Tuesday 29 September 2026 · Edition of the day

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The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories
1
Average plausibility
75%
How to read the score
It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.
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TopicAllPoliticsConflict & SecurityBusinessScienceHealth
01HealthNorth America

CDC reports two US measles deaths as cases reach a 35-year high

Al Jazeera reports more than 900 cases in Pennsylvania amid a nationwide outbreak.

Al Jazeera reports that the CDC has recorded two measles deaths in the US as cases reach their highest level in 35 years. Its summary says Pennsylvania has reported more than 900 cases and is leading the nationwide outbreak.

What holds up

  • ✓The headline explicitly attributes the two-death report to the CDC.
  • ✓The summary supplies a Pennsylvania case count of more than 900 and describes a nationwide outbreak.

What doesn't yet

  • ?Only one supplied outlet covers the claim, and the underlying CDC figures are not reproduced.
  • ?The extract gives no national case total, reporting cut-off or explanation of the 35-year comparison.

Ask before you share

  • →What reporting period and case definition underlie the figures?
  • →Do current CDC and Pennsylvania records support the totals and historical comparison?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]Al Jazeera · Published 29 Sept 2026 · aljazeera.com