Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on August 18 aimed at placing new restrictions on data center construction in the state.

The Details: In summary, the Governor's Press Office says Shapiro now requires prospective data developers to legally bind themselves to new state guidelines regarding "energy affordability, community engagement, workforce and economic development, transparency, and environmental protection" that give "local municipalities a greater say over development in their communities."

Key Quote: Shapiro said, "Over the past year, I've listened to the people of Pennsylvania… My message to data center developers is clear: if you can't agree to our strict requirements and get the community where you want to build to say 'yes,' you're not going to have the Commonwealth's support either. These are some of the biggest companies in the world – they can afford to be good neighbors."

Data Centers in PA: Data centers have been a particularly controversial issue in Pennsylvania over the past year. In December, Emerson College polling found that 42% of Pennsylvanians opposed them being built in their neighborhoods, with women opposing them more than men. Quinnipiac University polling published in July found 74% of registered Pennsylvania voters opposed data centers being built in their neighborhoods. The same polling found 34% of registered voters disapproved of Shapiro's handling of data centers, with 24% approving, including 40% of Democrats.

RELATED: The Insight: The Data Center Dilemma | AllSides

Political Context: Back in June, Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced a bill in the US House aimed at curbing "large corporations' ability to litigate and attempt to overturn local decisions regarding data centers." Shapiro will face Pennsylvania's Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race in November and currently holds a significant lead in the polls. After signing the order, Garrity called on Shapiro to return $5.7 million in campaign contributions he received from donors involved in AI and data center construction. Philadelphian outlet Broad + Liberty (Lean Right bias) highlighted this in a headline.

Fetterman's Take: Days after Shapiro signed the order, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) wrote on X, "AI supremacy and energy dominance underpins our national security. China continues to fuel and benefit from our overreaction. I reject the political pandering and hyperbole over data centers or AI doomsdaying." The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) said Fetterman, whom it described as "one of the more centrist Democrats" has "consistently pushed back against such data center and broader AI doomerism throughout the summer, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been forced to take a policy position on an issue that's both new and subject to shifting public opinion."

RELATED: The Wall Street Journal Has a Strong Pro-Data Center Bias | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum framed the move as a change of course for Shapiro, with many highlighting that last year he touted Amazon's decision to spend $20 billion on data centers in Pennsylvania. An analysis from Axios (Lean Left) said his pivot "says plenty about the evolving politics of AI" and noted that he is "in the 2028 presidential mix." Chris Kelly of Pennsylvania's Scranton Times-Tribune (Lean Left) said for Shapiro, "any association with the data center invasion would be a heavy burden" on his presidential hopes. Kelly added, "Some may forgive Shapiro for his earnest early cheerleading for data centers, but no one should forget it." Salena Zito of Townhall (Right) called Shapiro's order "striking and a reversal of evolution in the state's approach." She said data centers have "become the boogeyman in the wings of both parties" and called for "neither fear of the industry nor unconditional approval of every proposal."

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More than 150 wallets on Polymarket International are thought to be involved in insider trading on US military information, according to a report by the Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC).

The Details: ACDC found 556 accounts that it referred to as "Orcas," which it said typically opened accounts within days of a successful longshot bet and won big in niche markets. Of these, 152 of them placed longshot bets in military and defense markets, winning $8 million collectively at an average win rate of 97.2%, according to Reuters (Center bias). According to the report, those are the wallets most likely to be trading military secrets. CNN (Lean Left) reported that prior to the report's release, Polymarket referred "dozens" of accounts to the Justice Department for investigation into insider trading.

For Context: There have been several instances of suspected insider trading on prediction markets over the last year. In March, bets on a five-day pause on strikes on Iran and a US-Iran ceasefire deal made anonymous users roughly $580 million and $820,000. In April, a US soldier was charged with using classified information to bet on the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January.

RELATED: The Insight: The Rise of Prediction Markets

How the Media Covered It: Reuters was the first to report on the ACDC report. It framed the finding within other suspected military insider trading this year. It also cited ACDC concerns of copycat trades by bots and "deep-pocketed" users. CNN and the Washington Examiner (Lean Right) both covered Polymarket reporting the accounts to the Justice Department. CNN cited comments from the Polymarket Founder and CEO about the company's efforts to crackdown on insider trading. The outlet wrote these "haven't stopped investigators getting involved" and noted Polymarket is currently subject to lawmakers imposing regulations. 

The Washington Examiner was the only right-leaning source AllSides only found coverage from.

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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly broadcasted "Where and how should we kill Barron Trump?" on Iranian state media and allegedly placed a $10 million bounty on the 20-year-old's head.

The Details: The three-minute video, also translated to "Where to kill Barron Trump," said President Donald Trump's son is "fully monitored." It claimed to have tracked his Secret Service and escort vehicles' positions, as well as his Xbox, FIFA, and Discord accounts. The video, broadcast on Iranian state television's Channel 3, also alleged that "a girl" spied on Barron and leaked private information from an unspecified meeting. It concluded, "This is just the beginning! Barron Trump, wait for us!"

