New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) was criticized by some for wearing a hijab while visiting an Islamic center last weekend, drawing split coverage across the political spectrum.

The Criticism: Several influencers on X made remarks about the visit. End Wokeness (Right bias) said "Feminist icon' NY Governor Hochul just put on a hijab for Muslim men." Swimmer and women's sports activist Riley Gaines said "A self-described feminist voluntarily wearing a hijab to not offend/arouse Muslim men." Matt Van Swol wrote "New York forgot" and posted a picture of the September 11 terror attack in New York City. President Donald Trump on Truth Social said "Kathy Hochul, considered the Worst Governor in the Country, in a recent picture working hard to get the Arab Vote, even though they can't stand her! Congestion Pricing in Manhattan is hurting her with everybody, but especially the people for whom she wears the hijab. The whole thing is CRAZY!"

'The Silliest Issue': Opinion writer for HuffPost (Left) Ron Dicker highlighted the "Right-wing personalities from media and politics accus[ing] the governor of subjugating herself and 'bowing down to the third world.'" The article also mentioned that "Hochul faced similar criticism last year when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) mocked her for wearing a headscarf to the funeral of a Muslim police officer." According to Dicker, Hochul was "politely adhering to custom in a place related to religious worship," adding however, that "some in the MAGAsphere saw it differently. Hochul "took a beating" over what Dicker called "the silliest issue."

'Working Hard To Get The Arab Vote': Blaze Media (Right) highlighted Hochul's response, saying "Trump's hijab jab sends Hochul into a rage," adding that she "is lashing out at the president and accusing him of Islamophobia."

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Haitian immigrant, Pierre Damas Bel, 20, died in an apparent suicide on Monday after losing temporary protected status (TPS) in July, according to his family. Many outlets focused on Bel's character and the impact of President Trump's immigration policies, however outlets on the right split in their coverage.

The Details: Bel reportedly parked his vehicle on the right shoulder of Interstate 70 before walking into oncoming traffic, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. Bel's father told outlets that his son had become "distraught" after weeks of wearing an ankle monitor in accordance with a recent immigration policy and that he'd also faced bullying due to the device. In a recent Instagram post, Bel wrote, "I came to this country to pursue my education. I didn't come here to commit a crime or hurt anyone."

For Context: ICE confirmed that Bel entered the US legally in 2024 under a now-defunct Biden-era policy. In July, the Trump administration ended TPS for Haitian immigrants. Despite there being over 330,000 Haitian immigrants in the US, only those living in Springfield – roughly 15,000 Haitian immigrants – were required to wear an ankle monitoring device.

A Stand-Out Student: Outlets on the left emphasized Bel's character and that he felt "shame" and "humiliation" leading up to his death. The New York Times (Lean Left bias), CNN (Lean Left), CBS News (Lean Left), Washington Post (Lean Left) and more reported that Bel was an "outstanding student," a soccer player, that he enjoyed being part of his high school's JROTC program and that he was excited to study neuroscience in college this fall. The Times cited commendations from Bel's father, his former classmates and former teachers. It also quoted a leader from the Haitian Bridge Alliance who called Bel's death "one of the most tragic outcomes of the Trump cruel and inhumane attacks on the Haitian community."

Local Coverage: Dayton Daily News (Center) had several articles about Bel. One included quotes from Bel's father who said his son "felt like he was treated like an animal." It also reported that many Haitian immigrants claimed their devices caused physical pain, swelling and blisters, or made it difficult to maintain employment. Another Dayton Daily News article said Bel entered the US "hoping to build a better life in America" and that he "left a mark" on the community. It noted some Haitian immigrant advocacy groups have blamed Bel's death on ICE and the Trump administration. 

Split on the Right: Outlets on the right split in their coverage. Fox News (Right) and The Post Millennial (Right) shared Bel's academic accolades and praise from his former managers and teammates. The Post Millennial noted Bel had asked to record his ankle monitor to show people he wasn't a criminal, however he was not permitted. The Washington Times (Lean Right) wrote that Bel "quickly became a rallying point for immigration groups, which portrayed him as a martyr to President Trump's mass deportation campaign." It also noted Haitian immigration "surged" under the Biden administration and that Trump claimed they were eating pets "with scant evidence to back it up."

Conversely, Breitbart (Right) wrote that Bel's death was overshadowing the death of a highway trooper at the hands of a Haitian immigrant in July. Breitbart reported that "Hundreds of Americans have reportedly been killed by the migrant truckers" and "Many more Americans have been killed by migrant criminals and drunks during the last thirty years." Brianna Lyman of The Federalist (Right) referenced a strangling by an unauthorized immigrant in Massachusetts last week and told CNN "it's kind of insulting that we're talking about this immigrant instead." 

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Several outlets in the center and on the left analyzed food recalls in the US recently. How might this relate to the "MAHA" movement, and how legitimate are public concerns?

