From Grocery Aisles to Map Miles: Storybench Unpacks Stories Shaping Your 🌎

Hello Storybenchers!

This week, we’re diving into the surprising ways policy decisions and cultural shifts are reshaping everyday life. We’ve got the scoop on everything from how Trump’s new tariffs will hit your wallet, to how the U.S. government is reconsidering place names, and what fresh research might breathe new life into local journalism. Plus, we’ve got an exclusive look at the multimedia investigation into the Eaton Fire, and an interview with one multimedia creator you won’t want to miss. Let’s get into it!

Here is our featured content this week:

Taking the risk: How wildlife photographer Martin Gregus captures powerful conservation stories to inspire change 📷

Award-winning wildlife photographer Martin Gregus doesn’t just capture stunning images—he risks everything to bring untold conservation stories to life. From Arctic adventures to documenting endangered species, his work goes beyond beauty, aiming to ignite real change. In this deep dive, Storybench explores how Gregus blends artistry with advocacy, using visual storytelling to inspire global action. What does it take to photograph the wild in its rawest form? Click to discover the challenges, triumphs, and sheer determination behind his lens.

Cool Stuff Corner: What are we reading?

Where Trump's tariffs will hit your grocery list, from avocados to frozen fish 🍋

As you may have noticed, Trump hasn't exactly fulfilled his campaign promise of lowering grocery prices. Quite the opposite. And Trump’s latest round of tariffs is about to hit everything from avocados to frozen fish. If you thought inflation was already tough on your wallet, just wait until these new import taxes kick in. Will your favorite foods become luxury items? ABC news is helping you get the full breakdown on what’s getting more expensive and why.

It's not just the Gulf of Mexico. Why is so much of America named after foreign countries?

Ever noticed how some places on the map sound more international than local? The U.S. government is cracking down on geographic names that reference foreign countries—starting with a surprising target: the Gulf of Mexico. What’s behind the push to erase these names, and what does it mean for maps, history, and identity? Dive into the debate over place names and politics.

From the Vault 🏛️

Meet the founder: The B-Side's Andrew Grillo on knowing your audience

How do you build a media brand that truly connects with its audience? Andrew Grillo, founder of The B-Sides, has a simple but powerful philosophy: know your audience, speak their language, and stay authentic. What started as a side project has grown into a thriving publication covering music and culture with a unique, personal voice. So what’s his secret to cutting through the noise? From niche communities to newsletter success, Grillo shares insights on audience engagement, editorial vision, and why embracing imperfection might be the key to building something real. Read more about his journey and lessons for content creators 🖥️

What Works: A new approach to local news research 📰

Tired of the doom-and-gloom around local news? It does seem like a bit much at times. Well, we’ve got a story about what’s actually working. A fresh research approach is uncovering solutions that help local journalism thrive—challenging the narrative of inevitable decline. Could these insights reshape the future of news? Find out!

Photo of the Week 📷

Flashes Then Flames: New Video of Eaton Fire Raises More Questions for Power Company

This one goes out to all my photo lovers who also have a soft spot for multimedia - from photo to video to datavis, this NYT piece has it all. A raging wildfire, a mysterious ignition, and a city searching for answers. What really caused the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles? Investigators are piecing together a complex puzzle—one that could have major implications for wildfire prevention. The truth might not be what you expect. Catch the latest here!

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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