Poll Hub

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.

The American penny is headed into the history book. The Trump Administration announced pennies will stop being minted early next year. So, we're wondering if this is the start of a much bigger transition to a coinless or even cashless society. We explore what the polling says about how often people actually use cash and whether Americans are truly ready for a digital dollar future.

A lot of Americans say they are not getting the rest they need, and the effects go far beyond simply feeling tired. Sleep is deeply connected to health, happiness, and productivity, yet exhaustion is becoming a common part of daily life. Polls and studies show that women and younger adults struggle the most. Technology now confirms just how little sleep many Americans are actually getting.

We revisit a poll asking whether college is still important if a good job is possible without it. The results offer a glimpse into how Americans have long weighed the value of higher education beyond just landing a paycheck.

Nearly three years after ChatGPT’s debut, many students now use AI tools for schoolwork in some way, yet public opinion continues to be filled with uncertainty and skepticism. We have a student and professor to talk through AI's status in education as the school year starts.

Meanwhile, the fall is also a time for sports. Youth sports are grappling with rising costs, increasingly packed schedules, and growing safety concerns, leading many parents to question whether kids are starting to lose the joy of simply playing the game. When 12-year-olds have pitching coaches, have we gone too far?

And finally, we take a quick flashback to 1944 Minnesota, a time when no driving test was required to get a license and you could legally hit the road without ever proving you knew how. What could go wrong?!?

We take a look at the bleak outlook renters have about homeownership, and which demographics feel especially unlikely to own a home. On the flip side, we also look at the association of homeownership with the American Dream. Is it still attainable? There's A LOT of doubt among young Americans.

Then, on this topic of affordability, we talk about side hustles, and how younger generations seem to be gravitating towards a new style of working. The gig economy has been around for a while, but the appeal is still strong for those looking at entering a workforce where pay and opportunity may not meet their needs. How do factors like age and income impact this shift, and we also learn about our very own student producer's side hustle. Want to buy some Legos?

We finish the episode with a polarizing question about hot dogs - are they or are they not a sandwich. It seems both us - and America - are divided on this issue.

We track how Americans' opinions on Ukraine have shifted from Obama through Trump, then Biden, and now into Trump’s second term, where the country is deeply divided along party lines. From Crimea to sanctions to peace talks, we look at the key moments that shaped public attitudes and ask what role opinion will play in the next stage of the conflict.

Then, we turn to the rise of "time poverty" with Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management, and author of Happier Hour (2022). An expert on time and happiness, Holmes has published award-winning research on how focusing on time rather than money increases well-being. She explains why Americans feel constantly pressed for time, even as work hours decline, how stress and daily obligations hit women hardest, and the toll this “time poverty” takes on health, sleep, and relationships.

Finally, we mark a special Poll Hub birthday with a trip down memory lane. To celebrate, the team brought in childhood teddy bears to show off. From worn-down favorites to more unusual stuffed companions, it was a reminder of the comfort these old friends still bring.

For centuries, America has been the land of opportunity for immigrants from every corner of the globe. But with our recent nativist turn on newcomers and America First agenda, recent polling from global surveys shows that America's beacon may be dimming in the eyes of others. We talk shifting opinions on America, and how China is benefitting.

Then, we're bringing it back to local, with a discussion about barbershops, and more specifically, how barbershops double as spaces for many men to let down their guards. And we learn we have had a barber amidst us this whole time....

Finally, we face a "not so fun" fact, which is that Neel, one of our student producers, is leaving us. We send him off in traditional Poll Hub fashion!

Across the world, religious shifts are happening. From people switching to new religions to those abandoning religion altogether, we have Dr. Phil Zuckerman from Pitzer College on to discuss the rise of "religious switching," and what it might mean for the future of faith.

Then, in our fun fact this week, we hit the roads (and discuss who probably shouldn't be hitting the roads)!

Is your snack choice a political statement? Is your playlist partisan? We're diving into how the partisan culture war might run deeper within your everyday life than you may expect. Partisanship isn't just for politics any more!

Then, we discuss real-life superheroes: parents! Do kids prefer stay-at-home parents? What about parents? We're exploring a lot of interesting data uncovering how we've moved from a society in which women working outside the home was VERY unpopular to a time when it's standard.

Finally, as always, we finish it off with a fun fact, this time, about the dog days of summer!