• by Erik Sass , January 3, 2008

In what may be a first for American newspapers, a new Web site is being launched to continue the reporting of an expired print newspaper--The Kentucky Post, closed by E.W. Scripps at the same time as its sister publication, The Cincinnati Post. In another twist, the new Web site--KYPost.com--will be hosted by WCPO-TV, a Scripps television property in Cincinnati, drawing heavily on the station's video news for online content.

The ad-supported site will focus on breaking local news, traffic advisories, sports scores and schedules, and weather in northern Kentucky communities, including user-generated content. It will be directed by managing editor Kerry Duke, previously the project editor for the paper's print edition.

Rich Boehne, Scripps executive vice president and chief operating officer, tried to put the best spin on closing the print newspaper: "After considerable analysis, we determined that the next chapter in the long and successful story of the Post should be found on the Web."

The move comes as Scripps prepares to spin off its ailing newspaper division, separating it from the more profitable TV business. It's unclear whether KYPost.com will go with the TV or newspaper business.

The Scripps announcement follows the launch of another online-only newspaper covering local news in Minnesota: Minnpost.com. Unlike KYPost.com, Minnpost.com is entirely new, not the continuation of a closed print newspaper. The site was founded by Joel Kramer, previously the publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The articles are written by dozens of contributors recruited by Kramer, including a large proportion of professional journalists.