Staying informed without overwhelm can be difficult when we’re flooded with distressing news. The new U.S. administration’s constant barrage of egregious actions, and executive orders is not random—it’s a deliberate strategy to exhaust us into despair and inaction.
Ignoring the news or retreating entirely isn’t the answer. We can’t afford to bury our heads in the sand. Instead, we need to be intentional about managing our news intake and where we direct our efforts. Most of all, we need to connect and organize with people in our communities.
I’ve curated this resource list with input from others. My goal is to help you stay informed without overwhelm, take action, and connect with aligned community groups. This list is not exhaustive, and I’ll continue adding to it in this Google doc.
Action-Oriented Newsletters: Stay Informed & Take Action
These action-oriented newsletters deliver concise political updates and concrete steps you can take. Each newsletter’s frequency is listed, so you can choose the right level of engagement for you.
Americans of Conscience (Biweekly) – Action Checklist and Good News updates, providing clear steps for those who value democracy, equality, and decency.
Omkari Williams’ Micro Actions (Weekly) – Small, impactful social and environmental actions in less than 10 minutes.
Everyday Activist (Weekly) – Provides overview of key news stories without sensationalism, why the issues matter, and five concrete ways to take action.
Jessica Craven’s Chop Wood, Carry Water (Daily) Simple political actions to stave off despair, affect change, and elect more true public servants.
Nicole Cardoza’s Reimagined (3-4x/Week) – News and actions for justice and liberation.
Focused News & Thoughtful Analysis — Without Sensationalism
This list features sources for focused news sources or political analysis that provide clear reporting.
Most of those listed are by individuals, whose perspectives can add valuable depth. However, getting info from one individual risks narrowing our understanding, as they’re less likely to have the editorial oversight of legacy news and other major outlets (yes, there can also be issues with legacy news). With that said, I suggest balancing these with sources such as NPR or your local public radio station.
Letters from an American (Heather Cox Richardson – Historian) – Daily newsletter breaking down the day’s news into simple terms and connecting current events to their historical significance.
The Contrarian (by former Washington Post journalists) – Independent journalism offering fact-driven reporting and analysis in defense of democracy.
The Status Kuo (Jay Kuo – Lawyer) – Accessible political and legal analysis with a dose of humor.
Thinking About… (Timothy Snyder – Historian) – Deep reflections on history, authoritarianism, and democracy from a leading scholar.
Civil Discourse (Joyce White Vance – Lawyer & former U.S. Attorney for Northern District of AL) – Clear, legally informed analysis of political and justice system developments.
The Ezra Klein Show (Journalist) – Thoughtful interviews and analysis exploring politics, policy, and big ideas shaping the world, emphasizing nuanced discussion over hot takes.
National Advocacy Groups — With Local Chapters
These progressive grassroots movements and community action groups work across the U.S., many with local chapters, so you can support climate action, democracy, and social justice in your own community.
Indivisible – A grassroots movement building progressive power through local activism.
Run for Something – Recruits and supports young progressives running for down-ballot office.
Extinction Rebellion – Global movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to push for government climate action.
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) – A national organization that mobilizes white people to fight for racial and economic justice.
ARC-Southeast – Provides funding & support for Southerners to access reproductive care.
100 Women Who Care – A giving circle where members donate quarterly to local nonprofits.
The (Sojourner) Truth School – Free movement-building training for social, economic, and environmental justice.
Local Advocacy & Mutual Aid Groups
A start to a list of local initiatives and mutual aid groups—offering everything from elder support to food justice to migrant assistance. Email me, if you’d like to add a local group. You may also try the following resource for Mutual Aid Networks in your area.
Village Neighbors (Western MA) – Helps elders age in place and stay connected to their community.
Beloved Asheville (Western NC) – Community organization providing support such as food, housing, medical and mental health care to underserved communities.
A Bedside Campfire: (Chicago) – A virtual/in-person group connecting caregivers and care recipients for support and community.
Migrant Ministry: (Oak Park, IL) – An interfaith volunteer effort supporting migrants with clothing, essentials, ESL classes, access to social services, help with asylum applications, and legal rights education.
I (Melissa) am also part of a related but informal mutual aid effort helping newcomers. You may reach out to me directly if you’d like to get involved.
Beyond Hunger: (Chicago) – A nonprofit addressing food insecurity through pantries, nutrition education, and empowerment programs.
This list was compiled by Melissa Noel Renzi. If you have suggestions for additional resources, send them to info@melissanoelrenzi.com. Specifically, I’d love to know about mutual aid groups in your area and suggestions for BIPOC journalists providing news summaries.