It might just be turn of phrase but staring at news won't help. Reading it, thinking about it, rereading and questioning it are my preferred techniques (depending on time). Failing that pun-spotting.
Maybe after Newsjacks finished (Not sure people would share as much while its on) we should choose a single news topic and all try writing jokes/sketch ideas on the same thing - sharing the thought process that got us there? I always fear some jokes are 'too obvious' then find other people haven't thought of them at all - I'm sure it'd prove interesting.