Similar Campaigns: The IRGC-linked outlet Tasnim News Agency (not rated) released the video "Where to Kill Melania?" in July, calling on "freedom fighters" to target the first lady's location. (The title is according to New York Post's [Right bias] translation. Euronews [Center] translated the title to "Where and how is Melania Trump accessible?").

The state also released a video called "Where to Kill [Donald] Trump?!," and it allotted a billboard in Tehran's Islamic Revolution Square that read "We will kill Trump" and depicted Trump dead in a coffin. Additionally, the US Secret Service is reviewing another video that claimed to show the president's travel paths.

RELATED: Israeli Officials Tell US That Iran Plans to Assassinate Trump | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum said they could not independently verify the legitimacy of the bounty. Israeli media such as The Jerusalem Post (Center bias) and The Times of Israel (Center) highlighted the story.

New York Post framed Iran's future in the conflict with the US pessimistically, highlighting, "Ahead of the Trump administration's rollout of crippling measures, Iran's currency, the rial, plunged to a new low, trading at roughly 1.5 million rials to the dollar." It also gave voice to Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said last week, "No matter how much military power we have, if people are hungry and we do not have financial circulation and economic growth, we will not endure."

Euronews highlighted Iranian-run media commentators who justified the threats against President Trump under Islam's "qisas" rule. Mohammad-Javad Larijani, for example, said, "We will do whatever is in our power, and there is no international legal barrier to stop us." The outlet also cited Trump's January comment that the US would "wipe the Islamic Republic off the face of the Earth" if the state carried out threats to take his life.

RELATED: Trump Reportedly Switched Aircraft Amid Iranian Assassination Threat | AllSides

For Context: The Post reported, "Recently, Trump has been ratcheting up his pressure campaign on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiling an 'economic D-Day' plan to decimate Tehran's economy." The president posted to Truth Social Monday, following the reports about Barron, "IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!!" However, Raw Story (Left) highlighted, "Trump has frequently claimed that Iran was nearing collapse."

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary. Image Credit: @IsraelWarRoom/X via New York Post.

Editor's Note: a previous version of this summary inaccurately implied that Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel are funded by Israel's government. 

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) expanded access to abortions and transgender treatments on Thursday.

The Details: The new law expands shield laws for those seeking abortions and transgender treatments in the state, and it criminalizes "intimidation" and "interference" of services. Sherrill signed the bill, S2260/A2218, into law at a Planned Parenthood in Montclair, New Jersey, after it passed 25-15 in the Senate and 55-23 in the General Assembly in June. In a press release published on Thursday, she touted her administration's $52 million directive for abortion services in fiscal year 2027.

Could People Be Arrested For Praying Outside Abortion Clinics? The law specifically criminalizes "the intimidat[ion of a] person from becoming or remaining a patient, provider, volunteer, or assistant of reproductive healthcare services, if the conduct would cause a reasonable person to be intimidated."

While administrative spokeswoman Maggie Garbarino said the law doesn't prevent "lawful, peaceful protest or the exercise of constitutionally protected speech," she asserted that it does prevent "violence, threats, intimidation, physical obstruction, [and] property damage." But New Jersey Right to Life Director Marie Tasy contested the subjectivity in the law's wording: "Peaceful sidewalk counseling, prayer, holding signs, or simply offering help and alternatives outside a facility can easily be labeled 'intimidation' by someone who claims to feel threatened, leaving pro-life advocates open to criminal charges that are difficult to disprove and chilling constitutionally protected expression."

RELATED: Which Should Receive Funding: Planned Parenthood or Pregnancy Resource Centers? | AllSides

Is It Easier To Get An AR-15 Than An Abortion In The US? Sherrill claimed, "In the past four years, 13 states … have enacted [near] total abortion bans. It's easier to get an AR-15 in the United States than it is to get an abortion."

While each state includes nuanced legislation for both gun and abortion laws, the data is roughly as follows:

• 27 states have virtually no restrictions on AR-15s; 30 states have virtually no restrictions on abortion before "viability"
• 12 states have partial restrictions on AR-15s; 2 states have restrictions after 12 weeks gestation and 5 states have restrictions after 6 weeks gestation
• 11 states have near-total restrictions on AR-15s; 13 states have near-total abortion restrictions

RELATED: Biden Admin 'Weaponized' the FACE Act: DOJ Report | AllSides

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President Donald Trump said the US will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported over the next three months to help lower prices, but some Republicans and cattle advocates criticized the move as harmful to American ranchers.

The Details: Trump said importers had agreed to sell the beef at 25% below current market prices, according to multiple media reports. The White House stated that Trump plans to sign an executive order on the tariff waiver within two weeks. His announcement did not identify the companies or foreign exporters involved. 

"Today, I concluded a deal to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families," Trump said via Truth Social. "This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again."

A Dispute Over the Herd: The National Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized the move, saying increased imports would not help rebuild the US cattle herd. CEO Colin Woodall said, "flooding the market with government-subsidized, below-market beef is not the way to rebuild the American cattle herd." Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., also warned that the policy could make it harder for ranchers to rebuild their herds.

