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The Beclowning of Scott Bessent
One iron law of current politics is that nobody who associates themselves with Donald Trump emerges with a shred of credibility. For some, that’s not a big loss — it’s not as if anyone respected Pete Hegseth even before he decided that the key to military success in an age of drones and AI was more testosterone. For others, however, the costs are real. I’m old enough to remember when Marco Rubio was widely considered a reasonable, thoughtful politician. Right now, however, my candidate for the biggest loser is Scott Bessent, the Secretary of the Treasury. Bessent started out with significant reputation to lose: When Trump selected him, this was the headline in the Financial Times: Jason Furman, Barack Obama’s chief economist, described him as a “credible Treasury secretary who has a real understanding of the global economy”. But Bessent has now transformed himself into the Baghdad Bob of bonds. Three weeks ago, after intervening (for reasons that remain somewhat unclear) to support the Japanese yen, Bessent boasted about his ability to move markets and dared investors to bet against his, declaring “I am the house now.” He then tried to push long-term interest rates down, buying 30-year U.S. Treasuries in a move some have compared to paying down part of your mortgage by running up your credit card balance. Here’s how that’s going so far: To get some perspective on how high interest rates have gone, here’s a longer-term perspective: We haven’t seen interest rates this high since the fading days of the dotcom bubble. Why are interest rates hitting new records? The backdrop, as I argued in last Sunday’s primer, is the huge AI-driven investment boom; more on that next week. But the immediate cause of the latest interest rate spike was Trump’s rejection of an Iranian proposal to end the war. This rejection sent crude oil prices, which for a while had fallen considerably, shooting back up: It’s notable, by the way, that oil prices remain high even though a significant amount of oil is now being shuttled through the Strait of Hormuz by night, on smaller vessels. That’s an interesting story, which has a lot to do with the fact that oil from the Hormuz shuttle runs must be transferred to larger vessels before being shipped to markets in Europe and Asia; around 15 percent of the world’s large crude carriers are now parked off the coast of Oman, waiting to be tanked up. This is creating a shipping crunch: But that’s a topic for another day. For now, the point is that with oil still high and refined products, especially diesel, still close to record levels, inflation will remain elevated. And this in turn means that the Federal Reserve will keep short-term interest rates high, an expectation that is feeding into longer-term rates. Hence Bessent’s bond-market humiliation. The truth is that Bessent might not have been able to get interest rates down even in the best of circumstances. But he certainly won’t get anywhere as long as Trump keeps believing that he can somehow convert his Iran debacle into a triumphant victory. And Trump will keep believing that as long as he is surrounded by sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear. Sycophants like, for example, Scott Bessent, who is predicting the imminent collapse of the Iranian economy, possibly within two weeks. Bessent is right to say that the embargo on Iranian oil exports is placing the country under great economic strain. But his implicit prediction that this will quickly produce a deal that Trump can call victory looks no more plausible than his boasts about the bond market. The big question now is, why would anyone with a reputation to lose work for Donald Trump? As the beclowning of Bessent shows, joining the Trump team won’t just damage your reputation; it will utterly destroy it.
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
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms - Nation and World News | Hawaii Tribune-Herald
About 8,000 lawfully present Pennsylvania immigrants face Medicaid health insurance terminations on Oct. 1
New federal Medicaid eligibility cuts for immigrants, including refugees and asylees, were passed by Congress and President Trump.
What Kind of Research Do You Do?
A proposed taxonomy of research could help both funders and universities determine the best way to support different kinds of research.
Analysis | Democrats coalesce around a message about the cost of corruption
Their message accuses Republicans of flagrant corruption, tying the attack to the billions President Donald Trump has made during his second term.
US-Iran talks continue, but ‘deal unlikely’ before midterm elections
China offers 15-year research grants to the world’s brightest young scientists
Agency offers scientists under 35 long-term financial backing with no short-term performance reviews but demands physical lab presence.
Trump government ads draw scrutiny weeks before midterm elections
Taxpayer-funded ads featuring Trump, including spots celebrating a "golden age of America" and one with a chorus singing "love me" on repeat, are drawing bipartisan criticism and legal questions.
