February 19, 2021

Top stories ■ Los Angeles Times owner exploring sale of company; Patrick Soon-Shiong seeks exit after less than three years at the helm, as losses mount. ‘He has since grown dissatisfied with the news organization’s slow expansion of its digital audience and its substantial losses.’ (Wall Street Journal) / Los Angeles Times spokeswoman just told me: 'Dr. Soon-Shiong and his family continue to invest in and plan for the future of the Los Angeles Times, and do not plan to sell.' (Katie Robertson) / ‘What you were told did not come from a credible source, as there are several inaccuracies… We respectfully ask that you not rely on any unnamed or off-the-record sources for this story. The information lacks a basis in fact' (Sewell Chan) / ‘WSJ article inaccurate. We are committed to the @LATimes’ / 'Newspapers are important to the community. Support the @LATimes and @sdut' (Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong) ■ Chicago Tribune columnist: Readers, we need you more than ever (Chicago Tribune) / Tribune editor Colin McMahon told staffers in audio obtained by NPR: fears of Alden ‘valid’; Tribune papers make 10-13% profits, Alden will seek 20%+ (David Folkenflik) ■ Texas journalists are providing critical information about a disaster they’re living through (Washington Post) / Amid rolling power outages, Texas news outlets are texting audiences with updates (Nieman Lab)  ■ Especially where Ted Cruz is concerned, always get the name of the dog. As a writer, you can't get much luckier than finding out the pooch is named Snowflake (Poynter) / These word cops stand guard to keep language clear and simple (L.A. Times)  ■ Court rules for CNN in Rep. Devin Nunes libel lawsuit (Reason) / ‘Nunes ... "failed to plead a viable defamation claim”’ (Jan N. Wolfe) / Trump repeats election claims in interviews, is unchallenged (Associated Press)  ■ Was '60 Minutes' TV's most toxic workplace? (New York Times) / How a ‘disingenuous’ email sparked a scandal at a popular podcast (L.A. Times)  ■ The future of work might look like this: Five architecture and design firms envision post-pandemic professional landscapes (Surface Magazine) ■ Can you pet the dog? In many games, and in this article, you can. (Washington Post) / Cold puppy looking for warmth chased news photographer, so she took it in to warm up (WREG) / Wildlife photographer snaps shot of ‘never-before-seen’ yellow penguin (New York Post)

Manager's Minute: How can I add fun to my team's pandemic, remote workday? Jill Geisler, Bill Plante Chair in Leadership & Media Integrity at Loyola University Chicago and Freedom Forum Fellow in Women’s Leadership, describes ways that managers can add pick-me-ups without forcing mandatory fun.

Email us a question you'd like Jill to answer. Click here to read Jill’s previous posts.

Resources 7 fatal flaws of story pitches   How journalists can ensure equitable information access in their communities   Sifting through the pandemic: Information hygiene for the COVID-19 infodemic

This newsletter is written & edited by the National Press Club Journalism Institute staff: Beth Francesco, Holly Butcher Grant and Julie Moos. Send us your questions and suggestions for topics to cover. Get this from a friend? Subscribe, and view the archives.

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