Editor Steve Smith in Spokane has been busy writing his introduction to the new design. Smith has been a strong advocate for change at the newspaper, seeing the redesign as a natural extension of his efforts to bring new consumers into the reading habit.

Smith started a blog called "News is a Conversation" and has made transparency one of his major goals for how the news organization communicates, both internally and externally. That blog takes a look at everything the S-R does, including coverage of each day's news meetings so readers can weigh in before the printed paper arrives.

Check out the Spokesman-Review's efforts at www.spokesmanreview.com for a look at the award-winning efforts to engage the Inland Northwest in the community conversation.