Gloria Steinem's death Wednesday prompted significant reflection on her life and the feminist movement. Outlets on the left and some in the center highlighted her contribution to the feminist movement and questioned its future, while other center and right outlets explored her affiliation with the CIA during the Cold War.

Contributions to Feminism: BBC (Center bias) described Steinem as a "powerful icon of America's feminist movement" who "changed the lives of generations of women," highlighting her support of legalized abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender pay equality as well as her opposition to the death penalty and female genital mutilation. Steinem also launched Ms. Magazine, an all-female founded and operated periodical that still exists today, as well as coined the phrase "reproductive freedom," which continues to be used in debates about abortion. Steinem testified at Senate hearings for the Equal Rights Amendment in 1970, though Congress failed to pass it.

Involvement With the CIA: RT (Lean Right) and UnHerd (Center) both published analysis pieces on Steinem's affiliation with the CIA during the Cold War. According to RT, Steinem sought funding to do social reform work and promote women's freedom and independence and received funding for a nonprofit organization from the CIA after she learned that corporations were not interested in supporting her. The nonprofit, called the Independent Research Service, took liberal American students and young professionals to share American leftist ideas at Soviet youth festivals as an alternative to communism. At the time, Soviet messaging painted women as educated, socially active participants in public life, so it was "hardly surprising that it wasn't long before Washington understood the competitive value of offering its own version," RT wrote. UnHerd quoted Steinem's memoir, in which she wrote, "In my experience the [Central Intelligence] Agency was completely different from its image; it was liberal, nonviolent, and honorable."

Critiques of Steinem: An opinion piece in The Conversation (Lean Left) called Steinem "one of our greatest witnesses to a feminist revolution" but criticized some obituaries' oversimplification of the women's movement by calling her its "face" or "leader." The article noted that the 20th-century women's movement neglected racism and issues of sexuality and that Steinem faced criticism for fostering an "either/or feminism" through her fierce support of Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama before the 2008 election. BBC also noted criticism from Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique, who accused Steinem of making a private profit off the movement.

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An Illinois woman was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing her 2-year-old son. Outlets across the political spectrum included reports that the mother was "very invested" in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial prior to the incident.

The Details: Frankfort police responded to reports of an unresponsive toddler on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The police found a neighbor performing CPR on the child who was reportedly strangled in the basement and later died at a local hospital, according to a complaint filed on Friday. The mother, Corie Walsh, was found in a bathtub attempting to harm herself, according to prosecution. Walsh had reportedly been discussing the Clancy case in a group chat with friends in the hours leading up to the murder. Court documents said there was also another baby in the home and two school-aged children returned home around the time the toddler was found, however they were all unharmed. Walsh was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and is now in custody and "being held for medical treatment," according to NBC News (Lean Left bias).

For Context: A judge declared a mistrial in the Clancy case on Friday. Clancy faced three counts of first-degree murder and life in prison without parole for strangling her three children in 2023. She pleaded not guilty by reason of postpartum insanity. Clancy's trial became popular online, garnering millions of views and generating different perspectives with many women rallying in support of her during the trial.

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

Case Similarities: The Daily Caller (Right) compared similarities between Walsh and Clancy's cases, including that all the children were found dead in the basement of their homes, that they all died of asphyxia, that Clancy also attempted to take her life after killing her children and that both husbands were away at the time of death. The Caller also cited reports that Walsh had said she was "inspired" by the Clancy case. The New York Post (Right) described Walsh as "Lindsay Clancy-obsessed" in its headline.

A 'Tragedy': CNN (Lean Left) focused on quotes from Walsh's attorney, Andrea Lyon, who emphasized the "tragedy" of the incident. Lyon said Walsh had been in a "mental health crisis" and called the incident a "tragedy, for the Walsh family all of whom are mourning the loss of this child." Lyon also told CNN, "It is also a tragedy in that [Corie] herself was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time this happened." It included the case details toward the end of its article compared to other outlets like The Daily Caller, The Post, NBC and others which reported the details in the first paragraphs, including that the baby was hanged.

