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Hannah-Jones' Essay Sparks Debate Over Segregation and School Choice

24 September 2026 at 13:03

In an essay for New York Times Magazine (Lean Left bias), Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the 1619 Project, described how her choice to enroll her daughter in a high-poverty Brooklyn school backfired after her daughter discovered it was intentional.

The Essay: Hannah-Jones said she and her husband made the decision to enroll her daughter, Najya, in Public School 307 – a segregated, high-poverty school in New York – when Najya was in pre-K as part of an effort to help "dismantle educational inequality." Hannah-Jones wrote that she realized she'd "failed both my values and my child" after Najya, now 16-years-old, discovered her school's test scores were below-state average. According to Hannah-Jones, she believed by enrolling Najya in this school, she could help invest in the school and encourage improvements from within. Hannah-Jones compared her efforts to previous challenges against racism, segregation and inequality in educational institutions by black parents since the 1950s, but ultimately concluded that her daughter's "sacrifice could not transform a system" that remains apathetic to improving equality.

Race Isn't the Problem: An opinion in New York Post (Right) by Sam Munson argued that Hannah-Jones was wrong in assuming "whiter and wealthier schools are necessarily better ones." Munson described his kids' educational experience at a Title I, majority-Latino school as "good to excellent" and said "nebulous racists" aren't the problem with educational failure. He argued the solution is for New York to increase the number of screened schools and "raise and harden academic standards." Munson said one aspect of Hannah-Jones' assessment was correct: "The wealthy liberals who spent a decade beating their breasts about their own alleged complicity in 'white supremacy' will bear any burden and pay any price to avoid educating their children in the same schools as lower-income black and Latino kids — no matter how high-quality those schools may be."

School Choice: Billy Binion (Center) sympathized with Hannah-Jones in his Reason (Center) opinion piece, but argued she came to the wrong conclusion on school choice. Binion wrote that her "antipathy to school choice" makes racial segregation in US schools worse and that despite Hannah-Jones describing issues of school choice and lack of financial resources, the results of her experiment didn't "appear to readjust her worldview in a meaningful way." He challenged the idea that funding is the primary reason for low performing schools, instead saying it's how schools are organized, the incentives within them and the concentration of disadvantaged students. A National Review (Right) opinion writer also argued for school choice, saying that Hannah-Jones is still on the side of educators who "failed" Najya by "portraying school choice as a racist scam and complaining about a lack of resources."

Challenges of the Education System: In an opinion for Salon (Left), Alex Galbraith highlighted debates that followed Hannah-Jones ' essay, including on school choice, and pushed back against assertions that wanting the best for your child is "a betrayal of egalitarian ideals." Galbraith argued that it's easy to point fingers and claim hypocrisy, but that thinking about "the advantages and disadvantages baked into the system" that Hannah-Jones described "strays too far from the preferred framework of school choice advocates and other conservatives." An MS NOW (Left) opinion writer furthered this argument by writing that NYC public schools have "deep, relentless and intentional segregation." The writer contended that black parents are "presented with false 'choices' from the start" by having to choose in a system that "maintain[s] at least one of the three tiers of school segregation."

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Paramount Clears Final Hurdle to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

24 September 2026 at 13:03

Paramount cleared the final hurdle to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) after resolving an antitrust lawsuit delaying the acquisition.

For Context: Paramount in December launched what some called a "hostile bid" for WBD to outbid Netflix and is now set to pay $111 billion. The ordeal until Monday was stuck in litigation, with a coalition of 12 states trying to stop the deal from occurring. Paramount CEO David Ellison is expected to take control of all WBD's assets by early October, including CNN News (Lean Left bias).

RELATED: Paramount-Warner Bros Merger Could Put Bari Weiss In Charge of CNN

"Cooler Heads Have Prevailed": The New York Post (Right) editorial board said the "deal is going through—and that's a good thing," adding that the "unnecessary Paramount drama" is a "Hollywood happy ending." The board highlighted that "Left-wing activists are upset," saying "It's ironic that the same crowd that accuses President Donald Trump of trying to control the media by pulling White House access wants to control the media by controlling who owns what." According to the article, "cooler heads have prevailed, showing California still has some common sense and good will, even if they take a while to turn up."

"Reason To Worry": Opinion writer Brian Steinberg for Variety (Lean Left) said CNN staffers "thought the news giant's path to the future was becoming more clear," until a "new fog" Steinberg called the win by Paramount "set in." While "linear ratings are down noticeably from the era when it [CNN] won notice for its aggressive coverage of President Trump's first term," Steinberg asserted that the "outlet appeared to have found its groove" in recent weeks. Steinberg cited Paramount's "controversial" management of CBS News, saying it "has not been good for the business of the news unit" and gives CNN personnel "reason to worry." Since Bari Weiss took over CBS as editor in chief Steinberg explained, there has been "unnecessary scrutiny to news reports, and anchors have made public entreaties on Instagram when people post notes suggesting that Weiss' background as a digital entrepreneur and provocative opinion writer have [sic] muddied the newsgathering network."

RELATED: The Insight: Is CBS Becoming Right-wing?

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Florida and Conservative Think Tank Sue NYT, Allege Anti-Israel Bias

24 September 2026 at 13:03

The state of Florida and a New York-based think tank filed a lawsuit against The New York Times Company (NYT) on Wednesday, seeking internal documents to determine whether the company is allowing its paper to be biased against Israel.

The Suit: The suit was filed by NYT shareholders, the State Board of Administration of Florida (SBA), and the self-described "nonpartisan, free-market, independent conservative" National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) think tank.

