Maybe you're curious how we decide which stories go into the Sentinel each week.
Maybe not, but please read this anyway.
Since you are turning the pages of the Sentinel at the moment, or reading it online, it would be good for you to know why some stories are in the paper you bought (or borrowed), and it would be good for us to know what you think is missing from the newspaper.
There is nothing magical in selecting which news reports make it into the Sentinel. It's a combination of space to fit in the stories, staff time to write or edit the news, and people calling back so that we can interview them and gather the news. We can't report what we don't know.
The final ingredient in the recipe for the weekly news casserole is our judgment: Is the news of interest to readers? We don't expect
that everyone will read everything in the Sentinel. But as long as we think a number of people will find the news report interesting, educational or entertaining, we'll try to fit it in the paper.
And like any good recipe, a little spice can help. We look for some variety, rather than serving the same dish every week.
The easy choices for the Sentinel are stories that publicize local events, so that the community can attend. Or telling you what the borough assembly, school board or other elected officials are deciding - those are must-haves for the paper.
But no town is an island, even if it surrounded by water. We want the Sentinel to serve as a bridge off the island, reporting on news from around Southeast, the state and Pacific Northwest that we think is of interest or relevance to many in Wrangell. Even national news that relates to local interests in Wrangell. That includes fisheries, weather, business and politics.
That's why we include news reports about the heat wave that melted the Northwest last month; the sadness over the unreported deaths decades ago of students at boarding schools in Canada; legal battles over COVID-19 vaccination requirements for cruise ship passengers; the new, $50 million cruise ship terminal opening in Ketchikan; landslides in Southeast communities; and the Canadian border closure.
We also ask: Is it useful and does it serve a purpose to inform readers?
A good newspaper should be informative, giving readers helpful news, such as reminding people of the deadline to sign up for health insurance coverage under new, lower-cost premiums added to the online federal portal for Affordable Care Act policies.
It is entertaining? No one can live without humor, even if it is a little biting at times. Such as the Haines camper who jumped out of her outhouse seat when a bear snuck up from underneath.
Most importantly, is it accurate and complete? Is it fair?
Just because a report is accurate doesn't mean it belongs in the newspaper. Just because it's accurate doesn't mean it is anyone's business other than the person affected. And just because it is accurate doesn't mean it's a fair portrayal of events or public policy.
Which gets me back to the beginning. Tell us if you would like to see more or less of certain news topics in the Sentinel. Tell us when you think we are wasting space that could be better used for another topic.
And tell us when you think we are unfair or make it harder on the community. Even better, send us a letter to the editor. We always have room for those.
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