Bailout Proponents and Opponents

The U.S. House passed a $14 billion bailout for the Big 3 automakers, and today's front pages report conflicting points of view on the bailout.

From Detroit: The Free Press, which has strongly editorialized in favor of help to the automakers, printed "House OKs Aid" at the top of its page. It again used red ink to illustrate looming problems: "But why are these senators unhappy?" An answer, "GOP opponents want more UAW sacrifices."

From Alabama: Most representatives from the state voted against the bailout. The Montgomery Advertiser pictured U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby of Tuscaloosa, the leading critic of bailing out Ford, GM and Chrysler. The Press-Register of Mobile said, "Shelby waiting to block bailout" as it heads to the U.S. Senate. Huntsville is home to a Toyota assembly plant, and The Huntsville Times quoted a Detroit automotive expert as saying Shelby doesn't understand the consequences for Alabama if a bailout fails: "Bankruptcy would hit state suppliers hard."

State of Shame

"Shame" appeared in banner headlines across Illinois this morning as newspapers provided extensive coverage of the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The Chicago Tribune said, "Governor faces shocking array of charges -- topped by accusations he tried to auction a U.S. Senate seat." That seat had been held by Barack Obama, who gave an exclusive interview to the Tribune. The Journal Star of Peoria reported that state lawmakers would return to the capital to consider a "plan to take away the governor's power to appoint a new U.S. senator."

The Daily Herald of suburban Chicago used photos to illustrate the accusations against the governor. The Rockford Register Star said, "Blago Arrested," which seemed like old news this morning. But it used as its main art an illustration that incorporated the governor's photo and a note to editorial-page editor Wally Haas written on the newspaper's endorsement of Blagojevich. "Dear Wally, I won't let you down. Rod Blagojevich," the note read.

Illinois Governor Arrested

AP is reporting that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on corruption charges. It quotes a federal law-enforcement official as saying the charges result from Blagojevich's handling of the selection of a successor to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Beyond the breaking news, the Chicago Tribune's Web site includes a backgrounder, criminal complaint, video of Blagojevich's reaction and photos of his time in office. We didn't have to wait long for the Chicago Sun-Times headline. "Busted," said the banner headline on an eight-page special edition.
The Sun-Times also is reporting: "The charges also include alleged attempts by the governor to influence the Tribune editorial board, threatening, that if the Tribune didn’t support him, he wouldn’t approve the sale of Wrigley Field." The Tribune posted a statement from Editor Gerould Kern that included: "On occasion, prosecutors asked us to delay publication of stories, asserting that disclosure would jeopardize the criminal investigation. In isolated instances, we granted the requests, but other requests were refused." From Illinois' state capital, the Springfield Journal-Register reports that the first demand for the governor's resignation has been made.

Breaking News in San Diego

The afternoon crash of a military jet in a San Diego neighborhood killed three people. The San Diego Union-Tribune responded with stories, a photo gallery and video of an eyewitness on its Web site. Its information included an at-a-glance description of the F/A-18 Hornet, which was trying to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, an aerial view of the crash site and links to related sites.

Tribune Under Debt

This morning's Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times refer to inside stories about parent Tribune Co., which has hired bankruptcy advisers. The Times said, "A bankruptcy action is possible but not certain." Tribune, which is $13 billion in debt, owns eight newspapers and 23 television stations along with other assets. The news was reported by The Wall Street Journal's Web site on Sunday and appears on today's Washington Post front page.

Update: Tribune has filed for bankruptcy protection, The New York Times reports.

Leadership in the Community

The Detroit Free Press devoted its front page today to a "Message to Washington" editorial that calls on members of Congress to help the ailing Big 3 automakers.

Editor Paul Anger noted that a copy of the newspaper was being sent to every member of Congress. "We ... know that while a newspaper needs to inform, there are times when a newspaper needs to speak up for what's right."

Big 3 Drives Front-Page Coverage

The Big 3 automakers return to top headlines in Detroit as they head to Capitol Hill this week to plead for a $25-billion rescue.

"Bold pitch takes shape," said the Free Press banner headline. It used red ink to highlight words in subheads: "UAW to mull concessions/GM to cut executive pay/Ford to show future cars."

Yesterday, The News reported on automakers' strategy. Today, it leads with "UAW mulls reopening contracts to aid Big 3."

Both newspapers printed columns -- the Free Press' on the front page ("Only a vision of overhauling the industry will do" by Tom Walsh) and The News' Daniel Howes' "Shared denial takes Big 3 to the brink" inside.

The News also offers a map illustrating other countries that are considering bailouts for their automakers, and the Free Press' coverage include a sports perspective: "NASCAR's (team boss) Rick Hendrick: Don't punish Big 3, assist them."

Both newspapers also balanced this morning's front pages with news of the guilty plea to perjury by a former aide to the the ex-mayor.