Numbers Don't 'Tell the Full Story': WBAL 11 (Center bias) cited a recent trend in "high profile" cases like cyclosporiasis, which reportedly infected more than 28,000 people as of mid-August. The outlet gave voice to Consumer Watchdog Director for the US Public Interest Research Group Taylor Murray, who said, "Does it mean that there's more enforcement, or that there's more hazardous food?... We don't know the answer to that."

RELATED: RFK Jr. Urges Healthier Diet, Politico Says Cyclospora Outbreak Hinders Effort | AllSides

WBAL 11 highlighted roughly 162 food recalls during the first half of 2026, compared to 320 for all of 2025, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Agriculture (USDA), but it noted that the FDA does not post every recall.

It also highlighted an increase in active investigations into foodborne illness outbreaks over the summer, compared to recent years, but quoted Murray who cautioned, "You can't go around living your life thinking that there's some kind of bacteria boogeyman in your refrigerator all the time."

A USA Today (Lean Left) analysis agreed, "Are food recalls actually becoming more common? It might feel that way, but statistically speaking, not really." It noted, "On average, the FDA has classified 126 food recalls per month during the current Trump administration so far, vs. 135 during the Biden administration and 164 during the first Trump administration."

RELATED: The Insight: Is America Getting Healthier? | AllSides

However, the outlet criticized that the Trump administration's federal workforce cuts "reduced surveillance to just two pathogens." It gave voice to environmental health expert Robert Custard, who said, "The number of recalls does not necessarily correlate with the level of surveillance… [but] when you do less testing, you're going to find less problems. When you find less problems, you end up with fewer recalls."

Recalls 'Skyrocketing': The New Republic (Left) more assertively stated, "Obviously, there has been a sharp increase in the number of recalls. It's not immediately clear whether this can be attributed to increased enforcement or more hazardous food – but the rapidly rising rate of recalls makes you wonder: Is this what making America healthy again looks like?" The outlet criticized the 46 total food and drug recalls in August 2026 – "a notable increase from August 2025 when just 26 products were recalled… and from August 2024 when 24 products were recalled."

The Washington Post (Lean Left) contended, "It's difficult to lay the outbreaks at the feet of any one agency or presidency. But what surely isn't helping: the Trump administration's slash-and-burn approach to the regulatory bodies meant to safeguard Americans." The outlet highlighted the administration's cuts to both the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resulting in food safety check suspensions – including for the Cyclospora parasite. However, it did not solely blame the administration, pointing to "Big Food" as the greater enemy of its story and stating, "In naming [Health Secretary Robert F.] Kennedy [Jr.] to his cabinet, Trump elevated a longtime foe of Big Food—and crystallized such opposition as a mainstream conservative position."

Outlets on the right scarcely covered this story, but One America News Network (Right) reported on an early-August recall for nearly 30,000 pounds imported beef that failed to undergo mandatory federal reinspection. The outlet criticized, "By bypassing this protocol, the affected beef poses potential undisclosed health risks, though federal authorities confirmed that there have been no documented reports of adverse reactions or illnesses linked to its consumption so far."

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary. (Images via WBAL 11)

The USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday docked at a port in eastern Thailand after nine months at sea and reports of deteriorating conditions on board, including mental health concerns among the crew. While some outlets focused on the conditions of the service members and the carrier, others focused on where they'll be staying – near a town known for prostitution.

The Details: About 5,000 US sailors and Marines arrived in Laem Chabang port after 286 days at sea, which included supporting a US naval blockade and combat operations in the Iran war. The carrier will be docked for five days for rest and recuperation, according to Thai officials, before heading back to San Diego. In August, there were reports that the deployment led to morale problems, mental health concerns, supply shortages and two possible suicide attempts. CENTCOM denied these reports and pointed to the Lincoln's 84.4% crew reenlistment rate.

For Context: The Lincoln was deployed in November 2025 and reached the Middle East in January. According to USA Today (Lean Left bias), naval deployments typically run six to nine months, however that can be extended during times of conflict. Democratic lawmakers said the carrier set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea. It was replaced by the USS George Washington in August.

Ship's Appearance: Outlets on the left generally focused on the conditions aboard the carrier and said that the Trump administration downplayed reports. CNN (Lean Left) and Associated Press (Lean Left) wrote that the ship's hull was "stained by rust" and "due for at least a new paint job" when it came into port. AP quoted an Australian defense expert who said the Lincoln became "a tempting symbol of the U.S. Navy's strategic overstretch and fatigue." Both outlets also included comments from the Trump administration saying that the deployment was "not nearly long enough" to substantiate the reports and from Navy officials who said that's how a ship looks after a long stretch at sea. The New York Post (Right) described the carrier as "battle-worn."

Prostitution Concerns: Other outlets like USA Today, Fox News (Right), The Post and Reuters (Center) focused more heavily on the nearby resort city of Pattaya's reputation for sex tourism and concerns about prostitution. Reuters and Fox covered the story similarly, with both writing that police were cracking down on prostitution and preparing additional patrols ahead of the arrival, which reportedly resulted in over 50 arrests over the weekend.

