Don't know how much recruits look at local news but I think it good on many fronts for local sports writers to show interest and this helps build fanbase, which (may?) help build readership.

Newspapers IMO need to get back to the day when they were a journal source of stories and writing talent instead of pretending they're actually news sources. The outdoor sports editors have a long history of this type approach (though also a bit of editorializing) and they are one area which has had continued success. Even the food editor previous to the current one, had and wrote good stories as did the long term one before him. I think it's the editorializing and attempt at forcing and politicing local direction, obvious vendeta's, without any actual experience at building well, anything, that has turned people off.

It was obvious the outdoor writers, liked and regularly interacted with that environment. Same those previous food editors. More of that please. More stories. More local stories. Something not about food trucks or dogs. hmmm, just realized, I've yet to see a food truck for dogs... MONEY MAKER!!! Someone get on that, give me credit for the idea.

McDog? Burger Puppy? Chow Mein?