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I’ve covered layoffs since starting at Poynter in 2013, and it never gets easier. Last week, with huge layoffs at The Washington Post, was no exception.
My colleague Fernanda Camarena gathered some practical and comforting tips for people who’ve been laid ([link removed]) off ([link removed]) that I hope you never have to use.
“It hurts,” she wrote. “All of it. For many of us who have dedicated ourselves to this career, journalism isn’t just a job. It’s a calling built on service, sacrifice and a belief in the public good. Losing this job, and watching others lose theirs, is extremely disheartening. And of course, losing a job doesn’t just disrupt income, but also shakes up our routine, our connections and our general sense of usefulness and belonging.”
It’s also already been a pretty grueling start to the new year, and my colleague Kerwin Speight spoke with a licensed therapist and former TV reporter about how to manage stress both at work and because of the work itself ([link removed]) .
“She tells her clients not to ask themselves ‘what if?’ but ‘even if?’” Speight wrote. Acknowledge what you’re feeling, then figure out what’s in your control.
Both pieces offer some ideas to get grounded that I hope you find useful.

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While you’re here, I have a lot to share this week:
* Speaking of Fernanda and Kerwin, they’re leading a really powerful newsroom program to transform how journalists cover crime. You can learn more here ([link removed]) .
* I wrote this week about three very simple media literacy tips ([link removed]) to help you figure out if what you’re seeing is real.
* Maria Ramirez Uribe wrote this week for Poynter and PolitiFact about what the law says about recording immigration agents in public ([link removed]) .
* And from my colleague Jon Greenberg, “Put this on your immigration radar: ICE now has more than a billion dollars for state and local police everywhere.” ([link removed])
* From Nieman Lab, here’s what a safety advisor thinks journalists should know ([link removed]) .
* In The New York Times (with a gift link), hear from Georgia Fort ([link removed]) , one of the journalists arrested in Minneapolis.
* From Semafor, read how The Minnesota Star Tribune is navigating a local crisis ([link removed]) .
* In Poynter at the end of last month, “I built my career at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Now it’s ending.” ([link removed])
* And from Public Source, read about the local news ecosystem in Pittsburgh, where “more than 40 news sources remain.” ([link removed])
* In some happy news, happy ninth birthday to Chicago Public Square! ([link removed]) I spoke with founder Charlie Meyerson when he first got started ([link removed]) .
* Survey alert! RJI is gathering data about sources growing silent and hostile. You can take it here ([link removed]?) . Related: Check out Poynter’s work around this topic ([link removed]) .
* Check out the Institute for Independent Journalists’ Freelance Journalism Conference ([link removed]) .
* Apply for a 19th News Fellowship ([link removed]) .
* Meet the first fellows ([link removed]) for The New York Times collaboration with Deep South Today.
* And if you’re a new or new-ish editor, consider this five-week virtual course to help you build new skills ([link removed]) .

Phew! OK, that’s it for me. Let’s end on a small, bright note. One of my fellow volleyball moms has started raising chickens on her rural property. I asked if I could buy some eggs from her, and she told me she had so many that she just wanted to give them away. I got a dozen on Monday night, and they’re the prettiest eggs I’ve ever seen. (Also the most delicious!) If you have a bright spot to share with me, reply to this email. I’d love to hear it!
Kristen
Almost too pretty to eat. (Almost!)
Kristen Hare
Faculty
The Poynter Institute
@kristenhare ([link removed])

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