Stories that didn’t get on A1
We have three news meetings each weekday at which section editors pitch stories for A1 display.
Today’s front page ended up with these topics:
The Summer Olympics, FAA fines American Airlines over safety issues, Wal-Mart’s local supercenter expansion and cyber-support groups for illnesses.
Two stories almost landed on Page One:
“Inflation at fastest pace in 17 years” (B1) This was in the A1 lineup until the American Airlines fine was announced, when inflation was pushed back to the Business front.
“ATV crash kills girl, 5, injures teenage driver” (C1) This fell just short, mainly because the story lacked the identities of the victims. It led the Metro cover.
These were mentioned by their editors as possibilities but were never penciled in the lineup.
“Clinton to play big role at convention” (A3)
“Russia: Georgia can’t ‘forget’ recovering provinces” (A10)
“Wachovia Corp.: Settlement would have bank owing $8 billion” (B1) The story has developed since then, with an actual settlement announced.
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
