The Conversation Daily — September 26, 2026
10 stories · September 26, 2026
In this issue
- 1
In ‘NAZA,’ Israeli whistleblowers’ revelations about civilian deaths in Gaza reflect a longer history of Palestinian isolation
theconversation.com · Drew Paul, Professor of Arabic, University of Tennessee
'NAZA' filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor conducted interviews with anonymous members of Israeli military and intelligence services from the rooftops of Tel Aviv, Israel. Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP via…
- 2
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…
- 3
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…
- 4
‘The Uprising’ shows how medieval people weren’t so obedient after all
theconversation.com · Joëlle Rollo-Koster, Professor Emerita of Medieval History, University of Rhode Island
Woody Norman as King Richard II in 'The Uprising,' which tells the story of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, a major uprising across England that was triggered by high taxes and economic exploitation.…
- 5
Why the Trump administration’s bid to end diversity efforts at nonprofit schools is likely to get tied up in court
theconversation.com · Elizabeth Schmidt, Professor of Practice in Public Policy, Nonprofit Organizations, and Social & Environmental Enterprises, UMass Amherst
Some 18,000 private schools could be affected by a proposed new rule if it goes into effect. Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The Trump administration wants to strip all nonprofit…
- 6
What the settlement left out: Meta can still collect data from kids
theconversation.com · Randolph A Robinson II, Associate Professor of Law, University of Illinois Chicago
Meta's surveillance business model has kids as well as adults in its sights. AP Photo/Noah Berger In August 2026, Meta agreed to one of the largest consumer protection settlements in American history.…
- 7
How soybeans took over the American diet – without anyone noticing
theconversation.com · Edward D. Melillo, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Environmental Studies, Amherst College
A combine harvests soybeans in a Minnesota field. Richard Hamilton Smith/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images U.S. farmers will produce a record-breaking harvest of 4.52…
- 8
How heat on the Tibetan Plateau fuels powerful storms in California, half a world away
theconversation.com · Yongkang Xue, Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
Heavy rain from an atmospheric river sent the Los Angeles River, normally mostly empty, spilling over its sides in February 2024. Mario Tama/Getty Images The Tibetan Plateau may be on the other side…
- 9
Are too many Americans taking antidepressants?
theconversation.com · Andrew McLean, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota
Rates of anxiety and depression have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic – as have prescriptions for antidepressants. brizmaker/iStock via Getty Images Plus Drugs for treating depression are among…
- 10
2026’s El Niño is shaping up to be a doozy – it’s already affecting global shipping, fish behavior and heat
theconversation.com · Steven Paton, Research Biologist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian Institution
With deepening drought, worsened by El Niño, Panama Canal authorities cut the number of ships allowed to transit. Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images El Niño is here, and forecasters warn that it’s…