News Above the Noise—Week of September 21, 2025
1. Alarms Sound Over Media Crackdowns
The Pentagon has imposed sweeping new restrictions on journalists covering the Department of Defense, requiring reporters to sign pledges limiting their reporting and curbing their access inside the building. At the same time, the FCC has threatened television stations over Jimmy Kimmel’s criticism of the administration, prompting the show’s suspension. Together, the moves mark a stark escalation in government efforts to control the press and raise urgent questions about transparency and the First Amendment. Click hereto read more.
2. Who Is Erika Kirk?
In the days since the assassination of her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk has stepped forcefully into the spotlight. Using the same social media savviness that fueled her late husband’s popularity, she has positioned herself as both mourner and movement leader. Her rapid rise—and the comparisons and contrasts to the high-profile political widows of earlier eras—raises questions about faith, politics, and the future of the right-wing conservative movement. Click here to read more.
3. Confused About Vaccines?
As the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sends mixed signals on childhood and Covid vaccines, doctors across the country are left scrambling to guide patients through their confusion. States are beginning to split on vaccine mandates, with places like Massachusetts and California forging new scientific alliances while Florida rejects long-standing requirements despite outbreaks. Physicians warn that access, trust, and public health itself are on the line in this fractured system. Daniela J.Lamas, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, writes about confusion and risks it poses here.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sift through the news to find what Rises Above the Noise, makes sense of what's happening in the world, and provides hope for your week to come. While we do our best to provide our own informative summary of each piece, some publications require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
Please note that we may receive affiliate commissions from the sales of linked products.
