition. Allowing the…
Trump’s worst political instincts are on full display
It’s clear that many Republicans running for office in the 2026 midterm elections would prefer to keep President Donald Trump at arm’s length. He keeps reinforcing why.
‘The valley has been left behind’: how one of California’s poorest areas became its toughest political battleground
Rising costs and threatened healthcare benefits are testing voters’ loyalty to Trump as Democrat Randy Villegas challenges David Valadao
Defender of Kenya's democracy or political compromiser? Kenyans divided over Raila Odinga's legacy
One year after Raila Odinga's death, Kenyans are reflecting on his contribution to democratic reforms and national reconciliation. However, the so-called 'handshakes', with his political rivals remain debatable.
When did politics become a sport?
'What is the deal with people running as a team for political office? Regardless of your party affiliation, something is wrong with this picture. I want an independent thinker representing me, not someone who is more interested in winning the game.'
German savings banks chief says growth could curb political polarisation
By Maria Martinez BANGKOK, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Germany's nascent economic recovery could curb the polarization seen in recent state elections, the president of the country's savings banks association
Clinton Policy Institute outlines maternal health solutions for states
Health Care Clinton Policy Institute outlines maternal health solutions for states It’s the first major report from the project, which launched in July to foster nonpartisan policies to improve the wellbeing of children and families. Stephanie Akin 10:00 AM, Oct 15, 2026 Dr. Jacob Lenz performs an ultrasound at the Oklahoma State University obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon) The Clinton Policy Institute is calling on states to lead efforts to curb maternal mortality, releasing a 61-page playbook Thursday highlighting successful policies that could be adopted nationwide. The playbook is the first major report from the Clinton Foundation’s project, which launched in July to foster nonpartisan state and local policies to improve the wellbeing of children and families. “Eighty percent of maternal deaths are preventable, and we know what works,” CPI Chair Jennifer Klein said. “The solutions are well established and evidence-based.” CPI’s mission is to convene political leaders from both parties, policy experts, state officials and other stakeholders to explore solutions to longstanding problems. “What we aim to do is bring together people who are deeply engaged, but may not be meeting together in the same room,” Klein said, noting that state policymakers might not always be aware of what their peers are doing in other states. In May, CPI brought together lawmakers from Virginia and Pennsylvania, two of the 14 states that have passed bipartisan maternal health “Momnibus” packages modeled after a comprehensive federal proposal that has repeatedly stalled, called the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Other participants included Dr. Mona Hanna, founder of Rx Kids, a Michigan program that provides direct cash allowances to pregnant women and infants. Pennsylvania Rep. Morgan Cephas, who was part of the group, said she learned about funding opportunities she hadn’t come across during her decade in the Legislature. “As legislators we can issue grants, we can pass legislation, we can move policy, but we want to ensure that funding opportunities and programs that are tackling this issue are sustainable,” Cephas said. The playbook outlines broad areas where state policy can make a difference, such as allowing Medicaid to pay for doulas and remote patient monitoring, and using federal and private grant funding to pay for home visits to pregnant and postpartum women. For each category, it highlights innovative programs that can serve as models, with examples of specific actions state lawmakers and governors’ offices can take. Those include the Rx Kids model, which gets funding from the Michigan state budget; Pennsylvania’s Healthy Moms Vibrant Futures strategic action plan, emphasizing equity-centered maternal care, regional collaboration, Medicaid innovation, and workforce development that was launched this year with more than 160 stakeholders; and Kansas’s Bridging Plan, which reserves three slots and provides at least $26,000 in loan forgiveness for obstetric residents who commit to practicing in rural or underserved communities for 36 months. CPI emphasizes that its work is nonpartisan. Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council under former President Joe Biden, acknowledged that CPI also takes positions on abortion, Medicaid funding, and the need to address the economic and social drivers of poor health, which might rankle some conservatives. “We don’t shy away from talking about those things that we think are part and parcel of the maternal health crisis in this country,” Klein said. “That said, there are so many policies that are both evidence-based and have been tried successfully in both red and blue states, and people can see that they can have real impact.” She pointed to the federal option to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months that was made available during the Biden administration and has since been adopted by every state but Arkansas. Other initiatives embraced across party lines include Medicaid coverage for midwives and doulas, as well as “bundled” payments for prenatal and postpartum care. That alternative payment model, pioneered in states such as Arkansas, Colorado and Tennessee, incentivizes fixed fees to cover all healthcare services associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Advocates say it promotes more coordination among caregivers, discourages unnecessary interventions, and expands postpartum support. In addition to maternal health, the initiative is also focused on addressing family economic security, children’s well-being, and democracy and civic resilience.
