STORIES TO READ 8-8-25

Hey, it's Friday, and here you are. Whether you treat it like a special day and an on-ramp to the weekend, or it's just another day in this haphazard cycle we call life, I'm glad you're here. Things may be messy, more so for some than others, but you're still standing. And that counts for something. Here are some stories to read heading into the weekend. Be well and take care of yourself.

Local editors worry ‘pink slime’ journalism poses real danger (WGBH) – A report from NewsGuard last year found that there were 1,265 “pink slime” news outlets across the nation. These are websites that attempt to look like traditional local news organizations but instead are created and funded by partisan groups or hostile governments, largely with the help of automated services.

A Friend’s Death to Mourn, and to Serve Time for (Bolts) – An Alabama teen was shot alongside his friend, then prosecuted for his killing. His case highlights a particularly harsh doctrine in American criminal punishment: felony murder.

From Russian Interference to Revisionist Innuendo: What the Gabbard Files Actually Say (Lawfare) – Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s latest "revelations" are being spun as proof of a deep state conspiracy. The documents themselves tell a much duller story, writes Lawfare's Renee DiResta .

The colonizer still lives in Nigeria through me (Global Voices) – "Despite being born and raised in Nigeria, when I introduce myself, I’m often asked by fellow Nigerians where I’m 'really' from. I understand why: I have no traditional Nigerian name or an accent that can be traced to a particular tribe. My life has been shaped by systems far from my cultural heritage."

Commentary: The importance of the Voting Rights Act for Indian Country (Alaska Beacon) – "For too long and even today, full and fair access to the ballot box is being kept from Native Americans and Alaska Natives across this country," writes John Echohawk, Pawnee, the Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund.

And there you go. Read some stuff and enjoy your Friday as best you can. If you want more news from independent and nonprofit media sources, follow my feed on Bluesky .