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Congressional threats to BreakThrough News are unconstitutional harassment

Freedom of the Press
2 weeks 3 days ago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York, Oct. 19, 2026 — A coalition of press freedom organizations is demanding that the House Ways and Means Committee drop its threat to serially subpoena staffers at BreakThrough News. The committee wants BreakThrough News employees to testify before Congress unless the outlet drops its First Amendment and other objections to the committee’s prior subpoenas and document demands by tomorrow.

The committee has claimed its prior correspondence was in furtherance of a tax-related probe into one of BreakThrough’s donors. But the committee and its chairman, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., have accused the outlet of “anti-American rhetoric” and “messaging that mirrors hostile government propaganda.” It is citing BreakThrough’s criticisms of immigration enforcement actions and of U.S. and Israeli foreign policy as examples of such rhetoric, making clear that the probe is pure viewpoint discrimination.

The following can be attributed to Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern:

“Rep. Smith’s shameless targeting of BreakThrough News for editorial viewpoints that he dislikes shows a complete disregard of the First Amendment. Congress has many more important things to do than interrogate an entire nonprofit newsroom because lawmakers speculate that disagreement with their opinions must evidence a conspiracy. The committee has not identified any alleged unlawful conduct by BreakThrough or any legitimate legislative purpose for its investigation. People who themselves hold controversial political views should understand the risk of normalizing fishing expeditions targeting dissent.”

Read the letter here, and please contact us if you would like further comment.

Freedom of the Press Foundation

Granite City Schools Receive More Than 4,500 Winter Items

Riverbender 🕸
2 weeks 3 days ago
GRANITE CITY - Granite City School District 9 has received more than 4,500 cold-weather items, including hats and gloves, to help keep students across the district warm this winter and in years to come. The donation consisted of six pallets of gear from Aquarius, Ltd., H3 Sportgear and San Diego Hat Co., according to a district announcement. The district did not specify when the items were received. The donation has a hometown connection: Granite City native Brandy Harrison is director

Rachelle Bauerle Promises Service and Visibility in Run for Madison County Clerk and Recorder

Riverbender 🕸
2 weeks 3 days ago
MADISON COUNTY - As Election Day approaches, Madison County Clerk and Recorder candidate Rachelle Bauerle is sharing her mission with voters. The County Clerk and Recorder handles “all of your most important documentation,” Bauerle explained, from birth, death and marriage certificates to deeds and plat maps. The office also oversees elections in Madison County. Bauerle noted that her goals, if elected, are to increase the office’s visibility and act as a public servant.

Stabbing Leaves One Person Stable as Deputies Investigate

Riverbender 🕸
2 weeks 3 days ago
GODFREY — A person was stabbed during a disturbance Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in the 400 block of Bachman Lane, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of a stabbing at about 4:42 p.m. Saturday, Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said. The victim was reported in stable condition. Law enforcement has contacted everyone involved, and they all know each other, Pulido said. The case remains under investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.