Julio Ricardo Varela

pressingissues.orgWhy Anti-Muslim Bigotry Pervades Our Political DiscourseA Pressing Issues conversation with author Rozina Ali

11h

New Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social Why Anti-Muslim Bigotry Pervades Our Political Discourse A Pressing Issues conversation with author @rozinaali.bsky.social By @jindia.bsky.social

freepress.netPennsylvania House Advances Vital Legislative Package to Support Local Journalism and Civic InformationThe two bills are part of a growing national push for state-level action to address America’s local-journalism crisis.

A great development for sustainable local news in Pennsylvania, thanks to the coalition organizing work from @freepress.bsky.social

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgTrump’s Approval Rating With Registered Latino Voters Now at 24 PercentSeven in 10 say the administration’s policies have harmed Latinos, according to new Pew Research Center survey

The October 19 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by @juliorvarela.com Trump’s Approval Rating With Registered Latino Voters Now at 24 Percent Seven in 10 say the administration’s policies have harmed Latinos, according to new Pew Research Center survey

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

pressingissues.orgThe AI Industry Is Running the Polluters’ PlaybookWe’ve seen these tactics before, and there’s still time to do something about it

This is basically a @ruddock.bsky.social fan account at this point, but you've gotta read their latest piece in the new Pressing Issues about the AI behemoths trying to hide from public scrutiny and the people fighting back so they can't get away with it.

pressingissues.orgThe AI Industry Is Running the Polluters’ PlaybookWe’ve seen these tactics before, and there’s still time to do something about it

The 116th edition of Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social is by @ruddock.bsky.social The AI Industry Is Running the Polluters’ Playbook We’ve seen these tactics before, and there’s still time to do something about it

freepress.netHow the Skydance Conglomerate Will Harm LatinosHere’s why this merger will restrict labor opportunities for Latino creatives, harm our audiences and devastate our communities.

New piece by my @freepress.bsky.social colleague @rlivier.bsky.social How the Skydance Conglomerate Will Harm Latinos

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

foodandwaterwatch.org185 Groups Slam Permitting Reform’s Sweetheart Deal for Data Centers"Congress must reject this cynical industry-backed effort to force data centers on America and get to work on protecting the public, not the tech billionaires.”

"Across the country, communities couldn’t be clearer about their demands in the face of the frenzied data center build-out: more public oversight and community control, not less." -- @ruddock.bsky.social @freepress.bsky.social www.foodandwaterwatch.org/press/2026/1...

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

For one of our #AmericanColony video conversations, George Laws García of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council shares one consequence of colonialism, no matter your position on Puerto Rico's political status.

localnewsinitiative.northwestern.eduThe State of Local News: 2026 Report

"In a year when the American labor market grew overall, newspaper employment continued to shrink, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

pressingissues.orgWorkers and the Public Will Pay for David Ellison’s ‘Shiny New Toy’A Pressing Issues conversation with Free Press’ S. Derek Turner about what comes next after the Paramount-WBD mega-merger

As we predicted ... and there is much worse to follow pressingissues.org/workers-publ...

Jessica J. González@jgo4justice.bsky.social

And here come the price hikes, just one week after close. cordcuttersnews.com/skydance-is-...

cordcuttersnews.comSkydance Is Raising The Price of Its Discovery+ Streaming Service | Cord Cutters NewsDiscovery+ raised the cost of its streaming plans in the United States on October 13, 2026, just days after Skydance completed its acquisition of the service’s parent operations. The ad-supported tier...

nytimes.comJustice Dept. Is Investigating TV Networks Over Trump Pool Coverage (Gift Article)Major TV networks were notified on Friday that the department was examining whether they violated antitrust laws when they suspended pool coverage of President Trump.

Justice Dept. Is Investigating TV Networks Over Trump Pool Coverage via @nytimes.com

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

New Pressing Issues: S. Derek Turner breaks down what David Ellison’s new toy will mean for his workers and your monthly bills. pressingissues.org/workers-publ...

So what does the first week post-merger look like? I spoke with @freepress.bsky.social senior economic and policy advisor S. Derek Turner for the 115th edition of Pressing Issues. Workers and the Public Will Pay for David Ellison’s ‘Shiny New Toy’ #Skydance #Paramount

pressingissues.orgToo Long Have Others Spoken for UsAfter 200 years of racism and repression, media that people of color own and control remain undervalued and under-resourced

On September 28, my @freepress.bsky.social colleague @josephtorr.bsky.social gave a speech about U.S. media history, and we published it today for the 114th edition of Pressing Issues. Here is "Too Long Have Others Spoken for Us" Definitely worth a read and a share too!

