TheLine.Info Year in Review 2025

by Jacob Rueda

As 2025 comes to a close, TheLine.Info takes a moment to reflect on the stories that shaped public debate and local action this year. Alongside these events, this year marked a shift in our storytelling approach. 

For the first time, we experimented with YouTube Shorts, presenting information in quick, accessible formats. Additionally, operations director Dr. Joseph Arrington launched his ongoing series “Healthcare Corner” on our YouTube channel, offering insights into health policy and the realities of the healthcare system.

Although there weren’t as many face-to-face interviews as the year before, publication on the website, social media, and YouTube remained steady. The important thing has always been to keep people informed with reliable information. The focus has always been, and will continue to be, quality over quantity. 

The year began slowly, with our first piece on gun legislation appearing in February. Momentum built in March, when Jayden Laursen, drawing on his experience inside Utah’s legislature, sat with TheLine.Info to discuss the workings and shortcomings of Utah’s Capitol Hill.

March also brought action beyond the chamber. Utahns gathered at the State Capitol to protest cuts to essential scientific research. National attention turned to the demolition of a mural memorializing individuals who died during police interactions. We documented the before and after of the murals, and the voices of families whose loved ones were depicted.

In April, men’s mental health came to the forefront. A video on sexual violence against men presented statistics and personal accounts, underscoring the impact of these often‑silenced experiences.

After a lull in May, June saw renewed energy. TheLine.Info celebrated its two-year anniversary. 

Protesters returned to Capitol Hill, as well as Downtown Ogden, during one of many “No Kings” rallies held throughout the year, challenging federal actions and asserting civic resistance.

Due to a delay, a February interview with Rep. Matt MacPherson and local business owner Beau Maxon went live in June. Both of them discussed the ban on flavored vape juice in the state, as well as the economic and legislative impact of the ban.

Looking outside of Utah, the government’s crackdown on illegal immigration took a toll on cities like Los Angeles. TheLine.Info covered the impact remotely, speaking with L.A. residents Jairo Parra and Ralph Guerrero, who saw first hand how the raids impacted living for businesses and residents alike.

In July, the topic of meme culture and its influence on addressing injustice was covered in a web exclusive. Later that month, Ben Hart, the director of the state's controversial Inland Port Authority, spoke about the agency's contentious nature, addressed common misconceptions, and outlined future plans for economic development in Utah.

At a civic gathering at the Salt Lake City and County Building on August 2nd, TheLine.Info witnessed a rare performance by the legendary Boston band, The Dropkick Murphys. This was TheLine.Info's first coverage of a live music event and the video has since become the most viewed on its YouTube channel.

A guest piece submitted to TheLine.Info examined the difficulties of navigating Utah’s workers' compensation system. Additionally, there has been ongoing planning for a series on law enforcement, and an update was provided on the progress and frustrations encountered along the way.

August also saw the start of a new web series titled “Healthcare Corner,” hosted by TheLine.Info’s own Dr. Joseph Arrington. The series tackles the ins and outs of the healthcare industry from an insider’s perspective, laying it down in a way that provides clarity on a convoluted and misunderstood topic.

In September, Arrington addressed the topic of innovation’s impact on patient care. The legality of police filming and recording people was covered after a web series by the Utah Department of Public Safety featured a video of a woman complaining about a camera crew during a traffic stop.

In a rare move, TheLine.Info published an editorial advocating for improved journalistic coverage through increased interviews. Tragically, in mid-October, a prominent figure in Utah’s news landscape, Paul Nelson, passed away from pancreatic cancer. TheLine.Info honored his legacy with a tribute.

For the penultimate month, Healthcare Corner tackled clinician burnout and how that impacts treatment and care. Three fact-checking videos in the “Fact or Fiction” series were published addressing the veracity of specific online claims. 

A timely article on food waste was published, highlighting not only the associated problems but also existing solutions. Finally, a closer examination of how a symbol of police solidarity became politicized was featured.

This year showed that even modest output can carry weight when it is deliberate and principled. As we move into 2026, TheLine.Info will continue refining how information is presented and delivered, keeping quality at the center of our work while exploring new ways to reach and engage readers.