GDP shrinks, Rocky Mountain News disappears
Good day for quashing '80s nostalgia; Bad day for Rocky endings
GOOD DAY FOR: Quashing ’80s nostalgia, after the Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy contracted by a greater-than-expected 6.2 percent last quarter, its worst quarterly performance since 1982. Economists had expected fourth-quarter GDP to shrink at a 5.4 percent pace. The economy was hit by a sharp fall in consumer spending, inventory cuts at companies, and a drop in exports. (Bloomberg)
BAD DAY FOR: Rocky endings, as Colorado’s oldest newspaper, the 150-year-old Rocky Mountain News, is printing its last issue today. Owner E.W. Scripps Co. broke the news to employees at its Denver-based on Thursday, after failing to find a buyer. Editor John Temple said preparing the final issue is "like playing music at your own funeral. It’s an opportunity to make really sweet sounds or blow it.” (The Rocky Mountain News)
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Trump uses tariffs to upend Brazil's domestic politics
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By slapping a 50% tariff on Brazil for its criminal investigation into Bolsonaro, the Trump administration is brazenly putting its fingers on the scales of a key foreign election
-
3 questions to ask when deciding whether to repair or replace your broken appliance
the explainer There may be merit to fixing what you already have, but sometimes buying new is even more cost-effective
-
'Trump's authoritarian manipulation of language'
Instant Opinion Vienna has become a 'convenient target for populists' | Opinion, comment and editorials of the day