What we read this week: August 16
“Here’s a Man-Bites-Dog Story: A Newspaper That’s Doing Well”(New York Times)
Key Takeaways:
The Chronicle, a free weekly founded by Mark Frost in Glens Falls, NY in 1980 on a $1,700 investment, has rebuilt its staff to seven after pandemic layoffs cut it from twelve to four.
Nearly 3,500 US newspapers have closed since the mid-2000s, but roughly 2,250 independent weeklies like The Chronicle have proven “relatively resilient,” per Northwestern’s state of local news project, largely because large chains have no interest in acquiring them.
Frost has turned down repeated offers to replicate the model in other markets, saying his “ambition is to build - keep building one great newspaper.”
Deep, personal, face-to-face community investment (not scale or digital tactics) is what makes hyper-local trust durable, and succession planning is the real threat to that model, not competition.
“2000s nostalgia or a midlife crisis?” (“Highly Recommend,” Substack)
Key Takeaways:
Content Creator and Substack writer Alyssa Lenore’s essay ties a Hilary Duff concert and rediscovered Blackberry Bold to the broader wave of Y2K and 2000s nostalgia.
She cites tangible artifacts (photo booth strips, burned CDs, physical cameras) as an intentional counterpoint to AI-driven, always-online culture.
She frames nostalgia as creatively generative rather than purely escapist, saying rediscovering old photos has been a big source of inspiration for how she creates and shows up online.
Leading to suggest, how can we better create and show up for ourselves online? Can rediscovering our younger selves and interest lead to a greater balance between our personal and social lives?
“Instagram Unveils ‘More Modern’ New Logo, and People Are Already Making Fun of It”(Variety)
Key Takeaways:
Instagram head Adam Mosseri unveiled the redesigned wordmark on August 13, calling it “sharper” and “more modern” while preserving ties to the original cursive style.
The app icon and gradient camera symbol remain unchanged; only the text logo shifted, with a mix of cursive and print letters.
Reaction has been mixed, with users mocking the new “r” for resembling a “z,” spawning jokes like “Instagzam.”
A logo refresh alone doesn’t guarantee positive reception. This can be a useful case study for clients considering rebrands: incremental change still invites public scrutiny, and messaging around “why now” matters as much as the design itself.
“For Some Singles, ‘Hobbyamory’ Has Replaced Hookups” (New York Times)
Key Takeaways:
A growing number of singles are prioritizing packed social calendars over dating apps, investing time and money in activities like salsa, rock climbing, cake decorating, and cyanotype printmaking instead of swiping.
On TikTok, #hobbies posts are up almost 15% in the US in 2026, followed by #grandmahobbies, which has grown over 400%, and “side quest” posts are up more than 210%.
Psychologist Alexandra Solomon ties the shift to younger generations questioning traditional work and relationship models, plus the broader dating-app fatigue and disinterest in drinking, which is fueling appetite for tactile, creative, in-person activities.
Business owners are capitalizing directly: Jenneh Kaikai’s NYC cake-decorating classes draw singles explicitly as “solo dates” and an alternative to dating apps.
Consider this your sign to try the local classes, the tastings, and community events near you. Lean into experiences that are fulfilling and social on their own terms, no plus-one required.
“Sterling Point will Stand the Test of Time” (Slate)
Key Takeaways:
Sterling Point, from showrunner Megan Park, has topped Amazon Prime Video’s charts this August, outperforming Amazon’s other 2026 YA romance entry, Every Year After.
The show follows twins Annie and Connor, who inherit two-thirds of a Canadian island and discover a long-lost half-sister, Ramona.
Critics credit its blend of sharp dialogue, class themes, and emotional depth for elevating it above typical Summer I Turned Pretty-style competitors.
The growth of the show signals the continued appetite for prestige-adjacent YA content with emotional substance. Truly showcasing how Millennial and Gen Z audiences are drawn to “elevated” nostalgic storytelling.
“Disney Poised for Big Box office in 2028 with ‘X-Men’, ‘Tangled’: D23 ” (Deadline)
Key Takeaways:
At D23, Disney unveiled a heavy 2028 lineup including live-action Tangled (March 31), an untitled X-Men film (May 5), Pixar’s Incredibles 3 (June 16), and Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider (rumored July 28).
The Tangled reveal included a first look at Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel.
Disney executives point to Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s success as proof the MCU strategy is shifting from IP-reliance toward filmmaker- and star-driven quality.
There is an approaching shift in messaging away from franchise-first marketing toward talent and story quality (some may say, “as it should be”).
Looking for 1:1 support on brand strategy & media outreach? Book a complimentary consultation with me here - I’d love to meet you!
Xo,
Julia, Che PR Founder
