15 Minutes of Fame

This year's presidential race is creating minor celebrities. There's Joe the Plumber of Ohio, whom The Blade of Toledo told us about. And today, the Rocky Mountain News of Denver features a third-grader who asked vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin about the role of the No. 2. "Third-grade stumper," the tabloid said, with a photo of the questioner that is cute as can be.

Play Ball

In anticipation of the Phillies-Rays World Series, The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa. -- Phillies territory -- published an eight-page special section that wrapped around the day's newspaper. Down Rays' way, The Tampa Tribune referred to its special section from Page One, which noted that tonight's match-up is not just a game, it is "A Life-Defining Event." What other life-defining events warrant special sections?

Pretty in Pink

Today's Miami Herald is, well, pink. In honor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the newspaper is supportively pink. A "New Hope" front-page centerpiece notes Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reports on research being done by the University of Miami. Would you print your newspaper in pink or other color?

Photo Choice

A Reuters photo from the U.S. presidential debate got wide play in newspapers in other parts of the world. The unusual photo of John McCain was printed on front pages from Turkey to Germany to Bulgaria to Ireland to the United Arab Emirates. With this photo, the cultine is imperative. Reuters offered this caption: “McCain reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with … Obama at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University.”

Dow Gets Banner Headline

Yesterday's stock market plunge was a "778-point cry for help," USA Today reported after the House rejected an economic bailout plan. Front Pages responded to the tears, producing compelling packages that often took up most of the page. The Detroit Free Press reported the news from Capitol Hill and Wall Street graphically, adding a local column, auto company stock prices and references to more content inside. Reporting that a "Depression unlikely, but a recession could be painful," the Chicago Tribune tracked the stock market during the Great Depression and incorporated into its design a photo from a 1934 soup kitchen line.

Farewell from New York

The New York Sun published its last edition today after Editor Seth Lipsky told employees that the newspaper "explored every possible way to avoid having to cease publication." The last Page One featured "Seven Years of the Sun" in front pages. Inside, the newspaper published its own obituary. With today's edition, The Sun joined the ranks of deceased newspapers, including The Washington Star, which folded in 1981 and is on display in the Newseum's News Corporation News History Gallery.

More than OK

The Oklahoman in Oklahoma City shows off a new design today that it says was 18 months in the making. The newspaper is now smaller, and the design includes a larger font size and colors that represent an "Oklahoma pallet." Editors promise more consistent design and more stories and entry points on the front page. The newspaper has a multimedia explanation of the changes.