Though I’ve become accustomed to reporting the news each and every week in the Arcadia News-Leader, all of a sudden, we have become news. When it was first revealed to me that the News-Leader, which has been my baby for a little over a year now, was being sold, my first reaction was fear. How would this affect me? Will I still have a job? Would I have to move for the third time in as many years? To be honest, it was a period of utter confusion and myriad emotions. The last time I left a job in journalism, I was completely lost … out in nowhere, Wyoming, where very few job opportunities presented themselves – except for those that required working in the gas fields. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a tough gal, but, when it comes to making ends meet, that was definitely not what I had in mind.
And, once I moved back here to Wisconsin, it took a while to get back on my feet, but, once I did, I found this job. Sadly, one year to the day after I started, I was told that the News-Leader would be done at the end of December. While I know how this news has affected Andrew, Annie and myself, I am hopeful that those of you who have enjoyed the News-Leader will find the new Trempealeau County Times to be a suitable substitute. Granted, there may be some content changes that readers will have to adjust to, I have a feeling that the Times’ broader coverage of the entire county will be beneficial to many, especially those who subscribe to more than one local paper.
Instead of seeing repetitive news items in both papers, there will be more news content from other local communities. That, in essence will allow people in Arcadia to be more aware of what’s happening in Blair, Whitehall and Galesville. And when it comes to advertising, I have no doubt that a county-wide newspaper will prove to be superior to a local newspaper. First of all, you have coverage area. Instead of reaching readers in Arcadia and its surrounding areas, advertisers will be able to reach a much broader audience.
Second is the monetary factor. Instead of placing several ads in several papers throughout the area, advertisers will be able to place one ad and reach basically the same amount of readers. Though the inception of the new paper is still a few weeks off, clearly, I’m sure everyone has questions that they would like to have answered, (i.e. where will the papers be sold?… how will this affect news and sports coverage of Arcadia? … how many pages will the new county-wide paper be? … where will I go to renew subscriptions or place ads?).
Some changes I do know and can share with you are that the new paper will be printed in a tabloid format, as opposed to broadsheet, the Sheriff’s Log that appears in the News-Leader will continue to be published and the office will be based out of Whitehall (the current Whitehall Times office). As we learn more, we will continue to share that information with you. Like you, we here at the News-Leader have been wondering these same types of things. So, if there are any questions that you would like answered regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to call (323-3366 ext. 240) or e-mail (editor@arcadianewsleader.com) me. I may not have an answer for you right away, but I will get one. And please be patient and bear with us during this transitional period.
Jennie Oemig,
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
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