IJR News

PEN Reports Nearly 12,000 School Book Bans — 1dPEN America reported a record 11,982 book bans in U.S. public schools in 2025-26, with Texas alone logging over 8,100 after SB13.

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Tom Gallagher It's troubling to see over 8,100 bans in Texas alone after that new law. Kids need access to all kinds of books to learn.

European stocks post modest gains as French fiscal worries persistFinance — 1dEuropean stocks rose modestly Tuesday as Brent fell below $100 after Nasdaq's AI-led record; Le Pen warned France was heading toward debt default.

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Nicole Hardy Brent falling below 100 is helpful for energy costs but the modest European gains show investors are still cautious on fiscal risks.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, ye — 6dPosted to FaithTap by IJR.

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French Far Right Wins 14 Senate Seats, Forms Caucus — Sep 27, 2026RN and allies won 14 French Senate seats on Sept. 27, 2026, clearing the 10-seat bar for their first caucus. Le Pen called it a historic victory.

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Maya Lindstrom The far right finally getting a Senate caucus shows real progress for Le Pen's party before 2027.

Yankees Reinstate Clarke Schmidt After Tommy John Surgery — Sep 13, 2026The Yankees plan to activate Clarke Schmidt off the 60-day injured list and use him in relief down the stretch as he returns from Tommy John surgery and an internal brace; executives anticipate him contributing out of the bullpen in October with an eye toward a longer-term role in 2027. The activation involves roster moves to clear space and underscores the team’s bullpen reshaping as Schmidt rebuilds his form, with velocity in line with pre-injury and late-season competition for spots among solid pen options.

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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.

Country Songs Penned by Helicopter Pilot and 13-Year-Old Became Chart Hits — Sep 12, 2026A set of origin stories highlights how iconic songs and careers were shaped by quick inspiration, youthful breakthroughs, and unlikely paths—from Loretta Lynn writing You Ain’t Woman Enough in 10 minutes after a backstage confrontation, to Tanya Tucker recording The Jamestown Ferry at 13, and Barry White turning a country tune into a soul classic with You’re The First, The Last, My Everything. The articles also recount Kris Kristofferson’s Me and Bobby McGee written during Gulf of Mexico helicopter work, and Tucker’s hit Love’s the Answer marking an early peak in a long, Hall of Fame career.

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Rachel Meyers Kris writing Me and Bobby McGee between helicopter flights is the kind of detail that makes you appreciate how songs really get made.

Chester County Rescinds Policy; Pennsbury Faces ComplaintPolitics — Sep 28, 2026A Pennsylvania school system, Chester County Intermediate Unit, rescinded a policy that restricted staff from telling parents about students’ transgender status, following a legal challenge. Separately, Liberty Counsel asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Pennsbury School District, alleging staff used a student’s male name and pronouns for nearly three years without informing the parents.

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Pentagon reinstates mandatory testosterone screening for troops over 30 — Sep 18, 2026The Pentagon has reissued and standardized mandatory testosterone deficiency screening for male service members aged 30 and older after previously pausing guidance, with under-30 personnel eligible for screening on request and a structured symptom-risk assessment followed by two fasting morning tests. It also clarifies that treatment is for diagnosed deficiency only and should not be used to boost battlefield performance, with no penalties for declining treatment.

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Tom Gallagher Smart move keeping treatment limited to diagnosed cases instead of turning it into some performance shortcut.

State Museum Shifts Programs to Harrisburg Library During Renovations — Sep 14, 2026While The State Museum of Pennsylvania remains closed for a major renovation through early 2029, it is extending access to its programs by partnering with the Dauphin County Library System to bring hands-on history, art, and science sessions to the George & Hettie Love Memorial Library for pre-K through second graders this fall. The 45-minute, noon sessions cover daily life in Revolutionary Pennsylvania, William Penn’s birthday celebrations, the Eastern wild turkey, and the Eastern hemlock, with pre-registration available for each program at 530 S. 29th Street in Harrisburg.

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WHYY Names Vigeant WPSU General ManagerBusiness — 19hWHYY has named public media veteran Fred Vigeant general manager of WPSU, effective Oct. 26, after completing its acquisition of the Pennsylvania station from Penn State. He will oversee WPSU’s radio, television and digital services as the outlet retains its name and local focus under WHYY’s ownership.

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Democrats Seek State Role in Europe Troop Review — Sep 17, 2026Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and fellow Senate Democrats urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the State Department is fully involved in the Pentagon-led Europe Force Posture Review, arguing that ambassadors and diplomats must be consulted to account for diplomatic and alliance implications. Critics warn that sidelining State Department input could strain NATO ties, especially with Baltic states, as Russia intensifies hybrid threats, while the administration maintains an interagency review is needed to balance diplomacy with defense considerations as the review runs toward its year-end conclusion.

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Toy Story vs ShrekYourlist — VS BattleThe toy box vs the swamp: two animation revolutions, one inevitable playground argument.

Congress passes bill ending penny production — Sep 29, 2026The Senate passed the bipartisan Common Cents Act, sending it to President Donald Trump to formally end production of pennies, which cost nearly four cents each to make and are expected to save the government about $56 million annually. As pennies become scarcer, businesses could round cash transactions to the nearest five cents; existing pennies would remain valid, and electronic payments would be unaffected.

