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I prefer reading my local newspapers online, as well. What concerns me, though, as more of us switch to online news rather than print, is that the local paper with local news and local advertisement will not survive in either format. I find this rather troubling as I watch America becoming more and more homogenized. Local flavor is disappearing as downtowns and local business give way to strip malls and Wal-Marts.
Right now local papers are going online and getting more traffic than ever but the advertisement revenue isn't following. The local businesses that are used to advertising in the paper haven't quite made the transition to advertising online. The web isn't really viewed by most as being a local thing. Aside from the business ads, classifieds have largely moved to Craigslist, Ebay and employment search websites like Moster, HotJobs, etc. Even obituaries are starting to move online. Those were the other big money-makers for the local paper. So while the local news is out there, they're just not getting the revenue they need to keep going. The two local newspapers I read are both in desperate need of cash. I've considered subscribing to their Kindle editions just to give my support even though I don't think it's that great a format for newspapers with the current physical limitations.
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