Headline Tracker
A headline is the most-read sentence of any article — and the one most often rewritten after publishing. Prism re-reads every outlet's feed twice a day; when an article it already holds comes back with a different headline, the change is recorded, marked word by word, and named.
Ordered by how widely known the outlet is, then by when the rewrite happened — so the newest change is not always at the top. That is about recognisability, never about which outlet is more reliable. Every outlet Prism has caught rewriting a headline is listed below, and each of those pages runs in date order.
WasHegseth could face impeachment vote this week as House returns
NowMassie introduces Hegseth impeachment articles, teeing up vote
- HedgeDropped the hedge “could” — the claim is now stated flat.
- Who is namedNo longer names “House”.
WasHegseth Issues Defiant Response as Republican-Led Impeachment Vote Looms
NowRepublican Lawmaker Files Resolution to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
WasTrump DOJ appointee who led 'grand conspiracy' probe of Trump foes resigns
NowTop DOJ officials resign after midterm landslide, including head of 'grand conspiracy' investigation
- Who is namedNo longer names “Trump”.
SpectrumCenter-left→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-left.
Headline changed from: House Speaker Mike Johnson will not stay on as Republican leader after GOP losses. To: House Speaker Mike Johnson won't stay on as Republican leader after GOP losses.
Headline changed from: Democrats Claim Their First Senate Win as Midterm Polls Begin to Close: Live Election Updates. To: Democrats Win Control of House and Senate in Rebuke of Trump Agenda: Live Election Updates.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Trump launches attack on Iran on eve of crucial midterm elections... as it's revealed US has been secretly striking regime for weeks. To: Trump launches attack on Iran on eve of midterm elections.
SpectrumCenter-left→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-left.
Headline changed from: DOJ asks Supreme Court to block California counting disputed mail-in ballots. To: Supreme Court rejects DOJ's bid to block California from counting disputed ballots.
WasDOJ asks for Supreme Court to intervene on California ballot demands
NowThe Supreme Court rejects a DOJ push to separate California ballots
Headline changed from: Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Intervene in California Ballot Case. To: Supreme Court Rejects Trump Administration Request to Intervene in California Ballot Case.
Headline changed from: US central bank holds interest rates steady ahead of midterm elections - here's what that means. To: US interest rates held steady and economy grows - what it means for you.
SpectrumCenter-left→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-left.
WasMore than 1,300 arrested and 50 police hurt in violent French protests - as National Rally's Marine Le Pen to kick off presidential campaign with rally speech
NowMarine Le Pen calls for 'renaissance for France' as National Rally leader kicks off presidential campaign - after more than 1,300 arrested and 50 police hurt in violent protests across country
- Who is namedNo longer names “French”.
- Who is namedNow names “France”.
- Quotation marksPut “renaissance for france” in quotation marks — presented now as someone else's words.
SpectrumCenter→Center-rightPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-right, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Melania Trump Helps Forge A Ceasefire Deal In A Russian-Occupied Ukrainian City, White House Says. To: Melania Trump Brokers A Ceasefire Deal In Russian-Occupied Ukrainian City To Get Relief Aid In.
- AttributionDropped the attribution “says” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
Headline changed from: Trump Makes A Call As Ukraine Battles Musk's Satellite Restrictions. To: Trump Steps In With Phone Call As Ukraine Battles Musk's Starlink Restrictions.
WasAlberta votes overwhelmingly to remain part of Canada, projections suggest
Now'Great result for Canada', says Carney as Alberta votes to reject separatism
- AttributionAdded the attribution “says” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
- Who is namedNow names “Carney”.
- Quotation marksPut “great result for canada” in quotation marks — presented now as someone else's words.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Trump signs order waiving Graham Act sanctions on Russia. To: Trump waives Graham Act sanctions on Russia, drawing backlash from some lawmakers.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Trump waives broad new Russia sanctions and tariffs under Graham Act, citing national interest. To: Trump waives broad new Russia sanctions, Zelenskyy condemns it as 'wrong'.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Graham”, “Act”.