Why Prices Are High: US beef prices have risen in 2026 as the cattle herd has fallen to its lowest level since the 1950s. The decline has been linked to years of drought, high feed costs and herd reductions. Imported beef already makes up part of the US supply, with much of the beef used for grinding coming from Australia and Brazil, according to economist Altin Kalo. The impact on grocery prices remains uncertain. Kalo told CNBC that imported beef is already selling at a steep discount and that the tariff has not been a major issue for importers.

How the Media Covered It: CNBC (Lean Left bias)  and Newsweek (Center) both highlighted GOP criticism of Trump's plan, specifically concerns about its impact on US ranchers. CNBC focused more on opposition from the cattle industry and uncertainty over whether the move will actually lower prices. Newsweek emphasized the political implications of high beef prices ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Newsmax (Right) presented the policy more favorably, emphasizing Trump's claim that it will lower prices while giving ranchers time to rebuild the US cattle herd. 

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After a week of negotiations that initially resulted in the delay of a 50% American tariff on Canadian goods, talks have collapsed, and Canada is set to implement a matching tariff on $20 billion of US products beginning on September 8.

Inside Scoop: Politico (Lean Left bias) said it interviewed "more than a dozen current and former Canadian and US officials, lobbyists and business groups" and reported that the deal "buckled under a combination of last-minute demands and political constraints on both sides." It added, "US officials blamed Canada for introducing new asks late in the talks, including seeking lower tariffs on heavy trucks, while Canadian leaders – including Prime Minister Mark Carney – pointed the finger at turf wars within the Trump administration over who controlled key pieces of the deal."

US Statement: The Office of the US Trade Representative said, "Despite the U.S. offer to Canada to receive the best treatment of any major exporter to our market, new demands and walk backs of other commitments by Canada have upended the careful balance reached in the past days… This week, the United States agreed to provide even better treatment to Canada, offering significant tariff reductions on steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber." It called it a "missed opportunity" that "would have led to supply chain coordination on aerospace, complementary actions to address unfair trade practices, critical minerals cooperation, increased enforcement against imports produced with forced labor, and the announcement of formal U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiations."

Canadian Statement: Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "For over a year, Canada has worked intensively and in good faith with the United States to negotiate a new comprehensive trade deal. We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. Our goal has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame. Late last evening I instructed our negotiators to return to Ottawa. We cannot accept what the U.S. has offered, and we will not give what they have asked."

For Context: In 2025, US trade volume with Canada was over $700 billion, down from over $900 billion in 2024. During Trump's first term, his administration, alongside Canada and Mexico, replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with a new trilateral free trade agreement, the USMCA. Last month, the Trump administration declined to renew the USMCA and said it would pursue independent trade deals with each country.

Perspectives: An opinion by Steve Verheul, Canada's former chief trade negotiator, published by the Canadian outlet The Globe and Mail (Center), said the collapse "has left Canada in a difficult position, with uncertain and challenging times ahead" but "agreeing to the deal the U.S. was offering on Friday night would have been worse." An opinion published by The Washington Post Opinion (Lean Right) called the development "the latest sign that President Donald Trump's bulldozer approach to remaking the nation's trade relationships may be reaching its limits."

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has faced calls for new elections as his office faces corruption allegations, though he has expressed opposition to the idea.

The Catalyst: In July, Zelenskyy fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who many major mainstream outlets have described as "popular" within Ukraine. Fedorov had only served in his position for six months, and the firing prompted protests in Ukraine. On August 18, Fedorov called for elections in a YouTube video that Reuters (Center bias) described as a "bombshell" and "first such demand by a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia launched its full-scale invasion." Fedorov said, "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia. We must find a legal, safe and realistic mechanism that will allow Ukraine to renew its full democratic process even in the conditions of a long war." CNN (Lean Left) described Fedorov's address as "remarkable."

Corruption: A day after Fedorov posted his speech, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched a money laundering investigation into banks and lawmakers. Investigators say they found a scheme to misappropriate over $3 million to post bail for a former energy minister who was being investigated for money laundering. So far, a former lawmaker has been taken into custody, and Zelenskyy's deputy chief of staff, Iryna Mudra, was charged with money laundering.

New Comments: Zelenskyy replied to the calls for elections on Sunday and said, "I believe that if we want to destroy the country, then we can move towards elections during this kind of war." Also on Sunday, Fedorov told BBC News (Center) that Zelenskyy should be questioned on potential corruption in his inner circle, though he said he has never seen Zelenskyy engage in corrupt activities. He also said, "Not a single time have I received from him any task or assignment that would go against law or my sense of integrity."

Past Corruption Context: In November 2025, two of Zelenskyy's top ministers resigned after NABU and another corruption watchdog uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme. The investigation came four months after Zelenskyy attempted to neuter the watchdogs' powers but faced pushback from the EU and Ukrainian people.

Past Democratic Context: In December 2025, President Trump called for elections in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he was "ready for elections" once the US and EU made security guarantees to Ukraine. In 2024, Zelenskyy fired his top general, Valery Zaluzhny, who had become increasingly popular with Ukrainians, prompting protests.

