Dino Fight
That said (as a newspaperman and press scholar), I also feel Hodgson’s fear and loathing in the face of market forces and competition. These are dire — and I mean really dangerous — times for the news business. No one’s reading newspapers much anymore, as evidenced by declining circulation and more layoffs at many of the nation’s biggest media companies.
It’s a weird time for newspapers. In just the past week, these items illustrate the flux and uncertainty: a Michigan newspaper is cutting print production to twice weekly in favor of news online 24-7; strong newspapers all over the country are firing staff; USC-Annenberg has canceled its online news product because all its online faculty have bailed (for newspaper jobs?); meanwhile, there’s a new free weekend tabloid in Baltimore, delivered to 315,000 homes; a reader has sued the Charlotte (N.C.) News&Observer for breach of contract because it cut staff and produces a thinner product. Never a dull moment in the news business.
In the early 1990s, I surveyed newspaper people about the future of the industry. Asked if they’d want a son/daughter to go into the newspaper business, one Midwestern newspaper editor said, “No. Being a newspaper reporter is like being a cowboy on a dinosaur ranch.”
As the Times-Standard and Reporter thrash each other — which is good for the reading public, by the way — I hope the North Coast Journal is not collateral Jurassic damage.
Ted Pease, Trinidad
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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