Beginning in December, the Demopolis Times print edition will become a weekly publication, printing only on Wednesdays. The Nov. 24 edition will be last to be published on Saturday. The Times also announces the launch of its eEdition, which provides readers an electronic version of the newspaper delivered to their computers or other electronic devices.

The change in the publication schedule is due to the rising costs of newsprint, which has especially affected the newspaper industry this past year.

“Due to tariffs placed on Canadian newsprint, which provides the majority of paper used by community newspapers across the United States, the cost of the basic raw material we use to print a newspaper has increased nearly 30 percent in the past year,” said Times Publisher and Editor Robert Blankenship. “Even with the overturn of the tariff recently, the effects of that repeal will not be automatic. Our choices were to raise the costs for the newspaper or reduce frequency.  At this time, it was decided reducing frequency was the most viable option.”

Subscription prices to the Times will be reduced based on the weekly status. Those with current subscriptions will get the appropriate credit added to their account, extending the subscription accordingly.

In addition to the change to the print publication, the Demopolis Times has also launched its new eEdition. This electronic version of the newspaper features the readability of a traditional newspaper, but is delivered to a subscriber’s email inbox or can be logged into from the Times’ website. It can be viewed on computers or mobile devices.

“The new eEdition is a great way for subscribers to get their local news on their own schedule and in an easy-to-read format. The eEdition also provides for faster delivery and in most cases will be available to readers by 5 or 6 a.m., if not earlier,” Blankenship said.

The eEdition is currently available for free at demopolistimes.com by clicking on “eEdition” in the top menu bar. Following the free preview period, the subscription cost for the eEdition will be $4 per month.

“News gathering and reporting is a rapidly changing industry and we feel the changes being made now will allow the Demopolis Times to continue serving its community for many years to come. You can count on us to continue covering local government, events, sports and all those things that make our community the unique place that it is,” Blankenship said.

Anyone with questions regarding the eEdition or the publication changes may  contact the publisher by phone or at robert.blankenship@demopolistimes.com.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, November 21 issue of the Demopolis Times.)