Local

Do you read a local newspaper? Either the kind that gets tossed onto your doorstep in the morning or the kind you access over whatever device you use?

I can't imagine not reading one; actually, I can't imagine not having an old-fashioned subscription. Yes, I know that makes me old-fashioned.

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because my local paper, the San Antonio Express-News, has been (like all of them) undergoing all sorts of hard times, and lately has had a whole bunch of personnel churn, the latest of which is that their great local columnist Cary Clack is leaving (electoral politics angle: he's going to work for local state rep Joaquin Castro, who is taking on redistricted Member of Congress Lloyd Doggett in a fierce primary battle). It's a tough blow; when I started reading the E-N a decade ago it had tons of interesting local voices, and virtually all of them are now gone. Which means that it's gone from being a real newspaper to a wire service clipping operation with a bit of local reporting...sad stuff.

Anyway, in honor of Clack, who I've enjoyed reading so much, and of Sarah Palin's recent "Herb Caen" gaffe, I figured I'd ask y'all if you have any local columnists that you like (and where you find them). Doesn't have to be political, just anyone you like a lot, as long as he or she is solidly local.

And I'm very much going to miss Cary Clack, and wish him well in whatever he does in the future.