Busy times ahead for the newspaper

In the newspaper business, we have busy news days, slow news days and then dreadfully slow news days.

Thus is the nature of small-town newspapers.

But as our Managing Editor so accurately pointed out, we are approaching a "perfect storm" in local newspaper reporting.

In a few short days, readers will digest some fascinating election results, make their plans for the Bootheel Rodeo and get the kids ready for school.

Now each of these three news events would capture ample attention on their own. Combined they form a nightmare in terms of reporting.

But report we shall.

Overshadowing all of these events is a once-in-a-lifetime hot weather pattern that has both farmers and consumers on high stress alert. And since the bulk of the economy in our region is based on farming, to ignore the negative impact on that sector of our economy is impossible.

There's also a lingering question in Sikeston city chambers on a probe of Sikeston's handling of the flood plain designation that has caused great concern because of the potential financial impact on hundreds of homeowners.

Given more time and resources, I assume we'd do an even better job of reporting on all of these upcoming news events.

Our job - especially in the area of local political reporting - is to provide as accurate a snapshot of the candidates as possible. We don't pretend to provide an all-encompassing viewpoint of each and every candidate's positions on all topics.

We have neither the time nor space. And quite frankly, we suspect that readers lack the appetite to digest every nuance of the candidates' positions.

But for a small town like Sikeston, let's just say there is an abundance of news to read these days. And news that is both valuable and useful as well.

All too often, small town newspapers struggle day in and day out to fill their pages with something readable, useful, informative and sometimes entertaining.

We won't face that struggle over the next few weeks, to say the least.

While many of us seem fixated on the political activities, countless parents are equally as focused on the first days of school. And while those parents are making their plans, a large group of Jaycees are working around the clock to ensure the annual Rodeo is a success.

And while all of this flurry of activity is swirling, hundreds of farmers are keeping a watchful eye on the skies for more much-needed rain.

In short, it's a busy time for just about everyone.

And when it's busy for you, rest assured, it's equally busy for your hometown newspaper.