Reflections, Real-Time Maps & Reinvented Storytelling 🗺️🎥

Hey there, Benchies!

This week we’re diving into stories that map more than just data. From building your first interactive map with Leaflet.js to learning how visual teams craft structure amid creative chaos, we’re spotlighting how innovation keeps journalism dynamic. 

You’ll also find a Washington Post deep dive into the hidden health risks of plastics, a look back at how TV animation is transforming audience engagement, and a quiet moment of reflection from the Christian Science Plaza. 

Let’s get started 👇

Here is our featured content this week:

🗺️📍Building Your First Interactive Map with Leaflet.js

This Storybench tutorial by our very own Namira Haris shows how you can craft an interactive map using Leaflet.js — starting with basic markers and stepping up to connecting live data feeds (like train locations) via APIs. It makes mapping accessible for storytellers without GIS training and ends with practical tips on turning your map into a living, data-rich experience. Try it out!

🖥️🎨From Chaos to Clarity — On Finding a Foothold in the Ever-Shifting Visual Storytelling World

In this piece, visual editor Adina Renner of the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung reflects on the structure, roles and collaborative workflows that help modern newsrooms turn visual ideas into stories. She outlines how cross-functional teams (data, design, dev) organize around a story question first, then choose the best medium — rather than letting tools dictate the story.

Cool Stuff Corner: What are we reading?

🧬🔎 The health risks from plastics almost nobody knows about

Researchers have found that phthalates, common chemicals used to soften plastics, may interfere with fetal development and hormonal systems. The Washington Post interactive investigation links prenatal exposure to risks like premature birth, decreased male fertility, and ADHD, and highlights how these “everywhere chemicals” continue to appear despite mounting evidence of harm.

From the Vault 🏛️

🎥📈 The TV Animator: Chris Chmura Breaking Ground in Traditional Video-Storytelling Methods to Grow Audiences

Chris Chmura of NBC Bay Area explains how his team is reinventing TV-news packages by embedding graphics and animation directly into production, allowing them to respond rapidly to breaking data and reduce dependency on conventional b-roll. By treating animators as part of the editorial process, they’ve shown that visual storytelling can boost viewer engagement and help newsrooms better serve younger audiences. Read here

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📷

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes, the effort we put into our work isn’t reflected in the outcome — much like how the Christian Science Plaza’s reflection in the pool isn’t always perfect.

This not-so-perfect picture of the reflection pool, just a short walk from campus, captures that idea. The fountain offers calm after a long day of hard work, and at sunset, the pool lights up — a reminder that beauty doesn’t need to be flawless to be meaningful. [📷: Vivica Dsouza]

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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