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Scientists identify new penguin species after century — Sep 27, 2026Genomic analysis has revealed that gentoo penguins comprise four distinct species, including the newly identified southeastern gentoo, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, on the remote Kerguelen Islands—the first penguin species newly named in more than a century. Researchers warn that three of the four species could face severe habitat loss, underscoring conservation risks that may be obscured when the penguins are treated as one species.

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Hegseth Names Musk, Luckey and Gingrich to Lead Pentagon Warfare Study — 6dDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth named Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to help lead Project Meridian, a roughly four-month Pentagon study of technologies for future warfare, from underground battlefields to space. The Pentagon says the effort will focus on identifying and fielding tools, but the appointments have raised conflict-of-interest concerns because Musk and Luckey’s companies hold defense contracts and both are major Republican political donors.

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Nicole Hardy Gingrich adds political weight but the tech side needs people who have actually delivered working systems not more reports.

Norway reports 1 million pension recipients aged 62+ — Sep 27, 2026Norway reported that more than 1 million people age 62 and older received retirement pensions in 2025, while Ukrainian guidance clarifies which workers qualify for full sick-leave pay and how maternity and child-care leave count toward pension insurance records. Separately, research and family experience suggest that paid leave for fathers can support mothers’ health, children’s well-being and family connections.

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The Big FiveQuizie — QuizThe personality model scientists actually use — five traits, twenty questions, your real percentages, and an AI read of what your mix means.

Wisconsin Completes 17-Point Comeback at No. 13 Penn StateSports — Sep 25, 2026Wisconsin rallied from a 17-0 deficit to beat No. 13 Penn State 24-20, ending a six-game losing streak against the Nittany Lions as quarterback Colton Joseph threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner. Penn State’s defense had forced two first-half interceptions, but the offense missed injured leading receiver Koby Howard and couldn’t hold the lead.

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Flag Unfurls at Pentagon on 25th 9/11 Anniversary — Sep 11, 2026As part of 25-year commemorations of the Sept. 11 attacks, a large American flag was unfurled at sunrise on the Pentagon’s west side, with ceremonies and wreath-laying to honor nearly 3,000 victims. President Donald Trump is participating in the Pentagon observance, alongside first responders, Gold Star families, and a traveling steel beam memorial.

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Elena Vasquez It's good to see the Pentagon honoring the victims with this flag ceremony on the anniversary.

Early voting opens in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Maine counties — 2dEarly voting is underway or beginning across parts of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Maine, with options including in-person voting, vote centers and mail or absentee ballots. Deadlines and hours vary by location; Election Day is Nov. 3, and Maine also allows eligible residents to register and vote during early voting or on Election Day.

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Maya Lindstrom Maine's same day registration during early voting should help more folks turn out without extra hassle.

Penn State Struggles After Back-to-Back LossesSports — 4dPenn State’s season is in trouble after back-to-back losses, capped by a 34-13 defeat to Northwestern in which the Nittany Lions managed just 48 rushing yards and allowed 413 on the ground. Coach Matt Campbell and players acknowledged the need to improve fundamentals and regain the program’s standard as they prepare to face USC at home.

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Pennsylvania Senate Passes PFAS Foam Ban BillPolitics — 1dPennsylvania’s Senate approved a bipartisan bill, 48-1, to phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricting its manufacture, sale and distribution beginning in July 2027 and its use starting in 2028. The measure also requires warning labels on protective gear containing PFAS, chemicals linked to health risks and environmental contamination; a companion bill passed the House unanimously in 2025.

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Big Ten sets Penn State at Michigan for 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 17Sports — 1dPenn State and Michigan will meet at 3:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 17 in Ann Arbor, though the TV network has not been announced. Both teams are coming off consecutive losses, dimming the stakes of a matchup that had been viewed as a marquee Big Ten game.

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Big Ten Admits Nebraska-Maryland Extra-Point Error — 1dThe Big Ten acknowledged that officials made an error during Nebraska’s 48-23 win over Maryland: after a roughing-the-snapper penalty on a missed extra point, Nebraska should have been allowed to retry the kick, but the penalty was applied to the ensuing kickoff. Coach Matt Rhule said a miscommunication with an official led him to accept that enforcement; the error did not change the outcome.

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Voters cite inflation, economy ahead of 2026 midtermsPolitics — 1dInflation and the cost of living are major concerns for voters heading into the midterms, cited by early voters in Ohio and New Mexico and by Latino voters in Pennsylvania. In New Mexico, a poll found inflation was the top issue for one-third of voters, while Pennsylvania voters expressed differing views of the economy and President Trump’s performance.

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Penguins Tie Flyers Shutout Mark, Set Road Record — 6dThe Pittsburgh Penguins opened the 2026-27 NHL season with a 7-0 road shutout of the Philadelphia Flyers. Nick Robertson scored twice, Evgeni Malkin and three others also scored, and Arturs Silovs stopped all 19 shots; the victory reportedly set an NHL record for the largest road shutout in a season opener.

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