What Chinese viewers are learning from America’s political chaos
What many Chinese viewers see is not a nation falling apart, but a freedom they have never been allowed to have at home.
Opinion: How politics and policy are rewriting the rules of parcel delivery
By Daniil DavydoffFollowing the U.S. parcel delivery market can feel like tracking a race. Tactical moves to increase network capacity, build facilities, and launch tools, as well as strategic changes in leadership and operating models, dominate assessments of which carriers are gaining or losing ground, but political and policy forces are shaping those decisions. Labor […] The post Opinion: How politics and policy are rewriting the rules of parcel delivery appeared first on FreightWaves.
Bärbel Bas' resignation shows harsh tone of German politics
Germany's Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has stepped down, citing a family bereavement and the harsh realities of political life. Why is German politics today so often unforgiving?
To debate or not to debate, that is the question for Texas political candidates
With just a few days until the start of early voting, other states have seen debates among opponents — but not in Texas.
Rashida Tlaib calls raid on Ilhan Omar a political attack
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls the federal raid on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's home politically motivated: \
Brazil investigates Amazon wildfires that disrupt daily life and have fueled political attacks
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian authorities are investigating whether a recent surge in wildfires in the Amazon rainforest have been set on purpose for political motives ahead of the second round of presidential elections later this month.
Brazil investigates Amazon wildfires that disrupt daily life and have fueled political attacks
Brazilian authorities are investigating whether a recent surge in Amazon wildfires was orchestrated.
Unplugged: TV debates go dark this election season in Florida
Political candidates are skipping televised debates this year in Florida and elsewhere, in part because of fears of viral social media gaffes.
The Politics of Heat, Homes, and Lobster Boats.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—The candidates’ forum focusing on House District 15 and incumbent Holly Eaton and Clifford Noyes last week spent a lot of time on the candidates’ thought of heating, communication with constituents, property taxes, education costs, and other issues. It also was a time for the community to ask their own questions and see two candidates up close and personal at the Southwest Harbor Fire Department firehouse. Jim Vallette organized the hour-long event, which was moderated by Carrie Jones of the Bar Harbor Story. Ken Rozsahegyi provided technical support for the congenial event. House District 15 serves Brooklin, Deer Isle, Eagle Island Township, Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, Marshall Island, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan's Island, Tremont, and Vinalhaven. Jones advised as she began the question and answer part of the event, ”Treat everyone here like they are going to be the ones who might give you a ride in a rainstorm, pull your pet out of a burning building, or be the one grading your kids’ papers at school, okay?” She continued. “That’s it. Tonight isn’t meant to be a gotcha debate. The goal is to give people in the district a chance to get to know both candidates, hear what they care about, and understand what they’d actually try to accomplish in Augusta.” The questions and discussion throughout were kind. Eaton currently serves in the position. She’s a Democrat from Deer Isle, raised in a fishing family and has worked in nonprofits and volunteered for her school board. Noyes is unenrolled (politically) and from Southwest Harbor and currently a school board member, self employed as a mason. He focused on fiscal issues throughout the forum. Eventually, at Jones’ prompting, the candidates played “Rock, Paper, Scissors” for who would go first for their closing statements. Noyes used the opportunity to urge others to head to the ballot. “Whether you vote for me or Holly, it’s important that people vote,” Noyes said. He hoped the voter