macOS - spctl command - disabled list with News.app - app still runs
Ended up setting chflags hidden for the apps I wanted to block. 

Details are here (thanks to bogdanw):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/spctl-command-gatekeeper-disabled-list-with-news-app-app-still-runs.2226594/

Long and short:


First, with admin account create aliases to apps that will be hidden.
In recovery mode, set chflags hidden for app that are to be hidden.