Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The Record, the official communications publication of the Archdiocese of Louisville, will reduce its print frequency starting in September. The publication will move from producing 48 issues per year to 39, omitting print editions on the first Thursday of each month and continuing its longstanding practice of skipping the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.

Editor Marnie McAllister said the change is intended to shift more resources toward digital content. “The delivery method is changing; we’re not reducing our coverage. The Record is not going away,” McAllister stated. “While our staff will be producing fewer print editions, we will be putting more time and resources into digital production — content you will find on our website and social media.”

McAllister encouraged readers who prefer direct delivery to subscribe to The Record’s email newsletter, which will continue to be distributed 50 weeks a year. The newsletter includes local, national, and world Catholic news and is delivered on Thursdays.

Print editions have faced delays in recent years, with copies now typically arriving on Saturdays within Jefferson County and Mondays elsewhere. The Record remains available online at theRecordnewspaper.org and maintains an active presence on Instagram and Facebook. Digital versions of print editions are also accessible.

Kanobia Russell-Blackmon, chief communications officer for the Archdiocese of Louisville, explained that adapting to new technology is key for reaching readers: “We’re meeting people where they are in today’s digital world.” She added, “The way people consume their news has changed and continues to evolve. People are receiving news digitally through social media and through other digital means.

“We want to evangelize and get people the news they need to know. You can receive an inspirational message or news right on the digital platform you choose to use — your tablet or your phone, instead of waiting a week to get your inspiration.”

Over the past two years, The Record has expanded its digital offerings by adding a newsletter and video features aimed at enhancing storytelling.

Rising postage costs have contributed to this decision. In July, periodical rates increased by about 10 percent due to changes from the United States Postal Service (https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2024/0710-usps-announces-new-prices-for-2024.htm). These increases have occurred about twice annually since 2021.

McAllister expressed optimism about how these changes would affect local Catholics: “For those who rely on print and maybe aren’t comfortable online, we’ll still be coming to your home most weeks of the year,” she said. “For those who engage on the digital platform, we look forward to telling the Catholic story in new ways.

“When we bring you a story about a family of music ministers, we want to share the beautiful music they make,” she continued. “We can’t do that in print as effectively as we can digitally, with a video to accompany the story.

“Readers can look forward to more content that captures the sights and sounds of the Catholic church in central Kentucky,” McAllister added. She noted that when this announcement appears online Aug. 21 it will include a video showing newspaper production.

“We are excited by the possibilities, and we hope our readers will be, too,” McAllister said. “If you haven’t checked out our website, subscribed to our free email newsletter or followed us on our social media, we invite you to give it a try.”