Poll Hub

On this week's Poll Hub:

Can AI really be your friend? Well, for starters, an AI friendbot will always listen and never argue with you! But there are plenty of worrisome downsides.

Then, as book bans continue to spread throughout cities and states across America, we're talking to two @Marist University librarians about the notion that protecting kids from harmful material doesn't necessarily mean removing books from shelves.

Finally, with the weather getting warmer, we have a fun fact for everyone looking to travel this summer!

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President Trump has wrapped up his second "first" 100 days, and our latest poll shows Americans are largely unimpressed. We even asked people to grade him like a student... a lot of red ink was involved.

Then, rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues among teens have risen dramatically, and many experts are calling it a national crisis. From social media use to post-pandemic adjustment, we take a look at what's really going on with younger generations.

Finally, this week's fun fact brings us back to the youth of... 1939?! You don't want to miss our Student Producers' reactions to this one.

One of our favorite data minds, polling guru Harry Enten from CNN, joins us to break down what the polls really say about President Trump and his policies. Trump's approval ratings have been declining for most of his first 100 days back in office but recently it's gotten much worse. Why? And what, if anything, does it say about the next elections?

Then, we've covered America's trust issues with institutions before, but are we hitting a new low? We're diving into data, new and old, that shows just how far confidence has fallen, and what it means for democracy.

Finally, summer means travel, and for some... turbulence! This week's fun fact is a sky-high stat about air travel that might make you think twice before your next flight.

The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago with the fall of Saigon. For America, it was a bitter end to a conflict that ripped both Vietnam and America apart. So much has changed since, but long-held feelings remain. We're looking at what Americans -- most of whom were not alive or old enough to really remember -- think now.

We're starting with a deep dive into our recent New York State survey in which we found a lot of unhappiness. There's pretty widespread negativity about the state's leadership, direction, economy, and even congestion pricing! We're discussing what it means that one of America's bluest states is so....blue.

And we finish with an Easter treat -- actually two Easter treats and a big disagreement about which is best.

We take a close look at the true role of the executive branch. From the limits outlined in the Constitution to the growing expectations placed on presidents, we explore how much power the Oval Office really holds versus how much the public thinks it should.

As budget cuts hit beloved national parks, we dive into the relationship between federal spending cuts and the public's desire to protect the environment. With record-breaking park attendance and widespread support for funding, are lawmakers listening?

Finally, in this week's fun fact, we discuss what happens when you are suddenly a pro... no training required. The real question is: are you more blackbelt or brushstroke?

Could you go an entire month without the Internet? As technology advances, some argue we've become too dependent on it while others see it as unavoidable.

Then, we shift gears to driving where most people think they are great behind the wheel and rate everyone else as less than stellar. We break down the numbers on road safety and people's attitudes about driving.

Finally, our fun fact takes us back in time to a debate that once divided the nation... freight trucks on highways.

For years, the debate over taxing the wealthy has been a key issue in political debates, but with billionaires now holding key positions in the Trump White House, are public attitudes shifting? We take a look at how Americans feel about taxation and how the issue splits by party.

Then, from the Monopoly Man's missing monocle to misquoted movie lines, collective false memories have confused people for years. We dive into the Mandela Effect, why our brain misremembers things, and even how this plays into political misinformation.

Finally, do the stars have any guidance on your future? This week's fun fact takes a look at zodiac signs and their predictions!

The war between Russia and Ukraine has now dragged on for more than 11 years and it's been. over 3 years since Russia's full scale invasion. For most of that time, the U.S. has backed Ukraine financially and militarily but then Donald Trump returned to the White House and everything changed. We're looking at how American public opinion has shifted over the years and what a majority think of Trump's huge shift away from Ukraine and towards Putin's Russia.

We're then heading (thematically) to Rome to look at what appears to be the approaching end of one Papacy and the start of the next. How has American opinion changed over the course of Pope Francis's reign and what are Americans likely to prioritize in the next Pope? We're speaking with Daniel Speed Thompson, Chair of the department of religious studies at the University of Dayton.

And we end with a fun fact timed for the change of season. Sure, spring is terrific in so many ways but about those allergies....

Tariffs are back in the spotlight, and while they're often framed as a tool for tough trade policy, the real cost tends to fall on consumers. As new tariffs target not just China but also our North American neighbors and European allies, we're taking a look at whether public opinion is shifting.

Then, we're joined by Marist University Assistant Professor Dr. Sergio Pinto-Handler to discuss Cuba, a country consistently caught in diplomatic limbo with the United States. With relations ebbing and flowing between the two nations, how do Americans feel about travel, trade, and engagement with the island nation? 

Finally, a leprechaun selected this week's Fun Fact! We're discussing the long-standing superstition of four-leaf clovers. Do people still believe in a bit of Irish luck?

Six weeks into his second term, Americans have mixed feelings about President Trump's rapid-fire approach. While perceptions of the nation's direction have improved since 2023, majorities believe that Trump's deep cuts are causing more harm than good. We'll break down the numbers from our new NPR/PBS/Marist Poll survey.

Next, scent is the strongest trigger of memory, and for many, a single whiff can transport them back in time. Whether it's fresh-cut grass, crayons, or the aroma of bubblegum, we'll explore the science behind "scent-stalgia."

Finally, do The Beatles have the same appeal over 60 years later? Find out in the week's fun fact!