'Hot take: I liked Buried Ledes more than Jingle Bell Buzz as a name.'
Coal for you.
“Hot take: I liked Buried Ledes more than Jingle Bell Buzz as a name.”
That was a message I received from someone who is obviously anti-Christmas and very clearly anti-Bobby Cherry. 😉
“Coal for you,” was my reply.
Where’s Buried Ledes been?
Here’s the deal: The fallout from the election continues to weigh heavily on me.
I’m a long-time journalist who left full-time news at the end of 2022.
Since then, I’ve continued to follow the news and stay aware of what’s going on in the world, but with the unsettling prospect of a second Trump presidency, I’ve been actively avoiding news.
I’ve canceled my Washington Post subscription, and my New York Times subscription will also be canceled.
I cannot take in any more depressing news.
I lived through four-plus years of it while working as a journalist, and it’s no longer sustainable for my mental health.
The news has let me down.
It hasn’t pushed back hard enough or challenged Trump and Republicans the way it should. As someone who’s deeply invested in truth and accountability, it’s been frustrating to watch.
I wish my journalist friends all the best, but I can no longer consume news to the levels I have before.
I need to check out for my own well-being. My mental health matters — especially as my basic human rights, and those of others I care deeply about, are on the verge of being diminished or erased.
To cope with all of this, I’ve made the difficult decision to step back from the constant flow of news.
I’ve deactivated notifications from the apps I once relied on — AP, WaPo, NYT, WTAE — and stopped following news outlets on Instagram.
This is a significant change for me because I used to consume up to 300 or 400 news stories a week (no exaggeration).
Right now, I’m lucky if I read more than a few news stories a week. I’ve also stopped counting entertainment or lifestyle stories in my news tally — they’re a whole different realm of distraction.
I’m not sure how long this avoidance will last.
Right now, it feels necessary for my well-being, but I’ll continue to assess whether this mindset is one I want to carry forward.
For now, though, I’m giving myself permission to take a step back and focus on what truly matters to me.
That means Buried Ledes might take a brief hiatus — still to be determined. But, enjoy the Jingle Bell Buzz newsletter over the holiday season.
🍒
And, now, the not-so-news news:
Defying gravity or dragging along? My take on the ‘Wicked’ movie
I saw the “Wicked” movie, which marked a significant step in my ongoing journey to understand this beloved story.
As a fan of “The Wizard of Oz,” I've always struggled with the narrative of “Wicked,” feeling lost in its sprawling first act.
While the movie helped clarify some things, its pacing remains an issue, especially with the story split into two parts. (Yes, “Wicked: Part One” is out now. “Wicked: Part Two” will be released on Nov. 21, 2025.) And, the first part is longer than the entire stage show!
Despite this, the film captures the emotional core of “Wicked,” exploring themes of friendship, identity and fighting for marginalized voices.
The cast is fantastic, with Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande bringing their characters to life.
For my full thoughts, read my review here. Trust me, it’s worth the read!
What else I’ve been reading
Here’s an actual look at other stories I’ve read recently:
Bob Casey concedes in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race (Penn-Cap Star)
Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2024 is Nov. 23 (Its Christmas 365)
A Loathsome Colleague Died. Why Is Everyone Pretending She Was So Great? (NYT)
Jon Delano, long-time KDKA politics editor, to retire (KDKA)
Channel 11 News anchor David Johnson announces retirement (WPXI)
And, finally…
I saw my BFF
