Anchorage Daily News

We've made some changes to the content and organization of the printed paper that begin today. I wanted to give you a quick orientation so you don't find yourself struggling to find your way around the new layout. The biggest change is that the paper consists of two large sections instead of four smaller ones. This first section has the front page, as you're used to it, the people column on Page 2, followed by local news, national and international news, business news and stocks, obituaries and the editorial pages.

The second section starts with sports, followed by features content that was formerly in the Life section, then classified, followed by comics, with a combined Weather and TV page on the back.

The paper will be two sections on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the days of the week when it is typically the smallest. The organization of papers later in the week will look more familiar. (For a more detailed explanation, see my column on Page A-5.)

Reorganization and reduction are being forced on our paper, and newspapers all across the country, by the combination of two things: the migration of readership and advertising to the Internet, and a faltering economy.

I know that you enjoy the daily newspaper habit and depend on us to provide news, opinions, information and entertainment -- everything from the price of oil to TV programming to comics and puzzles. I know you're disappointed any time we diminish that content. And I realize that moving things around disrupts your habit.

Nonetheless, we are having to adjust. I assure you we're working hard to do it in the way least disruptive to our loyal and valued readers. I hope you will bear with us as we adapt the paper to these challenging times. I believe newspapers will be around for a long time, but by necessity they will be different, as you see today.

Thank you.

Patrick Dougherty

Editor

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