The first four years and the next four years of Popular Information
popular.info
"To write the truth as I see it; to defend the weak against the strong; to fight for justice; and to seek, as best I can, to bring healing perspectives to bear on the terrible hates and fears of mankind…" That is how investigative reporter I.F. Stone, who died in 1989,
Happy 4th anniversary of Popular Information, Judd! You are far and away one of my few go-to sources for actual news. You and your team consistently report such important news, and because the reporting (and your reputation) is so impeccable, you regularly get quoted by subsequent reporting on the very subject by much larger outlets. That's impressive! Here's to another 4 years (at least) of excellence!
I subscribe to several Substack writers, each for different reasons. Heather Cox Richardson was the first, recommended by a friend. After a long while reading her free, I was moved to change to a paid subscription for many reasons, not least of which reading her previous day's post had become the first thing I did every morning. I subscribed to Dan Rather's Steady and still receive it by email. By one of the participants in that forum several other Substack writers were recommended. Two that I felt compelled to support with a paid subscription were Jessica Craven and you.
I subscribed to Jessica Craven because in a time when the news tends to breed a sense of helplessness, a feeling that it is all too big to even deal with, she gave her subscribers daily activities that could be done easily and quickly. The benefits of being able to "do something" have been profound. Besides the relief of doing something more than standing by, it was empowering to know that I was part of a larger group of people. I even saw results of the group communications to lawmakers and others in the news. Often, one of her letters or scripts would inform me of an issue I didn't even know existed. I definitely wanted her to be able to continue, so did a paid subscription right away.
I don't remember what led me to my first exposure to Popular Information. Maybe I saw you on Twitter. It didn't take long to appreciate the almost visceral relief I experienced reading your journalism. Not opinion. Not spin. Just information. New information. Actionable information. Truth for heaven's sake!! And the power it has had to create change, to push powerful people to have to make significant shifts, is so awesome!! So thank you so much for what you do, and for those other news sources who are wise enough to pick up your reporting and run with it. Live long and prosper!!
I can't wait to see how we can get Popular Information from 183k subscribers to over 1M. Or help catch up to say Morning Brew, who has 3.5M subscribers. This group of passionate readers can help make that happen! 🚀
Hi Judd, I started reading thinkprogress back in the day, with knowledge of corporate media’s biased reporting of Iraq & Afghanistan wars (favoring a sanitized pro-US republican narrative) fresh in my mind. That is why I signed up for popular information a year or so ago.
I’ve been impressed and encouraged by what you & your colleagues have accomplished by following the money and using information to hold powerful people to account in an overwhelming cultural climate of greed and arrogance from the top.
Thank you for your commitment and excellence in journalism. I don’t think I’ve missed reading one because they are so engaging and deep. We will continue to spread the word so you can keep going. I was lucky to have found you in the beginning of your newsletter. I don’t remember how but I believed I subscribed right away based on reading a few of them.
Hi Judd, Your reporting is indispensable and a vital part of my daily “startup”. One of your stories being picked up by the New York Times is how I first heard about you, actually. Happy Anniversary and keep up the good work!
Very glad "Popular Information" has been so successful, Judd.
You remain one of the best at journalism that moves powerful people to act.
Keep that up.
Happy 4th anniversary of Popular Information, Judd! You are far and away one of my few go-to sources for actual news. You and your team consistently report such important news, and because the reporting (and your reputation) is so impeccable, you regularly get quoted by subsequent reporting on the very subject by much larger outlets. That's impressive! Here's to another 4 years (at least) of excellence!
Thank you for making a difference in this crazy world
Bravo!
So much hypocrisy; so little time. Thank you!
I subscribe to several Substack writers, each for different reasons. Heather Cox Richardson was the first, recommended by a friend. After a long while reading her free, I was moved to change to a paid subscription for many reasons, not least of which reading her previous day's post had become the first thing I did every morning. I subscribed to Dan Rather's Steady and still receive it by email. By one of the participants in that forum several other Substack writers were recommended. Two that I felt compelled to support with a paid subscription were Jessica Craven and you.
I subscribed to Jessica Craven because in a time when the news tends to breed a sense of helplessness, a feeling that it is all too big to even deal with, she gave her subscribers daily activities that could be done easily and quickly. The benefits of being able to "do something" have been profound. Besides the relief of doing something more than standing by, it was empowering to know that I was part of a larger group of people. I even saw results of the group communications to lawmakers and others in the news. Often, one of her letters or scripts would inform me of an issue I didn't even know existed. I definitely wanted her to be able to continue, so did a paid subscription right away.
I don't remember what led me to my first exposure to Popular Information. Maybe I saw you on Twitter. It didn't take long to appreciate the almost visceral relief I experienced reading your journalism. Not opinion. Not spin. Just information. New information. Actionable information. Truth for heaven's sake!! And the power it has had to create change, to push powerful people to have to make significant shifts, is so awesome!! So thank you so much for what you do, and for those other news sources who are wise enough to pick up your reporting and run with it. Live long and prosper!!
Glad to have been a subscriber from the start!
I can't wait to see how we can get Popular Information from 183k subscribers to over 1M. Or help catch up to say Morning Brew, who has 3.5M subscribers. This group of passionate readers can help make that happen! 🚀
Hi Judd, I started reading thinkprogress back in the day, with knowledge of corporate media’s biased reporting of Iraq & Afghanistan wars (favoring a sanitized pro-US republican narrative) fresh in my mind. That is why I signed up for popular information a year or so ago.
I’ve been impressed and encouraged by what you & your colleagues have accomplished by following the money and using information to hold powerful people to account in an overwhelming cultural climate of greed and arrogance from the top.
Thank you.
Wonderful job, Judd - thank you.
Looking forward to the next 4 years!
Congratulations and thank you, Judd! Looking forward to more truth.
Thank you for your commitment and excellence in journalism. I don’t think I’ve missed reading one because they are so engaging and deep. We will continue to spread the word so you can keep going. I was lucky to have found you in the beginning of your newsletter. I don’t remember how but I believed I subscribed right away based on reading a few of them.
Popular Information is a MUST read! Thank you for all you do!
Hi Judd, Your reporting is indispensable and a vital part of my daily “startup”. One of your stories being picked up by the New York Times is how I first heard about you, actually. Happy Anniversary and keep up the good work!
Happy 4th! Thank you, Judd, for providing us with journalism as it should be. I read a few sources for news and you're at the top of my list.