On this week’s Poll Hub:

GLP-1 weight loss drugs are everywhere: in ads, on social media, and, increasingly, in medicine cabinets. But, beyond the hype, what do Americans actually think about them?

Recent polling shows use of GLP-1s has more than doubled in the past year. At the same time, most Americans say willpower alone isn’t enough to manage weight long-term, reflecting a growing shift towards viewing obesity as a medical issue rather than a lifestyle choice.

Plus, our latest national poll takes a deeper look at how Americans currently view the Trump Administration and the direction of the country more broadly. We unpack new data on foreign policy, immigration enforcement & ICE, and the state of the economy, three issues that continue to shape public opinion and drive intense reactions across the political spectrum. The findings reveal sharp divides, not just between parties, but across age, education, and region, highlighting how different groups are experiencing and interpreting recent developments. We explore what’s fueling shifts in sentiment, where frustration and support are most pronounced, and what these attitudes could signal for the broader political climate moving forward.

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A surge of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and surrounding communities has pushed questions of public safety, federal power, and civil liberties into the national spotlight. After two fatal shootings involving immigration officers, national polling shows growing concern about ICE tactics and increasing support for oversight and reform. We break down how Americans across party lines are reacting, and whether these events represent a broader shift in public opinion on immigration enforcement.

Then, we turn to sleep deprivation in America, a widespread but often overlooked public health issue. New polling shows that a majority of adults say they would feel better if they got more sleep, even as long-term trends reveal declining sleep duration and uneven sleep quality across age, gender, income, and education. We examine how sleep shortages shape daily life, health, and well-being—and why so many Americans struggle to get the rest they say they need.

We close with a very arty fun fact!

Endometriosis remains one of the most under-recognized conditions in women’s health, with patients frequently facing years of pain before proper diagnosis. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Chief Medical Officer at Hers and a board-certified OB/GYN, helps unpack why awareness and education gaps persist and what steps can improve care, understanding, and patient experiences.

Next, we examine IVF and fertility access with Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, a reproductive endocrinologist known as The Egg Whisperer. While more people are seeking fertility treatments, financial and systemic barriers continue to shape who can build families through medical care.

Finally, we consider the bigger picture of women’s healthcare through advocacy and visual storytelling. Amy Finkel, Assistant Professor of Photography at Marist, shares her project Getaway, which combines photography, historical research, and personal narratives to expose gender bias in medicine and honor the experiences and resilience of women across the U.S.

The CDC’s recent shift away from universal childhood vaccine recommendations marks a significant change in U.S. health policy. Moving toward a shared decision-making model between clinicians and parents, this change aligns the U.S. more closely with some European countries but has sparked debate among public health experts and parents alike. We unpack how Americans view this new approach, including strong overall support for routine vaccines and school mandates but also notable variations in confidence around vaccine safety, testing, and scheduling by political affiliation, age, and education.

Then, we turn to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a widely respected holiday that offers a moment for national reflection on civil rights and racial justice. While nearly all Americans hold Dr. King in high regard, actual participation in community service and civic activities remains limited and uneven across different groups. We examine how these patterns reveal both shared values and ongoing challenges in civic engagement and social equality.

Finally, we lighten things up with a fun fact from polling, highlighting a question that asked Americans which modern presidential election they think would have most surprised the Founding Fathers.

The U.S. detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sparked a new political crisis abroad and a divided reaction at home. But, unlike many past U.S. actions, especially in this hemisphere, Americans don't seem to be rallying around the flag so much this time. We walk through what’s known about the operation, how Americans feel about the use of military force, and what polling shows about who the public believes should shape Venezuela’s future.

Then, we dig into why confidence in the news media continues to erode. As more Americans obtain information from platforms, creators, and algorithmic feeds rather than traditional outlets, we examine the consequences for shared facts, democratic engagement, and the ways pollsters measure public opinion in a fractured media landscape. And, what about the growing number of Americans who don't seem to be paying attention to news at all?

Finally, we close with a fun fact from polling that changes pace a bit, looking at how many Americans have driven a car with a manual transmission.

Most Americans are giving gifts this year but how much are they spending? We're looking at the latest data about how the critical-to-retailers holiday shopping season will shape up.

It's a big question because, as we found in our new poll with NPR and PBS News out this week, Americans are bummed about the economy, whether about prices or jobs. Will this mean a blue Christmas?

Finally, we share a fun fact from past polling that looks at whether Americans ever give “rain check” gifts during the holidays -- plus a brand new result from our latest poll -- how many gifts do you want?

Gen Z takes over Poll Hub!

New polling shows a growing divide within Gen Z, revealing clear differences between young men and women in how they think about success. Young men and women differ in their views on marriage, children, career priorities, and whether they want to stay in the United States. We break down the data and discuss what may be driving these shifts within the generation...by bringing on 4 of our student producers to tell us what's up.

We also bring a holiday-themed fun fact that looks at a classic seasonal question about when Americans open their presents. Just in time for gift-giving season!

Many Americans believe that their diets are healthy, but access to nutritious food varies, especially in food deserts. Residents in these areas face challenges with affordability and access and are less likely to rate their diets as healthy. Similarly, many Americans who rely on SNAP benefits are likely to live in these food deserts, which only highlights these structural inequalities. Deanna Jacobs, the Food Systems Coordinator at Dutchess Outreach, joins us to discuss and share some of the work the organization does to combat food insecurity in Marist's area.

Then, could you tell the difference between an AI-generated song and an actual musician? It might be more challenging than you think! Aspiring artist Xania Monet is the first AI-created performer to achieve mainstream chart success, sparking a heated debate about what it truly means to be an artist in the age of artificial intelligence. If a human writes the lyrics and defines the persona, who is the true "artist?"

Finally, our Fun Fact talks vacations...when are you most likely to jet-set?

On this week’s Poll Hub:

We’re digging into how Americans are consuming news in 2025 and what that shift means. Our first guest, Will Jordan from Global Strategy Group, walks us through new findings on the widening gap between active and passive news consumers. As more people stumble across information instead of intentionally searching for it, we ask what this means for staying informed. We also talk about how these habits are shaping trust, fact-checking, and the role algorithms now play in people’s daily news diets.

Then we shift to the growing use of biometric security. Dr. Gideon Christian, University Research Chair in AI and the Law at the University of Calgary, joins us to unpack how Americans view these technologies, when they’re comfortable with their use, and where major concerns still surface. We explore support for biometrics in places like airports and law enforcement, as well as apprehension around workplace use, accuracy issues, and racial bias. Dr. Christian also gives insight into what responsible adoption might look like.

And for our fun fact: Which season would you move Thanksgiving to?

This week, we’re digging into brand-new NPR/PBS News/Marist polling that offers an early snapshot of the 2026 midterms. The survey shows Democrats opening a clear lead on the national generic congressional ballot, their strongest position in more than three years. We also break down what’s driving voter attitudes, from blame for the nation’s most extended government shutdown to declining trust in major institutions. With voters prioritizing lowering prices and expressing deep frustration across the political landscape, we examine what this all means heading into 2026.
 

Then, we turn to how Americans are choosing to cast their ballots. New data shows strong public support for expanded voting options, especially early in-person voting and mail-in ballots, and recent elections in Virginia and New York City offer real-time examples of how voters are embracing these methods.
 

And, for our Fun Fact, if you had the choice, would you spend Thanksgiving at your own house…or at the White House?