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?

We’re exploring how access to “third spaces,” the cafés, libraries, community centers, and local hangouts where people gather outside of home and work, may shape civic life and voter participation. Author Sarah Stamper from the civic organization Murmuration, joins us to discuss new research showing that when people have fewer of these everyday spaces, they are less likely to vote, volunteer, or feel connected to their communities. We take a closer look at why Stamper argues these spaces should be treated as vital civic infrastructure and how rebuilding them could help rebuild trust and participation in democracy.

And for our Fun Fact, we’re going back to the early 1990s for a holiday shopping throwback that proves the pre-Thanksgiving rush has been around for decades.

The votes are in, and New York City elected Democrat Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor. Plus, Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger have become governors-elects for New Jersey and Virginia, respectively. Now that we have the results, how did the pollsters do? We'll take a look at some of the last polls completed just before the election and see how they compare to actual results.

Turkey trots invite first-time racers and families, while marathons attract serious runners, chasing personal bests and qualifying times. While the running community has seen growth since the 2020 pandemic, overall, many Americans seem fairly confident that they will not be taking up new running endeavors anytime soon. But, on the chance that they change their minds, we hear from ultra-marathon runner, Coach Pete Colaizzo from Marist University to get his advice on racing. Plus, we invite a second running expert on: former Poll Hub Producer and Marist track athlete Neel Viswanathan.

Finally, for this week's fun fact--what American tradition would YOU want to do away with? If you said trick or treating, we've got some serious questions for you.

 New York City is poised to elect a new mayor, and the choice may have national implications. Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani continues to hold a large lead in our new poll over both Republican Curtis Sliwa and Democrat-turned-independent Andrew Cuomo. We're digging into the crosstabs to explain why the old rules of multi-ethnic coalition building in city elections may not hold any longer.

Next, make sure to check out this part of the episode on YouTube because, for Halloween, we dressed up in some odd costumes. But it's not all fun, games, and candy. We're looking at the data about who celebrates, how, and why Halloween has become a big business.

Finally, we're sticking with the spooky for the fun fact -- what's YOUR favorite scary movie? A few of ours didn't make the list. Boo (hoo).

Watch the Halloween extravaganza on our YouTube channel.

When people describe a leader as "strong," it often has less to do with policies or accomplishments and more to do with language and style. At least that's what Dr. Jennifer Mercieca, a political rhetoric expert at Texas A&M, believes and, to her, Donald Trump is the perfect example. Her book Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump explores how performance and speech have, again, come to dominate American politics.

Then, in the midst of the World Series and an exciting NFL season, we turn to sports betting. In less than a decade, wagering in sports has become a multi-billion dollar business. The industry’s rapid growth thanks to convenient mobile apps and non-stop advertising has attracted new fans while raising questions about its broader effects. What is it doing to sports? Fans? And why is there such a HUGE generational divide in American opinion about it?

Finally, our Fun Fact lightens things up with a topic that might feel oddly familiar — déjà vu.

After two years of war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have reached a deal and the conflict appears to have ended but many doubt that lasting peace is possible, and support for a two-state solution has dropped sharply. In the U.S., approval of Israel’s military actions in Gaza has reached record lows, especially among younger and Democratic voters, while more Americans now support recognizing Palestinian statehood. These shifts show a clear change in how people see Israel and Palestine after two years of war.

Next, we look at online perfection. From perfect bodies to luxury lifestyles, social media has blurred the line between real life and what’s staged. Constant exposure to other people’s highlight reels makes it easy to compare and feel like you’re falling short. With some Americans saying that much of what they see online is fake or exaggerated, the internet often looks more like fantasy than reality.

And, in this week’s fun fact, we’re talking sports collectibles — from signed baseballs to vintage cards, Americans love holding onto pieces of sports history.

Columbus Day has been part of American tradition for decades, but many people are beginning to see it differently. We explore how the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is changing the way Americans think about history and identity. This conversation goes beyond holidays and raises deeper questions about how a nation chooses to tell its story.

Next, we turn to immigration, one of the most defining issues in American life. The way questions are worded in polls can shape how people think about immigration and influence how the public understands this complex topic. We look at how language plays a role in shaping opinion and what that tells us about the national conversation today.

For our fun fact we’re talking takeout. From pizza to Chinese food, Americans have strong opinions about their favorite meals, but we wonder if takeout and delivery are the same in this case. Whatever the case, we were left very hungry!

On this week’s Poll Hub: 

Class in America isn’t only about money or jobs; it shapes everyday life in powerful ways. New research shows that education and income influence who people consider close friends, how often they visit public spaces like parks and libraries, and even whether they can rely on neighbors or friends in a crisis.

These hidden gaps in social connection reveal how class quietly divides communities far beyond economics or politics.

We're also discussing our new poll with NPR and PBS News on how Americans are feeling about everything from free speech to whether the National Guard belongs in our cities.

And, to wrap it up, we’re rewinding to the 1970s for this week’s fun fact: Were drivers really sticking to the 55 mph speed limit… or speeding right past it?

Free speech has long been seen as a core American value but recent events are testing just how deeply people believe in it. Following the killing of Charlie Kirk, scores of people were fired for speaking their minds -- including ABC late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel came back this week but big questions remain about whether the First Amendment still means protecting all kinds of speech. We’ll look at what the polling says about how Americans define being American, where the divides are sharpest, and why national pride is no longer something everyone shares.

Then, we explore how technology is changing our memories. With thousands of photos filling up our phones, few people ever revisiting most of them, and AI blurring the line between real and fake, are we preserving our experiences or losing them in the noise? What will future generations inherit when so much of our history lives only in digital form?

And, for our fun fact, we asked Americans if they’ve swapped cow’s milk for a plant-based alternative in the past year. The answers may say more about shifting habits and changing tastes than you’d expect.

New York City’s mayoral race is heating up. Zohran Mamdani leads the field, but his advantage somewhat narrows in a head-to-head match-up with Andrew Cuomo. This hotly contested race highlights how voters are weighing their choices for the city’s future. Beyond the numbers, this Marist Poll of New York City also captures what New Yorkers think about the quality of life in the city and how leadership will shape it moving forward.

Next, we ask: Is America still a capitalist icon? Support for capitalism has slipped in recent years, but socialism has not gained support. Poll findings reveal how Americans remain divided over the nation’s economic identity. While confidence in capitalism has softened, other models are not replacing it, leaving open questions about how people view the economy and its future.

And finally, from clothing to cologne, Americans weigh in on the worst gifts they have ever received. The responses highlight how memorable bad presents can be and may make you think twice before your next holiday shopping spree.