The Demand: On May 29, the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC), acting on behalf of NCPPR, requested to examine the company's records to see whether it "failed to adequately discharge their fiduciary duties with respect to material legal, reputational, and financial risks arising from the Company's publication of factually unsupported content." The NCPPR took issue with an opinion from Nicholas Kristof titled "The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians," which it described as "controversial." The NJAC stated that the NCPPR has the right to inspect the company's records as shareholders under New York law, NY BCL § 624. The NCPPR said shareholders have been requesting the records for months. In its news coverage of the suit, The New York Times (Lean Left bias) said in August it refused to turn over the records.

Florida Context: Florida's SBA is responsible for the state's investment funds, including its pension program. The Times reported that, according to its most recent SEC filing, Florida holds about 145,000 shares of NYT. In February 2025, the Florida SBA sued retail company Target, alleging it "misled investors" with its promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Key Quotes: Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier discussed the lawsuit in a conference at Miami-Dade College and wrote on X that the suit was filed for the good of "Florida's 1.2 million public retirees." Uthmeier said the suit is not a "challenge to any certain article or editorial discretion" and that news outlets "certainly have First Amendment rights," but about "legal responsibilities and duties" to shareholders. Uthmeier said the SBA observed 72 recent errors The Times made that involved "pro-Hamas" bias and "had to be retracted." Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesman for The Times, said, "This lawsuit has no merit and was brought for an improper purpose. Although it is positioned as a corporate governance petition to inspect the company's books and records, it is a transparent attempt to exert agenda-driven pressure against an independent media organization, level false allegations of bias and chill journalism protected by the First Amendment."

Whistleblower: The Free Press (Lean Right), which AllSides has previously observed as being "very pro-Israel," reported speaking to an unnamed former Jewish Times employee. According to the suit, she had raised concerns about antisemitism and anti-Israel bias 15 times between 2019 and her March 2026 departure from the outlet. She told The Free Press, "​​The public deserves a better picture of how the Times manufactures the news when Jews or Israel are involved."

How The Media Covered It: The Free Press' coverage focused heavily on the whistleblower's account and allegations of bias at the paper. In its news coverage, The New York Times described Utheimer as "an aggressive conservative culture warrior" who is currently running to retain his post as attorney general. Reuters (Centers) argued in news coverage that the suit "escalates a growing battle nationwide over journalistic independence" and cited the recent confrontation between the Trump administration and several major news networks.

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Editor's Note: A previous version of this headline incorrectly mentioned "pro-Israel bias" instead of "anti-Israel bias." We apologize for any confusion this caused.

Stanford Used AI to Alter Race, Gender of Students in Ad

23 September 2026 at 13:02

Stanford University on Tuesday admitted it used AI to alter a photo of three students for promotional materials, including replacing a male student with a black woman and making another student appear thinner.

The Details: The Stanford Review (not rated), a student publication on campus, first reported that Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises (Stanford R&DE) had altered the photo, which was used in advertisements around the school. The original photo, taken in 2024, depicted two male students and a female student together in a cafeteria holding food trays. After the edits, all students were altered in some way; the female's face appeared thinner, one male student's hair and shirt had been changed and the other male had been replaced with a black female. Stanford said the changes violated its policies on the use of AI-generated images.

Stanford's Priorities: The Stanford Review wrote that while "this incident is humorous and generated thousands of reactions…, it offers unsurprising insight into Stanford's and its bureaucracy's persisting ideological and racial preferences." The outlet was critical of Stanford's use of AI, writing that Stanford R&DE "likely believed they were subtle enough for no one to notice." It said it will continue to monitor the university's future use of generative AI.

'Silenced and Erased': Outlets on the right and Straight Arrow News (Center) quoted Billy Ramirez, who was replaced in the photo, who said he was upset about Stanford's choice for representation. They cited him saying, "Seeing my identity changed and being left out of the picture made me feel, in a way, silenced and erased from a representation that was supposed to include me." Headlines for both the New York Post (Right) and The Post Millennial (Right) were more sensationalized and both described Ramirez as white compared to left outlets which said he was Hispanic. Despite this, their actual coverage of the photo was generally straight-forward and objective.

Diversity in Academia: The New York Times (Lean Left) said the finding comes as higher-ed weighs "how and whether to embrace diversity efforts on their campuses" due to "pressure from the Trump administration." It noted Stanford was also being investigated by the Justice and Education departments over their admissions programs and potential racial discrimination. The Times included a brief quote from Ramirez, who it specified was Hispanic, saying he was upset about being "erased," but focused more on other instances of universities changing students' races in promotions over the years.

Stanford's AI Legacy: San Francisco Chronicle (Lean Left) framed the story within Stanford's AI evolution over the years, starting with it creating one of the world's first AI labs in 1965. It quoted Ramirez calling the changes "not surpris[ing] given the culture of Stanford revolves heavily around AI usage." The Chronicle also noted instances of other universities using AI to create promotional materials.

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Texas and California Find Common Ground on Data Center Limits

23 September 2026 at 13:02

Texas and California displayed some common ground recently with both states implementing limits on data center development.

"Not Exactly Surprising": Business Insider (Lean Left bias) highlighted the common ground found between California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), saying the regulations are "Finally something" the states can agree on. The article said "It's not exactly surprising to see the two political adversaries set their sights on the same target, given that it's become a nonpartisan political issue," adding that "Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about the impacts of data centers, and Americans across the country have turned out to protest proposed developments."

