Axios reports “the level of news consumption in 2021 took a nosedive following historic highs in 2020,” notes Grumpy Editor.
“Despite a slew of major stories, readers have retrenched further in 2022,” it adds.
"The war in Ukraine, a series of deadly mass shootings, the Jan. 6 hearings and the Supreme Court's revocation of abortion rights haven't been able to capture the same level of attention spurred by the onset of the pandemic and the 2020 election,” Axios adds.
It finds cable viewership on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC on average is down 19 percent in prime time for the first half of 2022, compared with the like period last year.
Axios also points out visits to the top five U.S. web sites dropped while engagement on social media with news articles cratered over the past six months.
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…
USPS AIMS FOR MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES. The U.S. Postal Service plans to "substantially increase" the number of electric-powered vehicles it is buying to replace its aging delivery trucks. It plans 50 percent of its initial purchase of 50,00o next-generation vehicles to be electric.
WITH HEAT, MOVIE CHAIN OFFERS REDHEADS FREE TICKETS. As an unusual heat wave sees temperatures in the United Kingdom topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Showcase Cinemas movie theater chain offers redheads free tickets to a movie of their choice when temperatures hit 104 degrees.
ARMY STRUGGLES TO FIND RECRUITS. The Army will fail to meet its goal by up to 28,000 soldiers this fiscal year, falling to a force of between 445,000 and 452,000 troops by Sept. 30. However, it still aims to finish the fiscal year with 455,000 soldiers despite ongoing recruitment struggles.
FOX NEWS CHANNEL SKIPS JAN. 6 COMMITTEE SESSION. Missing from last Thursday’s TV coverage of the House’s Jan. 6 committee focusing on former President Donald Trump’s actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S.Capitol action was the top-rated news network, Fox News Channel. It stuck with its own lineup of commentators in regular programming.
MAN’S NECK WRAPPED BY SNAKE. Police were called to a Fogelsville home in Pennsylvania for a man in cardiac arrest with a Snake wrapped around his neck. When officers arrived at the house, the 28-year-old was lying on the floor unresponsive, with the middle portion of a large snake wrapped around his neck. They shot the snake, saving the man it was strangling.
MASSIVE SEA TURTLE GOES OFF COURSE. In Melbourne Beach, Florida, a massive green sea turtle wandered onto a beachfront patio and needed help from rescuers to find its way back to sea. After hours stuck on the patio the turtle made its way back to the ocean after being carried in a harness away from the home and over the dunes.
BLUE ANGELS WELCOMES FEMALE TO TEAM. The Blue Angels, famed Navy flight demonstration squadron, welcomes Navy Lt. Amanda Lee, its first female to the team. She is named alongside five other officers as newest members of the squadron.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY ON ENDANGERED LIST. The Monarch butterfly is close to extinction. Scientists put the orange and black insect on the endangered list. It is one of the world’s most recognizable butterflies.
HEMINGWAY LOOK-ALIKE CONTEST ATTRACTS 135. The annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West, Florida marks the famed author’s 123rd anniversary. This year’s competition attracted 135 portly, bearded men.
