Steve Koczela
@skoczela.bsky.social
President of The MassINC Polling Group. Cohost of The Horse Race podcast. All things #mapoli. Iraq veteran. Boston, MA.
Harvard, Northeastern, BC, BU, MIT, Tufts all on the list.
The US Department of Defense has just blacklisted military personnel from taking courses at most of America's top universities, including Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Johns Hopkins. Here is the full list as revealed in a leaked email.
February 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Harvard, Northeastern, BC, BU, MIT, Tufts all on the list.
I never knew the politics of the people in my unit. Never even occured to me to ask or discuss it. Really a bad idea to throw it in the mix.
“You have to vote for us,” said President Trump in a campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg. Army policy prohibits partisan displays, and most service members refrained from cheering.
Trump tells soldiers to vote GOP in campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg
Army policy prohibits partisan displays, and most service members refrained from cheering.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:02 AM
I never knew the politics of the people in my unit. Never even occured to me to ask or discuss it. Really a bad idea to throw it in the mix.
Reposted by Steve Koczela
My opinion on this editorially is that if your organization is going to act as the fourth estate/a check on an authoritarian president, it is important to get the data on public opinion correct so you don't end up manufacturing consent for the regime's position. NYT should correct...
February 13, 2026 at 5:59 PM
My opinion on this editorially is that if your organization is going to act as the fourth estate/a check on an authoritarian president, it is important to get the data on public opinion correct so you don't end up manufacturing consent for the regime's position. NYT should correct...
Reposted by Steve Koczela
“[Sam] Altman appeared via video to help [Governor Maura] Healey announce that #Massachusetts will be the first state to roll out OpenAI’s ChatGPT software to all 40,000 employees of the executive branch of government.”
#mapoli
#mapoli
At launch event for new AI council, Gov. Healy says state employees will get access to ChatGPT
Gov. Maura Healey announced the three-year, $4.3 million annual deal with OpenAI at a Thursday event launching the Massachusetts AI Coalition.
www.masslive.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
“[Sam] Altman appeared via video to help [Governor Maura] Healey announce that #Massachusetts will be the first state to roll out OpenAI’s ChatGPT software to all 40,000 employees of the executive branch of government.”
#mapoli
#mapoli
Living in Kenya, I hear a lot about the sudden end to USAID funds and the terrible human toll it is taking.
“.. using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought ..”
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
February 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Living in Kenya, I hear a lot about the sudden end to USAID funds and the terrible human toll it is taking.
How many Americans want their state to secede? Via @today.yougov.com.
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
February 13, 2026 at 2:33 PM
How many Americans want their state to secede? Via @today.yougov.com.
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Nobody is asking this question.
Another month, another Rahm Emanuel policy proposal. What’s he up to?
Another month, another Rahm Emanuel policy proposal. What’s he up to?
Many of Emanuel’s would-be 2028 rivals are still in office and can point to concrete governing or legislating proposals. He needs another way.
dlvr.it
February 13, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Nobody is asking this question.
"AI assistants could be used ... to help state workers answer questions from citizens by finding relevant information scattered across many web sites and documents. The assistants could also help write emails and presentations or organize data into spreadsheets."
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/b...
Healey rolls out ChatGPT-powered AI assistant for state workers - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts plans to make the digital tool available to all 40,000 employees in the state's executive branch.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:54 AM
"AI assistants could be used ... to help state workers answer questions from citizens by finding relevant information scattered across many web sites and documents. The assistants could also help write emails and presentations or organize data into spreadsheets."
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/b...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/12/b...
Reposted by Steve Koczela
There is no way they are prepared to pay for that.
Rollins: "School lunches are next. A lot of schools don't even have an oven anymore. When I was growing up, lunch ladies were back there cooking meals on stoves. So how do we completely and fundamentally change the system to go back to where we're serving healthy whole foods to these kiddos?"
February 12, 2026 at 5:21 PM
There is no way they are prepared to pay for that.
Big @bostonglobe.com / MassINC Polling survey out this morning. "They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs." We surveyed NIH funded scientists in Massachusetts about federal funding cuts & policies. Here's what they told us. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs. - The Boston Globe
In a first-of-its-kind survey, the Globe asked hundreds of scientists about the impact of federal funding cuts.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Big @bostonglobe.com / MassINC Polling survey out this morning. "They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs." We surveyed NIH funded scientists in Massachusetts about federal funding cuts & policies. Here's what they told us. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
Reposted by Steve Koczela
Far too many people treat voters who say they are independent but “lean towards” one party assume they’re from the middle and “leaning out” towards one party, rather than the far left or right and “leaning in”
February 9, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Far too many people treat voters who say they are independent but “lean towards” one party assume they’re from the middle and “leaning out” towards one party, rather than the far left or right and “leaning in”
So TPUSA show drew 6.1M viewers, or about half the usual number who watch the Puppy Bowl. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
February 9, 2026 at 5:27 AM
So TPUSA show drew 6.1M viewers, or about half the usual number who watch the Puppy Bowl. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
"Calling 911 is an appropriate response to warrantless entry of private homes and businesses..."