How The Media Covered It: Last week, when Fedorov released his address, an analysis from CNN opened by saying "a wartime president for six uninterrupted years must take many unpopular decisions," and framed elections as a difficult task that could lead to the defeat of Ukraine. Michael Brendan Dougherty (Lean Right) of National Review (Right) described Fedorov as Zelenskyy's "first serious political challenger" whose popularity is "likely" what prompted Zelenskyy to fire him. Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) highlighted framing and analysis from major mainstream Western outlets that suggested Zelenskyy may be "losing grip on power."

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a $400 million settlement with TikTok on Friday.

The Details: The settlement, involving TikTok, its parent company ByteDance, and the companies' affiliates, "resolv[es] litigation concerning compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA)," according to the DOJ's press release. It marks the end of a 2024 lawsuit initially filed by the Biden administration and is reportedly "one of the largest recoveries ever obtained in a COPPA case."

Assistant Attorney Gen. Brett A. Shumate said the settlement "secures a significant monetary recovery and reflects the Department's commitment to ensuring children receive the full protections that Congress mandated."

The department reported, "Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly."

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) prior consent decree against Musical.ly suggested the company collected minors' personal information without parental consent, resulting in a $5.7 million fine. The TikTok litigation similarly involved allegations of COPPA violations by circumventing parental consent to collect personal information from users under 13 years old.

The department specified in its statement, "The claims resolved by the United States in the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability."

How The Media Covered It: Initial coverage of this story was largely similar across the political spectrum, and outlets on both the left and right republished Reuters' (Center bias) report. The Verge (Lean Left), Reuters, and Fox Business (Lean Right) all noted that TikTok did not immediately respond to their requests for comment. However, Fox was the only outlet of the three to highlight that the Biden administration spearheaded the lawsuit – a fact omitted in the DOJ's press release.

For Context: The DOJ's release stated, "Since the Justice Department filed its complaint in 2024, TikTok has undergone significant changes to its ownership, management, compliance functions, and privacy practices. The company has implemented extensive measures designed to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls, and enhance parental oversight."

The US and ByteDance announced a joint-venture deal on TikTok in January, granting the US majority ownership of the platform in compliance with President Donald Trump's executive order from September. Read more about the deal here.

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A Missouri judge ruled Wednesday that the state's referendum process can't be used to block legislature-drawn congressional maps, allowing a recently implemented map that is expected to favor Republicans to remain active for the November midterm elections.

The Details: Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green ruled that the referendum provisions in Missouri's constitution don't apply to congressional redistricting. The ruling struck down a suit from The People Not Politicians (PNP) coalition. The case involving referendum use can now move to the state's Supreme Court.

For Context: The maps were already used in primary elections earlier in August. Then, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected a citizens' petition that sought to bring the maps to referendum and reportedly had over 300,000 signatures. In May, the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the new map and rejected an argument that said submitting referendum petitions should automatically suspend the new map. Missouri's redistricting is part of a broader wave of recent redistricting efforts by both Democrats and Republicans.

Key Quotes: Green wrote in the ruling, "The Missouri Constitution does not supply any statement – let alone a clear one – reallocating authority over congressional redistricting away from the General Assembly to a referendum process." PNP Executive Director Richard von Glahn said, "The most important thing that happened today is that there was a ruling. The state has tried to slow down the judicial process for months and now that we are out of Cole County, the real decision will be made. Our case now moves forward."

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum framed the new map as favoring the GOP, but outlets from the right explicitly wrote in headlines or opening lines that the new development is a "win" or "victory" for Trump and Republicans. Outlets from the left and center more often framed the map as "backed" by or "favoring" Republicans.

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President Donald Trump announced "Economic D-Day" against Iran and its allies Wednesday as many debate who controls the Strait of Hormuz.

Evidence Is Clear: CNN Business (Lean Left bias) opinion writer David Goldman said the "focal point of the Iran war" is "the battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz." The article explained that the "competing rhetoric" between Iran and the US has "caused considerable confusion and doubt." However, according to Goldman, "the evidence is clear" showing that "The United States, patrolling the strait with its navy, is gaining ground—and Iran is losing much of its control of the critical waterway." Goldman, as evidence cited Kpler, a service tracking ships via both transponder and satellites, saying that "more than 80% of liquids transits" through the strait over the last two weeks have utilized the Omani route or have been "dark" transits, meaning they turned off their transponders. Head of crude oil analysis at Kpler said "It increasingly looks like Iran has at least partially lost control of the strait." Goldman mentioned Trump saying that the US has "total control over the strait," and asserted that while this is not true, Iran also does not have total control.

