Mental Health

Finally a Trend We Want To See 

What's going on: Mental health among teens is improving, according to new data out Monday from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Youth Risk Behavior Survey began in 1991 and surveys high school students every two years about their physical activity, social media and substance use, nutrition and sleep habits, and mental health. Numbers have been improving since 2023, after hitting the lowest point in a decade in 2021, which experts believe was due to the pandemic. Teens in 2025 reported feeling less persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and had fewer thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts. The number of teens drinking alcohol also dropped by more than 30%. Sports participation was up 6% from 2023, and teens said they’re eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water (must be all those designer water bottles). 

Well, this is a relief: It is. Despite the nostalgia-veiled pressure campaign on parents to give their kids a ‘90s childhood, the study suggests teens are doing better now. While the CDC’s chief medical officer said the findings “align with the Make America Healthy Again initiative," experts credit public outreach and intervention programs for the improved numbers. But others warn the overall data doesn’t tell the whole story. For example, teens who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual reported significantly more negative mental health outcomes than their heterosexual peers. The survey data also excludes any references to gender identity to align with President Donald Trump’s federal mandate to only recognize two genders. Also left out were socioeconomic factors that could affect teens' access to, among other things, fresh food. “Overall, we see things are getting better, but for who? Oftentimes, it’s the more advantaged groups,” one expert said. 

Related: At Least Six Major Hospitals Agree To Refuse Gender-Affirming Care for Teens (The Associated Press)

Politics and Religion

When Candidates Say God’s on Their Side 

What's going on: Pop quiz: Which political party has more clergy members running for federal office in the midterms? If you guessed Republican, you’d be wrong. In the US, the GOP has long portrayed itself as the party of Christianity, with faith-based arguments for abortion bans and LGBTQIA+ restrictions. But a group of Democratic candidates is stepping up to the political pulpit. James Talarico (D-TX), Adam Hamilton (D-KS), and Sarah Trone Garriott (D-IA) are among at least 12 pastors, seminarians, and former clergy members who campaigned for federal office as Democrats this year. Seven of them will be on midterm ballots, compared to just three Republican pastors. The GOP appears to be playing defense. At the Republican midterm convention, televangelist Robert Jeffress called Talarico “blasphemous” and said “Jesus Christ disagrees” with him.

Lord, have mercy: Millennial voters might remember former President George W. Bush saying that God called him to run for president. But as The New York Times points out, Republicans weren’t always so closely linked to Christianity. In the ‘70s, Jimmy Carter ran for president as a born-again Christian and a Democrat. And while white evangelicals have largely voted Republican since the ‘60s, Black Protestants are steadfast Democratic voters, and Black churches have long been a campaign stop for Dems. Analysts say there’s a notable difference in the way the two parties talk about their faith. Dems are more likely to embrace pluralism, the idea of different faiths co-existing and working together. That’s important because Jewish and Muslim voters, as well as atheists and agnostics, vote Democrat by a solid margin. The New York Times asks, “Can the Democratic Party reclaim the political power of Christianity?” In November, we’ll find out.

Related: Opponents Compare Data Centers to the Apple in the Garden of Eden (The Texas Tribune)

Rename Game

Welcome to “Super Intelligence”

What’s going on: Whether it's bodies of water or buildings, President Donald Trump loves to rename things. And this time, it’s artificial intelligence. After asking his followers on Truth Social to pick a “more elegant name” for the tech over the weekend, Trump closed his UN General Assembly speech yesterday with the big rebrand: “AI” will now be referred to as “super intelligence.” He claimed that AI will be renamed in all US documents “and hopefully the world’s.” But don’t get it mixed up: This new terminology is not to be confused with “superintelligence,” which already exists and refers to intelligence that surpasses human capabilities. What’s in a name, anyway?

The timing of it all: Trump’s rebrand comes amid escalating concerns about data centers and fears about AI’s potential ability to destroy society and humanity. But the president clearly had other things on his mind: “The use of the word artificial makes intelligence sound fake,” Trump insisted. “It is not fake. It’s actually amazing.” According to Trump, his new name for AI “sounds much better.” (Can someone ask the bots how they feel about this?) The rebrand also comes ahead of Trump's visit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping tomorrow and as he continues to push back against slowing down AI development, despite warnings from insiders and experts.

Related: Coming Soon, Trump’s New AI Force — Or Should We Say “SI Force”? (Axios)

Fertility Journey

Thinking about freezing your eggs? Picking the right clinic can make or break your experience. It’s about so much more than location — it comes down to lab quality, storage costs, and your comfort level. So we asked a fertility specialist what to know before you book a consultation, which safety protocols are non-negotiable (like backup power), and how to get a real cost breakdown.

Quick Hits

🧥 Rachel Zoe partnered with AFLAC and created a limited-edition bomber jacket that helps people with their own cancer screenings. Public health, but make it fashion.

✈️ Architectural Digest just listed the 17 most beautiful cities you’ve likely never heard of, and now we want to book our ticket to the West Coast.

♥️ A new study from Playboy found that Gen Z’s sex life is affected by living at home with their parents. But at least their laundry’s clean.

🏠 Lucy Hale’s “witchy” home redesign is moving people to tears. It’s that pretty little sheep statue, isn’t it?

📺 The Emmys might be over, but The New York Times is asking you and a bunch of celebs to vote for the best TV shows of the 21st century. Who knew Connie Britton was such a big fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race?

🏃 There’s a new route in town. The New York City marathon changed its course for the first time in 15 years. Go New York, go New York, go.