April 16, 2026

Top stories

■ ‘NPR receives $113M toward digital transformation and to offer stations greater services as the loss of federal funds takes a big bite out of budgets. $80M from philanthropist Connie Ballmer $33M from anonymous donor.’ (David Folkenflik)


■ Condé Nast shutters Self Magazine, folds wellness coverage into Allure and Glamour (The Wrap) / ‘Glamour magazine is closing several international editions, focusing on US/UK, and will now be a recommendation platform for fashion and beauty’ (Jessica Testa) / ‘Sam Barry, the editor-in-chief of Glamour, is leaving, per a note she sent to her staff.’ (Lauren Sherman) / ‘SELF, editor's letter, Vol. 1, Issue 1, January 1979’ (Michael M. Grynbaum)


■ Paramount CEO David Ellison to host dinner honoring Trump, CBS News White House reporters (The Wrap) / White House Correspondents’ Dinner drama: NBC News and MS NOW plan dueling after parties (Hollywood Reporter) / What's happening during White House Correspondents' Dinner weekend 2026 (Axios) 


■ TMZ’s arrival on Capitol Hill elicits both groans and curiosity (The Hill) 


■ Thomson Reuters shareholders demand investigation into ICE contracts (404 Media) / Thomson Reuters fired worker for speaking out about ICE, former employee says (404 Media)


■ A journalist filmed an ICE protest at a Minnesota church. Then federal agents showed up at her door (Guardian) 


■ Gaza’s new generation of journalists face challenges, but stay resilient (Al Jazeera)


■ ‘Jim Bankoff is nearing separate deals to break up Vox Media — selling the podcast network, New York magazine, and the portfolio of digital brands that includes The Verge, Eater, and SB Nation.’ (Puck)


■ The New York Times hires new editor on Metro desk (New York Times) / Judy Tong joins National at The New York Times (New York Times) / CBS is ‘developing other ideas’ for Colbert’s time slot after Byron Allen deal ends (Hollywood Reporter) / Brian Williams signs on to Netflix to host a weekly podcast (Los Angeles Times) 


■ Why is everyone wicked obsessed with this Boston Globe reporter? (New York Times)


■ East TN nonprofit aims to support local journalism and students with unique license plate (WVLT) 


■ ‘TV news is partnering with prediction markets. What does that mean for its disproportionately old viewership?’ (Columbia Journalism Review) / Prediction markets are breaking the news and becoming their own beat (Nieman Journalism Lab)

CRAFT

Covering impactful 2026 midterm elections stories


The Institute, in collaboration with the Bipartisan Policy Center, is hosting a practical briefing to help reporters sharpen their midterms coverage ahead of the 2026 elections.


🗓 April 23 | 🕛 noon ET | 📍Zoom


This session is built for journalists who want clear angles and faster analysis as midterm election coverage accelerates. Expect actionable guidance on:


The briefing will be led by Wren Orey, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Elections Project, who will also take questions.


Orey’s work focuses on data-driven election policy and administration, with an emphasis on security, access, and trust. They bring experience translating complex systems into reporting-ready insights, and have been cited by outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Politico. Orey also teaches computer programming at Georgetown Law and previously worked on governance and election issues at the Brookings Institution.

CAREER
 
 

Pitching: Don’t let the fear of rejection hold you back


“If fear of rejection is holding you back from sending your pitch, remember that it’s simply a part of the deal. Staff writers get their ideas turned down, too. Editors who like and have worked with you still won’t accept every pitch. It’s not about you; it’s about the idea or something out of your control, like the outlet already planning a story on a too-similar topic. Plus, a slew of rejections can help you rework your pitch or keep trying it in new places, making any eventual “yes” feel even sweeter.“


-- Anna Medaris, freelance health and lifestyle journalist, excerpt from “How to pitch editors right now” (Association of Health Care Journalists)

 
 

We're Hiring: Join our team as Development Manager

The Institute is recruiting a Development Manager to help fuel its mission of strengthening journalism and defending press freedom.


This role is perfect for someone who:



If you’re ready to put your fundraising skills to work for democracy, we’d love to hear from you.

COMMUNITY
Meet the 2026 Public Health Reporting Fellows Maea Lenei Buhre, Cassie Chew, Whitney Downard, Olga Loginova, Mark Rabago, Jayati Ramakrishnan

The National Press Club Journalism Institute announced the 2026 cohort of its Public Health Reporting Fellowship, supporting journalists across the country in producing in-depth, community-centered reporting on critical public health issues.


The fellowship provides funding and resources to help journalists pursue ambitious reporting projects that examine pressing health challenges, from access to care and health equity to emerging threats and policy impacts. The program is made possible through the generous support of the Common Health Coalition.


The 2026 Public Health Reporting Fellows are:







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.


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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes First Amendment values by equipping journalists in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the skills, knowledge, standards, resources and networks to empower and inform the public. 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.