"Angers Texas Communities": "Simply put, Texans must come first" according to Abbott. The Texas Tribune (Lean Left) highlighted Abbot's statements, saying his move "to stop issuing new permits for data centers" comes "as rapid data center development statewide angers Texas communities ahead of Abbott's November reelection bid."

"Backlash And A Pivot": CalMatters (Center) said that "Newsom clamps down on California data centers as voters turn against the industry," explaining that he "signed seven data center bills into law on Monday." The outlet highlighted that Newsom "contrasted the new regulations with President Donald Trump's hands-off approach to data centers and artificial intelligence." However, the article also mentioned that "Newsom's signature on the new laws represents a significant departure from his actions on data centers last year," adding that the "pivot from his [Newsom] own past vetoes" came after "facing growing public backlash."

RELATED: The Insight: The Data Center Dilemma

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Mississippi Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone in Death of Nolan Wells

23 September 2026 at 13:02

A grand jury in Mississippi determined that there is no evidence to warrant charges against individuals for the death of Nolan Wells, a college student who was found dead after a Fourth of July boating trip and party on an island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Outlets on the right tended to highlight the effects of rumors and judgment against Wells' friends who were subject to investigation, while outlets on the left focused on the potential influence of race and racism on the investigation.

The Details: Nolan Wells, who was black, was found two days after he was last seen at the party, and autopsy reports show his death was "consistent with drowning." A separate autopsy conducted by a forensic pathologist Wells' family hired found bruising on the back of his head, though it was not enough to determine a cause of death. The grand jury found that the condition of the body and other evidence was not enough to indicate criminal conduct.

For Context: A witness testified that he saw Wells slip off the side of the boat the afternoon of the trip but that he did not appear injured. His friends, who are white, later left the island without Wells, claiming that he stayed behind to talk to a girl. Wells' phone was still on the boat when it left. Wells' family has pushed back on the investigation and the jury's decision, and his mother said, "How can a jury come to the conclusion of drowning, despite knowing that there was trauma to his body, and despite hearing many inconsistencies?"

How the Media Covered It: Fox News (Right bias) wrote that Wells' friends were "cleared" by the grand jury and that their lawyers intend to "hold the accusers accountable." Fox quoted one of the friends' attorneys, who said, "This story involves two tragedies. The death of Nolan Wells is a tragedy. So too is the way his friends, his community and his state were maligned by unscrupulous charlatans and grifters who spread false and malicious lies." Associated Press (Lean Left) repeatedly suggested that there was "rampant speculation and suspicion" around the investigation as people "grapple[d] with Mississippi's history of racial tension and what it means to be a Black person in a majority white setting." NewsNation (Center) quoted heavily from the grand jury's report as well as the district attorney for Mississippi's 19th Circuit Court District, who said, "There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan's disappearance and death were racially motivated… Nolan chose to stay on the island that day, and there is not a scintilla of evidence to contradict that."

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Fox News Joins ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC in White House Press Pool Boycott

22 September 2026 at 13:02

ABC News (Lean Left bias), CBS News (Lean Left), Fox News (Right), and NBC News (Lean Left) pulled themselves from the White House television pool on Monday after President Donald Trump banned CNN (Lean Left), MS NOW (Left) and Politico (Lean Left) from White House coverage.

For Context: The banned outlets filed a retaliatory lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, saying, "There will be no replacement pool put in place," and asserted in a joint statement, "The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting."

Trump's Reasoning: Trump alluded to slander and libel when justifying his initial stance on Friday. He argued, "Media outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the president of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America." He furthered this opinion on Monday: "The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish. It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America."

Plaintiffs' Argument: The plaintiffs asserted in their lawsuit, "This ban could not be a more direct assault on the First Amendment… No official can deprive Plaintiffs of [their journalistic] interests on a whim – with no notice, no process, and no warning – as the President did here." They alleged three First Amendment violations:

  • Due Process: "CNN, MS NOW, Politico, and their journalists have liberty and property interests in their press credentials and the access those credentials afford to the White House grounds to report on the President and his administration. The ban deprives them of those interests without meeting the bare minimum requirements of due process: advance notice based on clear standards and an opportunity to be heard."
  • Protected Research and Speech: "The ban retaliates against protected newsgathering and speech… The President's statements make clear he implemented the ban to coerce more favorable coverage."
  • Nonpublic Forums: "It bars CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from a nonpublic forum [which] may not discriminate based on viewpoint and must be reasonable in light of the purposes of the forum. The President's ban brazenly discriminates based on editorial viewpoint[s]."

Media Comparisons: The Daily Wire (Right) gave voice to Vice President JD Vance, who echoed Trump's argument on Monday: "Compare, let's say, Politico to Breitbart [Right]. If you actually look at the objective analysis, Politico is as anti-Trump as Breitbart was anti-Obama or anti-Biden. Now, why on God's green earth would Trump be expected to give Politico special access when nobody in the media expected the Biden administration or the Obama administration to give Breitbart special access? It's about basic fairness. They can still report. They still have the access to free speech. They're just not going to get an office in the White House anymore… unless, of course, they start behaving like real news organizations."

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Trump Announces US Security Agreement With Denmark and Greenland

21 September 2026 at 13:02

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have entered into an agreement to give the US control over security in Greenland, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social. 

