Rake Stops Print Publication, Will Remain Online

The Rake announced today that it will cease print publication, lay off 15 of its 16 employees (keeping Cristina Cordova to run the web op) and presumably continue as a sort of local Huffington Post (assuming they can keep some of the blogging names on board -- Britt Robson, Jeremy Iggers, Anne Bauer, et al.).

Just prior to the announcement, there was a small dustup in the comments at Brad Zellar's Rake blog (Yo, Ivanhoe!) about David Brauer's MinnPost coverage of The Rake being for sale. MNspeak also has lots of comments on the news.

This is sad news for the Twin Cities media community, although having one less outlet probably won't make much difference (and The Rake was known to be near the bottom of the pay scale for writers). And it's sad news for a friend of mine, a (now former) Rake employee who received a whopping four days of severance pay.

Ultimately, though, quality will out. My friend is talented and will find new and better work. The better writers at the Rake will find lots of opportunities to have their unique voices heard. And maybe Melinda Jacobs can buy what's left of the Rake and turn it into her own vanity publishing mini-empire. Now if only she could find an editor ...

Investigation of Former US Atty Rachel Paulose Hits Roadblock - The US Justice Dept.

According to the PiPress, the investigation into allegations of mismanagement by former US Attorney Rachel Paulose has hit a roadblock: the US Justice Dept is blocking access by the special prosecutor appointed in the case. Eric Black has the details at MinnPost. They are also apparently stonewalling on the investigation into the politically-motivated firings of 8 other US Attorneys. Former US Attorney Tom Heffelfinger was apparently on the list to be fired before he resigned.

To steal a quote from a Jack Nicholson movie character: When I assess the Bush Administration, I just think of how a normal governing administration would be run, then I take away reason and accountability.