'In Price, Is Knowledge': Bloomberg (Center) opinion writer Javier Blas approached the question of control through the lens of oil prices. Referencing an old market saying, "In price, is knowledge," Blas asserted that "At less than $90 a barrel, it isn't screaming shortage." Blas said that while the release of "strategic reserves is helping," as well as China slashing its oil imports, "that's not the full story." The "market skepticism about [US Energy Secretary Chris] Wright's optimism" over the amount of oil flowing through the strait "is understandable" according to Blas, however, "the naysayers are a bit too sure of themselves." Blas said that with "available data, we can safely say that, at the very least, 5 million barrels a day are transiting Hormuz," which contradicts the figures given by Wright. However, when the emphasis, according to Blas is on "available" data which he explained is quite limited due to the ongoing conflict, we may be missing much of what is really happening, positing that oil is flowing through the strait "perhaps more successfully than we think."

3-Month Low:  CNBC (Lean Left) framed coverage around statements from an Iranian government and military backed agency known as the Persian Gulf Strait Authority saying that "Hormuz remains blocked." The article also cited Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi saying the US "has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures," adding "Case in point: The war on Iran. Now, an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz." CNBC said that "While both sides continue to make contradictory claims," data from Kpler shows ship traffic through the waterway at a "3-month low."

RELATED: Trump Says He Will Make Strait of Hormuz US Territory | AllSides

'Notable Success': Outlets like Axios (Lean Left) and The New York Post (Right) highlighted a "stealth operation" from the US that is reportedly guiding millions of barrels of oil daily through the strait near the Omani coast. The Post mentioned that the operation does not come without costs, explaining that the US is "forced to deploy ships, helicopters and planes to intercept attacks from Iran," further explaining that "intercepting the strikes is notably higher than what it costs Iran to attack using its cheaper suicide drones." Axios called the operation "a notable success even as the broader war remains at a stalemate."

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Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, 19, was arrested in connection with the murder of a 42-year-old woman in Fairfax, Virginia. Media outlets on the right emphasized that Cedillos-Campos was an unauthorized immigrant, while outlets on the left tended to downplay it as a factor in the murder.

The Details: Carmen Lizet Puch was found dead on Monday with several stab wounds and "doused in gasoline." Puch and Cedillos-Campos were coworkers at a restaurant and had an "intimate relationship," according to several media reports. Video footage allegedly showed Cedillos-Campos grabbing a knife, black latex gloves and a water bottle before going to meet Puch at a remote area where the two "intended" to convene.

For Context: According to the Department of Homeland Security, Cedillos-Campos was arrested by Customs and Border Protection in 2024 after illegally crossing a border near El Paso, Texas.

How the Media Covered It: The story was covered mostly by local news outlets which emphasized both the nature of Cedillos-Campos' relationship with Puch and his immigration status. 

Previous Immigration Policy: Fox News (Right) and The New York Post (Right) framed the murder as a consequence of Cedillos-Campos's being in the US illegally under the Biden administration's immigration policy. In its headlines and reporting, Fox described Puch as a mother first compared to some other outlets who referred to her as Cedillos-Campos' coworker on first reference.

Fear Campaign: CNN (Lean Left) reported that the case has brought "renewed scrutiny" to the US's immigration policies, and it emphasized that researchers have found "no connection between immigration and crime." The outlet noted other recent instances of crime committed by unauthorized immigrants and said the Trump administration is carrying out a "yearslong campaign to use certain killings as apparent evidence for stricter border enforcement." ABC News (Lean Left) didn't mention Cedillos-Campos' immigration status until the last sentence of its article.

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US national debt surpassed $40 trillion on Tuesday amid federal budget deficits and decades of borrowing.

Shaky Fiscal Foundation: Alan Rappeport, writing for The New York Times Opinion (Left bias) highlighted President Donald Trump's promises to restore fiscal order, saying that "many of his policies have only exacerbated America's financial woes." However, the article also said that it is debatable "whether the mounting debt load is a problem to be solved or a function of America's economic strength." According to Rappeport, "deficits are also a point of political gamesmanship," asserting that "Republicans [are] most passionate about eliminating them when they are out of power." Regardless, Rappeport explained that "both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for America's borrowing burden," adding that the $40 trillion mark is "an ominous milestone for an economy that sits on a shaky fiscal foundation."

'Many Available Solutions': Outlets on the right like Fox Business (Lean Right) were more likely to highlight "surging interest costs" and "growth in federal spending on Social Security and Medicare amid the aging of the U.S. population" as reasons behind the rapidly growing debt. The article cited CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Michael A. Peterson who said "For the millions concerned about affordability, let's start by asking Washington to take notice that the national debt just hit $40 trillion," and "we must change course." Peterson added, however, that "the only good thing about our fiscal challenge is that there are many available solutions, and the budget is entirely within our control." Peterson also noted that US adversaries "like China, Russia and Iran likely enjoy seeing the country devalue its economic future."

RELATED: National Debt Surpasses GDP for the First Time Since World War II | AllSides

Unsustainable Fiscal Trajectory: The Wall Street Journal (Center) said in an analysis that the $40 trillion "threshold carries symbolic weight, but isn't, by itself, economically significant." The article explained that "most investors and economists care less about raw figures than other measures, like the ratio of debt to gross domestic product, which provides a better sense of an economy's borrowing capacity." The focus of economists, according to the article, is on debt held by the public, which was $32.266 trillion on Tuesday. However, "$40 trillion is a big number," and according to The Journal is "likely to at least briefly draw attention to what economists broadly agree is an unsustainable fiscal trajectory."