Military Expansion: Under the deal, the US will be able to boost its military presence in Greenland while blocking US adversaries from establishing bases. Trump announced the agreement Friday, saying "no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval." Trump also said the new agreement will come at "no cost" to Americans. Denmark and Greenland officials said the deal doesn't give the US ownership of the island, an aspiration that Trump has previously stated to acquire Greenland. Denmark acknowledged that the agreement will strengthen regional security.

China and Russia: Under the deal, non-NATO states won't be able to build bases in Greenland or make investments that "could threaten the United States," according to Al Jazeera (Lean left). That means China and Russia will be blocked from establishing bases or sending troops to Greenland, a US official said, per the media outlet's report. Mikkel Olesen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told Al Jazeera the move isn't a major shift because "the Danes and Greenlanders never wished for Russia or China to have bases in Greenland."

Next Steps: All three governments are expected to sign the deal next week during the United Nations General Assembly, according to multiple reports. However, parliamentary action is still needed by Danish and Greenlandic officials before it can be enforced.

Right and Left Coverage: Media coverage from most outlets was consistent with the details. The Associated Press (Lean Left) focused more on the negotiations behind the agreement and the broader political context surrounding Trump's foreign policy. The New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted the terms of the agreement and Trump's statements about expanded US control and military presence in Greenland.

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Clavicular Charged With Rape and Drugging in MA - The Bulwark

22 September 2026 at 13:02

Gen Z influencer Clavicular has been charged with criminal rape and drugging of a minor, according to a new report from The Bulwark (Left bias). Clavicular's team told several publications that "The Bulwark is exaggerating."

The Report: The Bulwark said it obtained court records that showed the influencer – real name Braden Peters – was charged on Sept. 8 for an incident that happened on May 23, 2025, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. An arraignment is reportedly scheduled for October 14.

Clavicular's Response: Mitchell Jackson, a representative for Peters, told NBC News (Lean Left), "Braden Peters has not been physically served. As usual the Bulwark is exaggerating." Peters' attorney told TheWrap, "We are aware of the complaint recently filed against Mr. Peters. These are allegations only and remain unproven. Mr. Peters denies the claims and disputes the characterization of events. He will respond through the appropriate legal channels and intends to vigorously defend himself. We will not comment further at this time."

For Context: In April, Peters was sued in Florida by influencer Alorah Ziva – real name Aleksandra Vasilevna Mendoza – who accused him of battery. In the suit, she reportedly alleged that in 2025 he arranged for her to travel to Cape Cod and had sex with her while she was intoxicated. NBC News said online court records it reviewed don't indicate whether the newly reported charges are related to the allegations in the suit. After The Bulwark published its report, Peters wrote on X, "Trying to get my attention in anyway possible, a lawsuit? Seriously… really petty of you."

How The Media Covered It: The Bulwark published its report on the evening of Sept. 21. The story was not widely covered as of early Sept. 22, though several big mainstream outlets that often focus on pop culture stories covered it. The Bulwark and TheWrap (Center) both prominently described Peters as "right-wing." The New York Post (Right) described Peters as a "controversial 'manosphere' streamer" and "infamous 'looksmaxxer.'" Several outlets, including NBC News, TheWrap, TMZ, and The Hollywood Reporter (Lean Left), reported speaking to a representative for Peters.

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ICE Shooting of Venezuelan Immigrant in Texas Prompts Protests

22 September 2026 at 13:02

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and wounded a Venezuelan immigrant on Sunday in Austin, Texas. Media outlets across the political spectrum have reported varying details about his immigration status and reported on emerging protests in the city.

The Details: Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was delivering food for DoorDash when he was shot by an ICE agent. Though few details about the shooting have been officially released, New York Times (Lean Left bias) reported that the ICE agent was with other agents checking license plates when they discovered Garces Perez had a deportation on file. The officers pulled him over and told him they were going to arrest him, and he fled in his vehicle. A short chase ensued, with details unclear if Garces Perez was shot while inside his vehicle or if he was on foot. Garces Perez was reportedly not the target of investigation before the encounter with the agents.

Where Is He Now? Garces Perez told The Times that he was transported from the hospital to a detainment center and that doctors did not remove the bullet from his back before he was removed from the hospital. Garces Perez's attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said that the bullet was not removed because it was too close to his spine. She also claimed on X that her client "received no pain medication and had to sleep on the floor."

What Is Garces Perez's Immigration Status? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that Garces Perez "illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal." However, his attorney wrote that he has a legal work permit and entered the country through a legal port of entry and has applied for asylum. According to Newsweek (Center) and New York Times, Lincoln-Goldfinch said that Garces Perez had changed his address in immigration court, but his hearing notice was still accidentally sent to the wrong address, resulting in him missing his appointment. She wrote on X, "I see this all the time in my practice and it's a mistake we can easily correct."

Resulting Protests: Fox News (Right) wrote that a "crowd of angry demonstrators" gathered near the scene of the incident and that they "hurl[ed] obscenities and clash[ed] with authorities." According to Fox, videos of the scene showed people "holding up their phones and carrying flags." Fox highlighted perspectives from Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), who demanded "a full, independent investigation and the immediate release of body-camera footage" and called the incident part of a "disturbing pattern" from ICE. Fox also included a reaction from Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who said that "the war is the one being waged against Americans through mass legal & illegal immigration."

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Lindsay Clancy Holdout Juror Speaks Out: 'I Didn't Have Any Doubts'

21 September 2026 at 13:02

Michael Desronvil, the lone juror who blocked clearing Lindsay Clancy of criminal responsibility via an insanity verdict, has spoken out after his identity was made public and he has faced threats.

