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Greetings All,
On a recent classroom visit to the Lookout newsroom in downtown Eugene, we asked a group of students how they feel about “the news,” and whether they keep up with current events. The common refrain? They felt there’s too much doom and gloom, and it seems like there’s not much they can do with that information at this point in their lives.
After acknowledging that yes, keeping up with the news can feel heavy, we talked about why their engagement does matter. Students’ opinions, questions, and perspectives have real value—and learning to engage thoughtfully with the news now helps build the skills needed to understand how issues affect them, participate in civic life, and shape the world they want to live in.
During their visit, students met with Lookout photojournalist Isaac Wasserman, Arts & Culture reporter Annie Aguiar, and Environment & Health reporter Ashli Blow, gaining insight into different beats and approaches to local reporting. It was energizing to watch connections click as students recognized themselves and their interests reflected in the stories being told.
Empowering young people to engage civically often starts with conversation, and with introducing perspectives they may not encounter elsewhere. Seeing students’ eyes light up as they connected local journalism to their own experiences was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Newsroom tours are available as a field trip for you and your students—please reach out to me at olivia@lookoutlocal.com if you’re interested in scheduling one!
I hope you enjoy today’s story selections, beginning with the third installment of an incredible three-part series on food insecurity in Lane County.
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Featured Story of the Week
What it takes to feed the hungry
By Lauren Kessler
December 14, 2025
There are a vast number and diversity of agencies and groups involved in the effort to keep people fed in Lane County — from a two-acre farm to an international bulk retailer, from Native American tribes to Boy Scouts troops, from […]
Classroom Discussion Questions: This article uses detailed storytelling rather than quick statistics or urgency-based framing.
- How does that approach affect your trust in the information?
- Do you think this kind of reporting is effective in helping the public understand complex local issues? Why or why not?
- How might tone and structure of reporting shape understanding?
Latest from the Lookout Newsroom
Here’s a roundup of recent articles you could use in your classroom. Use our Current Event Discussion Guide for an easy way to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
Two Santas, both alike in jolliness
By Grace Chinowsky and Annie Aguiar
December 12, 2025
Hearing the earnest wishes of children is serious business. Two Eugene St. Nicks — including a veteran Santa in Birkenstocks and a rookie Santa in a fake beard — talked about what it takes to ho-ho-ho with the best of […]
Lane County commissioners weigh options for recycling facility and landfill
By Ben Botkin
December 11, 2025
Lane County commissioners will face decisions in the weeks ahead about a recycling facility site and methane gas conversion. The county’s CleanLane recycling project has been in the works for years.
‘I wish he didn’t get eaten’: Students set baby salmon off on perilous journey to the sea
By Annie Aguiar
December 12, 2025
After growing salmon from eggs and learning about their life cycle and importance to Oregon, 4J students released the fish into the wild at Alton Baker Park.
Latest Education & Statewide News
Lilly St. Angelo is Lookout’s dedicated education correspondent. Find more education coverage from her and our partners here. Do you have a story idea for Lilly? Contact her here.
Mississippi’s reading turnaround may hold lessons for Oregon schools
By James Neff / Oregon Journalism Project
December 13, 2025
Mississippi’s increase in fourth grade reading test scores — from worst nationally to first — was based on “science-based” curriculum and more centralized control of curriculum. Some say, Oregon lags in both areas.
Purple sneakers and 15,000 steps a day: Willamette High principal keeps on the move
By Lilly St. Angelo
December 10, 2025
Alyssa Dodds delivers coffee to teachers, chats up students, aims to inspire more women to become leaders, has a “desk” she can roll around the school — oh, and after hours she’s working on a Ph.D.
Educator Resources
- Download the Lookout Media Literacy Guide
- Download the Current Event Discussion Guide & Discussion Questions
- Browse our curated list of Additional Resources
- Featured resource of the week: KQED Learn
Your students can set up their free high school student memberships here.
Thank you for supporting Lookout for Teachers. We hope these articles and resources foster thoughtful discussion about events and issues across our community, and inspire your students to engage where they can.
Happy reading,
Olivia