Our readers are talking

What do our readers want from us? It's a question that employees in all departments of Columbia Basin Herald ask from time to time. Are we covering too much of one topic, or not enough in another area of reader interest?

Are readers wanting more feel good stories, hard-hitting coverage of controversial topics, online photo galleries, photo spreads in the print edition, personal profiles on interesting subjects, education articles, sports stories or a steady diet of breaking news? Or all of the above? We ponder about striking the right balance of news and photos on a daily basis.

But even during the dog days of August, our readers care enough to weigh in on our online stories, at www.columbiabasinherald.com.

This week's most commented stories include "Sen. Murray discusses transportation and training," "Rep. Doc Hastings visits area as well," "Republican candidate signs targeted," and "Ephrata extends marijuana garden moratorium."

We appreciate our readers' participation during the everyday busyness of their lives and encourage them to keep writing and contributing to discussions prompted by our articles and stories. It is our readers who drive us, inspire us and motivate us to do better. For that, we thank you.

As communities in our coverage area grow and add new schools and businesses, our readers' expectations could change with the times.

Moses Lake alone added 2,145 residents between April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011, ranking it 10th among micro areas with the largest numeric increase, according to an April 18 Columbia Basin Herald article. The bureau defines a micro area as having between 10,000 to 50,000 residents. Moses Lake's population is 20,366.

During these changing times, we want to stay connected with our readers and encourage you to keep weighing in on our articles and coverage.

Please feel free to email your comments, questions, suggestions and concerns to members of our Editorial Board, publisher Harlan Beagley, publisher@columbiabasinherald.com, circulation director Tom Hinde, thinde@columbiabasinherald.com, and managing editor Lynne Lynch, editor@columbiabasinherald.com.

- Editorial Board