AB Science’s “Calendar Update” Is a GCP Inspection Disclosure in Disguise
AB Science buried a five-inspector "for cause" GCP inspection inside a financial calendar update. Masitinib's ALS trial and three terminated studies deserve a…
AI, outrage, walls and killing — a busy week
Like most older folks, I’m a tad nervous about the whole artificial intelligence trend. But don’t worry, everything will be OK because our current president, obsessed with gold-trimmed minutiae, gave a speech at the United Nations, of all places, to announce we should now stop using the term “AI” and start using “SI” for “super […]
U.S. Senate passes Ted Cruz’s college sports bill that seeks to rein in NCAA “chaos”
The bill, which would regulate NIL deals and athlete revenue among other sweeping changes, now needs to clear the House. The lower chamber is out until after the midterms.
Hegseth directs military to defend US midterm elections from foreign interference
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memo directing the military to defend the US midterm elections from foreign interference, the Pentagon said Monday.
Senate Resoundingly Approves Sweeping College Sports Measure
The outlook for the legislation, which seeks to stabilize the unsettled collegiate sports landscape, is uncertain in the House. It was one of the last congressional actions before the midterms.
PSA? Scott Jennings struggles to explain what public service Trump’s midterm ads serve
President Trump, his family and his businesses have made large amounts of money since he returned for a second term
President Trump, his family and his businesses have made large amounts of money since he returned for a second term
How a Planned Steel Mill in Iowa Reveals Trump’s Midterm Strategy
As President Trump travels the country, he is expected to focus on his economic accomplishments at a time when Americans have expressed deep frustration with his policies.
What If the Coffee Grounds We Throw Away Could Help Insulate Our Homes?
The grounds left behind from your daily cup of coffee could one day help insulate buildings. Scientists transformed spent coffee grounds into biodegradable biochar insulation that performs about as well as commercial foam. The material could give mountains of coffee waste a useful second life while helping reduce energy use. Now, researchers are working to determine how well it holds up over time.
Toward a post-Trump politics
From the clutter of midterm election poll results, it’s possible sometimes to see new patterns of political support emerging. The overall pattern, as it stands, makes some sense. As in the 2006 and 2018 off-year cycles, the Republican president’s job approval had sagged to well below 50%. Polls at this point in the year showed […]
Political parties emphasize outreach as headquarters prep for midterm election
PADUCAH — With less than 40 days until the 2026 midterm election, local political party headquarters in the region are preparing to get voters out to the polls.
NY1 Exclusive: Brooklyn Dem chair backs out of party race
After months of infighting, the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, told NY1 she will not be seeking another term.
UConn is giving CT students a science project to address air quality
Student-built air purifiers can partially address poor school air quality, but teachers said CT must focus on a larger, long-term fix.
Paramount, states reject Booker's call for deeper review of merger deal
Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and attorneys general from 12 states are pushing back against Sen. Cory Booker's questions about how their antitrust settlement came about and whether its terms go far enough.
Record money, murky messaging: What Michigan voters should know about political advertisements
Hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured into Michigan’s midterm elections
Doval Wants Giants Reunion to Extend Beyond This Season
After a whirlwind journey, Camilo Doval returns to the Bay Area determined to reclaim his command and anchor the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen next year.
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.
Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. is running for reelection. Some Democrats are questioning whether he should.
People close to Jones have encouraged him to reconsider seeking a new term and clear the way for State Rep. Morgan Cephas to run for Council’s 4th District.
SCOTUS rules in Trump's favor, allowing an expanded online screening tool to purge some voters
What does this ruling mean for voters in Illinois ahead of the midterms? What does this mean for voting in the future?
Fact check: Trump lies again that grocery prices ‘have come way down’ this term
Facing abysmal poll numbers on inflation as the midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump is sticking to the communications strategy he tried in the summer: lie.
Food Safety Finds a Place Among ‘Kitchen-Table’ Political Issues
By Stephanie Armour The run-up to the midterm elections is turning into a food fight — literally. The summer was marred by a massive foodborne outbreak that sickened scores of people and the recall of tens of thousands of pounds of imported meat, turning the safety of the U.S. food supply into a ...
