XML Sitemap & Google News writes its configuration to wp_options under xmlsf_news_tags and related keys, and per-post flags to wp_postmeta (commonly _xmlsf_news_exclude and _xmlsf_news_genres). The plugin reads both at generation time to decide which posts go into the standard sitemap and which appear in the Google News sitemap.

The default admin gives a settings screen for the news rules and a per-post meta box for genres, exclusions, and stock tickers. Validating which posts will land in the next news sitemap is impossible from a single screen. Editors who need to confirm that a breaking story shipped and that an archive piece stayed excluded have to click into each post individually.

SleekView reads wp_posts joined with the plugin's postmeta keys and the resolved options, then renders one grid that mirrors the next news sitemap. Inline edits to news exclusion, genre, or stock ticker write back through standard postmeta updates and the next sitemap rebuild reflects the change.

XML Sitemap & Google News does the technical job: it emits a valid news sitemap with genre and publication date metadata. The operational job is harder. News editors need to confirm, on deadline, that today's posts shipped to the news sitemap with the right genres and that yesterday's evergreen posts dropped out.

The plugin's settings screen and per-post meta box are the wrong shape for that confirmation. Editors end up clicking through individual posts at the exact moment they have the least time. SleekView reads the same news postmeta the plugin reads and renders it as a grid scoped to recent publication windows.

Genre, section, news status, standard sitemap status, and publication date all become sortable columns. The plugin still owns the XML output and the Google News submission. SleekView just gives the newsroom a deadline-grade audit surface that the default admin does not provide.