You Are What You Read

No need to swallow the same bland leftovers — not with all these zesty independent news sources. 😋📢

It’s getting harder than ever to stay informed.

Mainstream media feels increasingly like a prix-fixe menu: same headlines, same spin—just plated differently. And now, some outlets are reportedly bending to White House pressure to “shape the narrative,” leaving the rest of us to choke down whatever’s being served.

Meanwhile, public trust in journalism is at a near-historic low. Many Americans feel stuck between partisan food fights, social media junk feeds, and reheated cable news takes that never quite satisfy.

To make matters worse, even our most dependable pantry staples are under threat.

STARVED OF SUBSTANCE

On July 24, President Trump signed a bill canceling nearly $9 billion in previously approved funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid. It’s part of a broader push by the White House’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

Roughly $1.1 billion of those cuts target the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. Most of that money doesn’t go to national newsrooms—it helps fund more than 1,500 local public radio and TV stations across the country. And now that entity is shutting down.

As that funding dries up, entire communities could be left hungry for essential information—especially in rural or underserved areas where public broadcasting is often the only source for civic news, emergency alerts, and educational programming.

TABLE FOR NONE

Why cut off this supply? Because independent journalism threatens the party’s talking points. And in 2025, the line between news and narrative control has never been more processed. Pile on the 24/7 outrage cycles, ad-fueled clickbait, and coordinated disinformation, and it’s no wonder so many people are losing their appetite for news altogether.

But instead of going on a news fast, maybe it’s time to rethink our media diet?

That means adding in credible, independent voices—especially those not boxed into corporate packaging or partisan portions. When global crises and democratic backsliding are reshaping the world in real time, we can’t afford to rely on just one plate at the buffet.

To help, we asked ChatGPT to sample our usual news intake and suggest what might be missing from the table. What it served up was a platter of international, independent, and intellectually nourishing sources we may have never found on our own.

INDEPENDENT SOURCES TO ROUND OUT YOUR PLATE

1. Professor Darin Gerdes is a Professor of Management at Charleston Southern University with a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. He teaches leadership and organizational behavior and covers Ukraine, disinformation, and global democracy on his YouTube channel and podcast. A self-proclaimed “Regan Republican,” he offers thoughtful pushback to the party’s agenda today.   @Professor-Gerdes

2. Jason Jay Smart is a Kyiv-based political adviser and national security expert with deep experience across Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, and Latin America, with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Moldova State University, plus degrees in Russian Studies and International Politics from George Mason University. He’s been banned for life by the Kremlin. He’s known for data-driven geopolitical analysis, often highlighting Russia’s internal collapse, Ukraine’s strategic wins, and the global implications of Putin’s regime.  @JasonJaySmart

3. Artem Dikarev – A Canadian-based independent commentator unaffiliated with any government or major outlet. He offers 12–15 minute updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, using Ukrainian sources, open-source intelligence, maps, and Western media clips. Though occasionally sensational, his transparency and consistency make his work credible and digestible. @TheRussianDude

4. WIRED’s Epstein Island Tracker:  A widely-acclaimed investigative video that used leaked location data from nearly 200 phones to trace visitors to Epstein’s private island—even mapping movements within centimeters. A powerful visual example of how modern data journalism can expose hidden truths. PRO TIP: google “Epstein hidden temple” 😱  @WIRED

5. Peter Zeihan: Geopolitical strategist and bestselling author focusing on how geography, demographics, and energy shape global dynamics. Zeihan’s writing is clear, accessible, and grounded in long-term forecasting—bridging economics, politics, and technology for global relevance.   @ZeihanonGeogpolitics

6. Caolan Robertson: Once a media creator in right-wing circles (including Alex Jones affiliates), he broke away after the Christchurch mosque shootings, accusing his former world of fueling extremism. Now co‑founder of the pro-democracy group Future Freedom, he uses insider experience to expose authoritarian movements. His take on the fraying Putin-Trump alignment is especially incisive.  @caolanReports

7. Times Radio:  The broadcast arm of The Times and The Sunday Times, this UK-based outlet stands out for its measured, expert-led coverage—quite different from American combat-style news. Guests get to speak in-depth; interviews are thoughtful and fact-rich. @listenToTimesRadio

8. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: A Palestinian-American analyst and peace advocate born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Gaza. Now a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, he leads the Realign for Palestine initiative. Despite losing dozens of relatives in Gaza, he critiques extremist narratives on both sides and argues passionately for coexistence, grounded in data and ethics. He is known for calling out extremism on both sides, which has earned him detractors from pro-Israel and pro-Palestine camps alike. Follow @Afalkhatib on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Threads.

