IJR News

Senate Set for College Sports Overhaul Vote — 2dThe Senate is expected to vote on bipartisan legislation governing college athletes’ pay, eligibility and transfers before lawmakers leave Washington until after Election Day. President Donald Trump plans campaign rallies in Oklahoma and Alabama as some Republicans in competitive races distance themselves from him over the unpopular Iran war.

Kamala Harris campaigns in Michigan for 2026 midterms — Sep 21, 2026

Marcus Bell Harris should highlight auto industry jobs and border security to connect with Michigan voters this cycle.

Illinois Enacts Midwest’s First Aid-in-Dying Law — 5dIllinois' Deb's law took effect Sept. 12, making it the first Midwestern state and 13th plus D.C. to allow medical aid in dying after Deb Robertson's campaign.

Sam Okafor Pope Leo XIV has a point that society should focus on better pain relief instead of legalizing assisted death.

Harris Plans Michigan Campaign Events With El-Sayed — Sep 21, 2026Kamala Harris is campaigning with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to mobilize Black voters and progressive supporters, aiming to unite a fractured Democratic base ahead of a pivotal race that could determine control of the Senate. The events spotlight a strategy centered on broad coalitions and voter turnout in Michigan, a battleground state whose outcome could influence national momentum for Democrats.

Chris Dalton Uniting the base here is a solid step but it will take real follow-through to keep people engaged through November.

Nigeria’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Faces TurmoilPolitics — Sep 16, 2026Across the US and Nigeria, campaigning is defined by ongoing disputes over elections, governance, and opposition strategy. In the US, President Trump and GOP candidates persist with false election-fraud claims even as voters want to move on; in Nigeria, analysis centers on the APC's campaign council, oil politics, and the opposition's tactics ahead of 2027 elections.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Michigan Republicans test anti-socialist pitch with mixed success — 2dRepublicans are campaigning for Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers by portraying Democrat Abdul El-Sayed as a far-left socialist, while also trying to mobilize voters who often skip midterms. The pitch has had mixed success: some voters support Rogers but reject the claim that Democrats are extremists, amid broader dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and the war in Iran.

Jared Kim Voters seem fed up with the socialist label on El-Sayed when they already dislike how Trump is handling the economy and Iran.

Blackhawks Sign Oliver Moore to $21.25M Extension — 4dThe Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Oliver Moore to a five-year, $21.25 million extension, paying him $4.25 million annually. The 21-year-old, a 2023 first-round pick, had 19 points in 51 games last season before a lower-body injury ended his campaign.

Derek Foss This extension gives the Blackhawks some stability at forward for the next five years at a reasonable average.

Players End Public Campaign, Form New Grand Slam Advisory Council — Sep 14, 2026Top tennis players ended their public campaign Monday for a new Player Advisory Council after the U.S. Open set a record $108 million prize fund.

Chris Dalton It's about time the players organized properly to demand their fair share of the big tournament money.

US Military Says Four Killed in Caribbean Vessel Strike — Sep 20, 2026The U.S. military struck a vessel in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking, killing four people as part of a broader campaign led by President Trump against alleged narco-terrorists, bringing total reported deaths to at least 231 across 69 strikes. While the administration touts the campaign as necessary to curb drug flow, critics and rights groups label the operations extrajudicial killings and note limited publicly available evidence supporting the targets or outcomes, with reports of expansion plans for joint actions in Latin America.

Tom Gallagher These strikes keep adding bodies with little proof shown, and expanding them risks more mistakes in the region.

Converse Apologizes, Removes Ad After KKK ComparisonsBusiness — Sep 18, 2026Converse faced widespread backlash over a Chuck 70 X campaign image that many viewers perceived as KKK imagery and lynching, prompting apologies and removal from multiple channels; the controversy centers on photos featuring Karina and a white-hood-like silhouette alongside dangling shoes. The brand has not fully addressed why the imagery appeared across campaigns, while others highlighted additional related posts and past ads that drew similar comparisons.

National Trust launches $10M fund after White House preservation fights — 5dThe National Trust for Historic Preservation has launched a campaign to raise $10 million for legal defense, advocacy and community action amid concerns over threats to historic sites and preservation laws. The effort follows the group’s legal fight over President Trump’s White House ballroom project and broader disputes over federal changes to preservation policy.

Jim Carrey vs Adam SandlerYourlist — VS BattleRubber-faced mania versus deadpan slob comedy — two 90s comedy titans, two entirely different engines.

