While the media keeps obsessing over Washington D.C., the real action is taking place far outside the bubble of political slights, conspiracy theories and obsessive government leaks. The real action is happening in factory towns, in coal mines, and yes, even far abroad. The media doesn’t dwell on these stories. It ignores them where it can. It buries them on Page 9A or Page 22B.

Here’s an example.

The U.S. confirmed on Sunday that coalition forces killed the self-proclaimed leader of the Afghan branch of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The U.S. launched an airstrike in the eastern part of the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on Aug. 25, resulting in the death of the terrorist group’s leader in the country, Abu Saad Orakzai, the U.S. said.

The most recent strike marks the third time an ISIS leader in Afghanistan has been killed by U.S. forces, according to the release.

That ought to be news. But instead the media will run a dozen stories trying to squeeze every last implication, drop of innuendo and facial expression analysis from McCain’s funeral, from the latest Mueller move and whatever else is currently occupying the media.