Food Safety Finds a Place Among ‘Kitchen-Table’ Political Issues
By Stephanie Armour The run-up to the midterm elections is turning into a food fight — literally. The summer was marred by a massive foodborne outbreak that sickened scores of people and the recall of tens of thousands of pounds of imported meat, turning the safety of the U.S. food supply into a ...
Josh Pate Thinks Florida Was Screwed Over in New Rankings
Despite a massive jump to eighth, critics argue the Gators' elite resume deserves more respect. A brutal October stretch will determine if Florida belongs in the playoff conversation.
NYC business leaders renew push to ease short-term rental restrictions
(The Center Square) — New York City business leaders are urging the City Council to ease restrictions on short-term rentals they say have created a shortage of temporary housing.
What’s Going On With LifeStance Health Group (LFST)?
LifeStance Health Group (LFST) has drawn fresh attention after recent trading left the share price at $11.84, with performance over the past week and month moving in different directions. Short term momentum for LifeStance Health Group has cooled, with a 7 day share price return of down 6.6% and a 30 day share price return of down 3.8%. However, the year to date share price return of 70.1% and 1 year total shareholder return of 118.5% still signal a sharp re-rating as investors reassess both...
In Mike Johnson's district, the political mood is mixed for the GOP
Johnson is an ally of President Donald Trump and is in no apparent danger of securing a sixth term in Congress. But high prices, the war in Iran and the dim economic mood provide a snapshot of the grim outlook for the party in power.
New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Rebecca Bennett clash in debate
The 7th Congressional District, which includes Trump’s Bedminster golf club, has changed party control in each of the past two midterm elections, making it a magnet for campaign spending and a political barometer.
A Trump adviser tells CNN the midterms are ‘going to be f-ing rough.’ Here’s how they’re trying to blunt the damage
12 moves that illustrate the brazenness of Trump’s second term
When the Trump administration began running taxpayer-funded “public service announcements” that looked suspiciously like campaign ads for President Donald Trump last week, the White House gamely maintained they were “very clearly not campaign ads.”
Trump ignites outrage from political world by ‘stealing’ from taxpayers to fund ad campaign: ‘Completely illegal’
Experts rail against ‘corrupt’ use of public dollars for ‘political propaganda’ ahead of midterm elections
Blumenthal, Lamont: Trump blocking CT grants for political reasons
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Gov. Ned Lamont complained Friday that the Trump administration has yet to release federal energy grants terminated a year ago on the basis of whether the recipients were in states won by Kamala Harris in 2024 and are represented by Democratic senators.
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 ...
Trump paying for political ads with taxpayer money?
Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for the president to win over voters, promote his agenda, and make a last-ditch push to win the midterms.
Trump administration uses taxpayer money to air 2024 Trump campaign ad
A television advertisement from Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign is the latest in a series of ads promoting the president ahead of the midterms that the White House maintains are “public service announcements.”
Trump administration begins airing 2024 Trump campaign ad
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is using taxpayer funds to air a television advertisement from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in the latest in a series of ads promoting the president ahead of the midterms that the White House maintains are “public service announcements.” The 30-second video, which is virtually identical to one that […]
California coalition trains thousands of election monitors ahead of midterms
Organizers say they’re concerned recent federal actions could discourage some people from voting
Trump uses taxpayer funds for another TV ad, warns of 'final battle'
President Trump launched a second taxpayer-funded television ad ahead of the midterm elections, this one warning of a \
Newcastle Confirms Coca-Cola Partnership Agreement
Newcastle United continues to expand its commercial operation, with the club looking to strengthen revenue streams and broaden its reach beyond matchday football to eventually compete on equal financial terms with the Big Six. The club has confirmed a multi-year partnership with Coca-Cola, which becomes Newcastle’s official soft drinks partner and the presenting partner of […]
Congo Ebola outbreak tops 8,000 cases as health worker shortages worsen
According to data from the Africa CDC, the current outbreak has outpaced the two-year West Africa regional outbreak in terms of spread in the same time.