Community Response: ABC 7 Chicago (Center) and NBC 5 Chicago (Center) both included comments from Frankfort police department, local leaders and Frankfort residents. ABC 7 primarily focused on a community-led group that's connecting mothers with resources and support following the murder. NBC 5 also included quotes from individuals who called the incident a "heartbreaking tragedy" and quoted the Frankfort mayor who said, "I don't want people to draw conclusions out of school on this. Let the investigators get the information, get the facts."

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The populist "far right" Alternative for Germany (AfD) party delivered a decisive victory in Germany's eastern state Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, though it fell short of a parliamentary majority.

The Results: AfD won 43.8% of the vote and gained 16 seats in the state's parliament, for a total of 39. German Chancellor Frederich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party finished second with 17.2% and lost 25 of its 40 parliamentary seats. Notably, the democratic socialist The Left (DL) lost 4 seats, and the populist "far left" Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) won 5.3% – enough to enter parliament and take 5 seats. Election turnout was a record high 76.5%.

Political Context: Several mainstream parties in Germany have vowed to form a "firewall" against AfD and never form a coalition with it, meaning its only path to power would be through a majority. In May 2025, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, designated AfD as a right-wing extremist organization. In Germany's most recent national elections in February 2025, AfD surged to finish second to the CDU with 21% of the vote, dominating in Germany's eastern states. Previously, in September 2024, AfD delivered a historic result in the east German state of Thuringia. Members of the Trump administration, like Secretary of State Rubio, Vice President Vance, and former government efficiency lead Elon Musk, have previously appeared sympathetic to AfD's platform. 

RELATED: 60 Minutes' German Censorship Segment: A Recycled NYT Report? | AllSides

BSW as Kingmaker?: Media commentators and analysts have said AfD's best path to governing could be a coalition with the newly-founded populist left-wing BSW party, which overlaps with AfD on a more hardline approach to immigration. BSW has said it would not elect AfD's Saxony-Anhalt leader, Ulrich Siegmund, as governor, but on Sunday said, "The firewall does not interest us, and we will speak with all parties." Qatari outlet Al Jazeera (Lean Left bias), The New York Times (Lean Left), and The European Conservative (Right) highlighted the prospect of a BSW-AfD coalition in analyses.

EU Leaders React: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that in Poland only "idiots or traitors" would celebrate the result. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure called it "very, very worrying." Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said it shows that "another Europe is possible." Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called it "a great night for Germany and Europe."

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Fox News has parted ways with longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo after more than 12 years with the network. But Bartiromo is disputing reports that she was fired.

The Details: After media reports announced Bartiromo's firing from Fox News, her attorney, Bryan Freedman, released a statement Thursday calling reports that she was no longer an employee of Fox News "irresponsible." Her attorney wrote in an email, "The release speaks for itself," according to Newsweek. Bartiromo has maintained a close relationship with President Trump and has frequently given him a friendly platform, but she has also at times publicly challenged members of his administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the rollout and messaging of Trump's tariff policy.

Fox News Media's Statement: Fox News Media issued a press release that didn't give details about Bartiromo's next endeavors or the reason for the departure from the news network. Fox News Media said, "We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter." Shows previously hosted by Bartiromo, including Mornings with Maria, will transition to Mornings with FOX Business with rotating anchors, according to the press release. 

Trump's Reaction: Trump praised Bartiromo in a post on his Truth Social platform. "I can't believe Maria Bartiromo is no longer going to have her great show(s) on FoxNews/Business," he wrote. "Three different shows, always number one. Maria is a total professional, and a true warrior. Her fans, of which there are many, will not be happy. God bless you, Maria!"

How The Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) focused on the reported dispute over Fox's internal editorial guidance and Bartiromo's relationship with the Trump White House, framing her departure around Fox's corporate and editorial interests. Newsmax (Right) also reported the alleged sharing of internal guidance but gave more attention to Bartiromo's status as a prominent pro-Trump host and compared her departure with previous high-profile Fox exits, including Tucker Carlson and Bill O'Reilly. 

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Women accounted for 98% of new jobs in August, according to the monthly jobs report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prompting headlines and analysis.

