The Best Free Press Stories of 2025
Our investigation into Qatar’s influence operation in America was one of many stories we’re proud of this year. (Illustration by The Free Press, images via Getty)
We had a busy year. Here is some of the work we’re proudest of.
49
The Free Press has had a busy year. As we prepare to ring in the new year, we’re proud of all our hard work, a little tired, and—above all else—grateful to you, the reader, for making all of this possible. To round out 2025, we want to round up some of what we think were our best stories of the last 12 months.
Here are some of the stories that helped us see through the fog, separated right from wrong, challenged our views, made us laugh, or made us cry. In short, they’re stories we think are worth revisiting—or reading for the first time, if you missed them when they were published. And if you’re not a paid subscriber to The Free Press, please consider upgrading today to support more journalism like this in 2026.
Happy New Year!
Essays that Made Sense of the World
Investigations that Drove the Conversation
Reflections on Birth, Death, and What Comes in Between
Editorials that Diagnosed the Country—and Offered Moral Clarity
Profiles of People Who Matter
Features that Made Us Think
Interviews and Debates Featuring People with Skin in the Game
I guessed you missed that your world view was rejected by the voters Nov. 2024. Evidently their intelligence is too far above yours for you to understand. And really, 250000 illegal unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border, many gjven by the Biden’s administration to child porn producers, sexual slavery and other types of abuse. That would be your legacy as a decent person? No thanks, a monsters like you with all your self righteousness BS, is still a monster
Thumbs up to the curators of this list. Oh, and the authors too! My favorites have been Larissa, Peter, and the Coleman/Shiloh bros.
Also, honorable shoutouts to the Things Worth Remembering posters (sans the one about Taylor Swift's music). Doesn't make me not miss the insights offered by Douglas on some things, but it has gotten really thoughtful over the course of the year, which I appreciate a lot.... And where's Nellie?? I feel like Nellie (when not busy being pregnant or having ghost writers) should be on this list somewhere.