Rob Dillingham's Hornets Future Already Looks Uncertain After Trade
Rob Dillingham will miss Hornets media day, and Jeff Peterson reportedly gave little indication that the newly acquired guard will remain in Charlotte long term.
THE WEEK OF SEPT 28, 2026
- Trump backs off NIH grants takeover - Dem says climate program boss illegally appointed - Congress in final sprint before midterms
As Congress debates college sports, athletes-turned-senators like Eric Schmitt get in the game
The Protect College Sports Act is on the brink of passing in the Senate, where a handful of former college athletes who are now senators on both sides of the aisle have an extra say in the debate. Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, is determined to get it passed.
Ohio elections are secure ahead of midterms, officials say
The Buckeye State is under more intense scrutiny than usual this election, with several close races.
DR Congo Ebola emergency: Calls grow for urgent humanitarian access
Aid teams trying to keep deadly Ebola disease from spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are increasingly concerned about ongoing fighting and violence that has forced thousands of people to flee a displacement camp in the vast, resource-rich east of the country.
Dakota State University awarded $1M to strengthen rural healthcare cybersecurity
DSU’s new CyberRx SD will help South Dakota healthcare providers modernize technology, protect patient data and build long-term digital resilience.
Risk Of Death, Major Disease High Following Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Sept 28, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes dramatically increases a person’s short-term risk of death or life-threatening illness, a new study says. Within five years of their diagnosis, patients with type 2 diabetes have a 33% increased risk of ...
Inter Move Ahead of Milan for Cagliari Forward Paul Mendy
Inter have reportedly moved ahead of Milan in the race to sign Cagliari forward Paul Mendy, with the 2007-born attacker attracting interest from both sides of the city. No terms with Cagliari have bee...
Trump and Xi's 'stalemate' summit was a glitzy gift to China
The limited outcomes reinforced a view that Xi sees little reason to grant Trump major political victories ahead of November's midterm elections.
Democrats keep coming to South Carolina to stump for midterm candidates. It's all about 2028
Democrats are flocking to South Carolina to campaign for midterm candidates, even though Republicans dominate state politics.
Democrats Keep Coming to South Carolina to Stump for Midterm Candidates. It's All About 2028
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — On paper, South Carolina might be an odd place for Democrats to converge to campaign for midterm candidates. Republicans dominate state politics, and there's slim chance of that changing this year. But South Carolina is also the first state in Democrats' next presidential ...
September 28 Playbook: Vaccination Regulations Rescinded
Reignited public outrage toward restrictive pandemic-era policies. This is the PoliticsPA Playbook. ☕ Good Morning. 36 days until the midterms. Let’s go. 🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. I Love It. Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX PA Weather☁️ Pittsburgh | Cloudy, 68☁️ Harrisburg | Cloudy, 70☁️ Philadelphia | Cloudy, 67…
Blumenthal, Lamont: Trump blocking CT grants for political reasons
Blumenthal and Lamont say $53 million in Connecticut energy grants remains withheld after court rulings found the terminations were illegal.
‘Voters are angry’: Pollster Frank Luntz breaks down the coalition of voters to watch for in the 2026 midterms
How the Donovan Mitchell, James Harden contracts shaped Cavs offseason
Donovan Mitchell immediately signed a long-term deal to silence questions about his future. James Harden allowed the team to wait. Both were crucial.
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms
Corporate donors to President Donald Trump's ballroom and participants in business deals brokered by Trump family members are expected to be among the first targets of investigations if Democrats take control of the House or Senate.
Democrats to probe lucrative Trump family business deals if they win midterms
WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Corporate donors to US President Donald Trump's ballroom and participants in business deals brokered by Trump family members are expected to be among the first targets ...
Who’s Winning the Race for Congress?
It’s Sept. 28 — 36 days away from the midterms. Here’s the state of play.
How voting rights restorations could impact the midterms
Geography, voting patterns and time all may mitigate the political parties’ ability to capitalize on a new well of potential voters to draw from.
Newcastle eye highly-rated Morocco international Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
The Magpies are tracking Rennes’ breakout defensive star as they plot a long-term backline overhaul, facing stiff competition for the imposing Mohammed VI Academy graduate.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Plans $3.97 Billion Refinancing. Can It Buy More Time?
