Cascade of Cuts

What's driving the media layoffs. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( February 5, 2024 Good morning! We're starting off with an all-too-important examination of [what's fueling the layoffs in journalism]( — and the bigger picture as we head into the 2024 election. Over in entertainment, we're highlighting [the best looks from the Grammys red carpet]( and [the performance that stopped us in our tracks](. All that, plus [the books we're reading this week]( and [my top Valentine's Day gift picks](, coming right up!   In the News [A phone with a shredded newspaper coming out of it.]( Shutterstock Industry Shake-Up As we head into another contentious election year, leading media organizations, including NBC and The Wall Street Journal, have been making a cascade of cuts to their newsrooms. Even digital start-ups are taking a hit. The Messenger let go of 300 journalists when it abruptly shut down last week, just eight months after it launched. Watchdog groups are raising concerns about the spread of misinformation as the 2024 race heats up. Shannon Jankowski, a director at the nonprofit PEN America, says journalists play a “critical role” in combating the spread of fake news. “This is vital and essential work, but it requires an investment in training, staffing, and resources, which makes the wave of recent newsroom layoffs even more disturbing,” she says. We took a closer look at what’s driving all of these media layoffs, and [how they could impact voters]( as they head to the polls. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Fmedia-layoffs-2024-election-impact%2F   More Stories [Residents stand along a flooded street as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, impacts California on February 4, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California]( Residents stand along a flooded street in Santa Barbara, California. (Getty Images) Life-threatening storm: Nearly 40 million people are under flood watches in California as a major storm pounds the state. Eleven million of those are at high risk of life-threatening flooding, and compulsory evacuations were ordered in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Los Angeles is expecting to see one of the "most dramatic weather days in recent memory" according to the National Weather Service, with the area set to receive six months' worth of rain by tomorrow. Election 2024: Donald Trump is campaigning on a federal takeover of Washington, D.C. amid a rise in violent offenses, calling it a "filthy and crime-ridden embarrassment to our nation.” He's also reiterated the lie that he warned the U.S. not to invade Iraq on Fox News. Nikki Haley made a surprise appearance on SNL, playing a “concerned South Carolina voter" asking why Trump keeps avoiding debates. Meanwhile, even though the economy is growing, a new NBC News poll puts President Biden 20 points behind Trump on who'd handle the economy better. Israel-Hamas war: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that U.S. strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria are just the "beginning" of the response to the attack that killed three U.S. soldiers. The U.S. has also launched strikes against Houthis in Yemen, who've vowed to retaliate. Meanwhile, a potential hostage deal threatens to split Israel's cabinet, and thousands of Israeli protesters are calling for a change in government and a return of hostages held by Hamas. Making headway? Senators released the details of a much-anticipated bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package on Sunday, paving the way for a vote this week. If passed, the $118 billion package would impose far tougher immigration and asylum laws, curbing asylum at the southern border. The restrictions have been paired with aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as Republicans said they were only prepared to pass the latter alongside the former.   Music's Biggest Night [Joni Mitchell]( Getty Images The Grammys celebrated the greatest achievements in music last night, and it was a party we won't soon forget. The show hit a high note early on with [Tracy Chapman's heartfelt duet with Luke Combs](, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house during [that emotional performance from Joni Mitchell](. The big winners included Miley Cyrus, who took home Record of the Year for Flowers, and Taylor Swift, who made history by winning Album of the Year for a fourth time with Midnights. Just as memorable as Taylor's win was the person who introduced it: Celine Dion, making a surprise appearance amid [her battle with a rare neurological disorder](. And of course, the fashion was pretty spectacular, too. We’re shining a spotlight on [our favorite red carpet looks right here]( —plus the lowdown on the legal drama involving Killer Mike.   In Focus [Man inside MRI machine]( Getty Images When I and eight other tenacious women launched Stand Up to Cancer in 2008, we knew it was special. Our recent Scientific Summit, which hosted 300 incredible participants, was a motivating moment where hardworking researchers and scientists discussed the latest efforts to make every cancer patient a long-term survivor. I'm thrilled to share [some highlights from this year's event]( — and I’m so grateful to everyone making this progress possible. [READ MORE](   Warm and Fuzzy You wouldn't know it when she's owning the Broadway stage, but Kristin Chenoweth struggles with anxiety. She introduced us to [the furry friend who keeps her stress in check]( (and showed us her go-to NYC bookstore in the process). [WATCH HERE]( [Sponsored by Mars](   Extra Credit 5 things you can't miss: From the new season of Abbott Elementary to the latest historical fiction from the #1 bestselling author of The Nightingale, [here's everything we're looking forward to this week](. Bowled over: It's officially soup season, so we turned to none other than Jake Cohen for [a hearty beef stew]( to help us fight the winter chill. Lightweight luxury: Crepey décolletage getting you down? [GoPure's neck cream]( firms skin and improves elasticity, with 85% of users reporting visibly tighter-looking skin.   For Your VIP Valentines [Katie Couric with Valentine's Day gifts]( KCM It's official: We have less than 10 days to go before that celebration of love, friendship, and anything with chocolate. [I sent boxes of goodies to a few people I admire](, and if you're thinking of sharing the love, you can get them all here: - [CocoaVia’s Cardio Health Powder]( contains all the cocoa flavanols you need in a day to support your heart health and tastes great mixed into your favorite smoothie, coffee, and more. - Transform your favorite pictures into heartfelt mementos with this [INSTAX WIDE printer](, which lets you print photos directly from your smartphone. - These [customizable specs from Pair Eyewear]( will have the readers in your life making heart eyes at all the ways they can change up their look. 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