Crossword Genius

I'm elated spreading this top story (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lead item

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'spreading this top story' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'i'm elated' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'i'm' could be 'i' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'i' is found within the answer.
an anagram of 'elated' is 'leadte' which is within the left over letters.
A single letter 'm' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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