The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

A small-town newspaper must be more these days, and over the last decade-plus, we’ve been learning, along with the rest of the industry, just what that means. In 2017, our goals at The Star involve a better implementation of what we’ve learned in ways that will benefit our readers and advertisers, making The Star a better value and stronger paper.

Be prepared to talk; we’re going to ask questions. We need to be better listeners and askers. We need to know how you think various topics should be explored. What are we not covering now that we should? Or what do we cover too much?

We need to add value, and we need to pay for it. The Star’s online readership is significant, including a strong local audience. This year, we will do a better job of making that known, with market packaging to allow advertisers to take advantage of that presence. And we’ll start encouraging online subscriptions with models similar to what most news outlets all over the country now use. To go along with that, look for more online features, such as video, polls and social media integration. Print subscribers can look forward to continued complete access online, too.

Some of this is on a path yet to be cut. Other aspects only require more consistency from us.

We hope our readers and advertisers will find value in these directions. Never hesitate to let us know your thoughts.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher