How Times-Picayune, Alabama newspaper changes played on their front pages

If anything is front-page news, it’s that your newspaper is going to stop printing every day. Here’s how the four Advance Publications newspapers (and one outsider) told their readers Friday morning about the changes. Press-Register Editor Mike Marshall tells Andrew Beaujon that he was trying to recast a negative storyline with his “exciting changes” headline, but “perhaps I got carried away.” All front pages (some cropped) appear courtesy of the Newseum. || Related: Will New Orleanians follow The Times-Picayune online after it cuts back on print? (Poynter) | Critics ask if Times-Picayune, other Advance papers are ready for their new digital focus (Poynter) | City leaders discuss buying The Times-Picayune, but its owner says it’s not for sale (The New York Times)

A note to subscribers at the bottom of the page starts out, “Dear Subscriber, you may have heard that The Times-Picayune has announced changes in the way it will operate in the future.” (Front page appears courtesy of the Newseum.)

The News played it at the top of the page, but left most of the front for the day’s news. (Front page appears courtesy of the Newseum.)

Huntsville took a similar approach. Each of the papers had some version of a note to readers. (Front page appears courtesy of the Newseum.)

“Exciting changes ahead,” proclaims the paper in Mobile. (Front page appears courtesy of the Newseum.)

It was big news in Tuscaloosa, but not as big as gas prices. (Front page appears courtesy of the Newseum.)