The Gist Beth Macy: "When the Local Paper Dies, the Community Follows"
9 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Acclaimed journalist Beth Macy, author of Dopesick and Paper Girl, dives into the challenges facing middle America. She highlights the systemic roots of addiction and the impact of diminished local journalism on communities. Macy shares a poignant portrait of Silas, a trans drum major navigating life’s obstacles in a struggling public school system. She also critiques the fallout from school choice policies and discusses the barriers to upward mobility in education. Overall, she emphasizes the importance of local stories in bridging community divides.
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Urbana As Microcosm Of Decline
- Urbana's decline mirrors broader American hollowing out tied to job loss and addiction.
- Beth Macy shows local decay reflects national economic and health shifts.
Silas: Drum Major Amid Trauma
- Macy followed Silas, a drum major who lost his father to overdose and faced homelessness.
- Despite trauma, Silas showed discipline and ambition, anchored by supportive teachers.
Schools Hollowed By Funding And Flight
- School funding loss and open enrollment hollowed out public schools and extracurriculars.
- Shrinking bands and athletic rosters reflect broader middle-class decline.