Jobs Report: The US added 162,000 new non-farm payrolls in August, something that mainstream outlets across the spectrum framed positively as a better-than-expected result. Unemployment stayed steady at 4.1%. Food services added 59,000 jobs, local government education added 42,000, manufacturing added 16,000, construction added 22,000, and healthcare added 13,000. Conversely, the information sector, which includes things like web infrastructure, lost 23,000 jobs. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) called the report a "bright spot" after "early-summer doldrums" and noted that it previously polled economists who expected the economy to add 53,000 jobs in August.

Ladies First: Women accounted for 158,000 new jobs in August, while men accounted for 4,000. This was covered in headlines by a handful of mainstream outlets, including Fortune (Center), Semafor (Lean Left), CNBC (Lean Left), Just The News (Lean Right), and The Post Millennial (Right). President Trump shared Just The News' coverage on Truth Social and wrote, "No wonder they like me!!!"

Not Good News?: Semafor and Fortune both framed the news as lukewarm or possibly negative for women. Semafor quoted Indeed Hiring Lab and wrote, "Because women tend to earn less than men and are likelier to hold multiple jobs, the figure suggests hiring is clustered in low-paying, contingent roles, meaning it's not 'necessarily a positive story for women overall.'" Fortune spoke to Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, who said, "I think there's been way too much focus on the month to month – is it men gaining jobs or women? That moves around a lot." She claimed, ​​"The reason that women were down in July and up in August is almost entirely driven by education hiring – the teacher effect. It's not like something dramatically changed for women."

Another Angle: Fortune noted that men lost 6,000 jobs to women in leisure and hospitality and that "several other service industries showed the same pattern, where women accounted for more than 100% of net job growth since male employment fell." The Daily Wire (Right) highlighted that since President Trump took office for his second term, women have driven "nearly all net hiring." The Daily Wire referenced an analysis from the "left-leaning nonprofit" Economic Security Project, which noted that since December 2024, women's cumulative payrolls have risen by about 765,000, and men have dropped by about 6,000.

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President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow on Saturday for over three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and then to Kyiv on Sunday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Key Context: Ahead of the talks, Trump told reporters, "We have an idea for peace. I sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, two great negotiators. They've done a great job, and we sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we'll do it." Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to refrain from striking each other's capitals during the visits.

Moscow Talks: Mainstream reporting mostly focused on quotes from Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. Ushakov told reporters that Witkoff and Kushner were "seriously prepared" for the meeting, which was "substantive, constructive, extremely candid and trusting." He said US envoys presented "a number of considerations regarding possible paths toward a settlement," and that "tangible advances of the Russian army in the combat zone were noted. And it was acknowledged that negotiations must be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the conflict." The two sides also discussed "in considerable detail" potential "major, mutually beneficial Russian-American" economic projects, according to Yushakov. Witkoff reportedly thanked Putin for the recent release of Robert Gilman, a former Marine who had been imprisoned in Russia.

Journey to Kyiv: Witkoff and Kushner flew out of Moscow and landed in Rzeszów, Poland, around 1:30 a.m. CEST on Sunday. They then proceeded by train to Kyiv, where they were greeted by several of Ukraine's top ministers, according to The Kyiv Independent (Center), which said they had to travel by rail because "Russian strikes prevented a flight." The outlet also reported that, according to "two people familiar with the matter… national security advisors from Germany, France, and the UK are also expected to attend the discussions."

Kyiv Talks: Zelenskyy said the discussions were "good" and included "several new ideas" but did not elaborate on what the ideas were. He said he was "grateful that, despite the long hiatus," there were "some form of negotiations" and that "Ukraine, Europe, and the US will meet in the near future." Zelenskyy also said the US will "increase the production" of "Patriot systems next year" because Ukraine is "counting on such systems to protect our state."

RELATED: How Conservative Western Media Spun a Female Biologist Into a 'Russian Escort' | AllSides

US Side: After the Kyiv talks, Kushner told reporters, "One thing Steve and I really thought would be productive is to go back to the trilateral format, which we were able to do about six months ago." Reflecting on previous trilateral negotiations, he said, "Everyone was speaking, you know, in Russian to each other and really discussing these issues in a very actually friendly manner, all in Russian." Zelenskyy said Ukraine must do "everything possible" to make these trilateral talks happen. The Kyiv Independent reported speaking to "a source familiar with the matter" who said Trump is expected to speak with Putin and Zelenskyy after his September 7 briefing.

