The Bias Brief

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PBS NewsHourSep 18, 2026Sig. 5NewsScience

Meet Earth's newest wild cat species, living in Bolivia and the first named in over a century

Scientists have identified a previously unknown wild cat species in Bolivia, named Leopardus tilcayo, marking the first formal description of a new living wild cat species in over a century. The small spotted feline was found at a wildlife sanctuary, and genomic analysis indicates its lineage split from relatives about 1.4 million years ago. Researchers hope the designation will help protect its cloud forest habitat.

CBS NewsSep 18, 2026Sig. 4NewsDefense Science

Watch: Pentagon releases 15 new UFO videos

The Pentagon released 15 new UFO videos as a sixth batch of files on Friday. The article notes the release came more than a month after the previous batch.

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PBS NewsHourSep 18, 2026Sig. 6NewsScience Climate

'An unworldly experience.' Why scientists flew into firestorm clouds this wildfire season

NASA, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research flew aircraft into pyrocumulonimbus clouds formed by intense wildfires as part of the INSPYRE mission. The mission gathered real-time data to better understand how these firestorm clouds form, behave, and affect the atmosphere, with the goal of improving forecasts and safety.

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Washington ExaminerSep 18, 2026Sig. 7NewsHealth Politics Science

Trump says he is demanding drugmakers break up vaccines into five shots to prevent autism

Trump said his administration is pressuring drugmakers to split childhood vaccines into five lower-dose shots given at six-month intervals, citing the debunked vaccine-autism theory. The article notes the MMR-autism claim traces to a fraudulent, retracted 1998 study and that Trump previously signed an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccines.

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NPRSep 18, 2026Sig. 2NewsCulture Science

Alaska's salmon-feasting bears face off in biggest Fat Bear Week ever

NPR reports on the 2026 Fat Bear Week bracket at Katmai National Park, which expands to 16 bears and highlights a record number of cubs. The piece describes the competition, bear backgrounds, and public voting schedule without political framing.

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New York PostSep 18, 2026Sig. 6NewsCrime Law Science

Rapist sentenced to 25 years in 2001 Bronx cold case cracked with new DNA matching method

Jancys Santiago was sentenced to 25 years for a 2001 Bronx rape after a new DNA matching method, investigative genetic genealogy, helped crack the cold case. The victim gave impact testimony, and the sentence will run consecutively with a 20-year term for a separate Manhattan rape. The defense plans to appeal.

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VoxSep 18, 2026Sig. 6AnalysisAI Technology Science

Your questions about the AI apocalypse, answered

A Vox newsletter Q&A with writer Jasmine Sun answers reader questions about AI existential risk, covering why the current panic feels different, how AI might cause harm, and which nearer-term threats are more plausible. It presents doomer and skeptic perspectives, concluding AI risk is complex but worth taking seriously.

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CBS NewsSep 18, 2026Sig. 8NewsHealth Politics Science

RFK Jr. tells anti-vaccine activists they have a "friend in the White House"

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told an anti-vaccine activist conference that they have a "friend in the White House," touting the administration's vaccine policy changes. The speech drew criticism from public health advocates and Pennsylvania's governor amid the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades.

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Fox NewsSep 18, 2026Sig. 5NewsHealth Science

Third person dies after mosquito is reportedly trapped on plane to Germany in 'airport malaria' phenomenon

A third person has died in a rare 'airport malaria' outbreak linked to mosquitoes reportedly transported on flights to Frankfurt, Germany. Six airport employees also contracted the disease, and officials say the infections involved Plasmodium falciparum and were not spread person-to-person.

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The HillSep 18, 2026Sig. 5NewsDefense Science

Pentagon’s new UFO file drop includes audio from 1952 Project Blue Book briefing

The Pentagon released its sixth batch of UFO-related files, including audio and a transcript from a March 1952 Project Blue Book briefing by Air Force Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt. The recording documents Air Force cooperation with Battelle Memorial Institute and with LIFE magazine on a 1952 UFO article, while not confirming alleged Roswell connections. Rep. Eric Burlison had pushed for release of the audio.

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New York PostSep 18, 2026Sig. 4NewsHealth Science Education

The childhood hobby that leads to lower stress, fewer mental health problems and better brain function as adults

A New York Post health article reports on research linking childhood reading for pleasure to better mental health, cognitive skills, and brain development later in life. It cites studies and experts while noting declining reading rates among American children.

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New York PostSep 18, 2026Sig. 2NewsScience Other

Massive humpback whale makes rare appearance in California river

A humpback whale made a rare appearance in the Sacramento River, surprising a group of fishermen. The whale, known as CRC-11620 or Rio, was monitored by the Marine Mammal Center, which urged the public to keep a respectful distance.

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