Angela, White male boomer here, not wealthy but blessed. There is so much here and empathy me literally feels your pain🫂. Might I suggest Ground News https://ground.news/ if you haven’t heard of them.
As a published PhD neuroscientist, author of 20+ peer reviewed articles which sometimes take months or even years to go through the review process, we don’t get paid , in fact billed page charges from the journal to cover their cost of printing.
On the lighter side, my grandsons Soa 10 and Koa 6 have taken up hockey while dad is on a three year assignment in Sweden 🇸🇪
Basketball all the way here! But I did do some hockey lessons when I was a beat reporter. I think all Minnesotans have to claim some kind of hockey connection.
I wanted to weigh in briefly on your item about the school buses. I'm one of those people who ended up paying a pretty stiff fine, but in my case the highway was four lanes, the bus was on the opposite side, three lanes away, and I was almost past it before its arm came down. Nevertheless, it wasn't worth the time to go into court to contest that, and in general, I'm one of the people who's outraged at those who blow past school buses who drive too fast on the highways. I'm not so sure it's just some kind of post-Covid angst over being late and under stress. I'm more inclined to believe that when the highways were relatively empty during Covid, the subset of drivers who have always been rule breakers and narcissistic dominated, and they've really never stopped that behavior since then. I also believe that highway patrol units and other police units don't do nearly as many speeding stops as they once did. So, yes, I was fined on a questionable incident, but I'm happy these fines are bringing in big money in most cases
As I was reading (and shaking my head in agreement and sharing in your frustration) I kept thinking of Robert Reich’s perspective on big media outlets.
A former teacher, committed congregation member, amateur writer, and always open to new ideas, I did not expect to read your words today. But, then, read them I did, and found your honesty and contemplative decision-making so refreshing. Like you, we have thrown off the weights of much of the 'national' media (my wife still craves the NYT, so we get it), but the others? Easily replaced by some local, some national, many substack-ed writers whose works are so devoid of heavy-handed editor weight. You asked for additional suggestions for writers. Let me recommend Nancy LeTourneau (formerly a blogger for the Washington Monthly before ???). Nancy's work is similar to yours, with a different background, but not really. You can find her at: http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/ I agree with Patrick Bradley below. And finally, when I asked each 'practice teacher' who would spend time in my classes, with my students, to learn how to communicate and generate enthusiasm for learning, always told them that a "proper preparation for becoming a good teacher is to have a burning in one's gut that is impossible to keep inside; it must be let loose to share." I appreciate that burning from your work.
I love your words. Thanks. I am a writer because of good teachers and editors who had that same “burning in one’s gut that is impossible to keep inside.”
I just read some of Nancy LeTourneau's work, especially on the immigration crisis. Thanks Stephen. (N LeTourneau is also a Minnesotan, at least according to her blog bio.)
I share in your grief, not as a journalist, but as a reader and respecter of journalists, great newspapers, and magazines throughout a few decades. I grew up with the Minneapolis Star/Tribune. (I always went to the Sunday sports page. the Peach Section, first.) I delivered the Sunday edition in a small town in N.D. on my bike when I was 11-12 yrs. That paper isn't what it used to be according to my brother in MN who cancelled long ago. I still subscribe to the historic St. Louis Post Dispatch, but that is a very thin shell of its former self. I keep thinking about cancelling especially as it gets more expensive for a retired pastor's budget. But so far, it's hard to cut it out of my life even though it often goes to recycling before I look beyond the front page. On occasion, there is some good local coverage, but all the national news is from the AP or WAPO. At least they aren't MAGA or neutral in the editorial page. But I am sure there is pressure from MAGA Missouri readership. I know I feel the pressure when I am doing pulpit supply out in the small town and country churches on the Illinois side of metro-St. Louis. My grief for the church is sometimes overwhelming- along with many other pastors, as you well know. I thank you for your ongoing work and faithfulness to your multi-faceted "call"! And I appreciate the heads up on other writers. Heather CR is also my daily staple- a hero. I have been following Diana Butler Bass' work since she spoke at Luther Seminary at Winter Convo (2012? She had just finished one of her excellent books). DBB's last "Ruining Dinner" YouTube cast with Tripp Fuller was sobering! The Religion Dispatch had some interesting Iowa Primary/Caucus reports live from IA. I think you suggested Jared's work before. Anyway, thanks. And blessings and peace to you!
This edition is right on target and it breaks my heart to even read it. Keep up your good work and keep the faith.
Rev. Patrick Bradley
Reporter, Niagara Gazette 1989-2003
Thanks Rev. Patrick. There’s a few of us out here, aren’t there? I’m grateful for your encouragement and solidarity.
Angela, White male boomer here, not wealthy but blessed. There is so much here and empathy me literally feels your pain🫂. Might I suggest Ground News https://ground.news/ if you haven’t heard of them.
