Show & Steal: How features writers are making Trump administration news local and useful
Egg prices have been in the news and many features teams have hatched stories related to the issue.
How are features and enterprise writers and editors making sense of the firehose of news coming out of the Trump administration? What stories have you published that resonated with readers? What ideas might others be able to steal?
With all these questions in mind, nearly two dozen Society for Features Journalism members gathered on March 27 for a virtual “Show & Steal” session geared toward features journalists. SFJ members shared all sorts of popular local stories that can be replicated in other media markets, and they also brainstormed ideas to pursue.
You can watch a recording of the session here. (Passcode to access the video: 2zrc$5Gk)
Read on for a smorgasbord of ideas you can adapt!
EGG-CELLENT FOOD IDEAS
How much do eggs cost near me? An egg price tracker in Louisville (From the Courier Journal) (Note from reporter Olivia Evans: She easily updates this every week by using store apps.)
Faced with sky-high egg costs, Milwaukee restaurants increase prices, change menus. A look a breakfast/brunch restaurants (From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
After record high egg prices, Twin Cities residents race to buy backyard chickens (From The Minnesota Star Tribune)
With bird flu still affecting egg prices, brunch in L.A. may soon cost more (From the Los Angeles Times)
Milwaukee-area restaurants brace for impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs. An exploration of how tariffs might affect restaurants, even those who source ingredients locally (From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
An egg-citing idea hatched during the session: “Maybe an explainer on egg substitutes and would food still be as good using … egg substitute in recipes?”
RAISE A GLASS FOR THESE IDEAS
‘We can't just not can beer’: Milwaukee brewery owners concerned about tariffs’ effect on industry. A story about the impact of aluminum and steel tariffs. (From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
That extra dab of guacamole on your burrito could cost more because of new tariffs. This story also discusses tequila and beer! (From the Los Angeles Times)
American whiskey industry facing 50 percent tariff from Europe. Includes views from Kentucky distilleries (From the Courier Journal)
ARTS IDEAS
Art at risk — Trump administration to fire federal art caretakers (From the Los Angeles Times)
An idea from Newsday: Call all local museums and art institutions to see whether they are facing federal funding cuts.
TRAVEL COVERAGE IDEAS
There’s not much to say, Canada, except: Sorry. A column (From The Seattle Times)
What’s it like to visit Greenland? A guide to Nuuk’s cuisine, fashion and architecture. Starting March 30, it’s easier than ever to reach Greenland’s capital from Minnesota. (From the Minnesota Star Tribune)
Canada’s Minnesota-based diplomat on tariffs, kissing cod and ‘51st state’ talk. We trade a lot and both smooch fish, but don’t expect Minnesota to become the “11th province.” (From the Minnesota Star Tribune)
How to Enter the US With Your Digital Privacy Intact. Here are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk of Customs and Border Protection accessing your data. (From Wired)
Other story angles discussed during the Show & Steal session:
“I know people who have a Green Card and changed a trip to Mexico to a trip to Hawaii because they’re worried they’ll run into issues. I don’t think they’re alone — I’m sure this will impact domestic travel.”
Spring break travel is coming up. What to know about traveling to Mexico, Caribbean countries this year?
PARKS COVERAGE IDEAS
Trump fired these 5 WA Forest Service workers. What their absence means for you (From The Seattle Times)
Trump fired Forest Service staff. Here’s what you might notice in WA (From The Seattle Times)
What park worker firings mean for L.A.’s natural wonders (From the Los Angeles Times)
LGBTQ+ IDEA
Future of transgender athletes uncertain in WA following executive order. A look at possible impact on high school athletes. (From The Seattle Times) (Tip from The Seattle Times: Call your state’s high school athletic association to find out approximately how many transgender student athletes there are in your state.)
RACE AND IMMIGRATION IDEAS
What to know if bystanders see ICE raids. A useful guide (From The Seattle Times)
‘I just want to get out of here’: Immigrants make their case in court as ICE detention expands (From The Minnesota Star Tribune)
‘I’m going crazy’: Delays, confusion as ICE moves Minnesota detainees across the country (From The Minnesota Star Tribune)
BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT IDEAS WITH HUMAN-INTEREST ANGLE
They dedicated years to USAID. They had minutes to pack up their desks. (From The Washington Post)
Here’s a ‘dead’ person on Social Security in Seattle, with plenty to say (From The Seattle Times)
New coffee shop on Salt Lake City’s west side is changing what people think about North Temple (From The Salt Lake Tribune) (Note from reporter Kolbie Peterson about this story: “This is a profile I did about a new coffee shop in an underserved part of Salt Lake City that was started by a daughter of immigrants.”)
California businesses are reeling from Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs (From the Los Angeles Times)
Counties with the highest unemployment in California(From Stacker)
More ideas hatched during the Show & Steal session:
Will local farmers market vendors raise prices? Will community supported agriculture (CSA) subscriptions be more in demand?
Life story of an avocado (or any product dear to your audiences). Follow it through from farm to table.
Track new business licenses, liquor licenses and announcements from local restaurant associations to find new restaurants that are daring to open during these turbulent times.
Huge thanks to everyone who attended this special Show & Steal session!