The Juror: Desronvil's identity was made public by The Boston Globe (Left bias) on Sept. 14. The Globe's report followed a report from NBC 10 Boston (Lean Left), which said Desronvil, 48, was previously charged with domestic violence. NBC 10 chose not to reveal his identity.

His Position: Desronvil's lawyer, Edward Paltzik, provided a short statement on his behalf to several media outlets. He said, "I didn't have any doubts. As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence present. Based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses, and what the prosecution presents, I thought it was enough proof that she (Clancy) knew exactly what she was doing and planned." Clancy's defense argued Desronvil was not following the law of reasonable doubt and asked the judge to remove him from the jury, but the judge declined.

Public Backlash: Since his identity was revealed, Desronvil has reportedly faced doxxing and death threats. Paltzik, who has previously represented President Trump in defamation suits against various media outlets, said he is "presently safe and sound at an undisclosed secure location in a rural area of Northern New England." The New York Post (Right) highlighted a report from the YouTube channel FugitiveTV that claimed Desronvil said he believes he is being targeted for harassment because he is a black Republican with conservative views. According to Paltzik, he supports President Trump and was the only nonwhite juror. A fundraiser set up for Desronvil on GiveSendGo has raised $369,000 as of early Sept. 21. At the same time, a GoFundMe campaign for Clancy had raised over $1.2 million.

For Context: Though Clancy admitted to killing her three young children in 2023, her defense has argued that she was enduring mental conditions that rendered her legally inculpable. Due to the lack of a unanimous verdict prompted by Desronvil's stance, the case was declared a mistrial earlier this month.

RELATED: The Insight: How the Lindsay Clancy Case Became a Misinformation Chamber | AllSides

Conservative Support: Conservatives have generally framed Desronvil more favorably and come to his defense. Fox News (Right) host Kayleigh McEnany said, "You should be able to do your civic duty—do it heroically in this country—and not have to flee your home." Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said, "Thank you, Michael Desronvil. A true hero. God bless this man." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his state would "provide asylum" for Desronvil if necessary. Associated Press (Lean Left) noted that Desronvil was "praised by some conservative pundits as a hero."

Media Framing: Outlets from the left were more likely to prominently highlight Desronvil's previous domestic violence charge and that a teenage family member placed a restraining order on him in 2025. Though on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, several days after Desronvil's identity was made public, outlets across the spectrum published features that highlighted potential negatives that could arise from this. NBC News (Lean Left) quoted a few legal analysts who said they believe the public reaction could have a negative impact on the US legal system.

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Ukraine Hits Moscow Oil Refinery and Apartment Building in Largest Drone Strike Yet

21 September 2026 at 13:02

Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones at Russia on Sunday, hitting a key oil refinery and a residential building.

The Details: As of late Sunday night local time, three were killed and 20 injured, according to the Governor of Moscow Oblast, Andrey Vorobyov. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 450 drones heading for the city were shot down. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv hit a "key" Russian oil facility and logistics site in Moscow Oblast. Reportedly, at least two of the deceased were civilians, and three children were among the wounded. Sobyanin said Kyiv launched over 1,600 drones at Russia this weekend – a strike media outlets are saying is Ukraine's largest yet. According to BBC News (Center bias), the oil facility Ukraine hit supplies Moscow Oblast with over a third of its fuel.

Videos Online: Videos emerged on social media of the strikes. One that circulated widely showed a drone hitting a residential building, causing significant damage. Others showed what appeared to be warehouses and other structures on fire. BBC said it verified several videos circulating online.

For Context: Over the past month, Ukraine has ramped up its drone attacks deep into Russia. Overnight into Sunday, Russia struck Ukraine with drones, killing three children and a woman, according to Governor of Kyiv Oblast Tymur Tkachenko. Sunday was also the final day of parliamentary elections in Russia. Late on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he agreed to meet with President Donald Trump in New York. Earlier this month, Trump administration officials traveled to both Moscow and Kyiv to meet with each country's respective leaders regarding a potential ceasefire.

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum reported the same numbers and details in their stories, with a lot of reports relying on the claims of Moscow Mayor Sobyanin. Outlets included different pieces of context at the end of their articles, though. For instance, the Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) included more details on other regions in Russia that were hit, while CNN (Lean Left) included details on the extent of Russian strikes on Ukraine over the past month.

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Trump Bans CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House 'Effective Immediately'

19 September 2026 at 13:01

President Donald Trump banned CNN (Lean Left bias), Politico (Lean Left), and MS NOW (Left) from the White House "effective immediately" via Truth Social on Friday.

Trump's Announcement: "I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MS NOW [and] Politico… from the White House as a result of their constant 'reporting' FAKE NEWS! Media Outlets shouldn't be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they're covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow."

The Outlets' Responses: CNN asserted, "We have a right under the US Constitution to do that reporting without hindrance or interference from the government." The outlet reported, "There was no indication his administration had taken any steps to follow through. CNN's team remained at the White House Friday afternoon," and said, "Should the ban which President Trump threatened go ahead, it would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally-protected right." Politico similarly stated that it "will continue to fairly report on this White House and future ones [and] vigorously defend our First Amendment rights against any attempt to restrict them." MS NOW declined to issue an initial comment.

