The Red Wing Republican-Eagle announced it is cutting its publication schedule from five days a week to two beginning Sept. 2. The paper version will appear on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the website will be the repository for daily breaking news.

The development is of more than local interest because the Republican-Eagle's owner, Fargo-based Forum Communications, publishes more Minnesota dailies than any publisher. Among the communities served: Duluth, Bemidji, Willmar and Worthington. Red Wing joins the ranks of cities such as Alexandria, which have two-day-a-week Forum papers.

Like most publishers, Forum has made a series of recent layoffs, including axing one of its two Minnesota Capitol reporters. Publisher Steve Messick told readers the change will result in fatter if less frequent papers that add up to more local news.

Still, if frequency cutbacks spread to other Forum titles, Greater Minnesota could make the print-to-digital transition sooner than the metro area.