DA YANKEES LOSE 😄

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgBipartisan Coalition Demands Work Permits for Long-Term ImmigrantsMore than 250 Latino leaders, from MAGA to progressives, signed the same letter

The October 2 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by @juliorvarela.com Bipartisan Coalition Demands Work Permits for Long-Term Immigrants More than 250 Latino leaders, from MAGA to progressives, signed the same letter

pressingissues.orgLoss Leaders: Tech Barons Buy Up Media Outlets to Hide GriftsBillionaires are amassing control of our information environment to manipulate and control politics

This is the 113th edition of Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social and it's by Free Press Co-CEO @jgo4justice.bsky.social

Jessica J. González@jgo4justice.bsky.social

@freepress.bsky.social and #BlocktheMerger allies have worked tirelessly to challenge the Ellison family takeover of Warner Bros. This week we lost, and I've been reflecting on the unfair advantage that billionaire oligarchs have in our media and our politics. pressingissues.org/tech-barons-...

latinorebels.comLatino Rebels

Found out from some Latino Rebels contributors and supporters via messages that LatinoRebels.com is back online again. Happy news!

Awful effort by the Red Sox.

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgAMERICAN COLONY Is a 2026 Signal Awards FinalistFifth annual event honors spotlight podcasting’s risk-takers... like us

"We have big news to share," @juliorvarela.com writes in the latest edition of @thelatinonewsletter.org AMERICAN COLONY Is a 2026 @signalawards.bsky.social Finalist

Statement from @freepress.bsky.social about Paramount-WBD merger

Free Press@freepress.bsky.social

We're disappointed that Federal Court Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery mega-merger – and that our elected officials’ capitulation made it possible. But we're taking this as a call to action against billionaire control of the media. >>>

So cool of @ajc.com to republish @attorneynora.bsky.social's Pressing Issues piece.

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pressingissues.orgThe U.S. Immigration Regime Is ‘Racist by Design’A conversation with historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the historic whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine

The 112th edition of Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social is by @rlivier.bsky.social, who interviews Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about her "Racist by Design" book, which examines 2 centuries of U.S. Immigration control & includes history & context mainstream media rarely (if at all) covers.

Amazing news to get for a self-distributed, indie podcast.

The Latino Newsletter@thelatinonewsletter.org

We woke up to this AMAZING NEWS! #AmericanColony is a @signalawards.bsky.social finalist!

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgPush for Creole Courses in Schools Stokes Historic Anti‑Haitian Feeling in Dominican RepublicDespite the backlash now, Dominican organizations have developed and offered Creole language courses for decades.

The September 28 edition of The Latino Newsletter is via @us.theconversation.com Push for Creole Courses in Schools Stokes Historic Anti‐Haitian Feeling in Dominican Republic It was met with a swift and fierce public backlash

pressingissues.orgThe White House Press Pool Is Not a Loyalty TestPresident Trump’s longstanding attacks on the media have reached a constitutional breaking point

The 111th edition of Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social is out. New by @attorneynora.bsky.social The White House Press Pool Is Not a Loyalty Test President Trump’s longstanding attacks on the media have reached a constitutional breaking point

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

For the LAST episode of The Latino Newsletter Podcast's second season, guest Felix Contreras of NPR's Alt.Latino talks about how the #BadBunny phenomenon has historical precedent. For this episode, both Felix and Anamaria Sayre joined Season 2 host Michelle Zacarias.

freepress.netFree Press and Block the Merger Partners File Amicus Brief Blasting Pitiful Paramount Settlement“The court should reject this deal outright," says Jessica J. González. "It doesn’t address the anti-competitive concerns that state attorneys general themselves identified in their initial lawsuit."

The latest update about merger news.

Jessica J. González@jgo4justice.bsky.social

#BlocktheMerger groups @freepress.bsky.social @1acommittee.bsky.social @freedom.press @filmcoalition.bsky.social @documentary.org filed an amicus brief last night urging the court to reject Paramount’s consent decree with state AGs. More here: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

22 Sept

For the LAST episode of The Latino Newsletter Podcast's second season, guest Anamaria Sayre of @npr.org's Alt.Latino talks about how Tiny Desk (#ElTiny) has always had a strong following in Latin America.

pressingissues.orgAttorneys General Cave to Paramount’s Extortion ThreatsBut the growing movement fighting the authoritarian takeover of the media won’t stop

22 Sept

New from @jgo4justice.bsky.social for the 110th edition of Pressing Issues Attorneys General Cave to Paramount’s Extortion Threats But the growing movement fighting the authoritarian takeover of the media won’t stop

ms.nowWhy this Florida Republican just went on the record criticizing Trump’s immigration policiesMaria Elvira Salazar called out the president less than two years after winning her district by 20 points.

19 Sept

My latest opinion for MS NOW Why this Florida Republican just went on the record criticizing Trump’s immigration policies Maria Elvira Salazar called out the president less than two years after winning her district by 20 points.

thelatinonewsletter.orgEl Tiny TalkThe last episode of The Latino Newsletter Podcast’s second season

19 Sept

20 episodes for the second season of @thelatinonewsletter.org podcast. A fantastic run.

The Latino Newsletter@thelatinonewsletter.org

The September 18 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by @juliorvarela.com El Tiny Talk The last episode of The Latino Newsletter Podcast’s second season

pressingissues.orgWatching Wisconsin’s Secretive Data CentersHow local independent news outlets are alerting communities to the threats posed by Big Tech

18 Sept

Here is @timkarr.bsky.social's latest for Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social about the work @wisconsinwatch.org is doing on the issues of data centers and Big Tech.

