Morning News Unzones ?Our Town? Section
by June 21, 2004 12:00 am 70 views
The Morning News changed its “Our Town” section on June 13, effectively “unzoning” it except for two pages in the center.
The newspaper had been publishing four different versions of the 12-page section, one for each city that receives a zoned edition of the front section: Springdale, Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville.
Tom Stallbaumer, publisher of The Morning News, said the change will allow the newspaper to focus on one strong story of regional interest for the cover of the section. The center two pages will be used for honor rolls, club notices and that sort of information as it pertains to the zoned city.
Also on June 13, The Morning News began publishing a weekly society column by Mari See, editor of the monthly Celebrate Northwest Arkansas magazine.
The column gives See a chance to plug her magazine while providing The Morning News with society coverage to compete against Cyd King at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
“It’s a good win-win for both of us,” Stallbaumer said.
The Morning News is owned by Stephens Media Group of Little Rock. Celebrate, which published its first issue in November, is owned by See.