April Fools Joke: Tally Paper Changes Name

 

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Tallahassee Democrat readers are seeing a dramatic change on the newspaper’s front page: After 111 years it’s now the Tallahassee Republican.

For a day, at least. Friday’s printed editions had the name change as an April Fools’ Day joke.

A front page column by Gerald Ensley explained the history of the newspaper’s name, dispelling any notion that Democrat was picked for political reasons.

Founder John G. Collins chose it as a celebration of democracy and the nation’s values.

In an industry that’s in no danger of being told it’s having too much fun, Publisher Skip Foster said it was a way to engage the community and give folks a chuckle.

Foster said the newspapers’ staff accomplished the goal of having some April Fools’ fun without sending people into a panic.