Top News:
Mary Randolph / Local News Initiative:
The CEO of the Illinois Press Association says he has resigned after his board told him to pull out of a lawsuit supporting Chicago-area journalists — The CEO of the Illinois Press Association, who had joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration for actions toward journalists outside …
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Alex Woodward / The Independent:
A federal judge in Illinois temporarily blocks federal officers from using riot control weapons or other force against members of the press and others — Judges across US consider lawsuits to block National Guard from supporting Homeland Security in Dem-led states and cities
Kristina Millare / Catholic World Report:
In a meeting with news agencies, Pope Leo XIV urged journalists to stand firm against manipulation of information, conveyed respect for war reporters, and more — Pope Leo XIV on Thursday said news agencies have the responsibility to uphold principles that protect a person's right to access …
Discussion:
Associated Press, The Guardian, UPI, RFI, Breitbart, @seungminkim1.bsky.social, vaticannews.va and Reuters
Zach Vallese / CNBC:
YouTube launches a pilot program to give terminated creators a “second chance” by letting them apply to create a new channel — YouTube is offering creators who were banned from the platform a second chance. — On Thursday, the Google-owned platform announced it is rolling …
Jess Weatherbed / The Verge:
DC Comics President and Publisher Jim Lee says the company won't support AI-generated storytelling or artwork, as long as he and SVP Anne DePies are in charge — President Jim Lee says that fans value authentic human creativity in storytelling and artwork.
Discussion:
The A.V. Club, Screen Rant, Gizmodo, @Beltliner403@mastodon.online, Futurism and 80 Level
Jake Kanter / Deadline:
Tim Westwood, a BBC radio presenter for nearly 20 years before leaving in 2013, is charged with rape and sexual assault related to events between 1983 and 2016 — Tim Westwood, the radio presenter who worked at the BBC for nearly 20 years, has been charged with rape and sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police.
Discussion:
The Guardian, Billboard, BBC, TMZ.com, The Sun, GB News, Daily Mail, The Fader and Variety
Matthew Keys / TheDesk.net:
Allen Media's free streaming app Local Now adds the FAST version of Fox Sports, Fox Weather, LiveNow from Fox, Fox Soul, and a channel re-airing TMZ episodes — The free streaming television app Local Now has expanded its live entertainment and news programming by onboarding new content streams from Fox Corporation.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Radio & Television … and TV Tech
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Megyn Kelly will spearhead her own channel on SiriusXM as part of a multiyear deal, starting November 4; she is currently on Sirius' Triumph channel — Megyn Kelly led one show at a time on the schedule of Fox News Channel and, subsequently, NBC. Soon, she's going to spearhead many at SiriusXM.
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
Newsroom union members at the Los Angeles Times vote to authorize a strike as they raise the pressure for a new contract after three years of negotiations — Eight-five percent of participating members voted to empower the newsroom union to call a potential work stoppage.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Reuters, Deadline and The NewsGuild
Bloomberg:
Adam Mosseri says Instagram is exploring building a TV app as part of a deeper push into video but isn't interested in licensing live sports or other content — Instagram is exploring building a dedicated TV app as part of a deeper push into video, a move that could get Instagram videos …
Discussion:
@hernanlopez, @dewbert.social and @jank0@sfba.social, more at Techmeme »
Aaron Katersky / ABC News:
A federal judge in NY dismisses Drake's defamation lawsuit against record label UMG; Drake sued UMG for publishing and promoting Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us — The defamation case stemmed from a rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. — In this July 12, 2025, file photo, Drake performs live …
Discussion:
Financial Times, Billboard, Reuters, Variety, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, MSNBC, NBC News, New York Times, The Guardian, Newser, Associated Press, Deadline, Rolling Stone, GQ, Stereogum, CBS News, Vulture, Bossip, Reason, Just Jared, TMZ.com, New York Daily News, Music Business Worldwide, Consequence, The Irish News, Vibe, Baller Alert and Extra
Tony Maglio / The Hollywood Reporter:
Fox Entertainment takes an equity stake in Holywater, which primarily uses AI to create vertical microdramas on platforms such as My Drama and My Muse — “Development deals with top Hollywood talent will be unveiled soon,” the companies say. — Fox just went big into microdramas.
Discussion:
Advanced Television, The Wrap, TheDesk.net, Variety, Deadline, Cord Cutters News, @thispersonstinks.bsky.social and TVNewsCheck