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) launched a $2 billion offering of first-lien notes due 2031 and an $850 million first-lien term-loan syndication on September 21. It also secured a conditional commitment for a $1.12 billion second-lien term loan, dependent on completion of the first-lien financing and other conditions. The proposed $3.97 billion package would replace […]
Brookfield Business (TSX:BBUC) Rebound Hopes Meet A Fair Value Reality Check
Brookfield Business (TSX:BBUC) has been drawing attention after its share price closed at CA$35.96, with recent returns showing mixed momentum over the past week, month, and past 3 months for investors tracking the stock. For context, Brookfield Business is coming off a weak stretch, with the share price down 27.31% year to date and 15.15% over the past 3 months. However, the 3-year total shareholder return of 84.94% still points to a much stronger longer-term outcome than the recent pullback...
In Washington's political cauldron, a fight over foie gras
Donald Trump could become a lame duck president after US midterm elections but prospects at the ballot box are looking brighter for ducks of the feathered variety.
In Washington's political cauldron, a fight over foie gras
Donald Trump could become a lame duck president after US midterm elections but prospects at the ballot box are looking brighter for ducks of the feathered variety."There are more pressing issues like ...
'Pseudo-journalism': Partisan 'news' sites target US midterms
It bills itself as an "independent journalism" outfit, but the innocuous-sounding North Carolinian is among hundreds of partisan sites that researchers say masquerade as local news outlets in battlegr...
WHO recognizes healthy, innovative cities across the Western Pacific Region
Nine Healthy City champions from across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region received special recognition at an awarding ceremony during the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities in Sydney, Australia.The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has presented the Healthy Cities Recognition Awards every two years since 2004 to celebrate innovative and impactful city-led initiatives that improve the health and well-being of urban populations.Eight cities received awards for their best practices, and one National Forum received the WHO Regional Director’s Special Award in recognition of its long-standing leadership in advancing the Healthy Cities movement.Awardees were selected through a rigorous evaluation process and recognized for demonstrating measurable, innovative and sustainable approaches to health challenges faced by cities.Remarking on the significance of the awards, Dr Huong Tran, Director of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control at the Regional Office, said that, “There is no single blueprint for a healthy city. What works in one context may need to be adapted to another. But by sharing our experiences, including what worked, what was challenging, and what we learnt along the way, we can help one another move faster and further.”Award-winning cities and initiativesThis year's awards recognize outstanding city-led initiatives that have demonstrated measurable impact, innovation and sustainability in advancing health initiatives for urban populations.Baguio City (Philippines) – Data for equity: informing action, improving healthDr Donnabel Tubera-Panes, City Epidemiologist – Medical Officer IV of the Health Services Office accepted the award on behalf of Baguio City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisBaguio City was recognized for developing a pioneering Livability Index that provides village-level data across all 128 barangays (villages), enabling evidence-based planning and more equitable allocation of resources. By integrating community participation and institutionalizing the index within city planning and budgeting processes, the city has demonstrated how data can drive action to reduce health and social inequities.Eunpyeong-gu (Seoul, Republic of Korea) – Communities living in vulnerable situations: advancing health equity through community engagementVice Mayor Honourable Ahn Hyoung Jun accepted the award on behalf of Eunpyeong-gu. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisEunpyeong-gu was recognized for its inclusive health equity programme supporting vulnerable populations, including isolated older adults and LGBTQI+ communities. Through peer-led community networks, social cooperatives and inclusive service design, the district has strengthened access to care, promoted social inclusion and advanced community ownership of health initiatives.Madiun City (Indonesia) – Adapting and mitigating climate-related crises: building heat resilience and preventing flood-related health risksMs Yuni Dwi Purwani, Secretary General of the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies, accepted the award on behalf of Madiun City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisMadiun City was recognized for its SUPERMIE (Sustainable Public Environmental Management Initiative) – a community-based environmental governance model that addresses urban flooding, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The initiative contributed to reductions in flood-prone areas, greenhouse gas emissions, diarrhoeal disease and dengue fever, while at the same time improving food security through neighbourhood food gardens. The programme has already been replicated in 15 cities and regencies across Indonesia.Macao Special Administrative Region (China) – Protecting communities from tobacco and alcohol-related harms: tackling commercial drivers of riskDr LO Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau, Macao SAR, China accepted the award on behalf of Macao. