Media News Daily: Top Stories for 09/17/2026

Joe Rogan and Ron White Criticize Ken Paxton

Joe Rogan and comedian Ron White criticized Texas Attorney General and Senate candidate Ken Paxton during a podcast discussion about Texas politics. White called Paxton “too corrupt” to be in office, while Rogan also discussed Rep. James Talarico’s position on displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools. The segment referenced recent reporting from The Texas Tribune and ProPublica alleging problems in Paxton’s financial disclosures, including questions about rental properties and reported income. Paxton has faced repeated ethics-related scrutiny during his political career and campaign. (Read More) (Mediaite Rating)

Medill Survey Finds Local News Habits Shifting

A three-year Medill Local News Initiative survey found Chicago-area audiences remain interested in local news, but their consumption habits are changing quickly. The 2026 survey found that 54% of adults follow local news daily and 85% engage with local news providers at least weekly, while use of TV and radio for local news continues to fall. Smartphones have become the dominant device for local news consumption, younger audiences increasingly rely on content creators, and respondents expressed strong skepticism about the use of AI in news beyond limited tasks such as spelling and grammar checks. (Read More) (Poynter Institute Rating)

X Adds In-Stream Stock Trading

X has launched in-stream stock and cryptocurrency trading access for U.S. users through its Cashtag Partner Program. The feature lets users tap cashtag listings and connect to partner brokerage and trading platforms, including Interactive Brokers, Moomoo, Gemini, Kraken, and Coinbase. The move expands X’s financial-services ambitions after the platform introduced U.S. payments through X Money, and it further supports Elon Musk’s broader goal of turning X into an “everything app.” (Read More) (Social Media Today Rating)