Staff at the Minneapolis Star Tribune have a new message for their readers: "It's your paper and we need your help to save it."
On Monday, Star Tribune employees are launching a new effort to keep the newspaper from folding.
Since the Star Tribune filed for bankruptcy in January, there have been hundreds of layoffs.
With a new website and a Facebook page, workers are calling on readers for advice on how to change today's newspaper model. There will also be a place to sign up for a subscription.
Workers say they hope the effort ends up as kind of a "sales pitch," showing potential local buyers how much the community appreciates their hometown paper.
"Really what we want to do is get the public behind us," says Jackie Crosby, a business reporter for the Star Tribune. "Because we feel like we're more than just a for-profit business, we feel like we're part of the community and we have an important role to play in civic life," Crosby concludes.
Star Tribune staff will be handing out paper hats and scorecards at Monday's Twins home opener in hopes of drumming up interest in their new website.
To check out the website (goes online Monday), click here.
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