- Who is namedNow names “Zelenskyy”.
- Quotation marksPut “wrong” in quotation marks — presented now as someone else's words.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Law. To: Trump Signs Order Waiving New Russia Sanctions.
WasTrump blasts Omar, says he doesn't take a position on whether she should be deported
NowTrump again attacks Rep. Ilhan Omar, a US citizen, over immigration allegations
- AttributionDropped the attribution “says” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
- Who is namedNow names “Rep”, “Ilhan”.
- Loaded wordDropped “blasts”.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Trump Wants It Both Ways on the Ilhan Omar Search. To: Trump's Dubious Claim About the Ilhan Omar Search.
Headline changed from: Trump's 'energy ceasefire' claim welcomed by Zelensky but Russia silent. To: Zelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but says Russia continues to hit power plants.
- AttributionAdded the attribution “says” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
Headline changed from: Terminal in Riyadh airport hit again, a day after deadly strike killed 12. To: Saudi airport hit again day after deadly strike killed 13.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Riyadh”.
- FigureA figure changed: “12” became “13”.
WasAttack on Riyadh airport killed 12 people and wounded over 300 more, Saudi authorities say
NowPassenger terminal at Riyadh airport is struck again, a day after 12 were killed
- AttributionDropped the attribution “say” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Saudi”.
- FigureA figure disappeared: “300”.
WasUS warns Kyiv that strikes on Russia jeopardise intelligence-sharing
NowTrump tells Ukraine to 'get a new leader' as US threatens to cut off intelligence-sharing
- AttributionDropped the attribution “warns” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
- AttributionAdded the attribution “tells” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Kyiv”, “Russia”.
- Who is namedNow names “Ukraine”.
- Quotation marksPut “get a new leader” in quotation marks — presented now as someone else's words.
SpectrumCenter→Center-rightPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-right, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: ICE agent shoots man in New York City with five-year-old in car, mayor says. To: ICE agent shoots man in New York City with five-year-old reportedly in car.
- HedgeAdded the hedge “reportedly” — the claim is now qualified.
- AttributionDropped the attribution “says” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
Headline changed from: Person shot by ICE agent in New York City, DHS says. To: Man shot by ICE agent in New York City's Marble Hill, authorities say.
- AttributionDropped the attribution “says” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
- AttributionAdded the attribution “say” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
- Who is namedNow names “Marble”, “Hill”.
WasICE Agent Shoots 'Suspected Migrant Gang Member' In New York City
NowICE Shoots Violent Illegal Gang Member During NYC Arrest, And Mamdani Wastes No Time
- HedgeDropped the hedge “suspected” — the claim is now stated flat.
- Quotation marksRemoved the quotation marks around “suspected migrant gang member” — presented now as the outlet's own words.
- Loaded wordAdded “violent”.
SpectrumCenter-left→RightPrism reads the rewritten headline as right, where the original read center-left.
Headline changed from: Trump bans Microsoft from sponsoring foreign workers for US residency. To: Microsoft banned from sponsoring foreign workers for US residency.
SpectrumCenter-right→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-right.
Headline changed from: At least 30 people feared killed in Russian bus bombing in Ukraine. To: At least 30 people killed after Russia bombs two buses in Ukraine.
- HedgeDropped the hedge “feared” — the claim is now stated flat.
- BBCrewritten 3×
First seenWhat happened in the failed execution of Christa Pike - and what next?
Rewrite 1 · Oct 7, 1:18 PM
WasWhat happened in the failed execution of Christa Pike - and what next?
NowHow did Christa Pike survive two lethal injections - and what happens now?
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Rewrite 2 · Oct 8, 12:47 AM
WasHow did Christa Pike survive two lethal injections - and what happens now?
NowWhat happened in the failed execution of Christa Pike - and how did she survive?
Rewrite 3 · Oct 8, 11:51 AM
Headline changed from: What happened in the failed execution of Christa Pike - and how did she survive?. To: What happened in Christa Pike's failed US execution, and how did she survive?.
