Why Local Stories Matter Nationally

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Reese Gorman and Kate Nocera of NOTUS for a deep dive into what it means to build a truly nonpartisan newsroom in today’s hyperpolarized media landscape. Reese and Kate explain how NOTUS approaches journalism without playing to partisan expectations—or to social media algorithms—and why being outside the legacy-media universe gives their reporters a unique advantage. They discuss Washington’s shifting culture, from the decline in local DC reporting to the increasingly strained relationship between the press and Congress, where competition for scoops is fierce, norms have evaporated in Trump’s second term, and newer members often lack any memory of a functional legislature.

The conversation then turns to the political tensions shaping Capitol Hill, including Steve Scalise’s quiet maneuvering for the speakership, Trump’s latest approval dip, and the surprising lack of Trump fatigue among GOP lawmakers. Reese and Kate also outline the Democratic Party’s mix of opportunity and dysfunction heading into the midterms: strong messaging on affordability and bullish vibes contrasted with an inability to clear primary fields and a continued failure to operate as a true national party. From the dire mood on the Hill to which unknown members could soon be household names, this episode offers a sharp, insider look at journalism, politics, and power in Washington today.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements

00:00 Reese Gorman & Kate Nocera of NOTUS join the Chuck ToddCast

01:30 What is NOTUS & how did you end up working there?

04:00 How do you execute being a truly nonpartisan newsroom?

05:30 You can’t balance the truth based on partisan affiliation

08:30 Is NOTUS the only incubator for young journalists in DC?

10:45 How Reese ended up at NOTUS?

14:00 Do you have to play to the algorithms when posting stories?

16:30 Being part of the non-legacy media is an advantage 

19:00 The Washington Post has stopped covering local DC politics

21:00 Changes at the Kennedy Center aren’t being covered

23:30 Has Trump changed the culture of DC in his second term?

25:15 The relationship between the press and congress is more strained

27:15 The culture on the hill is very “cliquey” 

28:15 There’s a lot more competition for scoops on the hill

29:15 What’s the mission of your podcast?

31:15 How does Steve Scalise continue to maneuver in the Republican party?

32:30 Scalise wants the speaker role currently held by Mike Johnson

34:15 Trump’s recent approval dip seems different than prior ones

35:15 There were still norms in Trump’s first term, there aren’t in 2.0

36:45 No sense of Trump fatigue from Republican members of congress

37:45 Can you tell which members are too trapped in an information bubble?

38:15 Pre-Trump members have a better sense of reality

40:00 New members don’t remember a time when congress was functional

42:00 How much of a problem could congressional leadership be for Dems?

44:30 Democrats could perform well running on affordability message

45:00 Democrats feel bullish headed into the midterms

46:15 The Dem establishment hasn’t been able to clear primary fields

48:00 Democrats aren’t a national party, can’t compete in 1/3rd of the country

50:00 The vibes and mood on the hill are terrible right now

50:30 If Dems win the TN-07 special, you could see wave of retirements

53:00 If you have DSCC questions, do you go to Schumer or Gillibrand?

55:15 A joint fundraising committee for Graham Platner is unlikely

56:15 Haley Stevens seems like a nervous candidate

56:45 Which unknown members could be household names in a year?

1:02:00 Where you can find Reese and Kate’s work

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