Connections.
The institution of a newspaper or as we now say "news enterprise" has always had that connection with its audience, its readers.
People from Johannes Gutenberg to Bill Gates have made the connections faster and more convenient, but the old fashioned gathering of news and spreading it to people who think it's relevant is a craft that will always be around.
Take the story Free Press reporter Mark Fischenich did a few weeks back on people in the Mankato area finding where their uncle was buried after being killed in the Normandy invasion during World War II.
It was an amazing story of people finding their past through the power of the Internet. It was a story of history and how average people in Europe still remember the day the Americans freed them from tyranny of the Nazis.
They not only remember, they act. They now tend the graves of those U.S. soldiers.
That family we profiled took calls from others who read the story, wanting to know how they might find their own relatives who died in Europe in World War II.
I was one of those who was curious as well. I never knew my uncle John E. Spear, my Dad's brother. But we knew he was killed in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec, 29, 1944.
The Bulge was one of the most brutal and horrific battles of World War II. My father's side of the family, including my father, have been dead 15-20 years, before I had a real interest in finding out more about my uncle.
Luckily, my older sister had heard he was buried in a cemetery in Luxembourg, but didn't know where. She remembered my other uncle going to visit his grave.
We didn't know if he was the one of thousands of U.S. soldiers killed in that battle that couldn't be identified.
The story on the local family got me to searching on the Internet. Sure enough, the American Battle Monuments Memorial organization tends and operates numerous U.S. military cemeteries in Europe. I looked up Luxembourg's American military cemetery and found a searchable database of all who were buried there.
I searched by state. Minnesota had a handful of soldiers killed. Halfway down, was the name John E. Spear, his rank, date of death, and the location of his grave. He was awarded a Purple Heart.
My goal will be to visit that grave some day, to have a connection, and maybe write another story so someone else can find their connections as well.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Changing role of the newspaper
Newspapers have throughout their history adopted different levels of community involvement, from rampant muckraking to community booster.
For years in the early part of the century, newspaper publishers were often the spark that brought different factions of the community together to get things done. That's been more the role of smaller newspapers versus the large metro area. Hence many smaller newspapers come to be known as "community newspapers."
The Free Press is considered a "community newspaper," but hasn't really made clear to the community what causes are worthy of their attention. When we've taken up causes on editorial page, we haven't really tracked the progress of those community efforts.
It's something you're likely to see more of in the near future.
The Free Press is participating in a Blandin Foundation Community Leadership program for Minnesota editors and publishers. We've been studying eight tenets of "healthy communities" and aim to work up some kind of report card for Mankato and the surrounding region.
We'll share that report card with our readers and ask for their input on what we need to do better in this community.
The lines are open.
For years in the early part of the century, newspaper publishers were often the spark that brought different factions of the community together to get things done. That's been more the role of smaller newspapers versus the large metro area. Hence many smaller newspapers come to be known as "community newspapers."
The Free Press is considered a "community newspaper," but hasn't really made clear to the community what causes are worthy of their attention. When we've taken up causes on editorial page, we haven't really tracked the progress of those community efforts.
It's something you're likely to see more of in the near future.
The Free Press is participating in a Blandin Foundation Community Leadership program for Minnesota editors and publishers. We've been studying eight tenets of "healthy communities" and aim to work up some kind of report card for Mankato and the surrounding region.
We'll share that report card with our readers and ask for their input on what we need to do better in this community.
The lines are open.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A couple hours with speaker, senators, reps
This is the time of year when I get requests to meet with lots of legislative leaders, and I spent a couple of hours in the last two days listening to two likely candidates for governor as well as local senators and representatives in the Minnesota House.
I am always impressed with the sincerity and knowledge of these public servants whatever their political stripe. These meetings are useful for someone like me whose job it is to be informed and write opinions on the activities of government.
In one meeting, I met with Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Rep. Kathy Brynaert and Rep. Terry Morrow, who also is an assistant majority leader.
Earlier meeting included Senate Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Bakk, Sen. Kathy Sheran and Rep. Kathy Brynaert.
These meetings usually focus on a review of the session, but this year the hot topic is what didn't pass and the pending unallotments.
Here are a few phrases and points that stuck with me from the conversations.
From Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher "We're not even on a budget roller coaster. We're on a budget Tilt A Whirl."
A roller coaster goes up and down, a tilt a whirl spins you so you don't know where you will end up.
Other information that surprised me.