turnout in the district would be over 35 percent because that would mean people were truly engaged. Eaton stressed that she’s a Democrat, but in Augusta, her role isn’t about party. “I am a Democrat, but when I go to Augusta, I am there to represent the people of District 15. I want people to feel as though I’m accessible, that I’m responsive, and that I show up for the district,” Eaton said. Being there for others was vital, she explained. “When something comes before me in Augusta, I try to look at it through the lens of the people and the communities that I represent. How will this affect the people who live here? Does it make it easier or harder to raise a family here, to operate a small business, to work on the water, to afford a home, to keep our schools open, or provide the essential services our communities depend on?” Eaton said. Noyes spoke about fiscal responsibility and about the state being more responsive to communities and the ideas that come from them. “I feel that we desperately need to restore some fiscal sanity, a little bit. So when the legislature meets again,” Noyes said, “it could be critical for Maine residents that we don’t keep digging this hole that we’re in financially and keep raising our taxes so the struggling families struggle even more.” The two answered a series of questions from Jones, then answered questions from the audience and participants via Zoom. Jones asked what they heard the most from people about what was making their lives hard and what can the legislature in Augusta do it about those issues. Both spoke to concerns about heating oil costs. Noyes spoke to the three H’s: health, home, and heat. Eaton and Noyes spoke to the burdens of families with lower incomes, with Eaton mentioning LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program). They both were in favor of free community college and trade programs. They both supported the working waterfront. Both said that data centers—such as the one proposed in Eastport, which is out of the district—should be a local decision, but neither were in favor of it. The working waterfront was supported by both. Eaton’s served on the Maine Marine Resource Committee in the legislature. She advocated a diversity of fishing resources and less of a reliance on lobstering. Shrimp, she hoped, would make a comeback. Noyes worried about out-of-state pressure on the lobstering industry, also spoke of shrimp harvesting timings, and said he supported the lobstering industry. QUICK NOTE Carrie Jones is, obviously, the co-founder of the Bar Harbor Story, which made us have a bit of a hard time putting out this story and thinking it through and how to present it. We ended up with this article. The debate in its entirety is below, many thanks to Ken and Jim for making it publicly available. UPCOMING AND PAST EVENTS The following events are or were organized by the League of Women Voters Downeast. DISTRICT 7 DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISTRICT 13 Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Candidate Forum: House District 13 125 State St , Ellsworth Featuring candidates Michael Cunningham (D) and Russell White (R), moderated by Cyndi Wood, managing editor of the Ellsworth American. DEMOCRACY FORUM Friday, Oct 16, 2026 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Democracy Forum — Election 2026: What’s on Your Ballot RECENT PRESS RELEASES AND BRIEFS To see all the press releases, click here. To see our news, click here. For the full archive, click here. All of these are on our dedicated website. [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/feeling-stressed-kids-corner-invites) [ Feeling Stressed? Kids’ Corner Invites Parents, Educators, and Caregivers to Rediscover the Joy with National Speaker Raelene Ostberg Oct 14 ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/feeling-stressed-kids-corner-invites) [ Read full story ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/feeling-stressed-kids-corner-invites) [ ](https://barharborstory.substack.com/p/mainely-meats-pink-party-for-breast) [ Mainely Meat’s Pink Party for Breast Cancer Awareness is October 18! 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But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment
Is the EU research budget actually increasing?