Survey finds Gen Z receptive to yard signs and mailers — Sep 14, 2026Gen Z’s role in politics is expanding in unexpected ways: new data suggest physical campaign materials can influence the online generation as ad spending climbs to a record $11.6 billion, challenging the idea that Gen Z is driven only by digital outreach. Beyond US campaigns, youth engagement is shaping political strategies and representation—from India’s youth-outreach campaigns to US panels and TV portrayals of Gen Z, underscoring a nuanced, growing influence across politics and culture.

Former Democratic Fundraiser Says Ashley Biden Threatened to Sue Her — Sep 18, 2026Lindy Li, a former Democratic fundraiser who has publicly criticized the party’s handling of Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, says Ashley Biden threatened to sue her after she… — by Andrew Powell

Derek Foss This kind of response from the Bidens won't fix the party's real problems with the 2024 race.

Convicted Sex Offender Leads Prayer at Whatley Rally — Sep 11, 2026A registered sex offender, Daimon L. King, delivered the opening prayer at a Whatley campaign event in New Bern, NC, with Whatley’s team saying the event was not planned or organized by the campaign and that Whatley did not know King. King's prior convictions involving minors and his prominent role in Republican circles raise questions about Whatley’s campaign stance on crime and could fuel Democratic ads linking the candidate to a convicted offender.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear Hints at 2028 Presidential Run — 6dKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, promoting a new book about faith and public service, criticized the use of Christianity to divide people and condemned President Donald Trump’s “us versus them” politics. He has not announced another campaign, but said he is no longer sure his 2023 reelection was his last race and will consider his political future after completing his work as governor and Democratic Governors Association chair.

Can you read data — or just vibes?Quizie — QuizFifteen questions on charts, stats, and the tricks numbers play. The rank tells everyone whether to trust your slides.

Ovechkin Campaign Video Draws NHL, Latvia Scrutiny — Sep 14, 2026Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin appeared in campaign videos for Russia's ruling United Russia party alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ahead of the September elections, continuing a long history of publicly supporting Vladimir Putin. The appearances echo his earlier 'Putin Team' initiative and have drawn attention to the intersection of sports stardom and Russian politics while underscoring his ongoing political alignment with the Kremlin.

US Tourism Campaigns Seek Return of Canadian Visitors — Sep 6, 2026

Sam Okafor We used to go to Vegas every winter, now we drive to Mexico instead. Feels less complicated lately.

Husted Fires Political Director Over Nazi Imagery — Sep 11, 2026U.S. Sen. Jon Husted fired his political director Stephen Woytek after reports of a Nazi SS photo and Rhodesia playlists on his social media, with the campaign saying the posts showed a complete lack of judgment and that he was dismissed immediately. The move highlights ongoing vetting concerns within Husted's campaign.

'Enough is enough': Patrick Clancy at center of 'destructive defamation campaign,' attorney says6 sources — Sep 8, 2026

Talarico Clarifies Stance on Trans Athletes After Fox News Comments — 6dIn Texas, Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico has tempered his stance on transgender athletes, emphasizing local decision-making and saying he opposes trans athletes in girls’ sports only if safety or fairness are at risk, as he campaigns statewide. Across coverage, Republicans push to frame transgender participation in women's sports as a key issue while Democrats try to pivot to broader concerns in a high-stakes Texas race.

Texas Senate Hopeful Talarico Names Favorite Drag Queen — Sep 14, 2026Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico quickly named Alyssa Edwards as his favorite Texas drag queen at a campaign event, a response that has sparked ongoing criticism and questions about his past remarks on drag, transgender issues, and youth performances. The coverage portrays the episode as part of a broader pattern of controversial comments and campaign missteps, with opponents and media outlets highlighting perceived creepiness and pushing back on his stance on drag and LGBTQ topics.

Vance Campaigns Across Midwest as GOP Defends Seats — Sep 14, 2026JD Vance is actively campaigning in Kansas and Iowa as a top Republican surrogate to bolster Senate candidates Roger Marshall and other GOP nominees, while Democrats push in traditionally red states where races have unexpectedly narrowed. The tour underscores GOP anxiety about the midterm map amid concerns over Iran policy and President Trump’s standing, with Kansas’s Hamilton challenging Marshall and national observers noting the effort as a broader push in red-to-purple terrain.

William Wilberforce Begins Abolition CampaignGood News — FROM 1787Parliamentarian fights slave trade

Adidas Faces Boycott Calls Over Israeli Soldier CampaignBusiness — Sep 3, 2026Adidas is facing calls for a boycott after featuring Israeli soldier Shaliv Biton in its Single Shoe/One Shoe campaigns in Israel and globally. Activists say using a soldier tied to Gaza offensives underscores the human cost of the conflict and demand the brand rethink its campaign.

Florence Pugh Calls on Men to Speak Out Against Violence on Women Over Cornell Case