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The White House on Monday highlighted the largest drop in prescription drug prices in over 60 years on Monday, saying President Donald Trump "delivered" on his promise to slash prices.

Consumer Price Index: The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on August 12, showing that prescription drug prices fell 0.8% in July and are down 3.1% from a year ago.

Strong-Armed: Outlets on the right like The New York Post (Right bias) tended to highlight the Trump administration's Most Favored Nation policies, saying the annual decline has taken place as these policies "take hold." According to the article, the "populist president won concessions by threatening Big Pharma with massive tariffs if it didn't move to align its prices with those paid by other major industrialized nations." The article also mentioned that "Trump strong-armed major drugmakers into reducing what they sought from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid while establishing a new platform called 'TrumpRx' that lists discounts for people without insurance who are paying out of pocket."

Magic Trick: Outlets on the left like The Guardian (Left) and Axios (Lean Left) were more likely to highlight "experts" that claimed the drop in prices were likely a result of former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The Guardian said that Trump, while holding "his hands wide apart as if he had just performed a magic trick," touted that the prices were down "more than at any time over 60 years," but added that the article he held attributed the decrease to Biden.  

Related: TrumpRx Website Adds 600 New Generic Drugs

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The USS Abraham Lincoln is set to return to the US after nine months, following reports of mental health crises and suicide, as well as poor conditions such as food shortages and water contamination.

The Details: The naval warship departed from a San Diego, California, port in November, carrying roughly 5,500 soldiers. It was originally set to dock in the Pacific, but was rerouted to the Middle East amid the Iran War. The USS George Washington is reportedly on its way from Japan to serve as the ship's replacement.

Administration Response: US Central Command (CENTCOM) lead Adm. Brad Cooper cited "camaraderie, teamwork and resilience" aboard the ship, which he visited on Friday. He argued that many of the reported concerns were old and rectified. "Of the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers," he said, "the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health. This doesn't mean it is at all perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today, and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn't for everyone." President Donald Trump said the deployment was "not nearly long enough," and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the conditions "completely misrepresented."

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum criticized officials' handling of this case. The Guardian (Left bias) and The Wall Street Journal (Center) agreed that Trump "downplay[ed]" concerns about the conditions, and Daily Mail (Lean Right) said Cooper "brushe[d] off" the complaints. Some outlets on the right, however, highlighted other angles. Fox News (Right), for example, emphasized that the ship "has among the Navy's lowest mental health cases" and highlighted Cooper's assertion that the issues have been "resolved."

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Median Strategies, a "polling company" Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly referenced during her reelection campaign, has shut down and said that all of its "polls" were counterfeit.

LA Mayoral Race: Median recently published a "poll" that showed the incumbent Bass leading challenger Councilmember Nithya Raman by nearly 12 points. Bass shared the "poll" in a since-deleted post on X and wrote, "Doing the work, showing up, and gaining momentum. Let's do this, LA!" Median claimed the "poll" was based on 560 LA voters between July 30 and August 5 and had a 4.1% margin of error.

LA Times Report: On August 17, The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left bias) said that after "repeated inquiries," Median told it, "Median Strategies was created as a short term social experiment to examine how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification. We are not seeking publicity or attribution for the individuals involved and are declining interviews."

More From Median: Median added on its website, "All previously published polling releases have been withdrawn and should not be cited or treated as genuine polling data." The Times said Median began posting on X on August 9 and had 20 followers. It said no one at the company received any "compensation or financial benefit" and that it was not "funded, commissioned, or directed by any candidate, campaign, political party, PAC, media organization, or other outside entity."

NY Post Fooled: Median also claimed 16% of its LA mayoral "poll" respondents said they voted for Republican Spencer Pratt, and that of them 85% would vote for Bass in the general election. The New York Post (Right) relayed this information in a headline, "Spencer Pratt's voters could be deciding factor in LA mayor showdown according to latest poll." The outlet has since changed its coverage, without an editor's note. The new headline reads, "Karen Bass team demands 'full force of law' over bogus poll," and the story focuses on Median's shuttering and its fraudulent nature. Bass's team told The Times and The Post that the poll was written about by media outlets, legitimizing it in their eyes.

Wisconsin Primary: Median also released a "poll" on the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, where progressive socialist Rep. Francesca Hong narrowly lost to Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Median's "poll" showed Hong leading by more than 20 points.

Perspectives: Political consultant Rick Taylor told The Post, "There would have been no reason for anyone to have doubted it. Whoever is responsible for this ought to be exposed, and we need to make sure this never happens again." Journalist Bill Scher noted that on August 11 he expressed skepticism at the legitimacy of Median and wrote, "STOP CITING POLL DATA FROM UNVERIFIED SOURCES."

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President Donald Trump said the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, both citing his "very good relationship" with the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, while also noting that South Korea did not agree to help the US denuclearize Iran. Opinion writers from the left, right, and center criticized Trump's decision.

