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Essential Listening, Watching, and Reading

  • Writer: Independent Times News
    Independent Times News
  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago



Join the Conversation 💬


Published: May 28th, 2026


Thank you for checking out this week’s Newsroom Picks! What did you think of our selections? Drop your feedback, or suggest a podcast, book, or article we should feature next in the comments below.


🗳️ Quick Reminder: The 2026 Midterm Elections are on Tuesday, November 3rd. Make sure you are registered to vote, mark your calendar, and follow Independent Times News to stay informed without the partisan spin.


Stay curious. Stay informed. Stay engaged.


Wishing you a spectacular week ahead!






🎧 Must Listen: Ending Citizens United


  • Source: On with Kara Swisher

  • The Scoop: Kara talks to Lawrence Lessig about his fight to end Super PACs without passing a constitutional amendment or overturning Citizens United.  The Harvard law professor and Equal Citizens founder was once the internet’s open-access evangelist. 19 years ago, he shifted his focus from intellectual property to institutional corruption, and since then, he’s become one of the country’s sharpest critics of money-driven politics.  Kara and Lessig examine how the tech industry shifted from being led by largely apolitical or "libertarian-light" figures to becoming a sector that actively enables Trump; whether Democrats can capitalize on the Epstein controversy to persuade Trump's voters that he’s not the outsider he claims to be; how engagement-driven AI is tearing democracy apart; and why citizen assemblies are the way to repair it. 

  • Where to Listen: Listen to the Episode on Apple Podcasts








📺 Must Watch: The American Revolution


  • Source: PBS / Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt  

  • The Scoop: Master documentarian Ken Burns returns with a definitive, sweeping six-part, twelve-hour miniseries tracking the foundational grit and complex ideals of the American Revolution. For anyone invested in civic responsibility and the true, unvarnished history of how our republic was forged, this masterclass in historical storytelling is vital viewing.

  • Where to Watch: Stream 'The American Revolution' on PBS








📰 Must Read: Deciphering the Split-Screen Economy


  • Source: The Associated Press (AP News) / By Paul Wiseman

  • The Scoop: A crucial, objective breakdown of the latest economic data. The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% pace in the first quarter of 2026, bouncing back from last winter's 43-day federal government shutdown. However, the report highlights a clear "split-screen" reality: while corporate investment in AI is booming, everyday independent households are heavily feeling the pinch of persistent inflation and high gas prices driven by ongoing global conflicts.  

  • Where to Read: Read the Full AP Analysis








📚 Must Buy Book: (or Must-Get From the Library)


  • Our Pick: All We Say – The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches by Ben Rhodes

  • Why It Matters: In this highly anticipated new release, former White House speechwriter and deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes takes an ambitious, clear-eyed look at the American story through 15 of its most defining orations. Spanning 250 years, from Benjamin Franklin and Seneca Chief Red Jacket to Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and modern political crosscurrentsRhodes explores how our greatest speeches hold a mirror up to our ideals. It is a brilliant, non-partisan examination of how Americans have continuously fought to hold the nation accountable to what we say we believe.

  • Where to Find It: Look it up on the WorldCat Digital Library Catalog to find a copy at a public library near you, or request it directly from your local branch's circulation desk. Check out the initial review and details on The Guardian. Also it is available for purchase at Barnes and Noble near you.








🏛️ Must Follow: PBS News Hour


  • Our Pick: PBS News

  • Why It Matters: In a media landscape dominated by sensationalism, PBS News remains a gold standard for objective, non-partisan journalism. Despite absorbing massive federal funding cuts, which forced deep staff reductions and the closure of their weekend newscasts, their newsroom continues to produce exceptional, context-heavy reporting. They deliver straight facts and balanced perspectives without the frantic, opinion-driven spin found elsewhere, making them an essential follow for independent voters.

  • Where to Follow: Check out their short-form video explainers on PBS News on Instagram, join the conversation on X via @NewsHour, or stream full broadcasts and live event coverage directly on the PBS News YouTube Channel.








🗓️ Must Subscribe: Today in History


  • Our Pick: The History Channel’s "Today in History" Daily Digest

  • Why It Matters: A quick, daily anchor to remind us of the historical milestones that shaped our present. It’s a perfect morning routine addition for anyone who believes that understanding our past is a prerequisite to navigating our political future.

  • Where to Subscribe: Sign up to get these daily updates delivered straight to your inbox via the History Channel's Official "This Day in History" Newsletter Sign-Up.







These are not the best of times, nor the worst, but these are undoubtedly Independent Times.



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