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisMacao SAR was recognized for implementing a comprehensive and integrated approach to tobacco and alcohol control. Through legislation, monitoring systems, enforcement, public awareness campaigns and multisectoral partnerships, the programme has strengthened protection against major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and established a model that is highly transferable to other urban settings.Phnom Penh Capital City (Cambodia) – Safe, active and health-enabling transport: advancing health and reducing inequities in urban mobilityH.E. Khoung Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh Capital City accepted the award on behalf of Phnom Penh Capital City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisPhnom Penh received the award for its Safe School Zone Project, which combines infrastructure improvements, speed management, enforcement, education and stakeholder engagement to protect children and communities. The initiative has demonstrated measurable reductions in crashes and vehicle speeds while providing a scalable model for safer urban mobility across the country.Quezon City (Philippines) – Transforming food environments: addressing policy, market and urban design drivers of health and nutritionMs Jirah Asa M. Sideco, Chief of the Nutrition Section of the Quezon City Health Department accepted the award on behalf of Quezon City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisQuezon City was recognized for its public food procurement policy that promotes healthier diets through government-run institutions and feeding programmes. Supported by strong policy frameworks and monitoring systems, the initiative improves access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations while serving as a benchmark for other local governments.Samarinda City (Indonesia) – Preventing violence and promoting gender equality: transforming urban systems, norms and spaces Mrs Rinda Wahyuni, Chairperson of Samarinda Healthy City Forum accepted the award on behalf of Samarinda City. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisSamarinda City was recognized for its multisectoral approach to preventing violence and advancing gender equality. Responding to local evidence on violence against women and children, the city has positioned violence prevention as a public health priority, bringing together health services, schools, social welfare institutions, law enforcement, civil society and community leaders to strengthen prevention, reporting, survivor-centred support and legal protection. Through inclusive policies, community engagement and sustainable city financing, Samarinda has developed a locally owned and scalable model for creating safer, more equitable and inclusive urban communities.Singapore – Age-friendly cities: transforming systems to bridge generations for a healthier tomorrowDr Tan Weng Mooi, Director, Integrated Health Promotion, accepted the award on behalf of Singapore. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisSingapore received recognition for its Healthy Precinct Framework, which translates national healthy ageing priorities into neighbourhood-level action. The initiative integrates preventive care, social support, service coordination and age-friendly environments while actively engaging older persons, caregivers and community organizations. Its expansion across multiple precincts demonstrates its scalability and long-term sustainability.WHO Regional Director’s Special AwardNational Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies (Indonesia)Ms Yuni Dwi Purwani, Secretary General of the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies, accepted the award on behalf of the National Forum. Photo credit: Maria BoyadgisThe WHO Regional Director's Special Award was presented to the National Forum for Indonesian Healthy Cities/Regencies (FKKSI) in recognition of its long-standing leadership in advancing the Healthy Cities movement across Indonesia. As a national platform bringing together local governments, communities, academia and civil society, FKKSI has played a critical role in promoting collaboration, capacity-building, knowledge exchange and advocacy. Its efforts have strengthened and institutionalized healthy urban development nationwide and established a model for multisectoral engagement in the Region. Healthy Cities for allThe 2026 Healthy Cities Recognition Awards highlight how cities can lead transformative action on health by addressing climate change, inequity, ageing, nutrition, mobility, social inclusion, violence prevention and the commercial determinants of health. The recognized initiatives demonstrate that local governments, communities and partners can work together to create healthier, safer and more resilient urban environments for everyone. As urban populations continue to grow across the Western Pacific Region, WHO remains committed to supporting cities in advancing health, equity and sustainable development through the Healthy Cities approach and the Alliance for Healthy Cities. ###Note to editorsSince 2004, the WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Awards have provided a platform for cities to share innovative and effective approaches to improving health and well-being. The awards recognize achievements in areas including climate resilience, healthy ageing, health equity, gender equality, tobacco and alcohol control, urban mobility, nutrition and data-driven governance. In 2026, more than 150 submissions were received from cities and local governments across the Western Pacific Region. The titles and affiliations of awardees are presented as they were at the time the photo was taken.______________For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific: wprocom@who.int
