Omaha World-Herald: Almost All the News I Want
Written: Jan 23 '01 (Updated Jan 23 '01)
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Pros: Objective editorials for a basically Republican newspaper, good online edition.
Cons: They throw the paper in your driveway from a speeding car.
The Bottom Line: The World-Herald is a traditional, moderately conservative Midwestern newspaper that's more objective than many.
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| MsHooterville's Full Review: Omaha World-Herald |
Even though I grew up about 30 miles northwest of Omaha, I saw The Omaha World-Herald every day of my life. The paper has a local morning edition, a state-wide morning only edition, and an evening edition. Since I moved to Omaha in 1979, I doubt I've missed more than 50 editions. My husband earned enough money as World-Herald paperboy to buy his first new car, 1972 Hurst Cutlass 442 outright.
I've watched the newspaper grow from a rabidly conservative "fry 'em all" editorial viewpoint to a more moderate and balanced editorial viewpoint.
My First Stop: Editorial Page
Each day, the editorial editors use the first two columns of the left-hand page to state the newspaper's general view of current political and local issues. Most days, there are three different subjects. While I don't always agree with the World-Herald's views on the topic of the day, I do commend the editorial writers for stating their case in a reasonable manner.
Most of the time, these editorials "giveth with one hand" and take away with the other, offering both praise and concerns about our new President, their opinion about why we should support certain issues at the polls, or the reasons they have endorsed various candidates (who are not always Republicans these days).
The staff Editorial cartoonist, Jeff Koterba, has been doing priceless work for quite a few years now. His style is unique and his sense of humor is both offbeat and on-target.
Each day, there are a wide variety of syndicated columnists who change or alternate daily. There's no real pattern to publishing of these editorials, some show up only once in a blue moon. But regularly featured are Maureen Dowd, Donna Britt, Thomas Sowell, William F. Buckley, Bob Herbert, Ed J. Dionne, George Will and Marianne Means. Liberals, conservatives, and independents get fairly equal attention, so readers get a broad range of viewpoints from throughout the nation.
Local experts on some issues often write guest editorials in the "Another Point of View" column. The Public Pulse is the "letters" to the editor column. I've written many of them, the vast majority of which have been published without editing (I keep them short). Dissenting letters also appear.
Oh, How the Mighty Fall
Some locals think the World-Herald will give "special treatment" to the wealthy and powerful of our community. However, I've seen some of the biggest get hammered when they mess up. The Herald loves a scandal as much as any newspaper, but unlike some, they are not known to sensationalize. Many mayors, elected officials and business leaders have felt the editorial sting of news reporters.
Lots of Good Special Sections
The Sunday edition of the World-Herald is always very fat and heavy, filled with more and larger sections rather than pages (Business, Lifestyle, Motor News, Real Estate, and Classified Ads are each a separate section on Sundays). Supplements include PARADE Magazine and a color Entertainment Guide for the whole week.
Some special sections, like Bridal, Fashion, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Guide, and dozens of others throughout the year come in weekday editions. There's almost always something extra besides the basic paper.
Almost Complete Online Edition Daily
Anyone who likes to keep up with Omaha and Nebraska news can find the World-Herald's website by visiting Omaha.com. There are archives for 21 days, and visitors may purchase article reprints beyond that time.
I now read many online editions of daily newspapers like the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Detroit Free Press and other major metropolitan dailies. But I'm glad I have that fat plastic bag in my driveway late each afternoon -- even if it is thrown from a speeding car into the general area of my driveway instead of the way my husband did it when he was a kid -- right to the doorstep on the welcome mat!
Recommended:
Yes
Describe the newspaper's political views: It is moderate
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Epinions.com ID:
MsHooterville
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
Reviews written: 596
Trusted by: 416 members
About Me:
News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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