Split Framing: Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) and CNN (Lean Left) both highlighted optimistic quotes from Witkoff in headlines after the Kyiv talks concluded on Sunday. Conversely, The Kyiv Independent framed the talks as a failure and quoted Zelenskyy, who said "the war will continue," in its headline.

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All House Republicans along with eight House Democrats voted to adopt a congressional resolution formally denouncing socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) on Tuesday.

The Bill: The non-binding resolution condemns and denounces "socialism in all its forms," stating that "socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has, time and time again, collapsed into communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships." Several specific examples are listed where "socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide." The resolution asserted that the "United States was founded on the belief in the sanctity of the individual, to which the collectivistic system of socialism in all its forms is fundamentally and necessarily opposed." The resolution also contained a measure which called for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. The resolution passed in a 220-192 vote.

Depressing: James Freeman, writing for Wall Street Journal Opinion (Lean Right bias) said "let's celebrate the brave few who signed their names and their sacred honor this week to an amendment that tells the truth about history's most murderous ideology." According to Freeman, "It's hard to find anything in this summary [a draft amendment written by supporting Democrats] of the last bloody century that a reasonable person would want changed except to replace the word 'capitalism' with 'free enterprise.'" Freeman asked, "When was the last time you wanted to copy and paste the text of congressional legislation—offered entirely by Democrats! —and email it to your children?" There are still "a brave few House members" willing to "stand tall against collectivist horror," adding that "it's depressing how few elected Democrats are willing to stand up against the vicious Marxists intent on taking over their party."

The S-Word: Opinion writer Ben Burgis for Jacobin (Left) said that "Congress Is Red-Baiting Like It's 1955." The "Anti-DSA Bill" is "rehearse[d] opposition to Stalinist authoritarianism" according to Burgis, while "the bill's real preoccupation is with socialists advocacy for expanded democracy." Burgis called the resolution's nominal argument "a mess," explaining that "The first two 'whereas' clauses are claims about the crimes of Stalinist regimes," and asserting that "democratic socialists have always been critical of such regimes." The "resoultion's strategy of lumping democratic socialists with authoritarian states is dramatically undercut by clauses about DSA's calls to expand voting rights, abolish the Senate, and enact ranked-choice voting to make it easier for third parties to compete" according to Burgis. He asserted that "Letting more people vote, making political representation proportional to the number of voters in each state, and expanding the options on Americans' ballots would take us much further from anything resembling an authoritarian one-party state." The bottom-line, according to Burgis, is that "The Republican-dominated Congress thinks that the mention of the S-word will inspire terror in the hearts of patriotic Americans, as though this were 1955."

RELATED: Trump's Warnings Over Communism In America Sparks Differing Perspectives 

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Lindsay Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder and life in prison without parole for strangling her three children – Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callen, 8 – to death in 2023. Clancy pleaded not guilty by reason of postpartum insanity.

The Details: Judge William Sullivan declared the mistrial on Friday afternoon, saying, "I understood how hard everybody worked in this case. I understood that you all gave everything you could and probably more than you thought you could."

The jury foreperson reportedly stated to Sullivan on Thursday that one juror was "rufus[ing to] listen to the law" that defines "reasonable doubt." The jury then reported on Friday morning that the deadlock remained, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that we report we are unable to come to a unanimous decision and will not be able to." The defense followed with a request for the outlying juror's removal and filed an emergency motion to stay the verdict, which Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) Associate Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt denied.

Key Defense Arguments: Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington argued that Clancy was undertreated and overmedicated when she carried out the murders – factors that denoted her legal inculpability. He called Clancy a "fantastic, wonderful individual." He claimed that during the trial – which has given voice to about 70 out of 200 witnesses since it began on July 27th – "nobody had anything bad to say about her except for the two prosecutors and apparently [Plymouth County District Attorney] Tim Cruz."

