LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: CHANGING TO SERVE OUR READERS BETTER

Today's Southeast Missouri has some noticeable changes, and I think readers deserve an explanation.

First, let me say that the changes are the result of suggestions from you, the readers. And each and every one of the changes has been made with the intent of making the newspaper easier to read or an improvement for readers.

Let's start with Page 1.

The first thing readers will notice is the additional information under the name of the paper. This is intended to alert readers to important stories inside the paper. Previously this sort of information was at the bottom of the page. This meant potential readers who purchase the newspaper from a news rack didn't have that information to make a buying decision. Now they do.

Also, the index has been moved to the top of the page. It will be in the same spot every day.

And a quick weather forecast is on the right-hand side near the top. The complete weather information continues on Page 2.

These changes on Page 1 have made useful information more accessible. Just as importantly, the changes also have created a bit more room for news on the page.

Now for Page 2.

When stories on Page 1 are too long to run in their entirety on that page, they are continued on another page. Newspaper folks call the continued portion of a story a "jump." Readers don't like it when jumps aren't easy to find. In response, the Southeast Missourian is putting its jumps in the most reader-friendly spot possible: the left-hand columns of Page 2.

This means readers who want to quickly get to the rest of the story can simply fold over half the front page. And there are the jumps.

From time to time there will be special stories that start on the front page and jump to another inside page. The package of stories on gangs in Sikeston that begins on the front page today is an example. But when we do that, we will make it worth the reader's while.

There are some changes on the page that includes what we call news of record. This is information about deaths, births, police activity and the like. This page has a different format, but it also will have more information in the future. This is what readers have told me they would like. The additions will include more court information and more news of record from adjoining counties.

Finally, today's paper includes a new look for the opinion page. This is the page with editorials, letters to the editor and commentary by columnists.

How products are presented to consumers is important for any business. How newspapers present news and opinions is somewhat akin to how consumer products are packaged. I hope the changes on the opinion page make it easier for the reader to become involved in issues and debates that are crucial to our society.

We are still working on the sports section, but we already have given sports a permanent home in the B section of the paper. More changes are coming for sports.

As usual, you are invited to let me know what you think.

Last week's invitation produced some interesting and challenging ideas. The suggestions ranged from the addition of a parenting column to adding book reviews.

I like all of the suggestions. In the coming weeks I hope you see more changes that reflect your ideas.

~R. Joe Sullivan is the editor of the Southeast Missourian. If you have an idea or suggestion, please call him at 335-6611.