'Sports papers with news sections'

Not run over already already well-trod ground, but Jonah Keri linked to a recent Boston Phoenix article on how to save the local newspaper:

"(Step 3). Beef up local and sports coverage. This is what regional daily papers can uniquely provide. And they should. That means that serious thought should be given to turning such papers as the Boston Globe or Boston Herald (my two local newspapers) into sports papers with news sections, rather than the other way around.

"The truth is that sports papers around the world are still hugely successful. Yes, the National failed here almost two decades ago, but that's because Americans follow their sports locally, not nationally. A local version could well prove a success."

The author, Steven Stark, also says, "charge a web fee." You might never be able to know for sure that you're still sane, but at least you know others could have the same kind of crazy.