Media News Daily: Top Stories for 11/05/2025

Heritage Foundation Chief of Staff Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Nick Fuentes Remarks

Ryan Neuhaus resigned from his position as chief of staff to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts following backlash over Roberts’ defense of Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Neuhaus reposted support for Roberts and criticized internal dissent, suggesting that offended staff should resign. Though Roberts initially reassigned Neuhaus as a senior adviser, he ultimately accepted Neuhaus’s resignation. The controversy has intensified divisions within the conservative movement, with critics condemning Fuentes’s antisemitic rhetoric and questioning the think tank’s direction under Roberts. Read More (The Hill Rating)

Gannett Rebrands to USA Today Company in Strategic Shift

Gannett Company will officially rebrand as USA Today Company (stylized as USA Today Co.) on November 18. The change aligns the corporate identity with its flagship publication, emphasizing national unity and digital transformation. The company will also adopt a new ticker symbol, TDAY, on the NYSE. CEO Mike Reed highlighted the move as part of a broader mission to deliver fact-based, unbiased news while expanding digital and local outreach through the USA Today Network, which includes over 200 local publications. Read More (The Desk Rating)

New York Defends Social Media Law Against X Corp.’s First Amendment Challenge

New York Attorney General Letitia James urged a federal judge to uphold a state law requiring large social media platforms to disclose their content moderation practices. The law, targeting platforms with over $100 million in revenue, mandates transparency regarding definitions and enforcement of terms like “hate speech” and “misinformation.” X Corp. (formerly Twitter) argues the statute violates the First Amendment by coercing platforms into moderating controversial content. James’s office maintains the law merely requires transparency, not policy adoption, and serves the public interest in combating online harassment and misinformation. Read More (MediaPost Rating)