Sen. John Fetterman speaks with Major Garrett about midterms, political future
Art that serves others: How a Harnett County muralist is making a lasting mark in her community
Van Goat Studios, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself and reflect the spirit of local communities through murals. Photo provided by Elyse Johnson.Elyse Johnson of Van Goat Studios in Dunn wants to spread her artistry and make a lasting mark in her community. Van Goat, which has been operating since 2019, has allowed Johnson to express herself through murals and decorating electrical boxes in the urban landscapes of North Carolina. On top of traditional mural painting, Johnson offers what she calls “portable murals,” an option tailor-made for structure owners who do not want to commit to a design for their wall.“A contractor builds a framed piece of wood, and then they can frame the ‘mural’ onto the wood, whether it’s into their building, whether it’s interior or exterior,” Johnson said. The beginnings of Johnson’s journey into establishing Van Goat Studios reflect the teachings she wants artists to take away today: everything is a learning opportunity. When she started Van Goat, she shared it was a joint venture with a business partner. “I mainly did that because I didn’t feel like I was ready to go and do this on my own,” Johnson said. Her business partner eventually dropped out of the project, deciding she wanted to pursue other forms of art. That is when Johnson was thrust into growing her business on her own during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had built up my confidence enough to go out and reach new heights,” she said. “And I was probably one of the few that benefited from COVID.”The moment presented a silver lining for Johnson. One of her first projects was a Farmers Day mural for the town of Coats. “When COVID-19 hit, Coats was not able to hold their annual festival, so they had a little bit of savings. They decided they wanted to do something for their community without getting anyone sick,” Johnson said.From there, word of mouth spread. Now, Johnson has an organic way of approaching projects. “Like a lot of muralists, if I feel inspired by a building, I will just go up and talk to that building owner and tell them a mural is something they should consider,” Johnson said. But above all, Johnson says she wants art to be accessible to everyone. Johnson said she is trying to stick to projects that benefit “the little guys.” “I’m not trying to go for a project in downtown Raleigh to get the eight-foot-tall building,” Johnson said. “I’m not trying to go to those major cities and get those huge buildings for two reasons: one, I don’t want to go that high; two, my passion really lies with the small guys.” But due to financial constraints and the material reality of art commerce, that requires open communication, she added. “I don’t want to just snowball you with this huge price, and then you just shut me down because it wasn’t what you were thinking,” Johnson said. “At the same time, I am an advocate for the arts, so I’m not going to give you a $10,000 mural when you’re only going to pay $5,000.” There is a healthy balance in explaining the artistic process and working with clients and the surrounding community, Johnson said.“Your municipality invested this, and this is why they invested this, and this is how it’s going to help and improve your community,” she noted. “Same thing when I’m talking to a small business. You asked for me to come at you with this that is outside your budget. How do we make this still your same exact goal, but within your budget lines?” Johnson also provides lessons to aspiring artists. She does so with a mission: how do you master the balance between being a great artist and a competent business owner? “We still do art lessons, but I’m also going to give you business scenarios,” she noted.One of the scenarios she has come up with for her students is a T-shirt competition. “The kids have to think about ‘okay, I can’t just draw whatever I want on a T-shirt. I need to think about what colors Miss Elyse likes. What does Miss Elyse’s logo look like? What would Miss Elyse like?’” Johnson said. “So the design needs to be around that kind of concept.” As Johnson looks toward the future of Van Goat Studios, she is thinking of time, longevity and succession. Johnson is a new mom, which she said has shaped how she sees the future of the studio.“I still want my name and my business out there continuing, so that when my daughter is of age and she can be more independent, then I can be out there doing more and more,” Johnson said. “I would love to get a student to pass this on to, or an intern. I would love for this business to be passed on to the next generation and let them go.”