Tim Karr@timkarr.bsky.social

Local, independent media have become early-warning systems exposing for communities the many harms of data centers being built in their backyards. I spoke to @jmalewitz.bsky.social about the great work Wisconsin Watch is doing to shed light on Big Tech's efforts to keep these harms from public view

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

centropr.hunter.cuny.eduSeries: CENTRO Out LoudCENTRO Out Loud is a new podcast illuminating often forgotten histories, curating stories from our archives and bringing them to the public. From the stacks to the streets!

17 Sept

Congratulations to @centropr.bsky.social on the launch of their new podcast: The Unheard Tapes of Frank Espada

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

Kyle Cheney

@kyledcheney.bsky.social

16 Sept

JUST IN: A federal judge has barred DHS from threatening to prosecute a man who harshly criticized ICE’s acting director following the fatal shootings in Minnesota. It violates his free speech, Judge Contreras ruled. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

pressingissues.orgSaying No to AI Slop — and The Baltimore SunCertain journalistic lines just can’t be crossed

When AI Slop meets Sinclair bad things happen in Baltimore. The cartoonists are fighting back. New Pressing Issues by @juliorvarela.com

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

Tim Karr

@timkarr.bsky.social

pressingissues.orgSaying No to AI Slop — and The Baltimore SunCertain journalistic lines just can’t be crossed

"I don’t make any exceptions for AI," award-winning cartoonist @claytoonz.bsky.social tells @juliorvarela.com. "I don’t care how funny you might think it is. But wherever they use AI ... it shows why they’re not professional cartoonists, because the writing is terrible."

How many Hispanic Heritage Month pitches did you receive today from people who have never pitched you before and know nothing about the work you do? Me: At least 20.

pressingissues.orgSaying No to AI Slop — and The Baltimore SunCertain journalistic lines just can’t be crossed

For Pressing Issues, I spoke with award-winning editorial cartoonist Clay Jones about @baltimoresun.bsky.social's AI slop editorial cartoons, and Clay pulls no punches. A very lively interview. Saying No to AI Slop — and The Baltimore Sun

thelatinonewsletter.orgOne Year After Midway Blitz, Tribune Reporters Reflect on Pulitzer-Winning CoverageCHICAGO — Over 100 people gathered Saturday to hear Chicago Tribune journalists share their experiences reporting on Operation Midway Blitz, coverage that earned the newsroom a 2026 Pulitzer Prize.

All I want @thelatinonewsletter.org to be is a place where we publish the next generation of journalists who pitch us good stories that reflect our communities all over the country. I do enjoy editing their work.

The Latino Newsletter@thelatinonewsletter.org

The September 14 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by Hector Cervantes One Year After Midway Blitz, Tribune Reporters Reflect on Pulitzer-Winning Coverage “Somebody has to record history. It has to be us.”

pressingissues.org25 Years After 9/11, Have We Learned From Our Choices?Reckoning with that terrible day and the forever wars, mass surveillance and anti-Muslim hysteria that followed

11 Sept

Today's edition of Pressing Issues is by @jindia.bsky.social, who writes about the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the lessons learned or not learned.

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

pressingissues.org25 Years After 9/11, Have We Learned From Our Choices?Reckoning with that terrible day and the forever wars, mass surveillance and anti-Muslim hysteria that followed

11 Sept

New Pressing Issues: Shilpa Jindia reflects on how we're still reckoning with the choices we made after 9/11.

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgEmotional Leadership Is the Skill Latino Men Were Never TaughtThose who can regulate themselves under pressure lead better than those who simply demand compliance from others.

10 Sept

We are back from our break with a new edition Emotional Leadership Is the Skill Latino Men Were Never Taught

washingtonpost.comTrump administration proposes changes to census that could exclude millionsIf adopted, the changes could exclude millions of residents from the decennial tally, reshaping congressional representation in the country.

9 Sept

"The Census has collected data on race, ethnicity and origin since 1790." www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

freepress.netWhat Massachusetts Residents Told Me They Need from Local NewsI drove 1,000 miles to learn how the disappearance of local news has affected Massachusetts communities.

8 Sept

My @freepress.bsky.social colleague Sarah Stone with an excellent summary of all the work Free Press is doing in #Massachusetts to support local news.

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgWhat Pew’s Newest Research Says About Latinos and the American DreamI am a Pew nerd, and once again, they found a way to identify a central tenet of why we should be covering the voices of U.S. Latinos in the first place.

4 Sept

The September 4 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by @juliorvarela.com What @pewresearch.org's Newest Research Says About Latinos and the American Dream It can be its own curriculum

Julio Ricardo Varela reposted

thelatinonewsletter.orgEl Brief and the Audacity of Creating Your Own Lane“It’s not about us, the institution, but rather about the people and amplifying their voices.”

3 Sept

The September 3 edition of The Latino Newsletter is by @juliorvarela.com El Brief and the Audacity of Creating Your Own Lane