AI, Wildfires, and Uncertainty: Journalism Faces a Turning Point

Hey there, Benchies!

Well for those who naively thought, “He won't really do it” Trump has spent his first few weeks (hours, really) in office proving you wrong. 

Think wildfires don’t affect New England? Think again. Oh and in case you’ve been living under a rock (sounds lovely right about now) Trump and Musk torpedoed USAID, calling it a “criminal organization.” We’re bringing you all the news you’d rather not but need to know. This week's theme? Well, if we gotta pick one without expletives, uncertainly. Take a look ⬇️

New Content:

🖥️ February updates in Al and journalism: Continuing legal tensions, newsroom experiments and emerging collaboration

To no one’s surprise... AI is reshaping journalism in early 2025, with legal battles, newsroom experiments, and tech collaborations making headlines. Newsrooms are testing AI tools to streamline reporting, while courts debate the ethical and legal boundaries of automation in news production. Meanwhile, tech giants are forming new alliances with media organizations, sparking both hope and concern about the future balance of power in storytelling. Take a look at how these tensions and innovations are shaping the next chapter of journalism!

Cool Stuff Corner: What are we reading?

🔥 See maps of where wildfires are affecting air quality in Mass.

The news of devastating California wildfires already seems like a lifetime ago, lost in the daily deluge of unprecedented actions from the white house. Us in New England often like to think of wildfires as a west coast problem, but that’s far from the truth, as this Boston Globe piece illustrates. Turns out, New England’s air quality is taking a nosedive, with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire experiencing significant pollution spikes. This interactive map reveals the most affected areas, highlighting the urgency for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions. See for yourself! 

New England aid groups slam Trump administration move to shut down USAID: ‘People will die’

In more news we hate but everyone needs to know about.. In a move that’s shaking up U.S. foreign aid, President Trump, with Elon Musk leading the charge, has effectively shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). As of today, the agency’s website has vanished, employees were locked out, and Musk didn’t mince words, labeling USAID a “criminal organization” and declaring, “Time for it to die.” 

Critics argue this abrupt dismantling could have dire consequences for global humanitarian efforts and U.S. foreign policy. They are not wrong. We’d all rather not if we’re being honest.. but let’s take a look. 

From The Vault 💪🏼

Visualizing Uncertainty in the Time of COVID-19: The New York Times' Josh Holder on leading with questions when demonstrating uncertainty

I don't know about you folks, but uncertainty is probably one of the kinder adjectives I could use to describe how I’ve been feeling in the last week. Seemed like high time to bring back a gem from the vault about just how one communicates uncertainty without losing your audience’s trust. 

Back in 2021 we heard from Josh Holder of The New York Times about how his team used data visualization to navigate ambiguity during COVID-19 reporting. Discover how leading with questions helped make complex truths more relatable in a time of global crisis, you might learn a few useful tips for today.

How and why journalists must navigate the uncertainty of political forecasting

On brand with this week’s theme.. Thought we’d be even more on the nose and talk uncertainty in politics specifically. And while it would be tough to get close to the current climate, we’ve certainly been in uncertain political times before. This 2021 oldie but a goodie examines how political forecasts can shape public perception, even when they are not correct, discussing how and when journalists face the challenge of reporting predictions without misleading audiences, especially when uncertainty looms large. Learn why it’s crucial to balance expert analysis with transparency to maintain trust in a world driven by data!

Photo Of The Week 📷

The Photo From New Orleans That Crushed Me

In case you’ve been living under a rock.. In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a pickup truck plowed through New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, leaving 14 dead and dozens injured in a deliberate act of terror. The assailant, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police, and authorities are investigating his motives and potential connections to extremist groups. When they say a photo is worth a thousand words, they are talking about photos like this. Take a look. 

That's all we've got for this week! Thanks for reading, and let us know if there's anything you'd like to see in these newsletters or in our coverage at [email protected].

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