Seattle takes interest in Press Herald story

Some in the Pacific Northwest still have at least a passing interest in what has become of the Portland Press Herald and its sister papers, one year after they were sold by the family that owns the Seattle Times Co.

The thoughtful Seattle-based digital news hub Crosscut has republished my piece on the state of the papers -- and the maverick philosophies of new owner Richard Connor -- from the current issue of Down East.

I'm pleased Crosscut has maintained an interest in the story. Some of the best reporting on the state of the previous owners' newspaper empire -- by former Washington Post staffer Bill Richards -- appeared on the site last year.

Maybe Maine needs one of these things.

[Update, 6/29/10: Connor offers a celebratory take on his first year of ownership; Al Diamon responds.]