A few changes for the Tulsa Beacon
There are a few changes in this week’s Tulsa Beacon.
“We’ve been wanting to find room for more news, more editorials and some new features,” said Publisher/Editor Charles Biggs. “I think our readers will enjoy these changes.”
Here are some highlights:
• Expanded local news coverage
The Tulsa Beacon will expand the space for local news coverage by 33 percent in the new expanded format.
• Expanded Billy Graham column
The Rev. Billy Graham writes a column five times a week and now, instead of running three days, the Beacon will run all five columns.
• Two Newsday crossword puzzles
Instead of one of the popular crossword puzzles on page B9, we will run two.
• A third editorial page
Each week, the Tulsa Beacon has syndicated columns that are not published due to a lack of space. A third editorial page is being added to accommodate these extra syndicated columns plus more letters-to-the-editor and local opinion pieces.
• More sports coverage
This new format will open space on our two sports pages.
• Janric Classic Sudoku puzzle
Janice Witham of Australia has compiled hundreds of word puzzles and written and published over 80 articles for a variety of publications including Australian Geographic, Business Review Weekly and The Australian. She has compiled over 600 Wordfinds.
When she first saw a Sudoku puzzle, she said, “This puzzle intrigued me - a number puzzle that required logic rather than mathematical skill.”
Some regular features - like the Religion Page, the Recipe Page and the Columns Page, have been moved to Section B.
To make room for this new format, the Tulsa Beacon has dropped its syndicated television listings.
“When the government forced broadcast television to become digital, it really mixed up the stations,” Biggs explained. “We had purchased listing based on a cable lineup but many people are on satellite television or limited to broadcast stations.”
The increasing cost of the television grids was a drain on the newspaper’s budget.
“These are tough economic times,” Biggs said. “This change will save the Tulsa Beacon thousands of dollars a year and help us weather this economic storm.
“I hope the expanded news coverage, the addition of more editorials and the increase in features will be welcomed by our loyal subscriber base.’