United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1996
Ownership
Slate is a US online magazine created in 1996 by Michael Kinsley with Microsoft's backing. In 2004 it was bought by The Washington Post Company, later renamed Graham Holdings Company, and since 2008 has been operated by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings subsidiary. It is privately controlled by Graham Holdings, the Graham family's diversified holding company.
Funding
Financed through a mix of advertising and subscription revenue, including the Slate Plus membership program introduced in 2014, which provides ad-free podcasts and bonus content. It is a commercial, for-profit operation.
Affiliation & stance
Slate has a clearly liberal/left editorial voice but no party, state, union or church ownership; its owner Graham Holdings is a publicly listed commercial conglomerate. Because it is privately and commercially owned with no party or government control, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 240
66/100
Factual
56/100
Objective
431
Articles
431
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Just One GOP Justice Needs to Flip for Big Oil to Face Climate Accountability. Welp.
The article discusses the upcoming Supreme Court case Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, which centers on whether communities can sue oil and gas companies for contributing to climate change. Boulder County filed a lawsuit in 2018, alleging that companies like Suncor Energy and Exxon knowingly concealed the dangers of fossil fuel emissions and mislead the public. The county claims these actions led to costly climate-related damages, including increased flooding, droughts, and heatwaves, costing over $100 million in repairs and expected to cost another $100 million in adaptation efforts. While lower courts rejected Suncor's attempt to dismiss the case, the companies now seek a Supreme Court ruling that federal law preempts such lawsuits, potentially blocking community accountability.
We Have a New Contender for Dumbest Political Move of the Century
The article discusses how high gas prices, exacerbated by Trump's policies and the ongoing conflict with Iran, have become a major political issue ahead of the midterms. Gas prices have surged to $4.37 per gallon, far above Trump's campaign promise of under $2. Voters in key red states report disliking Trump's handling of gas prices more than any other issue, with Democrats leading in several states. Trump has attempted to lower prices by releasing oil from the U.S. stockpile and pressuring allies to do the same, though Iran continues to influence prices through actions like targeting shipping lanes. While some price drops have occurred, the impact on election outcomes remains uncertain.
How Trump Can—and Cannot—Still Mess With the Midterms
The article discusses the ongoing legal battles involving former President Donald Trump's attempts to influence the 2026 midterm elections. It outlines several actions taken by Trump and his administration, including directing the USPS to restrict mail-in voting, ordering the seizure of voting machines in Puerto Rico, and suing states for access to voter information. These efforts have largely been blocked by state and local election authorities, courts, and advocacy groups. The piece emphasizes the importance of maintaining election integrity and notes that while many of Trump's initiatives have failed, the threat remains significant. The author suggests that continued vigilance is necessary to ensure fair elections.
I Was Hired by One of the “Cornell 7” Last Year. I Know Well How This Case Has Gone Uniquely Wrong.
An educational consultant recounts their involvement with one of the 'Cornell 7' accused in a high-profile campus sexual assault case, highlighting systemic failures in handling such incidents. The case involves a woman alleging gang rape, ketamine use, and inadequate institutional response by Cornell University and local authorities. The consultant, who previously advised one of the accused, emphasizes the complexity of campus sexual misconduct cases and the broader challenges faced by victims seeking justice. The situation has sparked national attention due to its graphic nature and perceived institutional negligence.
Slate Crossword: Kosovar Pop Star with Her Own Book Club (Seven Letters)
The article is an announcement for a crossword puzzle featured in Slate on October 6, 2026. The puzzle's theme revolves around a 'Kosovar pop star with her own book club,' which is presented as a cryptic clue requiring seven letters. The content does not provide further information about the pop star or the book club beyond this brief mention. The focus appears to be on engaging readers with a challenging word game rather than delivering substantive news.
My Wife Is Torn Between Her Grandkids and Her Life With Me. Her Daughter Is Making Her Choose!
The article discusses a personal dilemma faced by the author's wife, who is struggling between her relationship with her husband and her bond with her daughter and grandchildren. The wife feels pressured by her daughter to choose between her family life with her husband and her connection with her children. This situation has caused tension within the family and has impacted the author's plans for his own retirement.
We Could Send Our Eldest to Private School. But We’d Be Trading In His Sibling’s Future.
The article discusses a family's dilemma regarding their children's education, specifically whether to send their eldest child to a private school at the expense of potentially compromising the future of their younger sibling. The piece highlights the emotional and financial challenges involved in making such a decision, emphasizing the difficult trade-offs parents face when considering educational options for their children.
My Stepmom Left Her Son Everything in the Will. But There’s an Account We All Keep Wondering About.
The article discusses a situation where a stepmother has left her son everything in her will, but there is an account that all involved parties are curious about. The writer raises the question of whether the stepmother can legally challenge this arrangement, suggesting uncertainty around the legal implications and potential disputes over the inheritance.
Slate SoundBites for October 5, 2026
The article promotes a new interactive feature called 'SoundBites,' which allows users to engage with content through audio snippets. It encourages readers to participate by building their answers based on these sound-based interactions. The piece serves as an introduction to the feature rather than providing substantive news content.
We Had to Choose Which Daughter to Move Closer To. One of Them Is Determined to Make Us Regret It.
The article discusses a personal family dilemma where one daughter is determined to make the parents regret their decision to move closer to her, highlighting the emotional complexity of such choices.
My Friend Said I Was the One That Got Away. He Couldn’t Have Picked a Worse Messenger.
The article begins with a personal reflection on a friend's statement that the author was 'the one that got away,' suggesting a sense of regret or missed opportunity. The piece seems to explore themes of relationships, miscommunication, or unfulfilled potential, though the narrative remains incomplete and open-ended. The tone appears introspective and contemplative, focusing on emotional rather than factual content. No specific event or controversy is detailed, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
My Daughter Is Bringing Home Her College Boyfriend for Thanksgiving. He Already Has the Gall to Make Demands.
The article presents a personal narrative where the author expresses frustration over their daughter's decision to bring her college boyfriend home for Thanksgiving. The author emphasizes a firm stance against compromise, suggesting they expect the boyfriend to adhere to certain expectations. The tone reflects personal conflict rather than broader societal commentary.
Which Adjective Refers to Someone Called a <em>Crepehanger</em>?
The article presents a quiz question from Slate dated October 5, 2026, asking which adjective refers to someone called a 'crepehanger.' The quiz appears to be a lighthearted or humorous challenge rather than a serious news report. No substantive information or analysis is provided beyond the quiz itself.