The nature of a crisis and the determination that overcomes it
In more than five decades as a daily news operation, the Daily Herald has faced few experiences, perhaps none, as difficult, demanding and uncertain as the past week. And it appears production disruptions that have plagued us and other print news media appear destined to continue into at least the early days of the coming week.
But we will persevere in spite of them to produce a newspaper as faithful as possible to that to which you are accustomed. And we will overcome them. You may now be noticing minor discrepancies in the reporting, production or delivery of your paper, but within days, even they will be gone.
There is a particularly important reason that the discrepancies are minor and that they will be overcome. But first, the problem.
In the severe storms, including multiple tornadoes, that wracked the Chicago region Monday night, lightning apparently struck the Schaumburg building where the Daily Herald is printed, leading to damage to the presses that made them inoperable. The strike occurred just at the time our paper was due to be printed. As a result, we were not able to deliver Tuesday’s editions. Subscribers could turn to our e-edition online at www.dailyherald.com, but we know that for many, the print product is especially important.
The Schaumburg print center is owned and operated by Tribune Publishing, which publishes newspapers under contract with the Daily Herald and several other companies, including the Chicago Tribune, of course, as well as the Chicago Sun-Times, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. While technicians there worked to identify and address the mechanical failures, the Daily Herald contracted with a separate printer to complete production of Tuesday’s paper, expecting to deliver that edition along with Wednesday’s, which included a front-page explanation from Chairman, CEO & Publisher Douglas K. Ray describing what had happened.
As things developed, that company wasn’t able to complete printing on the timeline we needed, so many customers received only the Tuesday edition on Wednesday. We then turned to a printer in Blue Island that does not have the complete setup to produce the Daily Herald exactly as we require, but did have what was needed to get us back to something like normal by Thursday, and is continuing to work with us while repairs continue in Schaumburg.
At last word, that work requires parts that must be acquired from the press manufacturer in Europe, though some may be available at other printing facilities in the United States. The bottom line is that it’s unclear exactly when all the issues will be resolved. We just know that they will be resolved — and as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, there is that matter of producing a timely, world-class, thorough Daily Herald under extreme conditions. That is being handled with determination, resourcefulness and skill by editors, reporters, photographers and production staff.
In the midst of covering the Republican National Convention practically in our back yard in Milwaukee, photographer John Starks and staff writers Marni Pyke, Chris Placek, Steve Zalusky and Alice Fabbre revised plans under the guidance of deputy managing editor Chuck Keeshan and photo director Paul Valade to ensure that our national report was complemented by the suburban-focused coverage that distinguishes the Daily Herald. Throughout the week, copy editors Melynda Findlay Shamie, Bob Beamesderfer and Brian Shamie, along with sports editors Orrin Schwarz and Kevin Schmit, worked like pilots navigating constant and unpredictable turbulence to produce the pages for each day’s edition. Deputy Managing Editor for Online Travis Siebrass reworked our e-editions to get in stories and information that could not make print because of early deadlines. Meanwhile, Assistant Managing Editor Caroline Linden worked doggedly to help manage constant changes to both our breaking news pages and our sports, entertainment, Neighbor and other sections.
Of particular note has been the round-the-clock efforts of Paddock Publications’ Director of Operations Don Stamper. Of his efforts, CEO Ray told me in an email, “His experience and commitment were on full display. He was the point person dealing with his counterparts at Tribune, the replacement printers, our internal editorial leadership and the senior management team. He developed the contingency plan. We owe him a lot.”
Ray also had words for our entire staff that deserve being shared.
“What a great team we have at the Daily Herald,” he wrote, “and it is borne out when challenges like this present themselves. Fast acting, creative, problem-solvers, one and all. From the unsung staffers who handle customer questions and complaints, to an editorial team who created special reports and adapted to deadline changes, to process and production staff members on the front line to ensure pages reach a variety of outsourced printers.”
All this, I hasten to add, in the immediate aftermath of covering a weekend assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
It is in times of trouble that we all learn who our friends are and who we can count on to pull us through. Your patience and understanding through these disruptions has been humbling and gratifying to us on the first count. I hope you now also have a better idea of who is looking out for you on the second.
jslusher@dailyherald.com