Poynter is reporting that the Trump administration has withdrawn subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists. It said the subpoenas sought to identify sources who leaked information regarding security concerns about the new Air Force One, which was gifted to President Donald J Trump by Qatar. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian indicated he would quash the subpoenas if the Justice Department did not withdraw them, leading the department to comply. The Times' deputy general counsel, David McCraw, stated the proceeding was an "important affirmation of our country’s commitment to a free press." Poynter noted that the Justice Department acknowledged serving the subpoenas before completing required initial investigative steps.
Poynter is also reporting that laid-off journalists from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have announced a new worker-owned publication called The Pittsburgh Progress. It said the publication, which will launch as a cooperative, aims to provide journalism reflecting the needs of working-class people in the region. This initiative follows the Post-Gazette's near-closure and subsequent purchase, which still resulted in significant layoffs, particularly among striking journalists.
Additionally, Poynter is reporting on a controversy surrounding a USA Today column by Nancy Armour concerning WNBA star Caitlin Clark. It said Armour's column, titled "Caitlin Clark’s flopping isn’t just annoying — it’s becoming dangerous," drew criticism for an "inartful comparison" to Emmett Till while discussing the broader implications of Clark's actions and the behavior of some of her fans. USA Today later added an editor's note to the column, and Armour issued a statement acknowledging her lack of appropriate context but reiterating the point about the weaponization of perceived threats to white women against African Americans.
In other media news, Poynter noted that the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was rescheduled and held in Washington. It also highlighted NPR's public editor column on the future of public media after Congress killed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and The New York Times' interactive report on how President Trump is getting richer in office. Randall Lane has stepped down as chief content officer of Forbes Magazine, and The Athletic reported on ESPN's latest layoffs, cementing its new identity. Variety covered Jimmy Kimmel's ratings gains and the "Today" show implementing stricter security protocols after an intruder incident.