The higher income tax Dems were proposing would have cost family making over $300,000 just $109 per year. Renter credit that Pawlenty will unallot, costs renters $156 per year.
House research showed 2.3 percent of households in Minn. would have to pay the $109, and 5.7 percent of the 2.3 percent were small businesses. Speaker rejects "job killer" label Repubs gave the tax increase. No one had real evidence of this one way or another, but speaker says Minn. law gives tax breaks to higher income people for creating jobs.
Unallotments will hit rural Minnesota harder than metro Minnesota. Lots of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) cases are in outstate Minnesota. That program is gone by Pawlenty veto. MinnesotaCare is also popular in outstate Minnesota with a lot of small business employees on it. They will be pushed off by law if General Assistance people apply
GAMC cases are mentally ill people, chemically dependent, including many veterans. To get on MinnesotaCare, they will have to wait four months. Gov. says they can get on MinnCare. Dems say most are not that together to apply and get in, and can't wait four months for their meds.
Liquor tax Dems proposed would have cost 5 cents a drink, 3 cents on a beer, more if you drink the fancy stuff.
Even Gov. Pawlenty knew budget problem needed revenue. He proposed $1 billion in borrowing. Speaker would not go for it, said borrowing for operating expenses would set a new precedent open the door for fiscal irresponsibility. She backs it up with House vote on borrowing 130-2 against it.
Kelliher says she is "seriously considering" run for governor. Her leadership of a diverse caucus, rural/outstate makes a big difference. She grew up around Mankato, has family farm here, lives in metro but doesn't consider herself "metro-centric."
Bakk talk.
From Sen. Tom Bakk, Senate Tax Committee chairman, union carpenter, Iron Range legislator who has announced run for governor.
Bakk was asked by governor to try to help break deadlock. He offered tax break plan for small business giving "Angel investors" a tax break. He told Pawlenty he could argue that tax increase on high earners would be made "revenue neutral" by Angel investor tax break.
Bakk said Pawlenty said he got beat up so bad when he agreed to "health impact fee" a few years ago, he was done trying to make such arguments.
Another surprise: Bakk is telling school districts not to short-term borrow. They shouldn't count on school funding backfilling via shifting school funding as part of budget solution.
His direct quote: the delayed education payment "is a cut"
Our revenue problem snapshot: Corporate taxes usually bring Minnesota $1.2 billion a year. They're bringing in $600 million, about half of normal
From Sen. Kathy Sheran.
The Senate compromised its position to no school funding shift and agreed to the shift the governor proposed. Her question for the governor. "Where did he move (compromise)."
Bakk says he is running for governor because he is an electable Democrat, likeable person. He's moderate and tries to work with the other side of aisle. Says last Democrat to get elected did so because he was likable - former Gov. Rudy Perpich, also an Iron Ranger.
I am always impressed with the sincerity and knowledge of these public servants whatever their political stripe. These meetings are useful for someone like me whose job it is to be informed and write opinions on the activities of government.
In one meeting, I met with Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Rep. Kathy Brynaert and Rep. Terry Morrow, who also is an assistant majority leader.
Earlier meeting included Senate Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Bakk, Sen. Kathy Sheran and Rep. Kathy Brynaert.
These meetings usually focus on a review of the session, but this year the hot topic is what didn't pass and the pending unallotments.
Here are a few phrases and points that stuck with me from the conversations.
From Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher "We're not even on a budget roller coaster. We're on a budget Tilt A Whirl."
A roller coaster goes up and down, a tilt a whirl spins you so you don't know where you will end up.
Other information that surprised me.
The higher income tax Dems were proposing would have cost family making over $300,000 just $109 per year. Renter credit that Pawlenty will unallot, costs renters $156 per year.
House research showed 2.3 percent of households in Minn. would have to pay the $109, and 5.7 percent of the 2.3 percent were small businesses. Speaker rejects "job killer" label Repubs gave the tax increase. No one had real evidence of this one way or another, but speaker says Minn. law gives tax breaks to higher income people for creating jobs.
Unallotments will hit rural Minnesota harder than metro Minnesota. Lots of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) cases are in outstate Minnesota. That program is gone by Pawlenty veto. MinnesotaCare is also popular in outstate Minnesota with a lot of small business employees on it. They will be pushed off by law if General Assistance people apply
GAMC cases are mentally ill people, chemically dependent, including many veterans. To get on MinnesotaCare, they will have to wait four months. Gov. says they can get on MinnCare. Dems say most are not that together to apply and get in, and can't wait four months for their meds.
