First half is brainrot Then a letter and number Glowing in lightbulbs

I hold ships steady, headlines ready, and keep your thoughts from drifting away. One sinks deep, one speaks the news, one keeps you grounded when you lose.

Find me at your core, Or through which an African or Indian beast would snore, Or in which your clothing to store, Or from which a mighty oak's branches can soar. If you add eight to me I sound awfully short. What am I ?

Possible words using its letters: Try,rout,card,tardy,curry, ray,outcry,curator There is no valid anagram using all its letters It's related to buildings

I can either direct or mislead; Be a symbol of gratitude or displeasure; Or cause something to be displaced A bit of a dump; Or a point of something slender.