I find this crumb of the old normalcy oddly reassuring.

Indeed. There have been other signs of late. Still, I'm not getting my hopes up until I see a weekend morning news post. We should hold a rally in support of weekend morning news posts.

@3 yes, we miss them! As a less desirable alternative (if the 7 day/week option is too much) throw up an open thread on Friday afternoon that is configured so it's the top post until Monday morning.

And, hell's bells, thanks for asking. Radio silence re the lamentation of the faithful has been maddening.

Ditto @4. And as long as/if somebody's listening, are you doing a Slog holiday fundraiser this year, or is everybody just stretched too thin? It's getting a little bit late to start something if you want people's uncommitted charity $$.

Unfortunately, @5, you are correct that we just haven't been able to pull together the time/resources for a full-on charity drive this year, and it really is a shame. But hey, if you're feeling charitable, we all still really love YouthCare. They do some really vital work on a shoestring budget, and they are a small enough organization that every little donation genuinely helps.

Thank you, Katie. Will do.

@6: that sucks...the lack of Slog holiday fundraiser that is.

I also suggest Teen Feed...even more shoestring and direct.

And thanks rob! for the reminder about past Slog holiday fundraisers...just another sign of how fast and badly things have fallen. Sigh.