By Naveen Basavaraj, Assistant Professor of Operations and Decision Technologies, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
If the goal was to silence rapper Macklemore by preventing him from touring with singer Ed Sheeran, it clearly backfired.
Macklemore delivered a monologue in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and performed his pro-Palestinian protest song “Hind’s Hall” during a Sept. 4, 2026, concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where he was an opening act for Sheeran.
Ten days later, Macklemore was dropped from the tour after Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots…
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By Travis N. Ridout, Professor of Government and Public Policy, Washington State University
Erika Franklin Fowler, Professor of Government, Wesleyan University
Michael Franz, Professor of Government, Bowdoin College
Almost 170 ads and $80 million in spending and only 31% with a disclaimer: Here’s what researchers found when they tracked AI in this year’s campaign ads.
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By Daniel J. Mallinson, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Penn State
While many people are paying attention to how the 2026 midterm elections might change the balance of power in Washington, D.C., it is also a potentially pivotal election here in Pennsylvania.
Gov. Josh Shapiro is up for reelection, running against Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, the current state treasurer. Who wins that race will certainly shape the state’s policy agenda for the next two years.
In the General Assembly, which is currently…
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By Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Professor Emerita of Medieval History, University of Rhode Island
Almost every ceremonial object or ornament of the medieval papal monarchy has disappeared or lost its original purpose. Yet one survives: the golden rose.
On Sept. 26, 2026, during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France, he traveled to Lourdes, home to one of the world’s most famous shrines to the Virgin Mary. After praying, Leo presented a golden rose to Our Lady of Lourdes – the fifth time he has
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By Raghupathy Sivakumar, Vice President of Commercialization and Chief Commercialization Officer, Georgia Institute of Technology
Recent college graduates are facing a job market that’s only getting tougher. Their unemployment rate hit 5.7%, compared to 4.1% for all workers, in June 2026. That may not sound like much, but it’s one of the worst rates in the past 20 years.
Meanwhile, roughly…
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By Tracy Roof, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond
Some of these changes have already taken effect. Others that are a year or more away could make it hard for some states to keep participating in the program at all.
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By Hui-Ying Kerr, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication and Promotion, Nottingham Trent University
Stories of cute furry animals that manage to find moments of joy while doing crushing jobs are bringing some solace to a generation of burnt-out workers.
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By Karen Masterson, Assistant Professor of Journalism, University of Richmond
In the 1800s, West Africa became a focal point for efforts to remove Black people from America. The arrival of free people later gave the country its name.
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By John Mukum Mbaku, Professor, Weber State University
A military coup d’état is the ouster of an elected president or head of state, usually through the use or threat of force. Putschists (those who participate in a coup) often justify their actions by accusing the government of mismanaging the economy and lowering living standards. Political instability is another reason coup makers give for their actions.
A coup is not necessarily the most effective way to cure economic and political ills, however. Positive change comes…
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By Herkulaas MvE Combrink, Senior lecturer/ Co-Director, University of the Free State
The purpose of social listening is to connect what is being heard to decisions about what needs to be communicated.
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