Media News Daily: Top Stories for 10/14/2026

Local News Deserts Expand as Newspaper Closures Accelerate

Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism reports that 170 newspapers closed or merged over the past year, up from 136 the year before, while the number of U.S. counties classified as news deserts increased by 26. Nearly 47 million Americans now live either in a news desert or in a county with only one local news source. Researchers found that smaller independent and regional newspaper chains are particularly vulnerable because of rising costs, thin profit margins, succession problems, and limited access to capital. Medill also examined local television for the first time, finding that three-quarters of the country’s 678 TV newsrooms are owned by just 10 companies. (Read More) (Poynter Rating)

Pentagon Public Affairs Official Takes Over Stars and Stripes

The Pentagon has appointed Christian Devine, an executive director and principal adviser in its public affairs office, as acting publisher of Stars and Stripes while he continues serving in his Pentagon role. The dual appointment places the same official within both the department’s communications operation and the military newspaper that is intended to maintain editorial independence. The move follows the recent firings of Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, reporter Lara Korte, publisher Max Lederer Jr., and ombudsman Jacqueline Smith. Pentagon officials say Devine is committed to maintaining editorial independence, while questions remain about safeguards separating his two roles and the ongoing litigation surrounding the paper. (Read More) (Military.com Rating)

Reddit Rolls Out Midterm Election and Anti-Misinformation Plans

Reddit is reviving its “Up the Vote” initiative ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, creating a dedicated space for election information, voter guidance, and expert explanations of the voting process. The platform is also partnering with National Voter Registration Day and Vote Early Day and plans to host election-focused AMA sessions. Reddit says it has strengthened systems designed to detect AI-generated spam and coordinated manipulation, including tools that remove nearly 2 million fake upvotes per day. The company also reiterated that political candidates must participate in an AMA before running election ads on the platform. (Read More) (Social Media Today Rating)