Liquor tax Dems proposed would have cost 5 cents a drink, 3 cents on a beer, more if you drink the fancy stuff.
Even Gov. Pawlenty knew budget problem needed revenue. He proposed $1 billion in borrowing. Speaker would not go for it, said borrowing for operating expenses would set a new precedent open the door for fiscal irresponsibility. She backs it up with House vote on borrowing 130-2 against it.
Kelliher says she is "seriously considering" run for governor. Her leadership of a diverse caucus, rural/outstate makes a big difference. She grew up around Mankato, has family farm here, lives in metro but doesn't consider herself "metro-centric."
Bakk talk.
From Sen. Tom Bakk, Senate Tax Committee chairman, union carpenter, Iron Range legislator who has announced run for governor.
Bakk was asked by governor to try to help break deadlock. He offered tax break plan for small business giving "Angel investors" a tax break. He told Pawlenty he could argue that tax increase on high earners would be made "revenue neutral" by Angel investor tax break.
Bakk said Pawlenty said he got beat up so bad when he agreed to "health impact fee" a few years ago, he was done trying to make such arguments.
Another surprise: Bakk is telling school districts not to short-term borrow. They shouldn't count on school funding backfilling via shifting school funding as part of budget solution.
His direct quote: the delayed education payment "is a cut"
Our revenue problem snapshot: Corporate taxes usually bring Minnesota $1.2 billion a year. They're bringing in $600 million, about half of normal
From Sen. Kathy Sheran.
The Senate compromised its position to no school funding shift and agreed to the shift the governor proposed. Her question for the governor. "Where did he move (compromise)."
Bakk says he is running for governor because he is an electable Democrat, likeable person. He's moderate and tries to work with the other side of aisle. Says last Democrat to get elected did so because he was likable - former Gov. Rudy Perpich, also an Iron Ranger.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Weather threats, trial outcome anger
We're back in the game, as we say, after a 11 day hiatus conducting numerous domestic activities like lawn mowing and gardening - using the term loosely of course.
At the Moondogs game Sunday I returned to work early by checking in with newsroom on storm coverage and tornado sitings. And got a call Saturday night as editor on call for the death of the man who fell into a fire a Kiesler's campground in Waseca.
Those are the kind of stories where we need feet on the ground, before we know the "newsiness" of the situation. Waseca tragedy of course, sounded more like a medical incident, and nothing involving foul play, though it certainly was an unusual call the way it sounded on the police scanner.
Something like, "man in fire, DOA."
Tornadoes are always dicey to chase down. They usually come form the southwest, and if we want to get a "safe" view, you have to get behind it. That means going into it from Mankato if it's south or west of here, or taking a straight south route and circle in behind it. Or better yet, duck until it passes, and then follow.
We can rely on a fairly solid reporting system of trained spotters the national weather service has organized. It's available on the Web and it is pretty real time. It's the information they use to transmit storm warnings over their weather radio system.
So there are tools at our disposal.
On the phone call front, I'm asked by a reader why her comment on a recent trial involving infant death did not get posted on our story comment board.
Even though Congress passed a law that pretty much protects us from Web "commenters'" libelous statements we try to moderate them to keep to relative standards of taste and fair play. So accusing an innocent person of child abuse is one of those things we'll probably flag.
That's not the case on KatoChat or whatever the other local chats have evolved. It's unfortunate, but in the case of other chats, almost anything goes.
We're still here to clean up the debate, even though that makes us sound more like custodians in a school lunchroom than journalists.
At the Moondogs game Sunday I returned to work early by checking in with newsroom on storm coverage and tornado sitings. And got a call Saturday night as editor on call for the death of the man who fell into a fire a Kiesler's campground in Waseca.
Those are the kind of stories where we need feet on the ground, before we know the "newsiness" of the situation. Waseca tragedy of course, sounded more like a medical incident, and nothing involving foul play, though it certainly was an unusual call the way it sounded on the police scanner.
Something like, "man in fire, DOA."
Tornadoes are always dicey to chase down. They usually come form the southwest, and if we want to get a "safe" view, you have to get behind it. That means going into it from Mankato if it's south or west of here, or taking a straight south route and circle in behind it. Or better yet, duck until it passes, and then follow.
We can rely on a fairly solid reporting system of trained spotters the national weather service has organized. It's available on the Web and it is pretty real time. It's the information they use to transmit storm warnings over their weather radio system.
So there are tools at our disposal.
