This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Some of what's going on in the Wide, Wide World of Journalism. (All with a tip o' the green eyeshade to Jim Romenesko):

Remember the mystery in Las Vegas? Everyone was wondering who had just bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal, largest news operation in the state.

Turned out that those who guessed that it was casino magnate and big-time Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson were about right. It was his whole family, in a deal engineered by his son-in-law.

Then another shoe hit the floor:

"Mike Hengel, the top editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is stepping aside, less than two weeks after the family of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson took control of the newspaper.

One reporter said the newsroom was 'stunned' by the announcement, which Hengel made on Tuesday evening in the midst of a turbulent period for Nevada's biggest newspaper. ...

" ... A round of end-of-the-year buyouts were initiated before Adelson purchased the paper on December 10. Hengel was originally not eligible. But the eligibility rules were apparently changed for him. ..."

• • •

Another newspaper has also changed hands in the last few days. No secrets about this one.

Dean Singleton, former owner/publisher of, among other titles, The Salt Lake Tribune, has sold The Fairbanks (Alaska) News-Miner to a local non-profit foundation formed by the widow of a former News-Miner publisher.

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner sold to Snedden Foundation — Rod Boyce | Fairbanks News-Miner

" ... The families of Singleton and his long-time business partner Richard B. Scudder purchased the newspaper in 1992 from the family heirs of Charles Snedden. The sale to the nonprofit Helen E. Snedden Foundation is expected to close early next year and includes the Kodiak Daily Mirror. ..."

The idea of newspapers being owned by community-oriented non-profits has been getting a lot of talk in recent years, seeing as how newspapers aren't so profitable any more. But here's the sticking point for some of us.:

" ... no major changes are planned for the newspapers. Nonprofit status will mean, however, that the newspaper cannot endorse candidates for public office and that greater balance must be shown on the editorial pages. ..."

Some in our newsroom beg to differ, but I've always thought that if an editorial page doesn't run endorsements, there's no point in having editorials at all. Voting people into or out of public office is the only way the readers, as opposed to a few public officials, have of putting all the other positions into action.

But, if that's what it will take to save some communities' newspapers...

• • •

Online commenters take note:

The din of online comments to fall silent — Neal Pattison | The Everett (Wash.) Herald

"What would peace on Earth and goodwill toward men look like?

"In these combative times, it's hard to imagine.

"On Monday, The Daily Herald staff is hoping to remove some rancor from our corner of the world. "We will be closing public comments on our website, Heraldnet.com, until early January — or, perhaps, longer.

"A few dozen Heraldnet users seem to fixate on our comments space as if it's a video game, captivated by the sniping, potshots and detonations. Pow. Bang. Boom.

"If you pay attention to those comments, you've probably felt perplexed, distressed, enraged (or all of the above). There is little peace, goodwill or civility.

"Here is our wish for habitual commenters:

"Embrace the season. Use the hours you've been spending on social critiques to reconnect with friends and loved ones who don't hear from you enough. Channel your argumentative energy into caring for yourself, your family and our community.

"Public comments were meant to broaden and enrich civic discussions. Until we can get back on that track, The Daily Herald is taking a break."

Merry Christmas.