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.
The Superior Telegram in Superior, Wis. made this move last year. It’s a shell of its former self (as can be said about most papers, I suppose).
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=146627
I used to manage circulation at the Winona Daily News 24 years ago and I think this is actually good news. Rochester was always the big regional player/paper. Smaller papers were somewhat insubstantial except in regards to lower targeted ad rates for local business and classified. This probably is the way it should be now and in the near future.
My own guess is that the late Phil Duff is turning over.
My old boss at the Republican Eagle, Phil Duff, must be rolling over in his grave.