News Above the Noise—Week of October 19, 2025
1. No Kings Protests Pack Streets Nationwide
A reported 7 million people took to the streets to join the second wave of No Kings protests across the U.S. and internationally on Saturday to rally against President Trump’s immigration policies, domestic military use, and actions targeting political opponents, as the government shutdown enters its third week. The protests remained largely peaceful, with supporters calling them a patriotic defense of free speech, despite advance warnings from Republican leaders who labeled them unsafe and “anti-American.” Here’s the latest.
2. He Sounded the Alarm on Cell Phones, Now He’s Warning About AI
Jonathan Haidt, the well known psychologist who wrote The Anxious Generation and encouraged many parents to crack down on their kids' smartphone usage, is now warning parents about the next major obstacle: AI. “We are at the tipping point right now,” says Haidt. “AI is going to take all the pathways of harm from social media and multiply them.” Learn more about what you can do to protect your child’s well being.
3. How the Pentagon Is Blocking Out the Press
Dozens of reporters turned in their press passes on Wednesday rather than sign on to new government-imposed rules laid out by Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense. The administration called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive” press. Under the new rules, journalists could face expulsion for reporting any information, classified or not, that hasn’t been approved by Hegseth for release. Read more about how these restrictions differ from previous guidelines.
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