Ladue News publisher, editor start new paper

A group of Ladue News employees have left the St. Louis-area Lee Enterprises lifestyle paper to start a rival publication.

The new Town & Style will debut Feb. 9. Thirty issues are planned for the first year; a weekly schedule is planned after that. It will be led by former Ladue News publisher Lauren Rechand and editor Dorothy Weiner, and will employee about 15 people. Eight more former Ladue News employees have already joined Town & Style.

Weiner told the St. Louis Business Journal that Lee's corporate structure forced her, and several other Ladue News employees, to leave that publication.

"There's no question that Lee Enterprises, the parent company (of Ladue News), is very bottom-line focused," she said. "Ladue News has always been something of a family business. Even after it was sold to Pulitzer, we were left alone and we were allowed to run independently. Recently, there is more of a shift to (Lee) homogenizing all holdings in St. Louis. That was what people rebelled against."

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Times helping city find investors

The Times of Northwest Indiana is pushing the limits of interest and conflict of interest.

The Times and the Metropolitan Planning Council are leading the Gary and Region Investment Project, or GRIP. The group wants to influence tourism and economic prosperity in Gary and neighboring communities. The Times will be responsible for finding private investors, pursuing state and federal grants and approving development proposals.

Times editor Bill Nangle told the New York Times that his paper's role was not a conflict of interest.

Mr. Nangle described the paper as the “connective tissue” that was letting the public know about development proposals.

The Times has already written a handful of stories about GRIP; some of them quote Nangle and publisher Bill Masterson Jr.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Lee expects revenue to decline

In a forecast report filed with the SEC, Lee Enterprises says its revenue will continue to improve in the first quarter, which ends Dec. 26, and its total operating revenue will drop 1 percent compared to a year ago.

Lee names publisher for Idaho, Nevada papers

John Pfeifer has been appointed publisher of The Times-News in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the Elko Daily Free Press in Elko, Nev.

Pfeifer previously served as advertising director at the Times-News and general manager at the Daily Free Press.

Times-News editor and publisher Brad Hurd announced his retirement in September. Daily Free Press publisher Rhonda Zuraff left in October. Twin Falls, Idaho, is about 165 miles from Elko, Nev.

Post-Dispatch columnist takes on evaluation system

St. Louis Post-Dispatch employees are completing employee evaluations for the first time, a poorly functioning Lee Enterprises system many have hated for years. Columnist Bill McClellan wrote about his experience, comparing the system to the "Loser Patrol."

I was supposed to rate myself in a number of areas. The rule was this — I wasn't supposed to give myself the highest grade in anything. I don't mean to be egotistical, but I had planned on giving myself a lot of very high grades.

I know what these evaluations are for. I don't want to make it easy to fire me. Especially since the company I work for is not exactly known for being warm and fuzzy. Last week, it told many retirees that their free medical coverage was ending and that they would have to pay the full premium.

Read his full column here.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Times hires PR flak tied to corrupt mayor

The Times of Northwest Indiana has hired Damian Rico as community online director.

Rico, as a source tells me, is "the guy who ran the PR machine for George Pabey, former mayor of East Chicago (Ind.) and now convicted criminal. Rico is going from one corrupt administration to another. Apparently Rod Blagojevich wasn't available for the job."

In February, Pabey and co-defendent Jose Camacho, an East Chicago city employee, were charged in a grand jury indictment with conspiring to embezzle city money and illegally use city workers to remodel a house Pabey bought with his daughter in 2008. Camacho is also charged with trying to persuade other city employees to lie to federal investigators about work the laborers allegedly did on the house while on the clock for the city.

On Sept. 20, the first day of the trial, Rico spoke in Pabey's favor: "We are here to support him. He's done so many great things for the city."

Pabey was convicted on federal corruption charges four days later, and removed from office. Anthony Copeland was sworn in as mayor on Oct. 16 and began making personnel changes, including Rico's role as spokesman. (Read Times stories on the Pabey trial.)

While serving as East Chicago spokesman, Rico also has been a Times columnist and freelance photographer.

The memo from Times editor Bill Nangle:

From: William Nangle
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 2:39 PM
To: MUN Newsroom
Subject:

Effective Monday, Damian Rico assumes the position of Community Online Director. His duties center on content development for “community.com” sites, including contact with the many and varied community organizations throughout The Times market.

Rico most recently served in a contractual consultant role for public relations with the City of East Chicago. In his capacity as a consultant he has served many clients, ranging from industry to education and small business. He holds a B.A. in communications from Purdue University; a Masters Degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a B.A. in clinical psychology from Purdue University. He is a graduate of Bishop Noll Institute.

Damian is married with four children and resides in Schererville. Please welcome Damian to the media center staff. Bill

Lee Enterprises eliminates more Post-Dispatch retiree benefits

The retiree health benefit saga continues at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

On Tuesday, St. Louis Newspaper Guild members who retired and accepted buyout offers between June 2004 and March 2010 were notified that their free medical coverage, which was part of their union contract, will be eliminated on Jan. 1; the retirees will have to pay all of their premium costs to keep their health insurance.

A few years ago, Lee Enterprises made the same announcement that affected guild members who retired under a previous contract, between 1994 and 2004. The St. Louis Newspaper Guild filed suit against Lee. The guild won that suit in late September; the judge ruled that those retirees should get to keep their lifelong health benefits that were guaranteed in their union contract. required Lee to go to arbitration with the union. Lee is expected to appeal the decision.

The guild says it will fight the latest benefit cut as well.

