I got a tip late Tuesday that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the state’s dominant medium, may not be immune to what’s currently ailing daily newspapers nationwide. Some indication of that had already been seen in new D-G publications to create new revenue streams. Last year, it was their free faux alt weekly. This year it’s Arkansas Life, a slick monthly magazine aiming to take some of Soiree’s business. It will be mailed free to rich folks (po’ folks will be able to buy it).

Anyway, the story is that a memo circulated at the newspaper Tuesday about rising newsprint costs, the increased costs of gas for carriers and the short-term necessity to adjust through a temporary wage and hiring freeze to be re-evaluated Jan. 1. Sounds plausible, but I can’t attest to the tip’s accuracy at this moment. Anybody have a copy of the memo?

Advertisement

UPDATE: Ask and you shall be given. The memo from D-G president Paul Smith is on the jump.

Also, Arkansas Business followed up our report with an interview with Smith.

Advertisement

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Glaze retiring from Supreme Court Next article Tuesday talk