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Subscriber Angry: Sues Newspaper Over Cutbacks

A reader of the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., is suing the paper for cutting its staff and issue size without warning subscribers. Keith Hempstead, a lawyer and former reporter at another paper, says he's trying to make a statement about how newspaper loyalists feel cheated when companies cut back the amount of news and get rid of staff.

More interesting than the suit is the attitude of News & Observer executive editor John Drescher in his response. "We've had some really good papers recently, and they're worth more than the 36 cents a day that Mr. Hempstead is paying us ... He can work with my lawyer and figure out how much he's going to pay me for the excellent coverage."

On June 16, the paper announced it will produce fewer news pages and will lay off 70 staffers.

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