WasChaos erupts at Trump rally in Texas as series of protesters disrupt president who strikes back: 'They're all paid'
NowTrump's Texas rally erupts in mayhem as MAGA fan yanks heckler to the ground by his hair and protesters repeatedly interrupt his speech
- Who is namedNo longer names “They're”.
- Quotation marksRemoved the quotation marks around “they're all paid” — presented now as the outlet's own words.
- Loaded wordDropped “chaos”.
- Loaded wordAdded “mayhem”.
SpectrumCenter-right→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center-right.
Headline changed from: How drunk is too drunk? Cornell rape allegations expose 'loopholes' in consent laws. To: Drinking and consent - Cornell rape allegations expose 'loopholes' in laws.
SpectrumCenter-left→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-left.
Headline changed from: US death row inmate Christa Pike conscious after failed execution, lawyers say. To: US death row inmate Christa Pike awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say.
Headline changed from: Christa Pike is awake and speaking in hospital after her botched execution, lawyer says. To: Christa Pike is conscious and still shackled to hospital bed after botched execution, says lawyer.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
Headline changed from: Christa Pike is awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyer says. To: Christa Pike is awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say.
- AttributionDropped the attribution “says” — the headline no longer says who is claiming it.
- AttributionAdded the attribution “say” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
WasBrazil election headed to runoff, projection shows, as Bolsonaro lead narrows
NowBolsonaro beats expectations in Brazil presidential vote, will face Lula in runoff
- Who is namedNow names “Lula”.
SpectrumCenter→Center-rightPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-right, where the original read center.
WasRussia Again Strikes Kyiv Bridge as Infrastructure Attacks Widen
NowRussia Vows to Step Up Strikes After Its Warning on Kyiv
Headline changed from: Tennessee Corrections commissioner resigns days after failed Christa Pike execution. To: Tennessee Correction commissioner resigns days after botched Christa Pike execution.
SpectrumCenter→Center-leftPrism reads the rewritten headline as center-left, where the original read center.
WasKiller's All-Female Execution Went So Wrong The State Halted Executions
NowGovernor Pauses Executions After Notorious Killer Survives Lethal Injection TWICE
WasLast US troops expected to leave Iraq on Wednesday following 12-year ISIS fight
NowLast US troops complete 'orderly departure' from Iraq, CENTCOM says
- AttributionAdded the attribution “says” — the claim is now put in someone's mouth.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Wednesday”.
- Quotation marksPut “orderly departure” in quotation marks — presented now as someone else's words.
- FigureA figure disappeared: “12”.
Headline changed from: Supreme Court rules Trump admin can continue rapid deportations to 3rd countries. To: Supreme Court allows rapid deportations to 3rd countries, agrees to hear case.
- Who is namedNo longer names “Trump”.
SpectrumCenter-right→CenterPrism reads the rewritten headline as center, where the original read center-right.
Why headlines change
Some rewrites are corrections. Many are not: newsrooms test two or three headlines against each other and keep the one more people click, editors sharpen a hedge into a claim (or soften a claim into a hedge) as the story settles, and a headline written for the home page gets replaced by one written for search. None of that is sinister, but it is invisible unless someone keeps the earlier version.
The labels under each rewrite name what the words do — a hedge gone, a source no longer named, a figure that moved — and never why the newsroom did it. That is a rule the whole site follows: you can check every label against the two headlines above it.
Where a Spectrum line appears, Prism has placed both versions on the same five-point scale the story pages use, each from a quotation taken out of that version’s own words. Most rewrites do not move a piece and show no such line — of the rewrites recorded so far, two in three stayed exactly where they were. Treat the ones that do move as a reading rather than a measurement: a headline is a dozen words, which is thin ground for a political placement, and a borderline call can land differently on another day. The quotations are shown so you can disagree with it.
Prism only sees what an outlet’s public feed shows, so a rewrite that happens after an article leaves the feed goes unrecorded. Changes that are only punctuation, capitalisation or house style are filtered out, as are rolling pages that keep one address and retitle through the day. Treat the list as a sample, not a ledger.