Post by Kerri Westenberg

We woke to claps of thunder before dawn this morning in New Orleans. That seemed fitting as I thought of my former colleagues at the The Minnesota Star Tribune. The newsroom is in the midst of its own storm and disruption. Today is decision day, when many talented journalists face difficult choices about purpose, financial security, work life, and whether to take a buyout or remain in a diminished newsroom. I've been thinking about the people pondering those decisions—editors who carefully shaped thousands of stories, whose names readers may never know, but whose judgment and commitment led to fair, vital stories that bolstered the civic and cultural life of Minnesota. To my former colleagues, those who will leave and those who will remain: thank you for the work. From important briefs and enlightening stories to heart-wrenching coverage of tragic news (so much of that) and award-winning series, it all mattered. Good luck to all of you. Nicole Hvidsten Catherine Preus Bob Timmons Pam Louwagie Chris Carr Kristen Painter Sue Campbell @Chris