the stories that matter most to readers

Al Neuharth, USA TODAY rolled off the presses with a creative, colorful design that broke with the stereotypes of older newspapers. Neuharth was committed to a reader-centered approach. He was known for pushing editors to rewrite headlines when they were too bland, even on deadline.

Get to the point. Never waste your readers’ time with boring phrases. Don’t be afraid to use drama, humor, and the element of surprise to tell the stories that matter most to readers. Neuharth believed that ethos would drive the success of a national newspaper.

Every day, we strive to forge deep connections with our readers, viewers, and listeners. That’s why I’m excited to announce that starting May 4th, I’m launching The Backstory , a subscriber-only newsletter and column that takes you behind the scenes of how we deliver live stories, actionable news, and content you can trust.

I want to show you our best work and introduce you to our talented journalists. I’m in awe of their expertise and dedication. I think you will be too when you learn more about them.