From the Right: Tom Nichols (Lean Right bias), writing for The Atlantic (Left), argued that Trump is trying to "make South Korea pay" for his humiliation in Iran. Nichols wrote that "Trump and the United States have suffered one embarrassment after another" in the Iran conflict and that scaling back US support for South Korea is "an insane decision." He argued that though Trump fears and respects Russian, Chinese, and North Korean autocratic rulers, Trump "is seeking to assuage the psychic injury of his loss in Iran… by kicking America's allies, the nations he can punish without fear that they will kick him back."

From the Center: An opinion contributor for The Hill (Center) wrote that Trump's actions regarding North Korea vs. Iran are a "paradox." The writer argued that the current conflict with Iran was "undertaken with the mistaken belief that Tehran was about to produce nuclear weapons" and that the danger was "somehow…resurrected" despite the alleged success of Trump's Operation Midnight Hammer during summer 2025. They added that even though North Korea already had nuclear weapons, "nuclear weapons in the hands of an assumed maniac curiously disappeared as a problem and danger." The writer questioned if a "rapprochement" similar to Trump's reconciliation with Kim will be possible between the US and Iran but remains unsure.

From the Left: An analysis from the New York Times (Lean Left) suggested that it "remains unclear" whether North Korea's leader will embrace Trump's gesture and that further rounds of diplomacy between Trump and Kim face "much steeper hurdles," particularly because of North Korea's support from Russia and China and Kim's insistence that the US "abandon its insistence on denuclearization." The deputy director at the Asia Society Policy Institute also told The Times, "Trump's description of the D.P.R.K. as 'unthreatening and respectful' is alarming to allies, who have watched the regime steadily improve its missile and nuclear capabilities, while also gaining an additional patron in Russia for its support in the war on Ukraine."

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Democratic Socialist and Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon won Florida's Democratic Senate Primary against retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman on Tuesday.

The Details: Vindman reportedly acquired over $16 million in campaign funding, compared to Nixon's $975,000. While Vindman spent roughly $2.2 million on advertising, Nixon spent about $60,000. Nixon, who Reason (Center bias) said "was really not favored to win at all," asserted during her campaign, "Floridians don't want the establishment in Washington DC deciding who their Democratic nominee and US senator is going to be." Though Vindman refused to debate her during the primary race, he endorsed her impending campaign in his concession speech. Nixon beat Vindman with about 56% of votes and is now set to face incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody (R) in November's general election.

RELATED: What to Make of DSA's Rise and Revisions | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: Outlets on the right more prominently emphasized Nixon's affiliation with the DSA, often framing it negatively. Reason joined in calling her "an underfunded, ultraprogressive, card-carrying [DSA member]." The Wall Street Journal (Center), on the other hand, used the softer term "progressive" when describing her in its headline. Reason criticized Nixon's win as "a reminder that we're being swept up in a wave of populist, socialist candidates who appeal to people without an understanding of basic economic concepts." It called it "insane that the platform was seemingly attractive enough to springboard a total underdog candidate to primary success" but noted, "It's also possible that Vindman just wasn't an attractive candidate to the state's Democrats." New York Post (Right) agreed that because of Vindman's shambolic battles and impeachment attempt against President Donald Trump, "many Florida Democrats seemed to believe that Vindman's time had passed."

RELATED: Impeachment Witness Alexander Vindman 'Escorted' From White House | AllSides

Nixon's Platform: Nixon officially joined the DSA, which gained success in Philadelphia, Colorado, Michigan and New York City primary races so far, prior to launching her campaign. Her campaign priorities include publicly-funded Medicare, childcare, employment leave, and college; a $25 federal minimum wage; student loan forgiveness; abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); a billionaire tax; cancellation of federal funding to Israel; and a rent freeze.

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A personalized mRNA vaccine combined with Keytruda immunotherapy, developed by Moderna and Merck, successfully prevented skin cancer from recurring or spreading in patients during a phase 3 clinical trial.

The Details: Each vaccine is designed "specifically for each patient based on the unique set of mutations within their tumor to train and activate the immune system to recognize and fight cancer," according to Moderna and Merck. The trial enrolled 1,137 high-risk patients that had surgically removed melanoma. The patients were randomized, with half receiving Keytruda immunotherapy plus the mRNA vaccine and half receiving just Keytruda. In January, the companies announced at the mid-stage of the trial that the vaccine reduced the risk of recurrence of cancer or death by 49% after five years. Shares in Moderna went up 60% in premarket trading after the announcement.

For Context: The National Cancer Institute found that in 2023, 1.5 million Americans were living with melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. mRNA vaccines were first made available to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved other mRNA vaccines for the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

How the Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) focused on the stock market gains for the companies, noting that "Barclays analysts said they expect the therapy could generate about $3 billion for treating ​melanoma by 2035." Reuters (Center) reported that Moderna "struggled to generate new products beyond its COVID-19 vaccine and faced pushback over its mRNA ​technology from President Donald Trump's administration," making this new vaccine a potential "reversal of fortune" for the company. Epoch Times (Lean Right) highlighted views from supporters and critics of mRNA vaccines, writing that proponents "say the technology is superior to older vaccine platforms, in part because it can be quickly reconfigured," while critics are concerned about potential "serious side effects, including cancer."