On the phone call front, I'm asked by a reader why her comment on a recent trial involving infant death did not get posted on our story comment board.
Even though Congress passed a law that pretty much protects us from Web "commenters'" libelous statements we try to moderate them to keep to relative standards of taste and fair play. So accusing an innocent person of child abuse is one of those things we'll probably flag.
That's not the case on KatoChat or whatever the other local chats have evolved. It's unfortunate, but in the case of other chats, almost anything goes.
We're still here to clean up the debate, even though that makes us sound more like custodians in a school lunchroom than journalists.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Gone fishin'
I'll be out of the blogosphere for a 10-day hiatus. Fishin', biking, camping, going to baseball games and hangin' out in the yard. See you June 22.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Juveniles, accidents and angry mothers
Angry mothers came in threes Monday morning, the first day back from my two-day hiatus from my position of CEO of complaint central.
Over the weekend, we reported on two fairly serious car accidents involving juvenile drivers and passengers. One driver, according to police, was only 14 years old.
Angry mom No. 1 was mad because we didn't get her permission to put her son's name in the paper. Short, and impolite-sounding answer: We don't need her permission. Second, more polite answer: The police are obligated by law to give us this information on car accidents, and we feel we have an obligation to publish these names in the interest of public safety and the public's right to know about road safety.
The law prohibits authorities from releasing names of juveniles charged with misdemeanor crimes for the most part. For felony level offenses, if juveniles do the crime, or are accused of it, they will have their name in the newspaper. In traffic accidents, the law is fairly specific. Juveniles names must be released.
Angry and more frustrated mom No. 2 just wanted to know why her son's name was in the paper. People were making crank calls, insulting her mothering abilities. Again, same answer. Police must give us this information. She wanted to do something to let people know she did all she could to keep her son at home and out of trouble, but alas, was not successful.
She may write a letter to the editor, and we will indeed publish it.
Mother No. 3 took issue with her son being named as the driver. The police stand by their report.
A couple of the mothers wondered why we reported the names of juveniles in one accident and not the other. One was published Saturday, the other Sunday.
That was related somewhat to the timing and the law enforcement agency involved. State Patrol provided us the information on the first accident, and they are very quick to provide media as much as possible as soon as possible. They're staffed to do so.
Blue Earth County Sheriffs office handled the other one and they usually have limited staff on weekends, so sometimes it takes a while for them to get us all the pertinent information. To their credit, they did provide the names of the other juveniles Monday night.
I'm always a little amazed that people expect secrecy when they are involved in things that threaten public safety and involve public officials paid by tax dollars. It's not a question of an arrogant media, but providing information to taxpayers on how their money is being spent.
Over the weekend, we reported on two fairly serious car accidents involving juvenile drivers and passengers. One driver, according to police, was only 14 years old.
Angry mom No. 1 was mad because we didn't get her permission to put her son's name in the paper. Short, and impolite-sounding answer: We don't need her permission. Second, more polite answer: The police are obligated by law to give us this information on car accidents, and we feel we have an obligation to publish these names in the interest of public safety and the public's right to know about road safety.
The law prohibits authorities from releasing names of juveniles charged with misdemeanor crimes for the most part. For felony level offenses, if juveniles do the crime, or are accused of it, they will have their name in the newspaper. In traffic accidents, the law is fairly specific. Juveniles names must be released.
Angry and more frustrated mom No. 2 just wanted to know why her son's name was in the paper. People were making crank calls, insulting her mothering abilities. Again, same answer. Police must give us this information. She wanted to do something to let people know she did all she could to keep her son at home and out of trouble, but alas, was not successful.
She may write a letter to the editor, and we will indeed publish it.
Mother No. 3 took issue with her son being named as the driver. The police stand by their report.
A couple of the mothers wondered why we reported the names of juveniles in one accident and not the other. One was published Saturday, the other Sunday.
That was related somewhat to the timing and the law enforcement agency involved. State Patrol provided us the information on the first accident, and they are very quick to provide media as much as possible as soon as possible. They're staffed to do so.
Blue Earth County Sheriffs office handled the other one and they usually have limited staff on weekends, so sometimes it takes a while for them to get us all the pertinent information. To their credit, they did provide the names of the other juveniles Monday night.
I'm always a little amazed that people expect secrecy when they are involved in things that threaten public safety and involve public officials paid by tax dollars. It's not a question of an arrogant media, but providing information to taxpayers on how their money is being spent.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
We begin again at commencement
I hadn't been to a high school commencement ceremony in 30 years, and that was my own.
