The Latest: Journalists in digital age; Public media’s next era; Covering health care

Aug. 20, 2025

■ Smartmatic case documents show some Fox News hosts’ drive to help Trump (Wall Street Journal) / Jeanine Pirro bragged about helping Trump and GOP while a Fox News host (Washington Post)

■ What will the next era of public media look like? (Columbia Journalism Review) / How philanthropic organizations are working to support smaller public radio stations (NPR) / PBS Michiana – WNIT announces layoffs triggered by state, federal cuts (Current) / Ari Shapiro, ‘All Things Considered’ co-host, is exiting NPR amid funding cuts (CNN)

■ Newspapers are rescued from closure in Wyoming and South Dakota as buyers swoop in (Associated Press)

■ Come one, come all! Buy your TV subscriptions here ! (New York Times)

■ Yahoo Sports plans streaming-TV launch (Variety) / How ESPN aims to prop up Disney+ (Hollywood Reporter)

■ Penske cuts work-from-home employment with in-office mandate, forced resignations (The Wrap)

■ Email-based publisher The Flyover has 25 full-time staff two years after launch (Press Gazette)

■ Politico deputy tech editor switches to nat security newsletter (Talking Biz News) / Keith Collins returns to Business desk (New York Times) / Nadja Spiegelman joins New York Times Opinion (New York Times) / Meet Des Moines Register visual journalist Lily Smith, an Iowa native (Des Moines Register)

■ What's behind the TikTok accounts using AI-generated versions of real Latino journalists ? (NBC News)

■ Newsrooms tap AI experts (Axios) / News publishers shift AI licensing focus to usage-based deals (The Information)

■ This startup is trying to reinvent the magazine for the social-media era (Business Insider)

The “Big Beautiful Bill”: What it means for health care

The Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center are offering a series of virtual briefings to help journalists enhance their understanding and coverage of the new law's major themes.

Part four of the series will explore what changes the law makes to both Medicaid and Medicare, including new tweaks for eligibility requirements and enrollment procedures and temporarily boosting Medicare provider reimbursements.

BPC's Jonathan Burks will also look at the funding the law allocates toward health care in rural communities and changes to qualification requirements for food stamps.

Come armed with questions about what the new law means for two of the country’s major entitlement programs and other health issues and what sorts of policy changes your audience might want to know about.

Date : Wednesday, Aug. 27

Time : 1 p.m. ET

Location : Zoom

Pitching innovative ideas in your organization

“One misconception with innovation is that trying something new requires a huge lift that costs tons of money, time, and/or hiring new staff. … To effectively pitch an innovative idea, you need to have a few key facts ready for your editor/manager: How long will it take; how much will it cost; what staff/resources will be involved; and, of course, what is the possible benefit for your newsroom. It may engage underserved communities or add a new revenue stream. It can be long-term or short term. One great part about experimentation with a brand-new idea or tool is that you can plan the structure of implementation with a specific goal in mind that helps you assess success and impact .”

-- Kat Duncan , director of innovation at the Reynolds Journalism Institute. Click here to read the full interview.

Resources

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

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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.