John Hughes comment-9831 2009-06-24T16:33:53Z 2009-06-24T16:33:53Z On the topic of stimulus money, the original deal was that the money -- in RT's case $14 million -- could only be used for capital projects. The idea was that these projects would create jobs. Legislation was added to the Iraq War funding bill that would allow RT and other transit agencies to redirect up to 10 percent to operating expenses. Assuming that President Obama signs the bill, that money might prevent the need for planned service reductions in January. RT will be discussing those January cutbacks at the July 27 board meeting. John Hughes 2009-06-24T16:33:53Z John Hughes comment-5835 2009-04-10T18:21:59Z 2009-04-10T18:21:59Z waldorfandstatler: The first five items you list have nothing at all to do with transit or buses and everything to do with community and neighborhoods. The fact that Sacramento's community includes those elements is a sad tale. As for the "bus drivers peeling away" they are the exception that prove the rule. John Hughes 2009-04-10T18:21:59Z John Hughes comment-5611 2009-04-06T15:52:34Z 2009-04-06T15:52:34Z Paperless newspapers have arrived in Detroit -- well, almost paperless. WSJ: " Gannett Co.'s Free Press and MediaNews Group's News this week limited their home delivery to Thursday and Friday, while only the Free Press arrives Sunday. On other days, the two papers will publish an abbreviated print paper sold only on the newsstand and a replica electronic edition available via the Internet." I'm reminded of the tale of the farmer whose dog had an infection that required the amputation of the dog's tail. Fearful of hurting the dog, he chose to cut a little off each day until the entire tail was gone. The dog did not appreciate the "kindness" of the farmer. McClatchy press releases talk of transitioning to a paper and online hybrid model. I suppose the perspective of those who still have their jobs is different from those who suffered the first cuts. John Hughes 2009-04-06T15:52:34Z John Hughes comment-5276 2009-03-30T22:15:16Z 2009-03-30T22:15:16Z In looking at the content, you need to appreciate the weekday nature of reporting. What you see Monday was produced by the skeleton weekend staff or held over from the week before. Tuesday through Saturday are the weekday news and that's where the staff works. Sunday content is generally produced ahead of time. Features goes to bed on Thursday (or did when I worked at The Bee), Forum goes to bed Friday afternoon. John Hughes 2009-03-30T22:15:16Z John Hughes comment-4835 2009-03-20T20:14:35Z 2009-03-20T20:14:35Z I think you will find DNA and South Line expansion funded through Federal Transit Administration. Some of the very first actual construction will be funded with funds from the high-speed rail proposition, which set aside a percentage of integration of that project with local transit. John Hughes 2009-03-20T20:14:35Z John Hughes comment-3881 2009-02-26T16:53:40Z 2009-02-26T16:53:40Z In a perfect world, videos or audio recordings of presentations and copies of any material handed out would be available in a section of the site devoted to the mechanics of journalism. This would turn the valuable lessons learned by 20 individuals into a store of information that could help many, many more. John Hughes 2009-02-26T16:53:40Z John Hughes comment-3099 2009-02-06T07:23:20Z 2009-02-06T07:23:20Z Good luck with that, Paul. RT isn't the most cooperative organization. Their concept of "public" as in "public records" is pretty much limited to mainstream media. However, if you do get the documents, be sure to put them up at http://www.scribd.com/ or some other place where everyone can have a look. John Hughes 2009-02-06T07:23:20Z John Hughes comment-291 2008-10-14T23:33:42Z 2008-10-14T23:33:42Z Dude, do you guys ever sleep? All of the stories were posted between midnight and 5 a.m. John Hughes 2008-10-14T23:33:42Z