Media News Daily: Top Stories for 09/25/2026

Immigrant-Focused News Outlets Build Trust Through Messaging Apps

Independent news organizations serving immigrant communities are increasingly using WhatsApp, WeChat, TikTok, SMS, and other direct channels to deliver news and counter misinformation. Outlets including Documented, Conecta Arizona, El Tímpano, Sahan Journal, and LA Taco have developed community-focused approaches that emphasize local reporting, language accessibility, and trusted communication during immigration enforcement actions. The Immigrant News Coalition has also received funding to develop sustainable models for these newsrooms, while initiatives such as El Tímpano’s misinformation workshops train community members to recognize unreliable claims. (Read More) (The Guardian Rating)

Trump-Linked Social Media Firm Accuses Former CFO of Fraud

X Strategies, a political social media firm that has worked with President Donald Trump, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing former CFO Derek Utley and others of fraud and racketeering. The complaint alleges that Utley improperly diverted company funds for personal purposes, including gambling, luxury purchases, and investments. Public court records confirm that X Strategies filed the case Sept. 18 in the Southern District of Florida and named Utley, Anna Weisheimer, Anna DiCenzo Fitness LLC, and Stark Defense Industries as defendants. The allegations remain claims in litigation and have not been established as fact. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

Google Pulls Trump-Aligned PAC Ad Over AI Disclosure

Google removed a digital political advertisement from the Trump-aligned No Going Back PAC after determining that the advertiser failed to disclose its use of artificial intelligence. The ad included an AI-generated clip of Democratic congressional nominee Johnny Garcia and was removed after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported it. Google’s political advertising rules allow certain AI-generated content but require advertisers to disclose when synthetic media makes a person appear to do or say something they did not. The episode highlights the growing role of platform-specific rules as campaigns experiment with AI-generated political advertising. (Read More) (Washington Sun Rating)