The Conversation Daily — September 25, 2026
10 stories · September 25, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Trump has gotten rid of many of the checks and balances that could stop him from demolishing the Kennedy Center
theconversation.com · E. Andrew Taylor, Associate Professor and Director of Arts Management, American University
Musicians perform during a rally against the closing of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 18, 2026. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana Who gets to decide the future of the living…
- 2
Trump frames unregulated AI as a way to keep ahead of China – but in fact, it harms US national security
theconversation.com · Stephen Collins, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Kennesaw State University
Are Presidents Trump and Xi walking down a dangerous path on AI? Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Amid the chorus of voices calling for a slowdown in AI advancement and more government…
- 3
What civil rights enforcement cuts mean for students with disabilities – fewer staff, closed offices, longer waits
theconversation.com · David Edward DeMatthews, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, The University of Texas at Austin
The Department of Education has undergone various changes, including closing regional offices of its Office for Civil Rights, since 2025. J. David Ake/Getty Images Felicita Piñón weighed just 1 pound…
- 4
Mold and heat closed Pittsburgh-area schools – an expert explains the risks to kids
theconversation.com · Rebecca Smullin Dawson, Associate Professor of Biology, Allegheny College
Many older school buildings lack air conditioning, leaving fans as the main defense against classroom heat. RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images For many southwestern…
- 5
Data centers’ neighbors weigh in on how to manage them
theconversation.com · Fengxiu Zhang, Associate Professor of Policy and Government, George Mason University · Saba Siddiki, Professor of Citizenship and Democracy, Syracuse University
People who live near data centers in northern Virginia have opinions about how to manage them. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images The people of northern Virginia have been living with data…
- 6
Detroit and Flint teens are struggling with their mental health – and worried adults around them feel ‘helpless’
theconversation.com · Crystal Cederna, Associate Professor of Public Health, Michigan State University
Constant stress makes it harder for teens to manage emotions. Maskot/Getty Images Teens in southeast Michigan go to school carrying with them far more than backpacks, books and water bottles. Many are…
- 7
What does it mean to ‘control’ for variables in a scientific study? A statistician explains
theconversation.com · Mark Louie Ramos, Assistant Research Professor of Health Policy and Administration, Penn State
Some participants in a clinical trial get the experimental drug, while those in the control group get a fake pill. Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Scientific studies, and news…
- 8
An overlooked era of cosmology is stealing the show in the quest to understand the cosmos
theconversation.com · Cara Giovanetti, Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics, University of California, Berkeley
The Large Binocular Telescope was used to take the new measurement of primordial helium-4. NASA Could you imagine if pagers made a comeback? Sure, your smartphone would still be your…
- 9
Here’s how teachers and parents can collaborate and help Michigan’s 1.4M students succeed
theconversation.com · Patricia Edwards, Professor of Education, Michigan State University
Family engagement can help students regularly attend classes, according to researchers. Paul Sancya/AP About 1.4 million Michigan students returned to the state’s K-12 public school classrooms this…
- 10
CDC vs. Pennsylvania: Why conflicting public health messages jeopardize public safety
theconversation.com · Katrine L. Wallace, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago
Pennsylvania has seen more than 600 cases of measles in 2026. Science Photo Library via Getty Images If you’ve been following the dispute between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Health and Human…