TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Tallahassee Democrat readers are seeing a dramatic change on the newspaper’s front page: After 111 years it’s now the Tallahassee Republican.
For a day, at least. Friday’s printed editions had the name change as an April Fools’ Day joke.
A front page column by Gerald Ensley explained the history of the newspaper’s name, dispelling any notion that Democrat was picked for political reasons. Founder John G. Collins chose it as a celebration of democracy and the nation’s values.
In an industry that’s in no danger of being told it’s having too much fun, Publisher Skip Foster said it was a way to engage the community and give folks a chuckle.
Foster said the newspapers’ staff accomplished the goal of having some April Fools’ fun without sending people into a panic.
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