diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 24946ba..29c7968 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@
 go.work
 
 *.db
+*.db-journal
 *.log
diff --git a/services/news/Dockerfile b/services/news/Dockerfile
index 8cde082..e782a77 100644
--- a/services/news/Dockerfile
+++ b/services/news/Dockerfile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-FROM python:3.9-alpine
+FROM python:3.11-alpine
 
 RUN mkdir -p /app
 WORKDIR /app
diff --git a/services/news/app/server.py b/services/news/app/server.py
index 7bdb06f..ee0de63 100644
--- a/services/news/app/server.py
+++ b/services/news/app/server.py
@@ -18,7 +18,11 @@ def root():
 @server.route("/news/story/<item_id>/link")
 def story_link(item_id):
     details = fetch_details_for_story(item_id)
-    favorited = repo.get_item(item_id) or False
+
+    favorited = repo.get_item(item_id)
+    if favorited is None:
+        favorited = False
+
     return render_template("_story_link.html", details=details, favorited=favorited)
 
 @server.route("/news/story/<item_id>/details")