So, when I attended by daughter Jillian's commencement at Mankato East last Thursday night, I had a hard time remembering just what these ceremonies were all about. It didn't take long to bring it back, but my high school graduation from St. Paul Washington was nowhere near the show that was put on by students, faculty and staff at East. (I'm sure the commencement at West was equally excellent)
A perfect June evening, temperatures in the 70s and a slight breeze made the evening perfect. I often think of things in storylines - comes with the business I'm in I guess. The storyline that night had more than a feel-good ending. I felt like I was in a Disney movie.
The "Pomp and Circumstance" was played by the East band. When they played another number, their senior members came from their places and played with them. Same for the East choir, an excellent group of kids with an excellent performance. You can tell these kids are enthusiastic about choir, that's a credit to their dedicated, and enthusiastic teacher Robin Hughes...Funny how enthusiastic teachers always seem to have enthusiastic students.
If this show's storyline was to highlight all the good that happens in high school, it hit all the right notes.
The student speeches by Rachel Knoblich and James Blaschko were top notch. As one of the administrators said, they're blown away by the eloquence of speech and thought by kids barely 18. I concur.
Of course, high school is easier for some kids than others. Some breeze through, others have to work really hard to get Cs. What's universal is the accomplishment. That was apparent as small groups of families shouted out cheers and applause as their students crossed the stage.
These cheers were not the kind you might hear at a football game. They had a depth of feeling that suggested the world is enthusiastically behind these graduates whatever life may throw at them. But it's also a cheer that reminds us these kids are the future, and we better be rooting for them, and remember our part.
I won't wait another 30 years to go to a high school commencement, even if I could.
So, when I attended by daughter Jillian's commencement at Mankato East last Thursday night, I had a hard time remembering just what these ceremonies were all about. It didn't take long to bring it back, but my high school graduation from St. Paul Washington was nowhere near the show that was put on by students, faculty and staff at East. (I'm sure the commencement at West was equally excellent)
A perfect June evening, temperatures in the 70s and a slight breeze made the evening perfect. I often think of things in storylines - comes with the business I'm in I guess. The storyline that night had more than a feel-good ending. I felt like I was in a Disney movie.
The "Pomp and Circumstance" was played by the East band. When they played another number, their senior members came from their places and played with them. Same for the East choir, an excellent group of kids with an excellent performance. You can tell these kids are enthusiastic about choir, that's a credit to their dedicated, and enthusiastic teacher Robin Hughes...Funny how enthusiastic teachers always seem to have enthusiastic students.
If this show's storyline was to highlight all the good that happens in high school, it hit all the right notes.
The student speeches by Rachel Knoblich and James Blaschko were top notch. As one of the administrators said, they're blown away by the eloquence of speech and thought by kids barely 18. I concur.
Of course, high school is easier for some kids than others. Some breeze through, others have to work really hard to get Cs. What's universal is the accomplishment. That was apparent as small groups of families shouted out cheers and applause as their students crossed the stage.
These cheers were not the kind you might hear at a football game. They had a depth of feeling that suggested the world is enthusiastically behind these graduates whatever life may throw at them. But it's also a cheer that reminds us these kids are the future, and we better be rooting for them, and remember our part.
I won't wait another 30 years to go to a high school commencement, even if I could.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Veins of community across the desk
I've often considered myself lucky to have this job, although it isn't always fun!
A line from the Paul Newman/Sally Field movie Absence of Malice always comes back to me. Field is asking her city editor if he ever thought of doing something else as she questions her own decision to be a reporter. He says he has thought about doing something else, but when she asks will he ever do anything else, he says "Nope."
And he follows with why: "Something different every day, you don't have to lie a lot, and sometimes, you get the bad guy."
"Something different every day" rings true for me.
Yesterday, members of the community were mad about racial overtones in a column we published. Today, I get a thank you note for helping with a job fair for kids with disabilities. Yesterday, the newsroom was stressed dealing with shortage of staffing during a busy week. Oops. Today they're still stressed. But that will pass
Reading a letter from a reader one day highlights the problem of homelessness among women and children and how one of their shelters, Theresa House, will have to close if it cannot find enough funding. Another letter highlights the fact a group of local community leaders have joined together to help parents get their kids ready for kindergarten.
Crime logs tell the story of kids in trouble. Honor roll lists tell the story of kids with success.
