What We Need to Know: Press Access, Gas Prices, and a Legacy That Still Inspires

Sybil Wilkes is back with What We Need To Know, cutting through the noise to deliver the news that matters most to our community. This week’s “What We Need to Know” segment spanned press freedom, political courage, everyday costs, faith, and a tribute to a trailblazer whose legacy still lifts us today. Here’s what you need to carry with you.

A Standoff Over Press Access

Reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico said Saturday they were all denied access to White House grounds following a social media ban. Executive leadership pointed to dissatisfaction with critical coverage as the reason for pulling their credentials. Media organizations and press freedom advocates pushed back hard, warning that restricting reporters over unfavorable coverage threatens the public’s right to know. For a community that has long relied on a free and fearless press to tell our stories, this fight hits close to home.