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum were critical of Trump's announcement. HuffPost (Left) called it "further escalation in his ongoing war against press freedom" and labeled the three news outlets as "credible." New York Post (Right) – though it didn't criticize the announcement or support the outlets as staunchly – said, "The prospective order has major practical implications – potentially upending the long-standing ability of reporters to gain access to the White House." It gave voice to a Fox News (Right) correspondent who denounced Trump's apparent agenda but noted, "It was unclear whether Trump intends for the outlets to [lose their] special access to the president or [be] banished altogether from the White House grounds — though the president indicated he favored the latter… Trump himself admitted his proposed restrictions might not hold up in court."

For Context: The White House attempted to ban Associated Press (Lean Left) from the Oval Office over the outlet's refusal to use "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico" in 2025. Some outlets on the right, such as Fox News and Newsmax (Right) sided with the outlet, and the case remains ongoing.

RELATED: White House Blocks AP from Oval Office Over 'Gulf of America' Stance | AllSides

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New Report Accuses ActBlue of Fraudulent Donations and Misleading Congress

18 September 2026 at 13:02

After receiving new documents, three House Republican-led committees released an updated report on the investigation into the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.

The Report: The new report released on Wednesday accused ActBlue of covering up fraudulent political donations and lying to Congress about its security policies. The report said that "ActBlue, in its own words, decided to take 'a more lenient approach' to fraud prevention in 2024," and "internal trainings directed ActBlue's fraud prevention team to 'look for reasons to accept contributions' rather than to examine them closely for indicators of fraud." The report also alleged that ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones misled Congress, and that the company appeared to be "knowing and willful in accepting foreign contributions." The report also highlighted internal ActBlue email and Slack communications that allegedly show the organization engaged in whistleblower retaliation.

RELATED: ActBlue CEO Pleads Fifth 21 Times in Congressional Probe on Alleged Illegal Donations

"Should Send Shockwaves": Townhall (Right bias) highlighted recent reporting that showed "an elderly Michigan woman made 15,000 donations totaling more than $150,000 to various candidates," adding that the "woman — who lives in a trailer on a fixed income — denied making those donations." The findings of the report, according to Townhall, raise questions over "How much questionable money made it through" and "who will be held accountable," adding that the "report should send shockwaves through the Democrat Party."

"Escalating Efforts": AllSides did not find any outlet from the left covering the report. However, The Washington Post (Lean Left) published an article the same day the report was released highlighting a law firm representing ActBlue presenting evidence to congressional investigators to show that the platform did not mislead Congress. The article said that the platform "has been embroiled in years of GOP investigations" and "is escalating efforts to clear its name." However, "GOP lawmakers weren't convinced," according to an unnamed Republican, who said ActBlue's new review was a "self-serving analysis." The article highlighted that "ActBlue and its supporters have painted the Republican probes as baseless and politically motivated," but also noted that in 2025, ActBlue lawyers informed the organization that CEO Wallace-Jones "may have misled Congress in her response because the steps for vetting foreign donations were not always followed."

"Warnings Weren't Heeded": The New York Post (Right) highlighted some of the policies used by ActBlue "with barely the appearance of proper vetting," which, according to the article, "let overseas money illegally flow to US campaigns and causes." A policy for passport verification, according to the report, uses "some very basic validation—number of characters—to ensure that the number entered is a valid passport number, but we do not verify the information in any other way." The article also noted that in early 2025, "lawyers for the platform had resigned" after claiming that "their warnings about the lax fraud safeguards weren't heeded."

"Pulls Back The Curtain": Daily Caller (Right) called ActBlue a "Democratic fundraising behemoth," saying that "the company may have recklessly laundered foreign money into American elections" and "CEO Regina Wallace-Jones may have perjured herself when she told Congress the platform is secure." The article explained that "When attorneys voiced concerns that the company may have broken the law, Wallace-Jones and others in ActBlue leadership simply retaliated against them." The outlet highlighted the running tally listed on the ActBlue's website, "shows the liberal money machine has raised nearly $20 billion as of Thursday," adding "How much of that enormous tranche originated abroad remains a complete mystery." The article said the "new congressional report pulls back the curtain" on Democratic fundraising.

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Rising Gas Prices Prompt Midterm Speculation, Criticism of Trump

18 September 2026 at 13:02

Gas prices increased to a national average of $4.44 on Thursday, with diesel fuel prices averaging at a record $6.40. The price surge prompted media speculation about if prices will continue to increase, how Trump has responded, and how this could affect midterm elections.

The Details: AAA found that national gas price averages increased from $4.31 to $4.44 since Sunday, with prices ranging from $3.92 per gallon in Indiana to $6.09 in California. Prices are still below the all-time national high of $5.02 per gallon in the summer of 2022 under President Biden. Average diesel prices are at the highest the US has seen, according to AAA.

For Context: The Hill (Center bias) and other outlets framed the gas price surge as a result of the U.S. war in Iran and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key waterway for more than a fifth of the world's oil distribution. Washington Post (Lean Left) reported that damage inflicted on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline could create a larger oil disruption that could further surge prices. The Post also alleged that "maritime tracking organizations say that far less oil is getting through the Strait of Hormuz than the Trump administration claims."

Trump's Response: President Donald Trump said that the increased gas prices are "a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done. Remember that. It's a little more. Frankly, even if it was a lot more." He also said prices are "going to come tumbling down."

How the Media Covered It: The Hill wrote that gas prices "could prove detrimental to Republicans in November" and that Republicans "are grappling with how to overcome Democrats' affordability message as energy prices continue to rise." Washington Post claimed that "American motorists have paid an additional estimated $107 billion in extra gasoline and diesel costs as a result of the war." It also alleged that the federal government "has few tools left to confront the spiraling costs." New York Post (Lean Right) highlighted stickers making fun of the president that critics have pasted on gas station pumps and packages of beef, placing blame on Trump for high prices. New York Post noted that the stickers, which feature the president's face with the phrase "I did that!" written underneath, are identical to stickers used in 2022 with former President Joe Biden's face when fuel prices surged.

