On the Chopping Block

More crushing layoffs in journalism. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( January 31, 2024 Good morning! We’re continuing our Going Strong series with [a soothing stretching routine](, then we’ve got more on [the little-known nerve that could alleviate inflammation](. Plus, we asked the writer of the viral E. Jean Carroll op-ed [what surprised her the most]( about covering the case. In other media news, we’ve got details of the latest layoffs — and what all this downsizing means for the future of journalism. As always, thanks for reading!   In the News [illustration of scissors cutting threads that hold people in chairs]( KCM On the Chopping Block The journalism industry suffered another round of crushing layoffs this week as writers at Time, National Geographic, and The Los Angeles Times lost their jobs. The Times cut a whopping 20% of its newsroom, or 115 people. The damage doesn’t stop there. Condé Nast announced it will let go of around 300 people, and The Wall Street Journal is also expected to announce a restructuring. Newsrooms being gutted isn’t just dangerous for those of us who work in media. David Zurawik, a professor of media studies at Goucher College and former media critic for The Baltimore Sun, told CNN: “A democracy cannot function without accurate, vetted, factual information that citizens can trust in making decisions like who to vote for, one of the most important civic decisions in a democracy.” Put simply: “We are drowning in a sea of disinformation, and there are fewer and fewer lifeguards to rescue us." We’ll be exploring the precarious future of journalism and its implications for the 2024 election more in the weeks to come.   More Stories Israel-Hamas war: President Biden says he's decided how to respond to the strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. He hasn't shared any further details, besides that he isn't "looking for" a wider conflict in the region. A powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq has halted operations against U.S. forces. The British Foreign Secretary says the U.K. is ready to accelerate the moment when it formally recognizes a Palestinian state. Over in Gaza, the IDF has confirmed that it's been pumping "large volumes of water" into suspected Hamas tunnels. Drama in Georgia: The special prosecutor leading Donald Trump's [election interference case in Georgia]( has reached a "temporary agreement" to cancel an upcoming hearing in his divorce proceedings. Nathan J. Wade might have had to testify about an alleged romantic affair with his boss, [Fulton County DA Fani Willis](, which could jeopardize Willis' prosecution of Trump and 14 of his allies. Both Trump and one of his co-defendants have already cited the alleged relationship in an attempt to have their charges dismissed. Inside look: Celine Dion has revealed plans to chronicle her journey with [stiff person syndrome]( in a documentary titled I Am: Celine Dion. She explained on Instagram that while she's been working hard to manage her condition, she's determined not to let it define her — and wants to raise awareness about its realities. “As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed... being able to see my fans,” she said.   A Trailblazing Legend [Chita Rivera, wearing a turtleneck sweater and playing with her necklace, in London, England, 6th February 1962]( Getty Images Chita Rivera, the legendary actress who dazzled both on Broadway and the big screen, has died after a short illness. She was 91. An exceptional singer, dancer, and actress, Chita garnered 10 Tony nominations and won twice over the course of her career, first for The Rink in 1984, then for Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1993. In 2018, she was awarded a Tony for lifetime achievement in theatre, including originating the roles of Anita in West Side Story, Velma in Chicago and Rose in Bye Bye Birdie. Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, posted on Instagram: "I am raising a glass to this remarkable woman and friend."   In Focus [E. Jean Carroll waving as she gets into a black car, surrounded by crowd]( Getty Images Writer Jessica Bennett made waves with her recent New York Times piece that explores why it was so controversial for E. Jean Carroll to file sexual assault charges against Donald Trump. I wanted to know more about how and why Bennett came to write this op-ed, so [I asked her a few “behind the scenes” questions]( about its origins. (And if you appreciate her writing as much as I do, you’ll definitely want to subscribe to her newsletter, [Wait, Really?]() [READ MORE](   Best of January [Meryl Streep and Martin Short]( The Rumor Mill Only Murders castmates Meryl Streep and Martin Short look great together onscreen. But are they dating IRL? Here's the tea. [Read More »]( [View of the human body nervous system]( Got Some Nerve One nerve could provide the long-sought-after solution to chronic inflammation — but you've probably never heard of it. We break it down. [Read More »]( [Collage of recent TV shows]( Play Catch-Up If you've already burned through all the new series on streaming, we rounded up the best underrated treasures to revisit. [Read More »](   On the Record In [a recent segment on his show](, Bill Maher unpacked where the American democracy currently stands, particularly in contrast with Brazil — where, one year ago, supporters of the defeated right-wing president stormed government buildings. (Sound familiar?) He lays out why the country's in such a precarious place: “Trump has proven that in America you can absolutely attempt a coup. And at the very least, there’s no immediate repercussions.”   Going Strong [Ryan Cooper stretching against metal]( James Dimmock You've been working hard during our [Going Strong]( series, and now it's time to cool down and stretch things out. Wellness extraordinaire Ryan Cooper is sharing [his 15-minute yoga routine](. Whether you're sore from a workout or stiff from sitting at a desk all day, his gentle flows will help you relieve tension and loosen up. [TRY IT OUT](   Extra Credit Best wishes: Happy birthday to the one and only Kerry Washington! We loved [the stunning memoir]( she just wrote, and we know [exactly how she'd want you to celebrate her]( this year... Dig in: Our friend Amanda Haas likes to say that February is the new January, and she'll help you get your mind and body into gear with a month-long wellbeing workshop starting this Sunday, Feb. 4. You'll get live "mindful morning" sessions and cooking demos (which you can rewatch all year long), plus recipes and meal planning to help you build nutritious dishes — and it only costs $29 if you [sign up right now](. Support system: If you appreciated Vanessa Ford's advice about[how to be an ally for trans kids](, you'll love her brand-new book,[The Advocate Educator's Handbook](. It's out today, and it's an excellent blueprint for creating an environment of acceptance in our schools.   RSV Awareness [Illustration of a woman surrounded by virus particles]( Getty Images Each year, approximately 177,000 adults aged 65 and older are hospitalized in the U.S. due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Several years ago, Irene, a then 69-year-old social worker, experienced a case of RSV. Like many, she thought RSV only affected babies and children. This is the first respiratory virus season that vaccination is available to help protect against RSV for adults 60 years of age and older. Sponsored by GSK, we bring you [Irene’s informative personal story]( — and encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about RSV and vaccination. [LEARN MORE]( [Sponsored by GSK](   Bright Idea How cute are [these eye-popping leggings](? They don't just make a statement, they're also built for performance, with a whopping five pockets (you read that right!) to hold all your gear. [Sweaty Betty magenta leggings]( [SHOP HERE](   [The Shop Edit. Love shopping as much as we do? Subscribe to our latest newsletter and you'll never miss another trend, money-saving sale, or hard-to-find gem!]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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