Newspapers: A dying breed?

Interesting program on NPR today, especially for a former journalist as myself...
Today's "Talk of the Nation" focused on the state of journalism in America, with a focus on the closings of the Rocky Mountain Daily News in Denver and the Post-Intelligencer in Seattle.
Both papers ceased print operations within the past two weeks. When you combine the closings of these two papers with the statement from the Pew Center for Excellence in Journalism that the outlook for journalism in the United States is "bleak", one has to wonder:
Are we seeing the extinction of a business model here?
With the internet and cable responsible for many news options available to the public, can newspapers survive?
Call me an idealist, but I certainly hope so. More on this later.

Episode 27 is now up

It's been a long week, but a good one, culminating with the posting of Episode 27, "The Bachelor Pad of Doom."

For the first time in a long time, there have now been two episodes posted on consecutive Fridays. Woot!

I like this episode. I think it gives a little more insight into Christian. And there are some sexy parts with The Professor as well.

Now on to Episode 28!

At least I'm not the only one

So I'm not the only person in the area who thinks Davis Cup tennis and transit funding are related.

In this article from al.com, John Archibald also links the two. If we can do such a great job on a small thing like a tennis tournament, why can't we do it with the big stuff?

Ah, questions that deserve answers.

Better late than never, right?

So I lied on my last post.

Not only did I not get Episode 26 posted until 10 days later than I said I would, I didn't get an e-mail out until a full 10 days afterward.

But it wasn't time spent in vain, and it wasn't an outright lie. I thought at the time that I would have an episode out the next day. But as I revisited it, the piece changed direction on me, and it turned out to be a bear to write. My original idea was nothing like the final product. But I think the changes from the original to the finished episode were much for the better. The writing is some of my favorite in the book so far.

In addition to Episode 26, I also put up a new piece dealing with international tennis and federal transportation funds. There's a combination for you.

I hope to knock out Episode 27 early this week and have it up by Thursday. If it happens, it will be a first for the site. To date, I've never posted an episode early.

I'm pleased with the changes to the layout and navigation, although I think there are still a few minor points to hammer out. I think Jean will be looking at that this weekend.