Same-day mail delivery begins May 1; weekend edition will be delivered Saturdays

 

Albert Lea Tribune subscribers will soon get their local news delivered right to their mailboxes.

Beginning May 1, the Tribune will switch to a morning publication after years of being an evening paper, and will switch from a Sunday publication to a Saturday weekend edition. The Tribune will no longer print on holidays.

The way readers get the paper will change, too. Delivery to most locations will almost entirely be made through the U.S. Postal Service. The newspaper will be placed in mailboxes at the same time mail is delivered and will continue to be available at businesses and on racks. Bundles of newspapers will still be sent by carriers to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, area nursing homes and schools.

Publisher Crystal Miller said the Tribune has had a long legacy in Albert Lea and she is proud of the new partnership with the Postal Service.

“Though I am sad to cut ties with our faithful carriers, partnering with the Postal Service will be the most efficient way to deliver the newspaper because letter carriers are already stopping at every household,” Miller said. “I would like to thank all of the carriers who have delivered the Albert Lea Tribune, and I appreciate the service they have provided to our subscribers and the community.

“These changes enhance our determination to meet the ever-changing and growing needs of our community.”

A longtime afternoon daily newspaper, the Tribune will now be in racks and stores by 8 a.m., and the weekend edition will be available early Saturday.

The change will not affect the subscription price.

Daily obituary deadlines have changed to 2 p.m. for the next morning’s publication. The change will not affect social news that is placed in the Arts & Culture section. Anniversary, wedding and birth announcements should be in the office no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesdays for the Saturday publication. The Tribune will still be printed on the Web Leader offset press at the 808 W. Front St. location.

The Tribune will still be responsible for customer service tied to deliveries. People are asked to contact the Tribune office at 379-3421 if a newspaper doesn’t come with their daily mail.

In addition to the print edition, the Tribune produces a web edition at albertleatribune.com which provides 24/7 news, a free weekend publication called the Early Edition and a magazine produced every two months called Albert Lea magazine.

Started in 1897, the Tribune is one of 339 newspapers in Minnesota and one of 24 daily newspapers.

Frequently asked questions

Why did the Albert Lea Tribune change from newspaper carriers to the United States Postal Service?

The Postal Service gives us the best option to deliver the daily newspaper in the most timely and cost-effective method. It allows guaranteed delivery each and every day and allows us to put more resources toward providing the best possible local news coverage.

When will I receive my newspaper?

You will receive the newspaper with your normal mail delivery.

Will it cost more?

No, our subscription rates have not changed.

What if I do not receive my newspaper or do not receive it the same day?

Please contact the Tribune customer service first at 379-3421. We will check the status of your account before contacting the post office and working to get you that day’s paper.

Will there be any change in news coverage or items in the newspaper?

Our deadlines have changed, and Saturday and Sunday events will appear in the Monday edition. Our goal is to provide the most up-to-date news possible for Albert Lea, Freeborn County and the surrounding area through our print and digital products. This change will allow us to focus more time and resources on presenting complete and comprehensive news reporting for the community.

Why the change from Sunday to Saturday delivery?

We made the change to a Saturday delivered weekend edition because the post office doesn’t deliver on Sundays.

How will holidays affect newspaper delivery?

There are 10 postal holidays we will not be producing a newspaper: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This allows staff members to spend holidays with their families.

Will I still be able to buy the Albert Lea Tribune in stores?

Yes, we have a host of gas stations, grocery stores and other vendors that carry the Tribune, and now you will be able to pick up a copy as early as 8 a.m. each day.

Can I put my subscription on vacation hold or stop?

Yes, if you would like to stop your newspaper delivery while you are on vacation, please contact the newspaper. If you would like to put your newspaper on vacation hold (where you will receive the back issues of the papers), then you will need to contact the post office.

Will my newspaper be delivered to my post office box?

Yes, just like your regular mail each day.

What do I do with my blue tube newspaper box?

Keep it — if you want — or call Tribune customer service to have it removed.

What will happen to the newspaper carriers?

All have been provided a package that goes beyond the terms of their contracts.

When will the website be updated?

We are a 24/7 news operation, and breaking news will continue to be posted online as it happens. The remainder of the news will be posted online by 1:30 a.m.

Who can I contact with questions or issues?

Please call our customer service team at 379-3421.