April 17, 2025

■ Trump takes fight with AP over White House access to US appeals court (Reuters) / ‘Just got out of appeals court hearing in the AP vs. White House case. The judges didn’t make a ruling on the White House’s request to reinstate the stay (and by extension to essentially re-initiate the ban).’ (Jeremy Barr)

■ MAGA-friendly outlets reshape White House press briefings (Axios) / The deep end of the pool (Status) 

■ A look at the Trump administration’s efforts to slash public media funding (PBS News) / Ex-NPR chief says public media could have better prepared for a Trump gutting (Vanity Fair) 

■ Google is a monopolist in online advertising tech, judge says (New York Times)

■ FCC chairman goes after Comcast for ‘news distortion’ after White House complains that MSNBC didn’t carry press briefing on deportations (Deadline) 

■ With international students at risk, campus newspapers loosen editorial policies (Nieman Reports) / Student journalists wrestle with censoring their own work (Columbia Journalism Review) 

■ ‘Sarah Palin and the New York Times are in court again. Yes, it’s a retrial. Yes, it’s the same judge. But the result could be different.’ (Scott Nover)

■ What The Houston Landing’s closure says about the state of nonprofit news (Poynter)

■ Messenger newspaper to cease publishing (Columbus Messenger)

■ ‘CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon’s tenure was already beset by controversies that have antagonized both the network’s current owner, Shari Redstone, and its future owner, David Ellison.’ (Puck)

■ ‘WSJ Union fights on byline and tagline issue.’ (Joe Flint) / ‘Today we delivered a letter on ground rules for our upcoming union election …’ (Washington Post Tech Guild) 

■ Chris Matthews revives ‘Hardball’ on Substack (Hollywood Reporter) / WSJ names Tran director of content strategy (Talking Biz News) / WSJ names Dubouis director of strategic initiatives (Talking Biz News) / Los Angeles Local News Initiative names award-winning local journalism and media leader Kristen Muller as founding executive editor (L.A. Local News Initiative) / The Atlantic hires Jenna Johnson and Dan Zak as senior editors, and Tyler Austin Harper as staff writer (The Atlantic) / The New York Times announces promotions in Photo department (New York Times) / Houston Biz Journal taps Martin as growth team editor (Talking Biz News)

■ National Weather Service buyouts will leave gaps as storm season ramps up (Washington Post) 

■ Eggs are how much? News outlets launch grocery price trackers (Nieman Journalism Lab)

Strengthening Stories Workshop: Ledes, nut grafs, and self editing

Facing a blank screen with a full notebook and the clock ticking toward deadline can be, well, daunting.

No matter your story topic or how much reporting material you have to work with, finding the hook to engage your reader within the first few lines or paragraphs is essential. Ledes and nut grafs that get to the core of your story take energy and focus — often lacking when time is short.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute on Friday, May 2, at noon ET for a writing-focused workshop that will help you craft ledes that grab the reader’s attention and identify your nut graf before getting too far into your writing process.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer looking for some inspiration or an early career journalist looking to jump start your storytelling, get back to the basics in this session led by Institute staff and journalists.

Tickets on sale now: $25 for the public; $20 for NPC members.

Participants will learn:

• Practical tips to punch up languid ledes
• Ways to quickly identify and focus nut grafs
• Approaches to story structure to rethink — or reshape — the narrative
• A new framework for self-editing that will improve or tighten your copy, guaranteed
• Additional tips for effective storytelling

Speakers

• Beth Francesco, Executive Director at NPCJI
• Elliot C. Williams, Training Manager at NPCJI

Resources

• GIJN guide to investigating extreme heat (Global Investigative Journalism Network)
• Engagement Toolkit: Create a platform for more constructive engagement (Solutions Journalism Network) 
• 8 ideas for managing generational tensions in your news organization (Better News)

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant, Elliot C. Williams, and Mitch Harle. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover.

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