(Via e-mails; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Times ad director appointed to corporate position

Lisa Daugherty, advertising director at the Times of Northwest Indiana in Munster, Ind., has been appointed corporate director of classified sales for Lee Enterprises. She will continue to serve in her role at the Times, and will become general manager of the Times' Crown Point, Ind., office. Daugherty and Dave Worstell, sales and marketing director at the Billings (Mont.) Gazette, will direct Lee's classified sales initiatives.

Albany Democrat-Herald publisher retiring

Martha Wells, publisher of the Albany (Ore.) Democrat-Herald and regional executive for Lee Enterprise's Mid-Valley Newspapers, will retire at the end of the year.

Wells previously worked at the Bozeman (Mont.) Daily Chronicle; The Ottumwa (Iowa) Courier; the Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa; and the Wausau (Wis.) Daily Herald. Lee has published a lengthy press release about Wells.

Tucson Newspapers CEO quits

Tucson Newspapers CEO and president Mike Jameson resigned Monday. No reason was given for Jameson's resignation; Tucson Newspapers is the advertising and production agency for Lee's Arizona Daily Star and Gannett's Arizona Republic.

Jameson has been at Tucson Newspapers since January 2004; before that, he was publisher of the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune. Lee bought the Pulitzer-owned Arizona Daily Star in 2005.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Justice Department settles lawsuit against Lee Enterprises

A year ago, the Justice Department filed suit against the Elko Daily Free Press and Lee Enterprises for publishing an ad that discriminated against families with children in 2008. That ad was a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Under the settlement, which must now be approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, Lee will screen discriminatory housing advertisements, will post notices informing readers of fair housing laws and monetarily compensate Silver State Fair Housing Council.

Story about the settlement

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Times named Lee's enterprise of the year

The Times of Northwest Indiana is Lee's enterprise of the year. A press release from Lee says the Munster, Ind., paper improved its financial performance and led in digital initiatives. (The press release does not mention the 14 people the paper has laid off in 2010.)

The Daily Herald in Provo, Utah, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch in St. Louis, Mo., were finalists for the award.

Read the press release

Nieman includes Lee Watch as one of the 'still publishing' media watchdog blogs

Nieman Journalism Lab recently included Lee Watch in its roundup of newspaper watchdog blogs. We're flattered. The post also asks if more blogs should set up "water cooler" posts similar to those on Gannett Blog. I can make that happen if you're interested -- leave a comment, and let me know.

Thanks for your help to keep this blog going and report news about Lee Enterprises. As always, send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.

Lee closes 3 papers

Lee Enterprises closed three weekly Illinois newspapers on Oct. 27: The Heyworth Star, Farmer City Journal and LeRoy Journal.

The papers were part of Pantagraph Publishing in Bloomington, Ill.; company officials said the weeklies were not profitable. "We felt we could more effectively serve our readers in those three communities with The Pantagraph," general manager Barry Winterland said in a story on the Pantagraph's website. A week before the weeklies were closed, the Pantagraph introduced a new "Your Town" print and web section "to provide more consolidated coverage" in Heyworth, Farmer City and LeRoy, and other local communities.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Globe Gazette editor fired

Joe Buttweiler, editor of the Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa, was fired in late September. The paper no longer has an editor -- instead a "leadership team" including city editor Jane Reynolds, news editor Bob Steenson and editorial page editor Tom Thoma has been put in place.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Lee reporters leave for start-up

Dustin Bleizeffer of the Casper Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyo., and Ruffin Prevost of the Billings Gazette in Billings, Mont., have joined the leadership team of Wyofile, a nonprofit news site in Lander, Wyo. Editor in chief Bleizeffer and managing editor Prevost start their new positions in November.

(Via e-mail; send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Lee Enterprises reinstates 401(k) contributions

Two years after suspending contributions, Lee Enterprises will again contribute to employee 401(k) funds. The letter from Lee CEO Mary Junck:

Oct. 15, 2010

Dear Lee Employee:

I have good news to share.

It's the start of what I hope will be more good news as economic conditions continue to improve and our revenue growth resumes.

Beginning in January, the company will contribute 40 cents to your retirement fund for every dollar you put in, up to 5% of your pay. As before, you must have been employed for one year and have worked 1,000 hours to be eligible for the company match.

Also, three new investment options have been added to Lee's 401(k) Retirement Account Plan. The new funds are JPMorgan SmartRetirement 2050 Fund, Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund and JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund. You can see details on the JPMorgan website, www.retireonline.com. Educational meetings about investment choices and other 401(k) details will be scheduled for early next year.

We owe this improvement in employee benefits to the many sales and audience initiatives that have begun moving Lee's revenue back toward positive territory. We very much ant to continue improving employee benefits and compensation opportunities when our business sufficiently recovers from the tough ongoing economic conditions.

Thank you, again, for all you do for Lee.

With appreciation and very best regards,
Mary Junck

President's Award winners announced

Lee Enterprises has announced its President's Award winners. Twenty-seven awards were issued; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch appears to be the most honored publication. Congratulations to the winners.

Times designers laid off; Times now hiring designers

On Sept. 21, the Times in Munster, Ind., laid off seven people, including at least two designers. (Six more open positions were cut.)

On Sept. 27, the Times began advertising to fill a position on its design desk.

Post-Dispatch editor predicts Sunday-only print publication

As previously announced, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has killed its Saturday newsstand edition. on Friday, Chad Garrison of the alt-weekly Riverfront Times in St. Louis asked Post-Dispatch editor Arnie Robbins about the change, and the future of the paper.

So, how long until the Post-Dispatch (and all dailies for that matter) cease putting out a print publication all together?

"I'm not feeling particularly clairvoyant this morning," responds Robbins. "But I think in the next ten years you could see the elimination of the weekday paper with the Sunday still coming out in print. The rest of the week would be online or delivered through niche products and phone and e-reader apps. We're working on a few of those projects right now that we're excited about."