From Paul Bonner:

I’ve been keeping a list. It seems to me that verbs are the part
of speech that most often become hackneyed in newswriting. I think
it must be to cover up the lack of any concrete action in most stories:

spark (as in: “The commissioner’s action sparked a lively
debate among those who signed up to speak at the meeting.”)

spearhead (as in: “Pfalphzer spearheaded the fund-raising
drive.”

ax (as in: “The item was axed from the budget”)

tapped (for “chosen,” as in: “Klutzwater was tapped
for the position.”)

scramble (as in: “Officials were left scrambling. …”)

nestle (as in: “Nestled between a railroad trestle and
a gulch, the seedy cafe makes what must surely be its last stand.”)