I use newspapers from Albuquerque, Santa Fe and other towns. A variety from different towns allows students to experience subjects from different viewpoints. Parents are a great source. This is a year-long weekly activity. I start with having students clip complete articles from current newspapers.
Students take question answers and rewrite the article from another viewpoint.
I record television and radio broadcasts for classroom use. Students create a cartoon on a current news topic. Students can write editorials and letters to the editor. Also, encourage students to write letters to elected officials. This is a great homework activity.