If anything, the editor of the local newspaper, and people who work in the newsroom, get a broad view of our community. I think we can do something with that knowledge. Hopefully, we're imparting a bit of what it means every day, and most importantly, offering solutions or highlighting people who've found solutions.
This daily duty of tracking the life of the community will sustain the business we are in. The importance of those stories come across my desk every day, and remind me that we have an important role, a worthwhile purpose. For that, I'm grateful.
A line from the Paul Newman/Sally Field movie Absence of Malice always comes back to me. Field is asking her city editor if he ever thought of doing something else as she questions her own decision to be a reporter. He says he has thought about doing something else, but when she asks will he ever do anything else, he says "Nope."
And he follows with why: "Something different every day, you don't have to lie a lot, and sometimes, you get the bad guy."
"Something different every day" rings true for me.
Yesterday, members of the community were mad about racial overtones in a column we published. Today, I get a thank you note for helping with a job fair for kids with disabilities. Yesterday, the newsroom was stressed dealing with shortage of staffing during a busy week. Oops. Today they're still stressed. But that will pass
Reading a letter from a reader one day highlights the problem of homelessness among women and children and how one of their shelters, Theresa House, will have to close if it cannot find enough funding. Another letter highlights the fact a group of local community leaders have joined together to help parents get their kids ready for kindergarten.
Crime logs tell the story of kids in trouble. Honor roll lists tell the story of kids with success.
If anything, the editor of the local newspaper, and people who work in the newsroom, get a broad view of our community. I think we can do something with that knowledge. Hopefully, we're imparting a bit of what it means every day, and most importantly, offering solutions or highlighting people who've found solutions.
This daily duty of tracking the life of the community will sustain the business we are in. The importance of those stories come across my desk every day, and remind me that we have an important role, a worthwhile purpose. For that, I'm grateful.
Monday, June 1, 2009
What's the deal with all these blogs?
The Free Press carried two blogs about a month ago. We now have more than four times that many. Yes, we've quadrupled our blogs to number nine.
That's not bad expansion for an industry that supposedly is losing its fifth gear or its audience. Not here. So, what's the deal with all these blogs?
First, we want to make more connections with our readers. We now have the power and technology (the Web) to do it, so it just makes sense. Each blog is designed to give readers insight into the daily work of Free Press reporters and editors. The topics range from fishing, higher education, entertainment to baseball, hockey and general editor and publisher community blogs.
We hope to provide readers some interesting insights into how we do our job - giving them a picture of their community every day.
We hope to build our "brand." While brand tends to be a marketing jargon word, it's important people recognize the "brand" of The Free Press. In a nutshell: Comprehensive news about your and your community by people who are knowledgeable, intelligent and yes, at times, humorous.
We have and will continue to grow our audience. Our total audience as measured by print circulation, Web site and special e-edition has grown by about 15 percent in the last year. That's a very high number for growing interest in a product, any product, during a recession.
Our blogs, so far, are garnering a good amount of traffic and we hope to expand them and as always cross-promote them in the print edition.
Blogs also give the reader a chance to "talk" to the reporter about coverage or listen to their thinking on it, and gain other insights that normally would not fit into the typical format of a print-edition story.
We think our blogs offer our readers a chance to get to know us better and spend more time with us.
That's not bad expansion for an industry that supposedly is losing its fifth gear or its audience. Not here. So, what's the deal with all these blogs?
First, we want to make more connections with our readers. We now have the power and technology (the Web) to do it, so it just makes sense. Each blog is designed to give readers insight into the daily work of Free Press reporters and editors. The topics range from fishing, higher education, entertainment to baseball, hockey and general editor and publisher community blogs.
We hope to provide readers some interesting insights into how we do our job - giving them a picture of their community every day.
We hope to build our "brand." While brand tends to be a marketing jargon word, it's important people recognize the "brand" of The Free Press. In a nutshell: Comprehensive news about your and your community by people who are knowledgeable, intelligent and yes, at times, humorous.
We have and will continue to grow our audience. Our total audience as measured by print circulation, Web site and special e-edition has grown by about 15 percent in the last year. That's a very high number for growing interest in a product, any product, during a recession.
Our blogs, so far, are garnering a good amount of traffic and we hope to expand them and as always cross-promote them in the print edition.
Blogs also give the reader a chance to "talk" to the reporter about coverage or listen to their thinking on it, and gain other insights that normally would not fit into the typical format of a print-edition story.
We think our blogs offer our readers a chance to get to know us better and spend more time with us.
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