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The Trump administration on Tuesday filed for a removal of restrictions on 44 million acres of the National Forest System, potentially making room for logging and mining to take place.

The Details: The US Forest Service filed for a rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department said the "one-size-fits-all restriction" has prevented forest managers from easily accessing areas and completing work to prevent wildfires across the country. If passed, the land could be open for development through roadway creation, logging, mining and oil and coal drilling.

For Context: Former President Bill Clinton passed the "Roadless Rule" before leaving office in 2001 to limit development in national forestlands. Last year, the Trump administration took the first steps to repeal the rule as part of President Trump's "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation" executive order, which removes "unnecessary regulatory burdens."

Proposal and Implications: Newsweek (Center bias) provided overall objective coverage of the proposal and arguments on both sides. The outlet noted that if repealed, new roads and development projects wouldn't automatically be authorized. Instead, decisions would return to local forest planning processes and land managers who would decide what appropriate activities would take place under existing environmental laws and regulations. The outlet included a map of the areas most impacted by the Roadless Rule.

Concern from Environmental Groups: Outlets on the left noted arguments by the USDA in favor of the move, but generally amplified opposition from environmental groups and political leaders. The Scientific American (Lean Left) quoted a leader from the Natural Resources Defense Council who said "The Trump administration is moving to gut our most iconic national forests." The Washington Post (Lean Left) cited concerns from advocacy groups that the move could lead to more human-caused fires if they get access to those areas. The outlet also noted wildfires have been amplified by climate change. The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left) warned that development could "fragment habitats and increase erosion and sediment pollution in drinking water."

Creating Opportunity: The story was less covered by outlets on the right. The Daily Caller (Right) noted 76% of voters support the Roadless Rule. The outlet quoted a spokesperson from the Center for Energy and Conservation at Independent Women who said the discussion "needs more nuance" as the land can "be open to both commercial and recreational uses." The spokesperson also said it's "ludicrous to insinuate the Trump administration would shut down access to forestlands." Another article from the Daily Caller framed the move as combatting a Clinton-era policy and said it comes after "another destructive wildfire season." The outlet also highlighted praise from Republican Western governors.

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Following the death of Jason Arday, the youngest-ever black professor at Cambridge University, media outlets are attempting to explain what went wrong, from intense media scrutiny and DEI policies to failures in academic institutions and accusations of racism.

The Details: Plagiarism concerns over Arday's PhD thesis and journal articles rose last year. Arday resigned on Aug. 5 following scrutiny over his academic work and personal background. On Aug. 14, first responders found Arday, 41, unresponsive in Battersea, South London, where he had reportedly died. The official cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed. 

Media Scrutiny: According to The Independent (Lean Left), 249 national press articles were written about Arday over 22 days. An opinion writer for the Independent argued, "Investigative journalism is at its best when it exposes abuses of power, corruption and misconduct," however, "There is a profound difference between interrogating power and allowing the machinery of investigation to bear down, relentlessly, on one academic."

Against Censorship: An opinion in UnHerd (Center) criticized some higher education professionals and organizations for using Arday's death to "amplify an existing censorship agenda." The writer argued that incidents of network harassment "are to be deplored," but advancing censorship and identity politics "will do little to aid progress in this area." An opinion from Michelle Goldberg (Left) in the New York Times (Lean Left) similarly argued that "those pressing for new controls on the press are making a serious mistake." Goldberg linked conservative media's interest in the story to backlash against DEI, but warned that progressive efforts to "stifle questions about those initiatives" could make backlash worse. She also argued that responsibility extended beyond sensational media coverage and faulted institutions like Cambridge for elevating Arday's profile while ignoring warning signs that he was "a fabulist."

'DEI Devotion': The Federalist (Right) blamed what it described as leftist academics' devotion to upholding DEI, and that those same people are now "maintaining that he was the victim of those who called out the DEI scam." It argued that Arday wouldn't be dead "if not for having been elevated to a position he had not earned and was not equipped to maintain under legitimate scrutiny or pressure." An opinion writer for The Daily Wire (Right) said Arday's story shows that "DEI hires are held to a lower standard than those hired via a competitive process." The outlet said that "By facilitating and even applauding his delusions, the credulous, obsequious DEI machine did Arday no favors." Both outlets highlighted other instances of plagiarism in higher ed from black professors.

'Racism': The Conversation (Lean Left) said Arday's death reflects the "intense skepticism Black scholars face." The outlet said "When an appointment symbolizes racial progress, serious allegations can spread suspicion beyond the individual" and pointed to what it said was "a double standard" in higher-ed treatment of minority faculty members. Townhall (Right) denounced claims of racism and poked fun at several online posts that blamed "White Lies" for Arday's death. The outlet said, "It's clear that the Left is not going to let this narrative that racism is to blame for Arday's downfall go." The Daily Wire also wrote that Arday and his defenders followed a common playbook: deny the allegations and then "accuse critics of racism."

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