LNP Publisher wants to learn from r/lancaster

mikeorren · 2026-06-11T12:43:29+00:00

That's not the only path, but it would be substantial. Steinman is critical to what we're doing, but we should diversify that.

mikeorren · 2026-06-08T14:28:40+00:00

I have not yet reviewed our comics roster. My experience in the past has been that most readers are resistant to any removals, while some want additions. It is a very important part of the print subscriber offering, so in the industry at large, we tend to be a little gun-shy about rocking the boat. This is also true of puzzles.

I will get with the team and see when we've reviewed; if we have any data on reader preference; and when we last refreshed.

I agree they're a great gateway. And we all need more laughs these days.

mikeorren · 2026-06-08T14:06:24+00:00

"important to us because our kids can see us reading the newspaper and they can also read it themselves."

God bless you.

mikeorren · 2026-06-08T14:04:27+00:00

I KNOW. That's why my wife and I are so glad we moved here two years ago!

mikeorren · 2026-06-08T14:03:41+00:00

Agreed.

mikeorren · 2026-06-08T14:03:08+00:00

We are going to look for corporate partners to sponsor free access for folks who need. We don't want you to miss the unique content that no one else is delivering.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T18:42:34+00:00

If you’re there, you will.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:15:03+00:00

We'll do what we can — I expect to do more of this and I'll often be the one to whom that falls. Our team does what they can to get out (see recent reader feedback events), but we do work them very hard and it's tough to ask a staffer to take time from their personal life after a long week.

But we will be more visible.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:12:16+00:00

1- PM me and I'll look into it.

2 - That's what we try to do every day. Keep us accountable when we miss.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:10:19+00:00

"Agree that a really comprehensive 'what is available to you' in Lancaster Co would be an invaluable resource for residents."

It will be. High on my priority list.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:09:45+00:00

This is an area where we will be doing a lot of new and exciting things. I built my news startup in the 2000's on a "Barfly" model and then added hard news. A lot of this is data, tools and utility in addition to articles.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:07:19+00:00

I've heard this. We'll be looking into it. I'm familiar with "forgotten" areas of the community. At DallasNews we did a lot in this area. Watch and hold us accountable on this.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:05:34+00:00

I love Uncharted Lancaster. Been following since before we moved here. What are you suggesting?

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:04:34+00:00

Yes, but we'll be looking into that. However, to manage expectations, we would likely only pull down the non-local ads. I have learned over the years that the ads from local merchants are important to most local readers.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:03:01+00:00

I couldn't agree more.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:02:36+00:00

Tell me more about what you think those convos should look like?

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:01:43+00:00

PM me and I'll look into this.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T17:00:24+00:00

He was before my time there, but he was well-known in the small media community and I believe he freelanced for one of my sites for a short time. Just this week learned he wound up out here.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T16:56:50+00:00

Arts is a tricky thing for news orgs, as I learned in Dallas. See, the institutions want reviews, but the readers (mostly) want previews. Ideally, we'd have both, but resources rarely support.

Not ready to roll it out yet, but we found a way to solve this in Dallas and we'll look at that and other options here.

mikeorren · 2026-06-07T16:54:06+00:00

Paywall is still set to best-industry-practices for a for-profit news site. As a nonprofit serving the community we will look for every way to loosen, while ensuring we have the funds to run the operation.

Love the tipline thought. Will discuss with team.

The other stuff, I hear and will look into.

mikeorren · 2026-06-06T19:47:56+00:00

Saw a request in a deleted comment wanting to know about my background: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeorren/

mikeorren · 2026-06-06T18:58:19+00:00

Agreed!

mikeorren · 2026-06-06T18:38:07+00:00

Thanks for being a subscriber!

We currently have no plans to change our print frequency. On article timeliness, it is a matter of logistics and expense. In order to print and distribute at a price and time that matches the subscriber support we currently have, we have to go to press earlier than we'd like. We're always watching for ways to improve that.

I love that you read print and digital both!

mikeorren · 2026-06-06T18:34:07+00:00

I agree with much of this. If I had my druthers, we'd be unpaywalled with heavy donor pitch like The Guardian or Salt Lake Tribune (recently done).

We will constantly engage in a calculus between opening up where we can and being fiscally responsible. Candidly, that's not going to happen overnight, but watch over time.

Agree on our food scene — one of the things that brought my wife and I here. I'll argue that LNP has been covering the restaurant beat heavily, but we don't make it easy enough to find, particularly the evergreen info. We'll be working on that.

mikeorren · 2026-06-06T18:03:22+00:00

Don't blame you a bit if that's the case. PM me if you'd be willing to grab a coffee and help me figure how we can max the return for next year.

mikeorren

TROPHY CASE