Editorials
Our View — Taylor making bold move
On the surface it doesn’t seem a sharp business move by one of Minnesota’s most successful businessmen.
While Glen Taylor knows a bid to buy 25 percent to 35 percent of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis is risky, he says he has hope for the newspaper’s future and wants to help in keeping it strong.
The proposed deal is a positive development for the state’s major newspaper, which, like many others, has struggled mightily with declining subscriptions and advertising revenue.
Taylor, and Minneapolis publisher Vance Opperman, sent a proposal to New York bond holders who bought equity in the newspaper as it emerged recently from bankruptcy reorganization.
Taylor, who built the North Mankato Taylor Corp. empire and owns the Minnesota Timberwolves, is motivated by a desire to provide the newspaper with some Minnesota-based ownership. Still, he said the move isn’t a charitable endeavor — he expects the paper to make money.
Taylor and Opperman are candid in saying they don’t pretend to have the solutions to what ails the industry, but they want a hand in trying to find them. And Taylor and Opperman, who have spent the past year meeting with many of those looking for a new business model, say they know solutions will come from a variety of places, including those experienced in Internet technology and “new media.”
Taylor — experienced in politics, business and philanthropy — knows vibrant newspapers are necessary for a vibrant state. From open political discourse and business news to investigative reporting and school board news, there are no existing alternatives to well-staffed newsrooms.
Paying for that news gathering is expensive and increasingly difficult to support. Advertisers have myriad alternatives today, from direct mailing and e-mail campaigns to Web sites and traditional outlets. Amid the declining revenues, newspapers are further harmed by their news stories flowing over the World Wide Web for free.
The newspaper industry and the public have a stake in hoping sharp and civic-minded people such as Taylor and Opperman will help find ways for serious news outlets to be successful into the future.
- Editorials
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Our View: Drinking enforcement must be fair
A plan to curb drunk driving that would lead investigators back to bars has merit if it can be proactive instead of reactive and use carrots instead of sticks.
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Our View: Cut's costs exceed savings
Why It Matters
Taxpayers will pay more to treat the mentally ill as crisis center closes. -
Our View: Everyone is important in census count
Minnesota’s representation, funding and national voice, is on the line with the 2010 U.S. census.
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Our View: Library plan touches on dilemma
For many, it was a jaw-dropping proposal. The city of Mankato has a tentative plan to reduce its funding to the Blue Earth County library and the Summit Center by 50 percent.
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Our View: Students must be the top priority
Why it matters
Allegations of sexual misconduct by school employees bring focus to the need to
protect students. -
Our View: School athletics model may need work
Why it matters
School sports will come under increasing scrutiny with tight budgets. -
Our View: Students' efforts aid community
The students behind Brand New Image are great role models.
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Our View: Legislature, governor win one for the people
The Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty deserve credit for coming to agreement on a bonding bill in a truly unprecedented timeline.
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Our View: 'Centrist' Walz walks a fine line
Why it matters
In an election year where partisans are in a rush to define candidates, Minnesotans need to carefully pay attention to what they see and hear. -
My View: Go after the moneyed elite
Professor Ron Yezzi’s letter to the editor, published Feb. 25, was a powerful reminder that the progressive Democrats we elected in 2008 have been unable to change a government that is controlled by the wealthy elite.
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