Last Updated: March 27, 2000
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The front
page
4 ‘local’ stories lead; national’s at the bottom
By Karen Baker
The Front Page is an occasional look at how our front pages reflect
what our newspapers value. If you would like to have your front page considered,
contact Al Siegal of The New York Times at 212/556-1049 or siegal@nytimes.com
The mix of stories on Page 1 of Oct. 22, 1999, reflects issues that
we know are of interest to our readers — and the stories report legitimate
“new news.” The promo box at the top of the page tells readers that the
paper offers a variety of “go and do” information, and there are two direct,
newsy headlines above the fold. The page offers a diversity of topics,
and a strong local flavor.
The lead story, about Initiative 695, was one we covered thoroughly
during that month. It’s an example of what newspapers do best: hold elected
officials accountable. The other headline above the fold, “Steps to unify
community to be outlined in Puyallup,” is on a follow-up story about a
series of racial incidents at a suburban high school. The story deserved
Page 1 play because it was the first formal indication that community and
school leaders were addressing the situation. Our goal on this sensitive
story has been to report solutions as thoroughly as we report problems.
The composition of the photo on the page catches the eye. The picture,
which invites close examination, effectively and artistically captures
the change in the weather — and you can’t go wrong with kids.
The landfill story reports a major development in a continuing controversy.
The national wire story on the page, on the debate in Congress about assisted
suicide, is a regional story for our readers. And at the bottom of the
page is a local story on a national health study.
This is the kind of front page The News Tribune tries to provide readers
every day. On this particular day, we think they got their money’s worth.
Baker is senior editor at The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.
