Internet & language
NWSL Reports Eight Sexual Misconduct Complaints in 2026
The National Women's Soccer League received eight complaints of sexual misconduct, harassment, or retaliation in the first half of 2026, according to
Stories sourced from Defector
A source referenced in High Street Culture coverage of Culture. Stories crediting this source are aggregated and rewritten by the High Street Culture editorial team, linked to the original report where available.
Food, sport & everyday culture
Emily St. John Mandel on America's 'No Ceiling, No Floor'
Author Emily St. John Mandel discusses her new novel 'Exit Party,' which explores parallel worlds in a fractured America.
Food, sport & everyday culture
Ben Shelton Upsets Carlos Alcaraz In U.S. Open Quarterfinal
American Ben Shelton, 23, defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 a.m., advancing to his second U.S.
Living & behaviour
Florida State's Season Opens With Power Outage, Loss to SMU
A power outage delayed Florida State's home opener against SMU, which the Seminoles lost 27-24, deepening pessimism around the football program.
News
Umpire Doug Eddings' Hat Dispute Unites Cardinals
A dispute over a rookie pitcher's crooked hat, enforced by umpire Doug Eddings, led to an ejection and a rare show of player solidarity, with both teams
Living & behaviour
Michigan's Controversial Win Over Western Michigan
Michigan defeated Western Michigan on a last-second Hail Mary after a controversial video review added time to the clock.
Food, sport & everyday culture
Katie Taylor's Final Fight at Croke Park
Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor, 40, fights France's Flora Pili for the undisputed super-lightweight title in her retirement bout at Dublin's Croke Park
News
Alexander Ullom's 'It Ends' Captures Gen Z Horror
Filmmaker Alexander Ullom's debut feature 'It Ends,' a horror film with an existential bent, follows friends trapped on an endless road.
Ideas
Ketel Marte's Cryptic Bridge-Burning Hat
Arizona Diamondbacks player Ketel Marte returned after a mysterious absence, wearing a cryptic hat that sparked widespread speculation about its meaning.
Living & behaviour
A Conflict-Avoidant Expectant Father Seeks Advice
An expectant father, worried about repeating his own father's emotionally withdrawn behavior during conflict, seeks guidance from Defector's advice column.
Ideas
Hrgovic stops Itauma to win IBF title
Veteran Filip Hrgovic stopped an exhausted Moses Itauma in the ninth round to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
Internet & language
Dolly Parton's Death Prompts Reflection
A writer reflects on the cultural impact of Dolly Parton's death, drawing a personal parallel to his mother's life of creating happiness without a
Arts & institutions
Red Vienna's Socialist Architecture Financed
A Defector writer examines the legacy of Red Vienna's social housing, built between 1918 and 1934 through taxes on the wealthy, and argues its communal
Food, sport & everyday culture
Red-Lipped Batfish's Bizarre Look Explained
Scientists explain the evolutionary reasons for the red-lipped batfish's strange 'feet' and red lips, though much of its life remains a mystery.
Arts & institutions
Ashley Sanchez Leads NWSL Golden Boot Race
Ashley Sanchez leads the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot race with 13 goals after a brace against Boston Legacy, edging out Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga as the
Internet & language
Defector Writers Test Red Lip Tutorial for Reds Week
Lauren and Alex from Defector attempt a red lip look as part of Reds Week, sharing their personal histories with lip products and applying makeup while discussing insecurities, techniques, and the cultural weight of red lipstick.
Arts & institutions
Frances Tiafoe's Resurgence
The 28-year-old American tennis player is peaking at the right time, with a strong performance in Cincinnati and a favorable draw at the U.S. Open.