Oct. 15, 2025

Top stories

■ Layoffs hit NBC News: 150 jobs cut ahead of Versant split (Hollywood Reporter) / ‘NBC News eliminated its teams dedicated to covering issues affecting Black, Asian American, Latino and LGBTQ+ groups as part of its Wednesday layoffs, according to sources. While the layoffs affected the entire newsroom and were budget-driven, the cuts reflect a broader retreat in media from diversity efforts in light of federal scrutiny.’ (Corbin Bolies) / ‘MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she will undergo surgery next month. On this morning's editorial call, she told staffers that the prognosis is good and that she anticipates being away for just a few weeks.’ (Brian Stelter)


■ ‘The Wall Street Journal has laid off about a dozen reporters and editors on its health, science, and education teams. EIC Emma Tucker just sent out this note’ (Katie Robertson)


■ Rural stations hit hardest by Trump’s ‘life or death’ public media cuts (The Hill) / What is NPR now? (Columbia Journalism Review) / David McGowan to retire as CEO of WJCT Public Media (Current) 


■ Journalists turn in press passes as Pentagon clamps down on access in ‘unprecedented’ move (CNN) / Pete Hegseth changes Pentagon press policy: 5 takeaways (The Hill) / Hegseth’s lawyer Tim Parlatore guides Pentagon’s media restrictions (Washington Post) 


■ WGN-TV producer hires attorney to ‘pursue all legal avenues’ after ICE detention (Chicago Tribune) / Chicago TV station employee detained by federal agents disputes DHS’ account she threw objects at a Border Patrol car (CNN) 


■ Most major TV networks will use AP data during 2026 and 2028 elections (Axios)


■ U.S. government pays for 2025's most expensive political ad campaign (Axios)


■ YouTube just ate TV. It’s only getting started (Hollywood Reporter) / Spanish-language audiences are growing even as TV viewership declines (CNBC)


■ Publishers including Gannett and the Guardian hit with patent lawsuits (Business Insider) 


■ 3 suburban Detroit newspapers to stop publishing at the end of October (Detroit Free Press)


■ One of TechCrunch’s founders is starting a new publication (Talking Biz News) / Cyndee Hebert promoted to WTHR news director (TV News Check) / Rich Davis takes helm as SVP/programming at iHeartMedia Minneapolis (InsideRadio) / Meet the 4 new contributing columnists we’re adding to our refreshed roster (Minnesota Star Tribune) / Alex Deve joins The Athletic as chief product officer (New York Times) / ‘Olivia Nuzzi has written a book during her year in exile, in which she is set to in part address her relationship with RFK Jr.’ (Oliver Darcy)


■ Indiana University fires IDS adviser amid dispute over student newspaper's content (IndyStar) 


■ Why UT students are reviving an underground 1960s newspaper (Texas Monthly)

Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling 1000 dollar prize Apply now

The Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling is a national award and $1,000 prize recognizing journalistic work that pushes the boundaries of storytelling beyond text and rewards creative uses of emerging visual tools. Apply by Oct. 24, 2025.

CRAFT

Canva Translate: Language choices can unlock and engage new audiences


Editor’s note: Throughout the month of October, the Institute and Canva are offering free bite-sized trainings on tips, tools, and Canva templates designed just for journalists. Sign up now to receive the daily emails.


Earning trust can take more than meeting people where they are. It also means removing linguistic barriers.


Not everyone consumes news in your audience's dominant language. Translation ensures that more people can understand and engage with critical information that affects their lives — from health updates to election coverage to global events. It’s about making news inclusive and equitable.


But translating news stories, visuals, and other materials designed to engage and inform across multiple languages is time-consuming and can be expensive, especially for smaller newsrooms.


Newsrooms using Canva’s Translate tool, however, have the ability to instantly translate text within any Canva designs directly in Canva. Within just a few clicks, journalists and editors can translate important infographics for local-language reach.


Here’s how:


  • Open any Canva design with text that you want translated. While this is a Pro account feature, any user can try it once at no cost.
  • On the sidebar, select “Apps” and search for “Translate”.
  • The Translate tab will appear on the sidebar. Select your target language from the more than 130 options, then click “Translate pages” and select which pages you want the translation to apply to in the dropdown menu. Or, select specific text on the page you want translated. (Hint: You can also choose whether to automatically resize fonts and duplicate translated pages in the “Settings” tab.)
  • Once you select the language, you can choose the tone of voice for the translation (optional). 
  • Within a minute, Canva has duplicated the design and translated the text.
  • Use the drag-and-drop editing tools to the left of your design to polish it. (Hint: Once translated, you may need to resize to adjust for the length of your text.)
  • Once you ensure your AI-translated text reflects your desired tone and message, share and publish your designs using Canva’s built-in social media integrations.
  • Watch a demonstration of Canva Translate here, and try it with one of your designs to get familiar with the tool.
CAREER
 

Next week: Career support office


The Institute is continuing its series of career office hours with the next session on Tuesday, Oct. 21.


These informal gatherings will provide resources and a sense of community to journalists at a time when many are experiencing layoffs, career shifts, and uncertainty.

These virtual meetings (Zoom) will address common career questions and offer:



The job search can be taxing — on both your time and energy — and every bit of encouragement helps. We hope to see you at the next small group discussion to support others in their search and network with media professionals who can help with yours.

 
 
COMMUNITY


Resources

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


Get this from a friend? Subscribe and view the archives.

Facebook  X  Linkedin  Youtube  

DONATE TO THE INSTITUTE


The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.