February 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM
"Calling 911 is an appropriate response to warrantless entry of private homes and businesses..."
You cannot reduce a positive number by more than 100%. There is no disagreement about this.
Trump: "Novo Nordisk will be slashing the price of Ozempic from more than $1,000 to $199. And the price of Wegovy from more than $1,300 to $199, a 578% difference."
February 6, 2026 at 2:52 PM
You cannot reduce a positive number by more than 100%. There is no disagreement about this.
I sometimes remember I drove from DC to WI after the 2008 election without ever touching a red state. DC, MN, PA, OH, IN, IL, WI. States change. Voting patterns change. They are changing again right now, and possible not in a uniform way.
(AXIOS) - Top Republicans are increasingly worried about private polling that paints a dire picture of the midterms — and it's not just the House they're afraid of losing, it's also the Senate.
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/06/g...
@axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/06/g...
February 6, 2026 at 2:32 PM
I sometimes remember I drove from DC to WI after the 2008 election without ever touching a red state. DC, MN, PA, OH, IN, IL, WI. States change. Voting patterns change. They are changing again right now, and possible not in a uniform way.
Reposted by Steve Koczela
It appears that overnight someone placed a large Polymarket bet on Jesus Christ returning this year. Someone has inside info?
February 4, 2026 at 5:29 PM
It appears that overnight someone placed a large Polymarket bet on Jesus Christ returning this year. Someone has inside info?
Mass. Sec. State Bill Galvin, who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 on the Mayflower, announces plans to run for 87th term. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/04/m...
Bill Galvin, already Massachusetts’ longest-serving secretary of state, says he will seek a record ninth term - The Boston Globe
Galvin, 75, has led the secretary’s office since 1995, and in each of the last two election cycles beat back high-profile primary challengers who pitched themselves as more progressive alternatives to...
www.bostonglobe.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Mass. Sec. State Bill Galvin, who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 on the Mayflower, announces plans to run for 87th term. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/04/m...
Reposted by Steve Koczela
Brian Shortsleeve, one of three Republican candidates for governor, posted on Instagram a fake radio ad that included an AI-generated version of Gov. Maura Healey's voice.
Republican candidate for Mass. governor uses AI-assisted ad in unregulated landscape
Brian Shortsleeve, one of three Republican candidates for governor, posted on Instagram a fake radio ad that included an AI-generated version of Gov. Maura Healey's voice.
www.wbur.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Brian Shortsleeve, one of three Republican candidates for governor, posted on Instagram a fake radio ad that included an AI-generated version of Gov. Maura Healey's voice.
Reposted by Steve Koczela
NEW Economist/YouGov
Net approval for Trump at the start of his second term | when last asked for his handling of...
His job +6 | -14
Crime +12 | -7
Immigration +11 | -8
Foreign policy +3 | -11
The economy +12 | -14
Inflation +6 | -23
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Net approval for Trump at the start of his second term | when last asked for his handling of...
His job +6 | -14
Crime +12 | -7
Immigration +11 | -8
Foreign policy +3 | -11
The economy +12 | -14
Inflation +6 | -23
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
NEW Economist/YouGov
Net approval for Trump at the start of his second term | when last asked for his handling of...
His job +6 | -14
Crime +12 | -7
Immigration +11 | -8
Foreign policy +3 | -11
The economy +12 | -14
Inflation +6 | -23
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Net approval for Trump at the start of his second term | when last asked for his handling of...
His job +6 | -14
Crime +12 | -7
Immigration +11 | -8
Foreign policy +3 | -11
The economy +12 | -14
Inflation +6 | -23
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Existence is divisive.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he doesn’t expect Bad Bunny to say anything divisive during his Super Bowl halftime performance. on.nbcboston.com/Y1rtZw5
Roger Goodell doesn’t expect anything divisive from Bad Bunny at Super Bowl
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he doesn’t expect Bad Bunny to say anything divisive during his Super Bowl halftime performance.
on.nbcboston.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Existence is divisive.
Nothing remotely true about Trump’s tweet here. Not “pushes back” or both sides. Not “but some experts question”. Just false.
February 3, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Nothing remotely true about Trump’s tweet here. Not “pushes back” or both sides. Not “but some experts question”. Just false.
Reposted by Steve Koczela
On this day in 1922, James Joyce's Ulysses was published. I started reading it then, and expect to finish soon.
February 2, 2026 at 10:02 AM
On this day in 1922, James Joyce's Ulysses was published. I started reading it then, and expect to finish soon.
We'll ... put you down as undecided.
January 30, 2026 at 6:37 PM
We'll ... put you down as undecided.
"In theater" is a legitimately bonkers way to describe going to Minnesota.
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 2:09 PM
"In theater" is a legitimately bonkers way to describe going to Minnesota.