Explain Yourself ...

Changes

We're taking some pro-active steps to improve our newsgathering and presentation, even as American journalism changes around us. We're preparing instead of responding. Today, our editor announced some leaderhsip changes. What it means: We recognize multi-media and online journalism are critical to how we cover news and how we share it. So we're putting two great people who are great journalists in charge of those areas. Here's the new lineup:

KATHY VETTER becomes managing editor/multimedia and will focus primarily on our video and interactive efforts.

GARY HARDEE, who until now was over the editorial operations of the Alliance Newspapers and served as publisher in Arlington, takes over  as managing editor/online.

OK CARTER becomes publisher in Arlington.

Taking a punch: Round 2

Rex's post about the movie with a newspaper angle got me thinking about "favorite newspaper movies." They've done the work for me here. You have to scroll down a ways, but there's a pretty comprehensive list with links. No ranking though, so it's got the bad in with the good. Many journalists of my age cite All the President's Men in part as the inspiration for their career choice. Wonder if they'd be blogging today?

_Larry Lutz

Buggy

This spider has really got people buzzing. Our story this morning is far and away the most popular on our website. And after we shared it with the Associated Press, it became a popular stop on other Texas newspaper websites. We don't know what kind of spider it is, though. An Aggie bugman pooh-poohed the story and didn't offer much help:

John Jackman, a professor and extension entomologist for Texas A&M University and author of A Field Guide to the Spiders and Scorpions of Texas, said he receives similar reports every couple of years.

"There are a lot of folks that don't realize spiders do that," Jackman said. "Until we get some samples sent to us, we really won't know what species of spider we're talking about."

So if you know what this thing is, or where there's a similar web site, let us know and we'll post it.

_Larry Lutz

Whet weather

I know I'm tromping a bit on our weather blog but there's one I came across today that put our rainy days in perspective. It's here and shows our 23.56 inches so far this year is nothing. So next time you slap a mosquito, keep that in mind.

-Larry Lutz

Us working for you

Your response to the new Star-Telegram has been many things: heart-felt, educational, insightful, humbling. All helpful. As the last legacy mass medium, the newspaper's challenge is publish something for everyone every day. We either succeed or fail at a high rate, depending on how you read the responses. I can assure you we're listening carefully. On that point, a couple of my favorite responses. One from a reader who was certain we'd hired a Harvard MBA and felt obliged to follow his plan. Sorry, the work was all done in-house. Not an MBA _ except in equivalent experience _ among us. Another good one: The reader who suggested (demanded) a democratic process. Let the readers vote! He sent an email every day _ kind of like stuffing the ballot box. Still, it's great to know our readers are passionate. Silence would be sad.
_Larry Lutz

Star-Telegram: Next generation

I'll be blogging here from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday about what readers have to say about the changes. We've also set up an email address _ newdesign@star-telegram.com _ and a phone number _ 817.390-7000. You're invited to join the discussion.

_Larry Lutz