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Travis Kelce Among Victims in Fraud Scheme

18 September 2026 at 13:02

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was named as a victim in a multi-million dollar fraud scheme that took place between 2016 and 2023. Outlets on the right generally emphasized the perpetrator was an unauthorized immigrant while many outlets on the left omitted it completely.

The Details: Siddharth Jawahar was sentenced to 11 years in prison after taking over $35 million from investors to fund an "extravagant" lifestyle, according to the Justice Department. The department reported Jawahar used the money for "travel on private jets, stays at luxury hotels, a luxury apartment in Austin and New York City," memberships to private clubs and multiple spending sprees. He was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution to victims, which included Kelce and 64 others. It's unknown how much Kelce lost through the investments.

For Context: Between 2016 and 2023, Jawahar received more than $35 million from investors for his investment company called Swiftarc Capital LLC. According to the Justice Department, he only invested about $10 million. He also managed several additional investment entities. In January, he pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud.

Immigration Status: The Associated Press (Lean Left) cited court documents that showed Jawahar came into the US from India in 2005 and had since been living in the US without legal status. After his incitement, Jawahar allegedly tried to coach a victim into giving a favorable statement to the FBI, lied about his immigration status and finances, and tried to get his sister to remotely wipe his iPhone to hide evidence.

From the Right: Outlets on the right often emphasized Jawahar's immigration status in their headlines and at the beginning of their articles. The Daily Wire (Right bias) referred to Jawahar as "the illegal immigrant" throughout its piece. Breitbart (Right), The Blaze (Right) and Townhall (Right) all described Jawahar as an "illegal alien" in their headlines. Townhall wrote, "Democrats will tell us we can't deport illegal aliens who are non-violent. But Jawahar was a prolific criminal who scammed a lot of people, even though he looked like a banker."

From the Left: Many outlets on the left completely excluded Jawahar's immigration status, instead focusing on details of the case. This included People (Lean Left), NBC News (Lean Left), ABC News (Lean Left) and The Guardian (Left). NBC also omitted Jawahar's alleged attempt to get a victim to lie about his immigration status but noted him asking for a favorable statement and for his sister to wipe his phone. The outlet also quoted Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) who commended Jawahar's time in jail where he "chose accountability" and helped establish educational programs.

From the Center: NewsNation (Center) and Newsweek (Center) focused on Kelce's fame and his marriage to Taylor Swift. NewsNation included stats from his first NFL game of the season. Newsweek also included a section about Kelce and Swift's net worth. Both outlets also omitted Jawahar's immigration status.

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Fed Increases Interest Rates For First Time Since 2023

17 September 2026 at 13:03

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023 on Wednesday by 0.25%. 

The Details: The increase brings interest rates to between 3.75% and 4.00%. Fed's policymakers voted 12-0 for the hike and suggested one more 0.25% interest rate hike could come before the end of the year. President Trump responded on Truth Social by saying, "LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST!"

For Context: Interest rates are primarily raised to combat persistent inflation and cool down an overheating economy. President Trump has pressed the Fed to lower interest rates for years. Outlets across the political spectrum noted the decision was in response to price increases from the Iran war. The current inflation rate is above the Fed's 2% target, according to The Hill (Center bias).

US Economy: NBC News (Lean Left) said the increase "defied President Trump's wishes for lower interest rates." NBC's article painted a broader picture of the current economy, noting both the S&P 500 and Dow both closed below expectations on Wednesday, and bond yields were at their highest level in years. It noted Trump's previous calls to lower the interest rate and debunked his claims that the US has "the Best Credit in the World," saying Canada, Australia and Germany are all rated higher by S&P. NBC quoted Fed Chair Kevin Warsh saying "inflation is too high and has been for too long." It also quoted a Wells Fargo spokesperson who said Warsh and the committee were "sending a clear message that the Fed will not tolerate inflation drifting further above target."

Resilient Market: Fox Business (Lean Right) quoted the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which said, "Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace…domestic spending has been resilient. Productivity growth is strong, and capital investment is robust." FOMC noted "job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little…Today's policy action will support a timelier return to the Committee's 2% goal." It also quoted Warsh, but focused on his claims of a resilient economy, with him saying the panel "will deliver price stability" and that the decision "comes at a time when the American economy appears to be strengthening."

Trump Admin Response: The Hill quoted White House adviser Peter Navarro who it said "blasted" the Fed and called the increase "a bad decision." Navarro also accused the Fed of being politicized under Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell, and said he didn't think Warsh "was the right guy." The New York Post (Right) conversely highlighted Trump's "confidence" in Warsh despite the Fed "defying" his order. It quoted Trump saying he told Warsh, "You might as well vote with the board because it's just not going to matter." Trump also criticized the FOMC saying, "The board is very hostile. They're very political. They're doing the wrong thing. They're a bunch of politicians."

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Trump Admin Moves to Legalize Accidental Killing of Endangered Species - NYT

17 September 2026 at 13:03

The Trump administration has moved to legalize the accidental killing or injury of endangered animals, according to The New York Times (Lean Left bias).

