Richmond's afternoon newspaper, The Richmond News Leader folds on May 30, 1992

Michael Ford The Saturday Richmond News Leader itself says it all about the future of this afternoon newspaper. Unknown One last source call cut. Big Story, a big story too late. It's 8:30 Michael Ford But final curtain call or not, News Leaser staffers remain true to their craft and their newspaper. Jerry Finch They are professionals. They've done this every day of their working career and it wouldn't occur to me it'd be any different on the last day. Michael Ford Managing editor Jerry Fenn says it's business as usual, and approves the first edition front page layout by 8:10 a.m. Others in the newsroom work just as quickly. Unknown As much as we hate to see it close, we're willing to go ahead and try to make the new Times Dispatch as good a paper as we possibly can. Michael Ford Throughout the newsroom, some staffers wear shirts with a message about the end. Copy Editor Hugh Stith supports a tuxedo stressing the virtues of going out with class. Meanwhile, staff artist Mary Garner-Mitchell dresses in black to mourn the passing of a Richmond institution. Mary Garner-Mitchell It's a sad day for many of us. It's also a good day for others. For most of us, we have new places to go and new projects to work on. Michael Ford Mary will become design editor for The Times Dispatch Flair section starting Monday. But it's proud of her work on the final issue commemorative magazine this part of today's paper. The final run of a 60 page paper rushes by at a rate of 40,000 copies an hour. Pressman for random copies to make sure the quality is good, protecting the nuclear reputation to the very end. From printing press to finish bundles these 170,000 copies of the Richmond News Leaser move across the state and throughout Metro Richmond for the last time. Back in the newsroom the time for celebration has come. People exchange congratulations, wishes for good luck in the future, and goodbyes to what they've known as the GONL, Good Ole News Leader. In Richmond, Michael Ford. WTVR News 6 Transcribed by https://otter.ai