9. The Bulwark A center-right, nonprofit news and commentary platform under the Defending Democracy Together Institute. The Bulwark rejects extremism on both ends of the spectrum but maintains high journalistic standards. Its YouTube channel (1.39 M subscribers) and multiple podcasts offer insightful analysis without partisan echo-chamber spin. Their youtube channel has 1.39M subscribers, and about a dozen different podcasts. thebulwark.com and @bulwarkmedia

10. ProPublica: A nonprofit newsroom specializing in deep investigative journalism into corruption, corporate power, and public accountability. Their work has led to policy reforms, leadership changes, and legal outcomes—demonstrating the real-world impact of non-commercial reporting. propublica.org

11. The Intercept: A nonprofit digital platform built on investigative journalism and accountability reporting. Known for original stories on national security, government overreach, and corporate influence, it continues to publish in English and Portuguese. Worth following for its fearless deep dives into topics big media often avoids. theintercept.com

12. VTDigger: A nonprofit newsroom in Vermont that’s become a national case study in local investigative reporting—uncovering corruption, influencing policy, and engaging hundreds of thousands of readers monthly. VTDigger shows just how important state/local journalism truly is. vtdigger.org

13. The Lever: Reader-supported investigative outlet founded by journalist David Sirota. The award-winning Lever specializes in exposing corporate power, systemic corruption, and policy failures. Its reports are often referenced by major news organizations and drive real-world accountability. levernews.com

14. Truthout: A progressive 501(c)(3) reporting on social justice, climate, incarceration, and economics. With a unionized newsroom and an explicit mission to support a broader ecosystem of grassroots journalism, it publishes deeply reported features and collaborates across the movement media space. truthout.org

15. The Handbasket: Marisa Kabas is a solo reporter who scooped legacy media on a major government memo using Bluesky. Her work highlights how independent freelancers can break news faster than traditional outlets—and book real influence in the process. thehandbasket.co

🍽️ Side Dishes: Smart, Offbeat, and Yummy

These aren’t your standard reporters—but their work challenges assumptions, sharpens your lens, and adds some serious flavor to your feed.

1. Parkrose Permaculture: Angela Chandler is a permaculture educator and homesteader in Portland, OR, Angela offers thoughtful videos on food security, climate resilience, mutual aid, and everyday systems thinking. Her anti-capitalist lens and deep dives into community care make her content feel like slow media in the best way—nourishing, radical, and refreshingly unpolished. @parkrosepermaculture

1. Knitting Cult Lady: A survivor of the Children of God cult and a decorated veteran, author/crafter Daniella Mestyanek Young is a high-speed cultural commentator known for irreverent but deeply incisive threads on media, gender, religion, and online behavior. Equal parts sh*tposter and media critic, Daniella has built a niche for deconstructing digital discourse with brainy humor and zero chill. Not for the easily rattled, but definitely for the perpetually curious. @knittingcultlady
2. Hawk: A former trial attorney turned independent political commentator, Hawk brings raw, unedited analysis of U.S. politics, legal battles, and media absurdities. His podcast episodes and YouTube videos blend humor, lived experience, and deep frustration with the status quo—making him both unfiltered and unexpectedly enlightening. Ideal for listeners tired of polished punditry and craving something with edge. @hawkpodcasts

1. Prof G: NYU marketing professor, entrepreneur, and unapologetically blunt commentator on tech, power, politics, and media. His YouTube channel and podcast empire (Prof G Pod, Office Hours, Raging Moderates) blend data, humor, and hard truths—ideal for anyone trying to make sense of the systems shaping our headlines.@TheProfGPod
2. ContraPoints: A trans philosopher and theatrical YouTube essayist, Natalie Wynn tackles polarizing topics—like cancel culture, fascism, and online radicalization—with dazzling visuals, biting humor, and genuine intellectual rigor. Her videos are long, lush, and layered, making them perfect for anyone craving deeper analysis that also entertains. @ContraPoints

Try It Yourself: What’s on Your News Plate?

Curious what your media diet might be missing? Here’s a simple prompt you can copy into ChatGPT (or your favorite AI tool) to get started:

“Here are the news sources I typically follow [insert your usual news outlets, social media pages, podcasts, etc.]. Based on this list, what important perspectives or types of coverage might I be missing? Suggest some independent or international sources to help round out my news intake.”

You can keep it casual or be as detailed as you want. The goal isn’t to “fix” your feed — it’s just to spot the blind spots. Think of it like a food label for your brain.

When truth is being shaped, spun, and sometimes straight-up manufactured, the best defense is an open mind—and a well-stocked cupboard of context, clarity, and curiosity.

❓What do you think? Click the links for more information. Did we miss a must-read source? Have a favorite creator who deserves a seat at the table?

Drop your recommendations in the comments below, or email us at editor@nwlocalpaper.com to help shape a second helping of trustworthy media from across the political spectrum.