The Details: The Times said it saw "an internal memo" sent to US Fish and Wildlife Service field offices on Sept. 14 that instructs a reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act so only the intentional targeting of an endangered animal would be considered a crime. The Times said the memo gives a few example scenarios. It reportedly reads, "A vessel that inadvertently strikes a whale has not taken it, because the vessel's course was not set against the whale." In another, it says, "Felling a tree is not a take of the bats roosting in it unless the tree is felled for the purpose of killing or capturing them."

Story Framing: The Times framed the move as a "seismic shift" that has come "quietly." It said it would be "transformative" because in the US, "the killing of endangered animals almost always happens incidentally, in the course of economic activity," and that "until now, industries and individuals could be held accountable for those foreseeable deaths and, as a result, they have been incentivized to avoid them."

Previously: Back in July, the Trump administration rescinded the Endangered Species Act's definition of "harm," making it so that destroying an animal's habitat or nest was not illegal. This prompted lawsuits from 20 states and Washington, DC. The directive also took effect on Sept. 14 and sparked some pushback in Congress. On March 31, the Trump administration voted to exempt oil and gas companies drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act.

How The Media Covered It: The Times's report was not widely picked up across the spectrum, though AllSides found coverage from Common Dreams (Left) and Newsmax (Right). Mainstream outlets have widely covered the Trump administration's July directive since it was issued, however, and continued to do so this week since it took effect.

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Massie Introduces Hegseth Impeachment Resolution, House Adjourns Early

17 September 2026 at 13:03

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday over his handling of the conflict in Iran. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced that the 7-week campaign recess will begin Wednesday, rather than the originally planned date on Thursday, delaying a vote on the impeachment until after midterm elections.

Massie's Plans to Impeach Hegseth: The Hill (Center bias) reported that Massie "hid" his Hegseth impeachment resolution from Republican leaders out of fear of subversion. Massie said, "I didn't want to show it to anybody. I was afraid that they would do something to subvert me getting on the floor for an hour and 20 minutes and reading these articles." The Hill noted that "it is unclear whether any other Republicans will join him in the effort to impeach Hegseth" and cited a variety of officials who have defended Hegseth, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson. Wilson said, "By every measurable metric, the Department of War is better under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth's leadership than before."

House to Adjourn Early: CNN (Lean Left) wrote that the House's early adjournment will "stave off" a vote on impeaching Hegseth. CNN claimed that Republican lawmakers were already "in a dour mood" over contentious political issues such as tariffs and artificial intelligence before the "new headache" of Massie's resolution. The outlet alleged that Republicans found a way to "stall that vote" despite Johnson's claim that the recess had nothing to do with Hegseth. New York Post (Lean Right) similarly reported that "early exit allows GOP leadership to avoid a politically dicey vote" on impeaching Hegseth.

Responses from Lawmakers: Johnson said of Massie's resolution, "It is a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention. It will immediately be tabled, of course. But we probably won't do that today, we will do it when we come back. We should not be playing games with national security." The Post quoted Massie's X post about the recess, where he wrote, "And there it is. Just as I predicted. They're canceling Congress tomorrow to avoid the vote on IMPEACHING [Hegseth]. It will also make it harder for us to reach 218 signatures on the Epstein Discharge Petition before the election. We were at 190+ signatures last night."

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Report: Median Household Income Reached Record High in 2025

16 September 2026 at 13:02

The median household income reached $87,460 in 2025 – the highest on record, according to the Census Bureau on Tuesday.

The Data: Poverty rate also declined to 10.2%, according to CNN (Lean Left bias). The $87,460 median income, which is adjusted for inflation, is the highest since 1967 when the Bureau first started tracking it. According to the report, the uninsured rate was around 7.9% and the poverty rate for children also fell a percentage point to 13.4%, CNN reported.

Different Demographics: The Hill (Center) reported that different racial groups experienced growth at different paces. It wrote, "Median income rose 3% for white households, but 4.8% for Black households" between 2024 and 2025. It noted that despite this growth, black households (which made an average $59,980) make less than other households on average. There was no change in 2025 for Asian ($126,300) or Hispanic ($73,260) households, according to the outlet. The median income for white households was $96,710. Wall Street Journal (Center) highlighted the gains among women, which grew about 3.2% to $60,760 in 2025. Men didn't see an increase and remained around $72,380.

A Reflection of Good Policy: The National Pulse (Right) wrote that the figures "highlight stable economic progress" in the first of President Trump's second administration. It mentioned the impacts of the One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) haven't been included and described the initiatives in the OBBB as tackling waste, fraud and abuse within government systems. Washington Examiner (Lean Right) reported that the number of Americans with health insurance coverage was relatively unchanged "despite Democrats' concerns." It focused on how this may be used by Democrats and Republicans ahead of the midterms and included that the uninsured rate has been dropping since 2010.

Cuts to Safety Nets: New York Times (Lean Left) focused on the poverty data, saying it "does not capture many of the changes enacted" in the Big, Beautiful Bill, which included "substantial cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other government aid." It reported the number of people were "shielded" from poverty in 2025 and said the number of those in poverty may increase in coming years. It also wrote that the "fairly stable headline numbers in the reports mask some concerning signs below the surface."

Affordability: Outlets across the political spectrum noted that even as income rose and inflation lowered, Americans still faced financial struggles. The Hill noted that mortgage rates have been rising, and that the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.71% in Sept. The Times said Americans were "anxious" about grocery prices, housing and child care costs, gas prices and inflation "eroding workers' paychecks." Washington Examiner reported that 4 in 10 uninsured US adults said it was somewhat difficult to afford their health insurance premiums.

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