Economic Boost: Those outlets also reported that the arrival has raised hopes of an economic boost for Pattaya as each service member could spend between 1,000 and 3,000 baht (roughly $30 to $91 USD) per day. AP briefly mentioned the town's reputation, writing, "Once known mostly as a seedy city of bars and massage parlors offering sexual services, the city has in recent years toned down its act to become more of a family destination." It focused more on Pattaya's prospective economic earnings – about 100 million baht or $3 million USD – and included a story about one US sailor's mom coming to visit.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced a ban on artificial intelligence (AI) use in schools for preschool through eighth-grade students. Outlets across the political spectrum highlighted parents' and educators' growing concerns about the effects of technology use, and particularly AI use, on children.

The Details: This new policy will affect 600,000 students in the district, representing two-thirds of students in the largest school system in the US. The ban applies to "all software that uses student-facing generative AI" for students in eighth grade and below; high school students will be permitted to use AI in limited education settings, such as AI literacy lessons. Students of all grade levels are banned from accessing "companion chatbots," which are designed to provide emotional support, mental health guidance, and simulated friendship.

Key Quotes: Mamdani said, "The tech industry wants us to believe that AI-powered early education is not only inevitable but necessary. We do not see it that way." Samuels added, "We're putting guardrails in place to protect the critical human connection, curiosity, and creativity that help children grow," noting that the New York City school system would not "conflate innovation with more tech."

For Context: The AI Moratorium for NYC Schools Coalition has been advocating for a two-year complete moratorium on AI use in public schools, and Politico (Lean Left bias) wrote that the new policy "may still disappoint" this coalition because it is not aggressive enough. Bloomberg (Center) noted that the US Surgeon General issued a warning in May about the increasing risk of health risks due to excessive, harmful screen use in children and adolescents. In conjunction with the AI ban for younger students, the school system will test five vetted AI pilot programs with a small group of high school students.

How the Media Covered It: Outlets on the right, left, and center echoed the fears of parents and educators when it came to AI use in the classroom. Politico highlighted the bipartisan, nationwide movement "seeking to limit screentime for young children," while Newsmax (Right) highlighted continued confusion about how to restrict AI as it becomes increasingly present. A member of New York City's education oversight panel told Newsmax, "What does that mean in a world where all software at this point is now using generative AI as part of their core features? It remains to be seen."

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The US military is investigating reports from Iranian media and humanitarian groups that it struck a wedding, killing five and injuring over 65 others.

The Details: Around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to The New York Times (Lean Left bias), a family home hosting a wedding in the southern city of Kuhestak was struck. The Times, BBC News (Center), and Associated Press (Lean Left) all reported speaking to weapons experts who believed remains from the weapon recovered after the strike indicated the weapon was American-made. Several outlets reported that 150 yards away from the wedding, the US struck an Iranian communications tower.

Key Statements: US Central Command spokesperson Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins told several outlets, "We are aware of reports, which originated from Iranian state media, and we are looking into them. The US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC." Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused the US of committing a "war crime." The IRCS wrote to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and said the strike "warrants an independent, impartial, thorough, and effective investigation."

Wider Context: The strike was part of a wider campaign against "Iranian military targets" in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it hit air defenses, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying vessels, and communications sites. Tasnim, a self-described "Iranian state media" outlet, reported explosions in several coastal settlements, including Konarak, Bandar Abbas, Jask, Asaluyeh, Ahvaz, and Qeshm Island.

AllSides: Competing Claims Emerge on Who Controls Strait of Hormuz As Trump Launches 'Economic D-Day' | AllSides

Death Toll: Humanitarian group, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), and state media agency IRNA said four were killed. The IRCS said the dead consisted of two adults and two minors. Shortly thereafter, local governor Ahmad Nafisi reportedly told state television that five were killed, a change Associated Press (Lean Left) said came with "no explanation." Most outlets stated the death toll at four, though The New York Times wrote in its headline that it was five. The outlet cited the IRCS for the figure.

How The Media Covered It: Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left) was the first major outlet with a Western reach to pick the story up early on Tuesday. The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) was the only outlet from the right that AllSides found to mention the wedding strike in a headline. The New York Times ran a lengthy original report and analysis on the strike that was loaded with emotionalism and sensationalism and largely focused on the viewpoint of Iranian entities and people.

Previously: On February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a group of 165 Iranians that consisted mostly of school children was killed in an airstrike. The Washington Examiner noted that the US military has still not yet published its investigation results regarding who was culpable. In 2013, the US military struck a wedding procession in Yemen, killing 12 and injuring 15. In 2008, the US military bombed a wedding party in Afghanistan, killing 37, mostly women and children, and injuring 27.

RELATED: Media Bias Alert: Different Truths Emerge on Iran School Bombing | AllSides

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