Lordy, lordy! Look who’s turning 140: The Topeka Capital-Journal

(WIBW)
Published: Apr. 19, 2019 at 5:53 PM CDT
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Extra, extra, read all about it! The Topeka Capital-Journal is turning 140-years-old.

Before newspapers were delivered to your door, they were sold on the streets. Now, it's on your phone, but the main goal remains the same.

“I just love going out and talking to people and seeing what’s going on. Getting their stories,” said Capital Journal reporter Phil Anderson.

Anderson is one of the longest-tenured reporters for the Topeka Capital Journal. He’s being showing up for work since 1981. His name is among many bylines printed over the past 140 years.

“It’s a lot of fun for us. So the paper has a long history. It’s 140 years for the Daily Capitol, so when you look at the name plate it’s the Capital Journal,” said publisher Stephen Wade.

Thirty-nine years ago, the Daily Capitol and the State Journal combined to create the paper it is today. As the name has changed, so has the way they distribute information.

“We have to do it quicker. We have to do it a little more efficiently. We have to be thinking about how people are going to get the news,” Anderson explained.

“It’s a blending of on air, in print, online, social media. So we’ve built our organization to handle all of the above,” added Wade.

Operations have changed, too. In 2012, they shifted printing away from their location at 6th and Jefferson, giving them more room than they needed. So last fall, they moved into the CoreFirst Bank building at 8th and Kansas.

“Being downtown is so nice. Downtown for this community is huge,” Wade said with pride.

Their new office is still under construction, but Wade says when it’s done, they hope to host an open house.

“We’re excited to see what the futures going to bring for us,” said Anderson.