Criticizing the outlying juror, he said, "She deserved that acquittal that she should have had." He also told Sullivan that his method of reviewing "reasonable doubt" with the jurors was "soft." Forensic psychiatrist and filicide expert Dr. Phillip Resnick said Clancy believed she was doing what was best for her children.

Key Prosecution Arguments: Prosecuting Attorneys Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham argued instead that Clancy, who sent her husband to pick up food before carrying out the murders, acted with "deliberate, premeditated, and extreme atrocity and cruelty." Forensic psychologist Kirk Heilbrun partially agreed with Resnick's assessment in saying Clancy's actions aligned with "altruistic filicide," but he said that such an alignment supplants the postpartum psychosis argument.

RELATED: Does Lindsay Clancy Deserve Sympathy for Her Mental Health and Actions? | AllSides

What's Next: Reddington requested that Sullivan consider a not-guilty ruling due to insufficient evidence, and a hearing is now set for September 29th. If denied, Cruz will be tasked with deciding whether to establish a retrial. Cruz said on Friday, "We're here at this courthouse today because those children are not."

How The Media Covered It: This case has garnered extreme national polarization alternative to the traditional left-to-right political scale, and it's erupted deep questions about psychiatric care, mental health precedents, criminal culpability, and nuances in court proceedings. Read more about the culture of this case.

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House Democrats on Wednesday blocked a proposed Constitutional amendment to prevent expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

The Bill: To pass the house, the bill would have needed a two-thirds majority vote, but only garnered 212-206, with all but one Democrat opposing the measure. The bill, if passed by the House, Senate, and ratified by 38 states would have stipulated that "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices."

Frame Democrats As Radical: The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) called the measure "a symbolic gesture," explaining that it was "not expected to advance." The article highlighted Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who proposed the bill, saying the Democrats voted against the bill "so they can follow through on a radical socialist agenda." The Examiner also mentioned that "The Republican Party instantly seized on the outcome as an avenue to frame Democrats as radical ahead of the midterm elections."

Republican Concerns: Reuters (Center) asserted that "House Republicans staged the vote to highlight the potential for Democrats, angered by rulings on issues such as abortion and voting rights, to expand the court and weaken its conservative majority if they regain control of Congress in November's midterms." The outlet also noted that both parties "have historically staged votes on bills they know will fail but are known as 'messaging bills' that can be used to shore up support with voters during election campaigns and force political opponents into taking stands on thorny issues." Reuters also said that Republican Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to schedule the vote "underscored Republican concerns that Trump's low approval ratings could cost the party its House or Senate majority."

Fever Pitch: The Washington Post (Lean Left), before the House vote, published an article headlined "Angry at the Supreme Court, liberals push a slew of plans for overhauling it." The article highlighted a bill that proposes increasing the number of Supreme Court justices to 13 while another bill would cut the lifetime terms of justices to 18 years. According to the Post, "the latest wave of proposals to overhaul the Supreme Court have reached something of a fever pitch over the past few months, as Democrats grow increasingly frustrated with the court's rightward turn."

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The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proposed regulations to end federal tax exemptions for "private schools that engage in racial discrimination" on Thursday.

The Details: According to the IRS, the rules would affect primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities that discriminate based on race, color, or national or ethnic origin across any program or policy. Religious schools will retain the right to select students based on religious affiliation and maintain religious missions or observance. Institutions may still expand opportunities for disadvantaged students using race-neutral criteria, with final regulations taking effect for taxable years starting on or after May 31, 2027. The two agencies think that if implemented, the proposal could impact 18,000 institutions.

For Context: The proposal follows up on an executive order President Trump signed on his second day in office, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." In March 2025, the Trump administration launched an investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at over 50 universities across the United States.

How The Media Covered It: The Daily Caller (Right bias) first reported the news on Wednesday night, before the federal government confirmed it on Thursday. Outlets across the spectrum framed the policy slightly differently in headlines. The Daily Caller repeated the administration's wording of "racial discrimination" in its headline, whereas The New York Times (Lean Left) described it as "aid" for "minority students." Just The News (Lean Right) described it as "race-based aid," and US News & World Report (Lean Left) said it affects schools with "DEI policies." The New York Times included perspectives from several "nonprofit experts" who were critical of the proposal.

