NYT, Trib to dump stand-alone sections

NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Two of the biggest U.S. newspapers are moving away from traditional stand-alone sections in bids to save money, sources say.

The New York Times said that editors have decided to incorporate its local New York metropolitan news section into its front section, while the Chicago Tribune is considering eliminating its stand-alone business and local news sections, unnamed sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

At the Times, the new combined sections will go into effect Oct. 6 and will affect only local editions of the newspaper while its national edition will remain the same, Editor Bill Keller said in a memo to newsroom staff. The move will allow the Times to save money on printing costs at a time when revenues are shrinking.

In Chicago, the Sun-Times' sources said one aspect of the Tribune's upcoming redesign could result in significant reductions in the amount of space given to news by combining national and international news, local news, business reports and the editorial page all in the front section of the newspaper.

Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell has ordered cost cuts at all its newspapers to combat steep declines in advertising revenue.