As a published PhD neuroscientist, author of 20+ peer reviewed articles which sometimes take months or even years to go through the review process, we don’t get paid , in fact billed page charges from the journal to cover their cost of printing.
On the lighter side, my grandsons Soa 10 and Koa 6 have taken up hockey while dad is on a three year assignment in Sweden 🇸🇪
Academic publishing is a whole other conundrum! Thank you for raising it.
And goooooooo Soa + Koa! That’s awesome.
Are you a hockey player?
Basketball all the way here! But I did do some hockey lessons when I was a beat reporter. I think all Minnesotans have to claim some kind of hockey connection.
I wanted to weigh in briefly on your item about the school buses. I'm one of those people who ended up paying a pretty stiff fine, but in my case the highway was four lanes, the bus was on the opposite side, three lanes away, and I was almost past it before its arm came down. Nevertheless, it wasn't worth the time to go into court to contest that, and in general, I'm one of the people who's outraged at those who blow past school buses who drive too fast on the highways. I'm not so sure it's just some kind of post-Covid angst over being late and under stress. I'm more inclined to believe that when the highways were relatively empty during Covid, the subset of drivers who have always been rule breakers and narcissistic dominated, and they've really never stopped that behavior since then. I also believe that highway patrol units and other police units don't do nearly as many speeding stops as they once did. So, yes, I was fined on a questionable incident, but I'm happy these fines are bringing in big money in most cases
Thanks, Mark, for sharing this personal experience and insight.
As I was reading (and shaking my head in agreement and sharing in your frustration) I kept thinking of Robert Reich’s perspective on big media outlets.
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/is-new-hampshire-the-beginning-of?r=1vcz9&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
These are scary times and I am thankful for you, your perspective on faith and life, and for your Substack. Blessings as you keep on writing!
Thanks for sharing Robert’s piece!
A former teacher, committed congregation member, amateur writer, and always open to new ideas, I did not expect to read your words today. But, then, read them I did, and found your honesty and contemplative decision-making so refreshing. Like you, we have thrown off the weights of much of the 'national' media (my wife still craves the NYT, so we get it), but the others? Easily replaced by some local, some national, many substack-ed writers whose works are so devoid of heavy-handed editor weight. You asked for additional suggestions for writers. Let me recommend Nancy LeTourneau (formerly a blogger for the Washington Monthly before ???). Nancy's work is similar to yours, with a different background, but not really. You can find her at: http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/ I agree with Patrick Bradley below. And finally, when I asked each 'practice teacher' who would spend time in my classes, with my students, to learn how to communicate and generate enthusiasm for learning, always told them that a "proper preparation for becoming a good teacher is to have a burning in one's gut that is impossible to keep inside; it must be let loose to share." I appreciate that burning from your work.
I love your words. Thanks. I am a writer because of good teachers and editors who had that same “burning in one’s gut that is impossible to keep inside.”
Burning in one's gut- Sounds like Jeremiah, another kind of "journalist"!
I just read some of Nancy LeTourneau's work, especially on the immigration crisis. Thanks Stephen. (N LeTourneau is also a Minnesotan, at least according to her blog bio.)
I share in your grief, not as a journalist, but as a reader and respecter of journalists, great newspapers, and magazines throughout a few decades. I grew up with the Minneapolis Star/Tribune. (I always went to the Sunday sports page. the Peach Section, first.) I delivered the Sunday edition in a small town in N.D. on my bike when I was 11-12 yrs. That paper isn't what it used to be according to my brother in MN who cancelled long ago. I still subscribe to the historic St. Louis Post Dispatch, but that is a very thin shell of its former self. I keep thinking about cancelling especially as it gets more expensive for a retired pastor's budget. But so far, it's hard to cut it out of my life even though it often goes to recycling before I look beyond the front page. On occasion, there is some good local coverage, but all the national news is from the AP or WAPO. At least they aren't MAGA or neutral in the editorial page. But I am sure there is pressure from MAGA Missouri readership. I know I feel the pressure when I am doing pulpit supply out in the small town and country churches on the Illinois side of metro-St. Louis. My grief for the church is sometimes overwhelming- along with many other pastors, as you well know. I thank you for your ongoing work and faithfulness to your multi-faceted "call"! And I appreciate the heads up on other writers. Heather CR is also my daily staple- a hero. I have been following Diana Butler Bass' work since she spoke at Luther Seminary at Winter Convo (2012? She had just finished one of her excellent books). DBB's last "Ruining Dinner" YouTube cast with Tripp Fuller was sobering! The Religion Dispatch had some interesting Iowa Primary/Caucus reports live from IA. I think you suggested Jared's work before. Anyway, thanks. And blessings and peace to you!
Just as video “killed” the radio star, it was inevitable that due to the internet, traditional journalism would suffer a similar fate.