I literally grew up reading the Louisville Times (evening) and the CJ (morning) beginning in the 1950s and despite recognizing that it had a heavy Democratic OP, it was a highly respectable newspaper, that back in the day confined its editorials to just that one section of the paper. While I did not agree with a lot of the content, it was worthy of subscription. Once the Bingham’s sold to Gannett, its decline followed so many of the other print publication. I refused to subscribe then, or even look at it any more.
One phenomenon that stood out for me, was how the CJ would run a OP every year during the Spring Signing Period, about how UL should either drop football entirely, or go the Division II route. The timing was intentional and obvious, as it was a constant reminder to all Kentuckiana HS football recruits that UL’s future was always questionable.
Shameful initiative that came directly from longtime (40 years) UK Board Member and CJ Editor David Hawpe. An absolute idiot with huge influence in the decline of this paper.