go small or go home!

It’s 2026, and our sources of news are constantly changing. Six major companies (Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Sony, and Amazon) in the United States own most of the media in this country, including news stations, television shows, films, publishing houses, and lots of digital content. Thousands of regional newspapers have closed their doors, and last year, the federal government defunded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, threatening local public news outlets everywhere.

With a handful of businesses (and, let’s face it, the federal government) controlling so much of what we read and see, I am gravitating towards smaller media sources and nontraditional ways of getting information.

local news reporters on the streets and at courthouses and other government buildings, filming and describing events as they happen
first-hand videos from passersby and people who happen to be at key events and aren’t being paid to be there or have any “skin in the game”
blogs, podcasts, and e-newsletters with in-depth analysis of the news and politics by experts in the field, like lawyers and historians, who care about the issues and aren’t paid by politicians or corporations

So, in the spirit of micro-media, here are some of the content producers I follow and subscribe to. All have free and paid options — if you’re able to pay to help them continue their work, please do! The more options we have for learning and processing what’s going on in our world, the better.

LegaliTea with Jay Jay

Former tech lawyer, Georgetown Law graduate, and educator, Jay Jay has an excellent Substack newsletter, as well as podcasts and a YouTube channel. She translates politics and current events into clear, understandable English and explains what legal decisions, including those from the U.S. Supreme Court, mean and why we should care. Here’s part of her bio from her website, https://lawteaandtruth.substack.com/about

“I bring together my legal expertise, media insights, and passion for public interest to offer thought-provoking analysis, practical resources, and bold ideas for navigating our complex world.”

Here’s an example of a recent topic Jay Jay covered:

“The Man Quietly Rewriting Government: How Russell Vought Is Using Budget Power to Punish Political Enemies”

When it feels like politics are spinning out of control, Jay Jay keeps things real by getting back to the facts — she makes predictions, based on legal precedent and history. She reminds us that the law is the law, and people will be held accountable. And 99% of the time, she is correct!

History Can’t Hide with Kahlil Greene

Known as the “Gen Z Historian,” 20-something Kahlil Greene already has many accolades under his belt: a Peabody Award winner, a TIME100 content creator, a two-time Emmy nominee, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a member of Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood list.

Kahlil’s Substack channel is full of fascinating videos and articles about forgotten histories of Black, Asian, Native American, and LGBTQ+ communities in the United States. He shows how the past and the present are connected and explains how we live in a continuum that is constantly changing. He interviews with experts like Stacey Abrams and digs into popular culture, like this recent in-depth analysis of the award-winning movie Sinners:

“… we’ll break down all the historical concepts, cultural references, and musical traditions that enrich this vampire narrative. This article provides an accessible analysis with resources for further exploration of each historical thread Coogler masterfully integrates into his storytelling.”

A Mighty Girl

The website https://www.amightygirl.com/ is an excellent place to look for books, toys, and movies that encourage and empower girls. But the Facebook page also features thought-provoking articles about current events, laws, and politics and how they intertwine with girls’ and women’s history and present lives. For example, when Leqaa Kordia was recently released after being unlawfully imprisoned by ICE for a year, A Mighty Girl wrote about exactly what happened, giving Lequaa’s life background and how the imprisonment affected her.

“Leqaa Kordia was never charged with a crime. Three separate times, a judge ordered her release. It was not until yesterday — after a full year of suffering– that she finally walked free.”

A Mighty Girl’s Facebook page articles are written clearly and honestly. They give facts that are publicly reported — like how many times Donald Trump has insulted female news reporters and the actual insults he used. And recent wins by women political leaders. And how laws affect women’s health and wellbeing.

Reading List

My goal is to create a longer list of sites and newsletters I follow – some are related to climate, others offer advice for countering discrimination … some may be about crochet! I like learning about a wide range of topics. Stay tuned … and feel free to post your favorite news sites in the comments!