A Fractional Domaining Opportunity In Albuquerque?

As someone who years ago worked for a community newspaper for several years, and as an individual who appreciates the many positive contributions newspapers make to society, it saddens me when I learn that a newspaper like the afternoon daily Albuquerque Tribune has printed its last issue.

Albuquerque, New Mexico now has only one major daily newspaper and a huge void in the space the Tribune filled in reaching out with news, features, and advertising content to its daily circulation of 9,600. Lack of competition usually does not help promote greater opportunities for wide expression of opinions, better coverage of news, and lower advertising rates.

E.W. Scripps, the Tribune's parent company, has been seeking a buyer for the newspaper's remnants, including the Tribune's web site (ABQTrib.com) and archives. (Note: According to Alexa.com, the web site has 1,685 sites that link to it.)

It is sad that many columnists, reporters, and others who have developed a loyal readership base over the years will now be silenced -- at least in the print medium to which the readers were accustomed. I wonder how they would fare online under a "Tribune" umbrella?

Does this seem like an opportunity for a Fractional Domain Ownership group -- maybe including some former employees -- to form and "revive" the Albuquerque Tribune as perhaps a "web-only" news site/local portal to serve Albuquerque?

To the right group, the domain name and archives could be a worthwhile investment.

We'll see what happens.