5:07 pm - April 23, 2025
USA Today rolls out Witness, which offers investigative stories and podcasts on crime and corruption in the US.
USA Today has launched Witness, a new subscription-based true-crime service, aimed at providing readers with a comprehensive collection of investigative journalism stories, videos and podcasts focused on crime and corruption within the United States.
The service debuted on Tuesday and positions itself as a premier destination for true-crime enthusiasts and those interested in narratives that reveal the human experiences behind criminal events.
Its fortunes will be closely followed as it could suggest a way for news companies to profitably exploit their archives and areas with which consumers have a strong affinity.
Monica Richardson, senior vice president of USA Today, said: “Witness is now the premier true crime collection backed by investigative journalism across the USA Today Network.” She highlighted the dedication of local journalists who invest extensive time, sometimes years, into unearthing stories that impact their communities. This commitment not only aims to expose crimes, but also seeks to humanise victims and hold institutions accountable for their actions.
Subscribers to Witness will have access to a diverse range of gripping narratives. Among the featured stories is the case of Josie Berrios, a transgender woman from New York, who died in a fire set by her boyfriend at a construction site where she sought shelter. Another story focuses on Rachel Glass, a mother from Arizona, who has spent nearly 15 years searching for answers surrounding her daughter’s murder. The service also recounts the extraordinary true tale of the Cocaine Bear, which has inspired a recent comedy horror film.
The subscription fee for Witness is set at $4.99 per month, placing it within a budget-friendly range for consumers interested in true-crime content.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://witness.usatoday.com/get-started – This URL supports the claim that USA TODAY has launched WITNESS, a true-crime platform offering in-depth investigations and stories. It also mentions the subscription model and the variety of content available.
- https://witness.usatoday.com – This URL corroborates the existence of WITNESS as a one-stop-shop for true-crime stories, podcasts, and videos, emphasizing its role as a premier destination for true-crime enthusiasts.
- https://www.tiktok.com/@usatoday/video/7480943903475059999 – This TikTok video promotes WITNESS, highlighting its launch and appeal to true-crime fans, which aligns with the article’s description of the service.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is mentioned as the source of the article, though it does not directly corroborate specific claims about WITNESS. It serves as a reference for the overall narrative.
- https://www.usatoday.com – This URL represents the broader USA TODAY network, which supports the claim that WITNESS is backed by extensive investigative journalism resources across the USA TODAY Network.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, referencing a new service launch without any outdated references. However, no specific date is mentioned for the launch beyond ‘Tuesday’, which could be clarified.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Monica Richardson’s quote is included, but no earlier reference to this exact quote could be found online. This suggests it might be an original statement, but without further context, it’s difficult to confirm.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Yahoo News, which is generally a reliable source. However, the original source of the information is USA TODAY, a well-established and reputable publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about launching a new true-crime service are plausible, especially given the trend of subscription models in media. The specific stories mentioned, like the Cocaine Bear, are known and align with true-crime interests.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and well-supported by reliable sources. The quotes seem original, and the claims about the service launch are plausible. Overall, the information presented is likely accurate and trustworthy.
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