This week’s edition covers stories
from September 18th to September 24th, 2025.
Today’s issue is 690 words, a 5-minute read
Hey folks, Isabella here.
Fall in Minnesota is here: one day it’s flannel weather, the next you’re sweating in a hoodie. Just like the temps, the headlines are all over the place. From Kimmel’s culture-war drama to the Lynx collapse and Gen Z’s Google breakup, here’s what you need to know.
Kimmelgate: Disney’s Messy
Free Speech Drama
Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden suspension — and equally sudden reinstatement — is the latest front in America’s culture wars, and it says as much about Disney as it does about late-night TV. After Kimmel cracked on-air about Donald Trump and MAGA’s reaction to the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Disney yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The fallout was instant: boycotts, Hollywood outrage, ACLU letters, even Sarah McLachlan protest songs. For a hot minute, it looked like Disney had sacrificed free speech at the altar of politics and FCC pressure.
By Monday morning, though, Bob Iger and Dana Walden greenlit his return. The optics? Messy. The speed at which Disney pulled him, and then walked it back, raises questions about whether the company bends too easily to political pressure. Affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar are still refusing to air the show, proving the fight isn’t over.
Why it matters: Disney’s creative class (actors, writers, directors) are its lifeblood, and they saw Kimmel’s suspension as a chilling sign. Iger’s legacy, already on a countdown clock, is now tied to how he handles free speech under fire. This isn’t just late-night drama, it’s about the future of corporate courage in the culture war era.
Mercury Rise, Lynx Fall: OT Heartbreaker
The Phoenix Mercury stunned the Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in overtime Tuesday, erasing a 20-point deficit to even their WNBA semifinal series 1-1. Satou Sabally (24 points, nine rebounds) and Alyssa Thomas (19 points, 14 after halftime) fueled the rally, capped by Sami Whitcomb’s clutch three with four seconds left. Phoenix never trailed in OT, completing just their second win in franchise history after trailing by 15+ at halftime.
For Minnesota, the collapse was self-inflicted. Despite leading 79-76 with 20 seconds left, the Lynx failed to foul, missed key rebounds, and committed late turnovers. Coach Cheryl Reeve called the breakdown “uncharacteristic,” while Napheesa Collier, who scored 24, admitted, “We beat ourselves.”
Next steps are clear: regain composure in crunch time, clean up rebounding and turnover issues, and reestablish offensive flow around Collier. Instead of seizing control, the Lynx head to Phoenix tied, forced to prove their resilience if they want to reclaim momentum.
Gen Z Dumps Google: Social Is the New Search
Gen Z is breaking up with Google. A Forbes study shows they use the search giant 25% less than Gen X, with only 64% using search engines for brand names versus 94% of Boomers. Instead, 24% of people now primarily search through social media, with TikTok and YouTube increasingly acting like Google replacements. Nearly half of Gen Z discover new brands daily on social platforms.
The platforms know it: in July 2025, Instagram head Adam Mosseri confirmed professional posts are now indexed on Google, meaning Reels, carousels, and feeds show up in search. TikTok and Pinterest have done the same, blurring lines between social feeds and search engines. Social isn’t just for scrolling—it’s a discovery engine shaping what people buy, eat, and wear.
For businesses, the message is clear: optimize for social SEO. Video, captions, and hashtags are the new keywords. The future of search is visual, algorithmic, and deeply social.
Here are 5 short social SEO tips for brands:
Cross-pollinate – Sync posts so TikTok, IG, and Pinterest all point back to your brand in Google results.
Think like hashtags, not headlines – Pack captions with keywords people would actually type into search.
Video = visibility – TikTok, Reels, and Shorts dominate discovery; make them snappy and searchable.
Alt text is hot now – Use descriptive alt text on IG and Pinterest for better indexing.
Answer, don’t advertise – Post content that solves questions (“best brunch in Uptown”) instead of just selling.
Council Showdown: Five Minneapolis
Races to Watch
All 13 Minneapolis City Council seats are on the ballot Nov. 4, but five competitive races could reshape the city’s balance of power. Voters will decide whether the council leans toward Mayor Jacob Frey’s allies or the progressive bloc that’s often overridden his vetoes. Key contests include open seats in Wards 5, 8, and 11, plus challenges to incumbents in Wards 7 and 10. The stakes: housing, homelessness, public safety, property taxes, and the city’s political future.
📖 Read the full breakdown at the Star Tribune
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Isabella and the NewPrensa team
Advertisements
Hi, friend: Mateo here!
I’m a Communications Specialist by day and
gardening by night!
Do you enjoy reading NewPrensa?
Forward it to someone you think may enjoy it too!
Got suggestions, feedback, or a good scoop?
Send it to us at newprensa@newpublica.com or message us on instagram @newprensa
If someone sent this newsletter your way, feel free to subscribe to get local, BIPOC news delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning.