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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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Following President Donald Trump's announcement of an oil deal with Venezuela, some have asked whether it will lower gas prices and questioned the longer-term benefits for the US.

RELATED: Trump Calls Venezuela Oil Agreement the 'Biggest Oil Deal in World History'

Don't Hold Your Breath: CBS News (Lean Left bias) highlighted that US gas prices are "still above $4 a gallon," saying that "American consumers may be wondering if help is on the way." The article framed the response to this concern around energy experts, who according to the article, said "Don't hold your breath." The article conceded that Venezuela's 65 billion barrels of oil held in proven reserves (oil that geological and engineering information indicates can reasonably be recovered) "could eventually lead to more oil flowing to the U.S.," adding however, that "new fields can take 15 years after discovery to begin producing oil."

Energy-Security Win: Some outlets on the right, like The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) focused more on geo-political implications. The article highlighted that with the deal, the US "now controls about 7% of global oil reserves," adding that "the transaction is also a blow against China's efforts to dominate global natural resources." The Examiner also said that "over time," the deal "will further reduce the geopolitical power Iran can project because of its strategic location adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz." Fox News (Right) said that the new agreement could give the US "access to a 65-billion-barrel crude-oil-prize — an energy security win, even if drivers are unlikely to see benefits quickly."

Many Risks Involved: According to The Washington Post (Lean Left) there are many risks involved with the deal. The article said that "getting the oil out of the ground and to the market could leave U.S. taxpayers exposed to quite a bit of risk," adding that this is one of the points federal officials "have been especially cagey" with. The article cited managing director at ClearView Energy Partners Kevin Book saying, "I don't know the answer to where the money is coming from," adding that "The role the Pentagon is or is not playing remains a mystery." Durability of the agreement is also a risk according to the article, leading companies to ask whether the deal would endure after Trump leaves office, "especially as some Democrats are already signaling they plan to work to unwind it."

RELATED: Maduro Appears to Flash Peace Sign from Prison in First Photos Since His Capture

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An anonymous whistleblower claimed the US Postal Service (USPS) is ignoring a court ruling by moving forward with efforts to implement President Trump's executive order to tighten requirements for mail-in voting.

The Details: According to the whistleblower, USPS violated court orders by moving forward with a "secretive, rushed" effort to implement technology to comply with Trump's directive, despite it still being challenged in court. The whistleblower claims the new system hasn't been tested enough and risks "catastrophic failure" that could "derail" midterm elections for "potentially millions of American voters," including by delaying or preventing eligible absentee voters from receiving their ballots. The complaint was shared publicly on Tuesday by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

The New System: In March, Trump signed an executive order ordering the federal government to create state citizenship lists and require USPS to send ballots only to people on those lists. The administration said this helps ensure only American citizens are voting in elections. As part of this order, Straight Arrow News (Center bias) reported that the USPS would require unique barcodes on the outbound and return envelopes for mail ballots. States would be required to submit the names and addresses of voters receiving mail ballots and their unique barcodes to the online "Federal Mail Ballot Portal." The order is currently being challenged in court.

From the Left: Outlets on the left emphasized the whistleblower's claims that the technology could negatively impact the midterms. The New York Times (Lean Left) said "Voting by mail would become much more difficult, if not impossible, for tens of millions of Americans" if USPS is allowed to put "the restrictive rules" in place. ABC News (Lean Left) cited concerns from lawmakers, voter advocates and civil liberties groups who it said "worry the rules could prevent some legitimate, eligible voters from receiving ballots." The outlet said these groups fear "an added bureaucratic layer" which has the potential for "federal meddling." However, ABC briefly noted at the end of its article that "For most voters, nothing is likely to change how they cast ballots by mail in the midterm elections" as the court fight continues.

