Covering a Native Son

South Dakota newspapers led with the news that former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle is being tapped to join the Obama administration as secretary of Health and Human Services. The state's largest newspaper, the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, reported the news from Washington and included reaction from health-care company executives. The Argus noted that Daschle has written a book about health-care reform, Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis. On its Web site, the newspaper broke out duties of the cabinet post and career details from the South Dakota State grad. Daschle likely would be the first South Dakotan named to a cabinet post, the Argus said.

"Daschle returns to spotlight," said the front page of the Capital Journal in Pierre.

Daschle is a native of Aberdeen, where the American News posted video from a September speech in the city by Daschle and comments from former staffers.

Icon's Reign Ends

Two-thirds of today's Anchorage Daily News is used to report on the defeat of Alaska's longtime U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. A count of absentee and questioned ballots gave Stevens' competitor, Anchorage's mayor, an insurmountable lead. Mark "Begich topples Stevens," the Daily News' banner headline said.

Stevens' image did not appear on the page. Instead, the front page featured a large photo of the incoming senator and a story about how he will be replaced as mayor. The front page teased to an inside story about the vote breakdown in each district. Online, the newspaper provided video of Begich and encouraged readers to offer an opinion on who should be acting mayor. The Daily News has an online section on "Uncle Ted," who has dominated the Alaska political landscape for decades but who was convicted of federal corruption charges.

Speaking of prominent Alaska politicians, Gov. Sarah Palin remains a front-page fixture in Anchorage: "Palin publicity blitz shows no signs of slowing.

California -- State of Emergency

Smoke cleared from weekend wildfires, allowing Southern Californians to see the damage. "At least 155 homes are lost and 104 damaged as recovery begins," The Orange County Register reported. In an interesting juxtaposition, the newspaper printed a reference to outdoors coverage atop the fire coverage: "Return to life."

The Los Angeles Times detailed damage and explained how fire spreads despite care taken by homeowners: "The small spark of a disaster." The Daily News of Los Angeles pictured residents who returned to damaged or destroyed homes.

The Santa Barbara News-Press devoted its entire page to the disaster with photos of "Treasure out of Rubble," the story of a young couple seriously burned and a report of arson charges pending.

While a number of newspapers in the region pictured smoldering ruins, photos of an active fire remained on The Signal in Santa Clarita.

New Edition

The New York Times today reported the end of the Iraq war and the establishment of national health care.

Oh, wait. It's not real. (What gave you a hint?)

With an "All the news we hope to print" edition dated July 4 of next year, some pranksters with the help of a group called The Yes Men papered NYC with the 14-page fake. On its Web site, Yes Men says its mission is "Impersonating big-time criminals in order to publicly humiliate them."

USA TODAY's On Deadline blog writes about it here. The Times itself blogged about it and provided a PDF of the fake and invited comments.

The actual Times (at right) published stories about financial crisis, budget shortfalls, bankruptcy, death and a fight over education. No doubt about its authenticity.

It's Not Over Until It's Over

It's been more than a week since Election Day. Yet news about several races remains on front pages.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that the challenger has overtaken incumbent Ted Stevens by 814 votes in the Alaska U.S. Senate race. The front page answered "Four questions about the final count," which is including absentee ballots and ballots that were questioned on Election Day.

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken are neck-in-neck in a count that will decide the seat from Minnesota. 206 votes separate them. The Pioneer Press of St. Paul said the decision on who wins might come down to five people -- a panel in charge of a recount. The Pioneer Press' front page used a diagram to explain "The recount 5" who will oversee the hand counting of 2.92 million ballots. Online, the newspaper posted video of the state's secretary of state explaining the process and a PDF of a recount guide.

Economic Woes in Detroit

The auto industry drives Detroit and Michigan, so yesterday's news that the U.S. House might move on aid to the Big 3 made banner headlines.

U.S. House Speaker "Pelosi pushes fast auto aid," The News said. The Free Press used details in its headlines: "$25-billion lifeline may be at hand/Plan is strict on exec pay, environmental promises."

The Free Press noted the drop in the price of GM stock and referred to a business-section story "GM must cut 3,500 more salaried workers." Its Web site also linked to a cartoon, commentary and the story "GM retirees flood Medicare hotline."

The News referred to an inside story "Collapse of U.S. automaker would disrupt Toyota, Nissan, Honda because they share parts suppliers" and an opinion piece "Failure too costly."

Signs of ripple effects were apparent in both papers. The News reported on the impact of state budget woes. The Free Press said, "Economy is focus in Detroit mayoral race."

How are you covering the impact of the global economic crisis in your community?

Show and Tell at the White House

The Des Moines Register called it "show-and-tell day." President-Elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, visited President and Laura Bush at the White House on Monday. AP called the visit "a striking symbol of the transfer of power to come."

So how did news organizations share the visit?

In the San Francisco Chronicle, a photo of Obama and Bush was accompanied by photos from White House visits by presidents-elect in 1960, 1968, 1980 and 1992.

A White House photo that gave the feel of being in the Oval Office appeared on front pages, including The Plain Dealer of Cleveland. "Nice to meet you, Mr. President," the headline said. The Plain Dealer used a New York Times story, which noted it was Obama's first visit to the Oval Office. But Obama has been to the White House before, an experience he wrote about in one of his books.

How did you play the story?