Why do we keep scrolling through headlines that only make us feel worse?

In this bonus episode of On Assignment, guest host Nari Han—a researcher who explores why people disengage from news and what brings them back—guides us through the emotional and behavioral terrain of doomscrolling. With insights from research at the University of California, Harvard Health, and the Steinman Institute, Han explains how our brains are wired for bad news—and how that constant exposure can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, and even misanthropic.

But there’s a way out.

This episode explores how local journalism, solutions reporting, and creative engagement strategies are helping audiences move from information fatigue to civic joy. Han unpacks evidence-based approaches that rebuild trust, highlight community strengths, and foster participation—offering listeners practical steps to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever felt consumed by the news but unsure how to break the cycle, this is the episode for you.

Produced by Robert Sterner for The Assignment Desk.

Next up on On Assignment: The Power of the Crowd: Reimagining Community Storytelling Submissions.

What if local news could do more than report problems—what if it could inspire action and connection?

In this episode, host Liz Cochrane speaks with Nari Han about the growing disconnect many people feel when faced with a relentless stream of bad news. Together, they explore how the concept of "civic joy" offers a new path forward: storytelling that builds trust, reflects community resilience, and invites meaningful engagement.

We explore:

• How constant negativity fuels disconnection
• The shift “upstream from news” toward actionable, human-centered information
• What “solutions journalism” looks like in local practice
• How storytelling can foster trust, civic pride, and agency
• Real-world ideas: community spotlights, story skill shares, and neighborhood idea labs

Tune in to hear how reimagining the role of news can transform doomscrolling into a shared sense of purpose.

In this special bonus episode of On Assignment, Malcolm Redd steps into the host chair to explore the financial future of local journalism. As advertising dollars vanish into the coffers of Big Tech, newsrooms are scrambling to find sustainable models—from reader-funded startups and journalist-owned cooperatives to nonprofit newsrooms and public benefit corporations.

Drawing on examples from Defector to Lookout Santa Cruz, and from Canadian policy to U.S. tax credits, Malcolm breaks down the innovative ownership structures and funding strategies reshaping the local news landscape. It’s a wide-ranging look at who pays for the news now—and what it might take to keep journalism alive where it’s needed most.