From the Right: The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) wrote, "Consider the source," and said the complaint comes ahead of "a key deadline" in the Trump administration's legal battle over the order. It noted how quickly Democrats picked up the story and quoted a spokesperson from the Advancing American Freedom organization who said they believed the accusations are "impossible to verify" as the claims are "very general" and "paints only a worse-case scenario." The National Desk (Right) acknowledged that USPS was allowed to work on the system despite the legal challenges, "as long as states were not using it."

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President Trump said NBC host Kristen Welker "will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment" for "purposeful inaccuracy" on Sunday after she said he had "mixed results" with candidates he's endorsed in primary elections.

Key Quotes: The Meet the Press host said during a live broadcast for a local DC affiliate that Trump "is going to loom large over these midterms." She added, "He, of course, has endorsed a slate of candidates in the primaries. He's had some mixed results." Trump claimed his endorsements "stand at 100% for the U.S. Senate, and 98% for the U.S. House, recently and over the longterm." He added, "The Press is a Disgrace to our Nation, and I hope that Chairman Brendan Carr, and the fine people of his Commission, will take this Threat to our Country very seriously." On Monday, NBC told several news outlets, "Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her."

For Context: According to Ballotpedia, so far in 2026 primary elections, President Trump has a 96% success rate. Last week, a USA Today (Lean Left bias) data analysis reached a similar conclusion, and a Fox News (Right) analysis found Trump had a 100% Senate success rate and 98% House success rate. Earlier in August, NBC News (Lean Left) published an analysis that said Trump's endorsement record had "taken a notable hit" in August. Fox News noted that for something to be qualified as "news distortion," FCC policy requires proof that the report was "deliberately distorted."

RELATED: FCC Head Carr Says News Broadcasters Could Lose Licenses if They Don't 'Correct Course' | AllSides

FCC Context: Brendan Carr, the head of the FCC, was appointed by Trump in 2017 and served as one of the FCC's Republican commissioners during the Biden administration until Trump made him chairman after his 2024 presidential victory. In March, Carr threatened not to renew several news broadcasters' licenses unless they "correct[ed] course" on their coverage of the Iran war. On August 18, Disney, the parent of ABC News (Lean Left) and ESPN (Lean Left), sued the FCC for reviewing its broadcast licenses two years before their expiration.

Previous Tiff: In June, Trump abruptly walked out of a Meet the Press interview with Welker after the two got into a disagreement about the integrity of the 2020 presidential election and California's recent elections. At the time, Trump said, "It was raining and it was with NBC fake news. And because it was raining, I got a little bit angry at them." Welker said she spoke with Trump afterward and that they "both acknowledged the complications during the interview posed by the rain."

RELATED: Trump Ends 'Crooked' Interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press' | AllSides

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced 163 missing children have been located across the state in what officials called "one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history." The story was primarily covered by local outlets.

The Details: The children were found through Operation Statewide Shield, a 5-day operation that took place from Aug. 17 to 21. Officials said the children ranged from 2 months to 17-years-old and reportedly experienced "various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity." According to the FDLE, the operation also resulted in additional locations and recoveries in six states, one US territory and 12 countries, however these numbers weren't shared. Fox News (Right bias) reported that three men have been arrested so far.

Where They Were Found: According to the press release, officials found 41 children in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, 8 in Pensacola, and 3 in the Tallahassee region. Some of the countries where other children were found include Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy and Jamaica.

Other Recent Operations: In August, Arkansas state police announced they found eight missing or endangered children during a multi-agency operation. Law enforcement officials in Massachusetts also announced a recovery of 48 missing children in August after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while investigating kidnappings, child exploitation, human trafficking and other related criminal offense cases.

How the Media Covered It: The story was covered primarily by Florida local media, with additional coverage from Fox News, People Magazine (Lean Left) and Patch (Center). These outlets all covered the findings similarly, reporting on the press release announcement and including quotes from law enforcement. Fox News reported on the identities, backgrounds and charges of the men arrested. Fox also highlighted the work of different law enforcement entities involved. It and People wrote that the FDLE carried out the operation by following the structure of past operations in Florida, with Fox specifically mentioning operations by the US Marshals. Florida's WFLA (Center) included statements from a press conference where law enforcement noted circumstances that drive some children to run away and end up "in the hands of evil."

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