Is a Horizon Europe budget of €158 billion a 10% cut or a significant increase to the EU’s support for research and innovation? What would seem like a question of fact has divided opinion in Brussels since the Irish presidency of the EU Council presented its negotiation box on October 10. The answer depends on factors such as how you adjust for inflation, whether you account for increases in overall EU wealth and if you care about absolute or proportional figures. The €158 billion budget in current prices, proposed by the Irish presidency of the EU Council, was quickly criticised by university lobbies and rejected by the high-level expert group led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor. It was also decried by the four pro-European political groups in the European Parliament. “How can Europe close its competitiveness gap while cutting the European Competitiveness Fund by 13% and Horizon Europe by nearly 10%?” asked a joint statement by the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens/European Free Alliance. Together, these parties hold 63% of seats in the Parliament.In stark contrast, Irish foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said that the proposal “significantly increases investment in competitiveness, research and innovation,” Meanwhile, a presidency press release said that, compared to the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the proposal would “double the volume of competitiveness related programmes.” So, who is right? That depends on how you make the calculation.Compared to the Commission figure or the previous budget?The first thing to notice is the difference in baselines. When the MEPs say the Irish presidency will cut Horizon Europe by “nearly 10%” they are using the European Commission proposal for the MFF from July 2025, which allocated €175 billion in current prices to Horizon Europe. However, when the Irish foreign affairs minister said the research and competitiveness budget is increasing significantly, she is comparing it to the 2021-27 MFF, which had a Horizon Europe budget of €84.9 billion in 2018 prices.Her point holds when accounting for inflation. Applying a 2% annual inflation rate, the calculation method used by the Commission, the 2021-27 Horizon Europe would have a budget of €97.5 billion in 2025 prices. In comparison, the Irish presidency’s €158 billion figure in current prices translates to €140 billion in 2025 prices. Does the ECF count?But there is more to the dispute. In its statements, the Irish presidency lumped the research budget in with the overall budget for competitiveness. The Parliament statement, however, kept the two separate. This matters because the next MFF includes plans to add a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to fund programmes meant to boost the continent's competitiveness. The Irish negotiating box allocated €245 billion in current prices to this programme.When this is added to the €158 billion for Horizon Europe, as well as programmes such as the EU education programme Erasmus+, the total for “competitiveness, prosperity and security” in the Irish proposal becomes €514 billion in current prices. But it is still uncertain how big a share of this competitiveness budget would go to research. The Commission proposal of July 2025 for the MFF included clear links between the ECF and Horizon Europe, indicating some ECF money will go to research. At the same time, the structure of the ECF is still being negotiated, and a substantial part of its budget is expected to support non-research activities such as defence manufacturing, decarbonisation and digital infrastructure. Related articlesCouncil floats 9.6% budget cut to next Horizon EuropeResearch community to appeal to national governments over planned EU budget cutEU own resources ‘essential’ for future research budget, says leading MEPSo, it is by looking at competitiveness rather than research, or combining the two, that the Irish presidency can claim that its proposed budget will significantly increase investment in competitiveness, research and innovation.According to the Irish presidency proposal, Horizon Europe and other competitiveness-related programmes in the current multiannual budget received €221 billion in current prices. However, since this money is being distributed from 2021 to 2027, it is not directly comparable to the €514 billion in current prices which will be distributed from 2028 to 2034.Research as a proportion of the MFFBut the relative rise in competitiveness-related programmes points to another important distinction: whether you look at the research budget in absolute terms or as a share of the overall MFF. Here, too, the size of the research budget has risen, although only slightly. In the 2021-27 MFF, Horizon Europe accounted for 7% of the total budget. In the Irish presidency’s proposal, it amounts to 8.7%. The share for the total competitiveness envelope went from 17.7% in the current MFF to 28.1% in the Irish presidency proposal.This proportional share may seem irrelevant to universities looking for research funding, but it is becoming significant as budget negotiations between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council begin. On October 2, a group of 17 southern and eastern European countries sent out a statement calling for the EU agriculture and cohesion budgets to be protected. The Parliament’s co-rapporteur on the budget, Siegfried Mureșan of the EPP, has also said that the research envelope is likely to be cut disproportionately as the budget is slimmed down during negotiations.
Should California taxpayers chip in to fund political campaigns? Prop. 4 lets you decide
Prop. 4 proponents say allowing candidates to use public funds for campaigns will encourage more to run. Opponents say there’s little evidence.