Jan. 26, 2026

■ What's happening in Minneapolis? Hear it from the journalists who live there. (Poynter) / ‘We’re not trying to recreate social media’: How Minnesota’s Star Tribune navigates a local crisis (Semafor) / ‘Thank God we have video’: Minnesota’s escalating fights over eyewitness footage (CNN) / False posts and altered images distort views of Minnesota shooting (New York Times) / Users say TikTok stifled political posts about ICE shooting as platform faltered (Washington Post) 

■ Trump has ramped up lawsuits against the media. Here’s where they stand. (Washington Post) / Trump revives legal threat against Don Lemon after DOJ effort fails (The Wrap) 

■ ‘Washington Post staffers are questioning Jeff Bezos’ commitment to the paper as they brace for company-wide layoffs in February that could impact as many as 300 employees, with upwards of 100 cuts expected to hit the newsroom.’ (Natalie Korach) / ‘Driving factor behind the cuts is the Post's goal to reach profitability by the end of 2026. Some editors are telling staff to look for new jobs. Sports editors wouldn't tell staff if there will be a sports section post cuts.’ (Max Tani) / Washington Post foreign correspondents send 'collective plea' to Jeff Bezos amid mass layoffs rumors (The Wrap) / ‘The sports section was told not to book travel arrangements for its Nationals beat writers to cover spring training, according to two sources. ...’ (Erik Wemple) / Washington Post reverses decision on Olympics coverage (New York Times)

■ Bari Weiss will hold an all-hands meeting to discuss the future of CBS News tomorrow, per note that just went out to employees. (Ben Mullin) / ‘There's some chatter on social media, particularly in progressive circles, about "60 Minutes" reverting to repeats … Here's what is really happening.’ (Brian Stelter) / How Bari Weiss is changing CBS News (The New Yorker) 

■ Public media holds its apocalypse at bay, for now (New York Times) / APTS, PBS tell FCC not to set a firm date for ATSC sunset (TV Tech) / Arkansas public television viewers, parents disillusioned with network’s plan to cut ties with PBS (Current) / WBGU-TV to end PBS programming in June due to federal funding cuts (WTOL.com) 

■ BBC faces ‘profound jeopardy’ without funding overhaul, Tim Davie says (Guardian)

■ California Post, a daily newspaper produced by the same company that publishes the New York Post, debuts today, Jan. 26, in Southern California, led by EIC Nick Papps (Los Angeles Business Journal) / The California Post on its LA invasion: ‘We want to be disruptors’ (The Wrap)

■ The Baltimore Banner enters a new year — and a new chapter — with a new editor-in-chief (Editor and Publisher) 

■ Detroit Free Press owner to acquire Detroit News (Axios)

■ Family-owned newspaper in Syracuse to shut down publication (WSYR)  

■ Carpenter Media’s ominous takeover of local news (Columbia Journalism Review) 

■ CNBC appoints Ben Boulos as TV anchor (CNBC via Editor and Publisher) / Investment News hires Rogers as managing editor (Talking Biz News) / The New York Times: National welcomes Texas politics correspondent (New York Times) / The Guardian expands its sports desk with key hires before 2026 World Cup in North America (Guardian) / A new role for Chad Bishop covering the Atlanta Braves (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) / Pace, Iyer join Pulitzer Board (Pulitzer Prizes)

■ Weather influencers are going viral. How much should we trust them? (NPR) 

■ AP photographer uses infrared technology to show how it is used as a surveillance tool (Associated Press)

Apply Now: 2026 Public Health Reporting Fellowship is open

The Institute, in partnership with the Common Health Coalition, is excited to announce the 2026 Public Health Reporting Fellowship, a six-month, fully remote opportunity designed to give experienced journalists the time, resources, and expert support needed to tackle the most pressing public health issues of our time.

Open to U.S.-based newsroom and independent journalists with 10 or more years of professional experience, the fellowship supports ambitious, in-depth reporting on critical community, regional, state, or national public health challenges at a moment when accurate, trustworthy journalism is more essential than ever.

Up to five mid-career journalists will be selected to receive fellowship awards of up to $7,500 each to fund substantial reporting projects across formats, including print, digital, audio, visual, and broadcast.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 16. Fellowship projects must be completed and published or broadcast by September 2026.

In addition to direct financial support, fellows will participate in a robust professional development experience that includes monthly training sessions, access to leading public health experts, and mentorship tailored to each fellow’s reporting project. Click here for eligibility and application requirements.

Resources

• How to legally protect your newsgathering, with the Cornell First Amendment Clinic's Local Journalism Project (Jan. 30, 11 a.m. ET)
• Mobile Reporting: Tools for making content on the go (Feb. 6, noon ET)
• Covering immigration safely and with care (Feb. 10, noon ET)

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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