Lighter In Debt, Star Tribune Nears Ch. 11 Exit

JEFF BAENEN

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When the Star Tribune emerges from bankruptcy protection later this month, Minnesota's largest newspaper will be far leaner than it once was — but with the same pressure to generate revenue.

The Strib, as locals call it, used Chapter 11 to wipe away nearly $400 million in debt and extract $20 million annually in union concessions that the 142-year-old newspaper considered essential to its survival.

Financial engineering aside, its main challenge while it waits for an advertising drought to end will be to deliver a quality product to readers in print and online with a newsroom staff nearly one-third smaller than it was two years ago.

To keep readers buying the newspaper, the Star Tribune has delayed posting some in-depth Sunday stories online. The Star Tribune also has experimented with a TV-style newscast online and may charge readers for access to some or all stories on the Internet.

A federal judge is expected to approve the Star Tribune's reorganization plan following a hearing in New York on Thursday.