Taxpayer-funded Trump ads draw bipartisan scrutiny ahead of midterms
TV ads featuring Trump are expanding nationally, prompting bipartisan questions over whether they comply with restrictions on taxpayer-funded publicity.
Trump administration begins airing 2024 Trump campaign ad in latest taxpayer-funded messaging
The Trump administration is using taxpayer funds to air a television advertisement from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in the latest in a series of ads promoting the president ahead of the midterms that the White House maintains are “public service announcements.” | 830 WCCO
Trump administration begins airing 2024 Trump campaign ad in latest taxpayer-funded messaging
The Trump administration is using taxpayer funds to air a television advertisement from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in the latest in a series of ads promoting the president ahead of the midterms that the White House maintains are “public service announcements.”.
Trump administration begins airing 2024 Trump campaign ad in latest taxpayer-funded messaging
The Trump administration is using taxpayer funds to air a television advertisement from Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in the latest in a series of ads promoting the president ahead of the midterms that the White House maintains are “public service announcements.”.
Fetterman Says Democratic Senate Takeover Is Possible, Puts Off His Own Political Plans
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said Democrats could retake the Senate in the midterms, but he's holding off on his own political plans.
Republican senator criticizes White House for taxpayer-funded Trump ads
John Kennedy pushes back against such spending as pro-Trump ‘public service announcements’ air before midterms
John Fetterman accidentally calls himself a 'lifelong Republican' at Texas Tribune Festival
John Fetterman accidentally called himself a "lifelong Republican" at the Texas Tribune Festival, sparking laughs before clarifying his Democratic ties.
Following the Dollars in American Politics
Money plays a powerful—and sometimes difficult to understand—role in American elections. Voters regularly hear terms such as campaign committees, PACs, Super PACs, independent expenditures, and issue advocacy. However, it is
Sen. Kennedy urges Trump to focus on affordability, address nation on Iran ahead of midterm elections
Napoli reach agreement to extend Rrahmani contract until 2029
Napoli have agreed terms with Amir Rrahmani over a new deal, with only the official announcement outstanding.According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Kosovo international has reached an agreement with Aureli...
Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane discusses city funding and school plans
Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane will seek re-election in November following an eventful first term shaped by budget battles and public safety issues.
Cook Political Report founder: House is a ‘done deal’ for Democrats, reclaiming Senate ‘very realistic’
Cook Political Report founder Charlie Cook on Sunday said that it has been a “done deal” conclusion that Democrats are likely to retake the House after the November midterm elections, w…
Venezuela releases dozens of political prisoners as election calls grow
A slew of dissidents being released from long-term detention comes days after the nation's interim leader met the US president.
Lifelong Management of Chronic Equine Health Conditions
How veterinarians define long-term success when curing the disease is not an option.
Shirley Weber explains why she should be reelected as California's Secretary of State
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber reflected on her tenure and outlined her vision for a second term in an interview on California Politics 360.
Why a spacecraft exploring moons where life may thrive is zipping by Earth
Sent to determine what conditions hypothetical life would face deep in the solar system, “Juice” must first make two more passes of everyone’s favorite inhabited world.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: Great sound, incredible battery life, and few compromises
I spent the last few weeks with the Sennheiser Momentum 5 to determine if this pair actually stands out, testing everything from sound quality and noise cancellation to comfort and battery life.
Sen. John Fetterman says it's "entirely possible" Democrats take back Senate, says "let's revisit after the midterm" on his plans
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said that it's "entirely possible" his party wins control of the Senate in the midterm elections, while leaving the door open on his own political future.
Oscar Health (OSCR) Stock Looks Cheap Relative To Its Earnings Path
Oscar Health has been on a powerful run in recent years, yet the real question for you today is whether the current share price lines up with what its earnings story can reasonably support. The stock has also seen shorter term pullbacks, which makes the earnings backdrop even more important for anyone trying to judge what they are actually paying for. Over the past 3 years the stock has delivered a very large gain of about 4.3x, which puts a lot of weight on whether the underlying earnings...