• Wulff will be new WSU coach.

Also, at the rate that Sportslink is going, it's expected to reach 100,000 hits in one week, this week.

"If you've left the area, you're still interested in your team," explained sports editor Joe Palmquist.

Sports writer Vince Grippi stayed overnight in Pullman to cover this breaking news story. He has cool S-R technology available to him as an in-the-field staffer, but unfortunately he is still subject to the laws of physics. His phone battery died from ringing too much.

Also related, editor Steve Smith said it'll be good to have a fresh start with a relatively new WSU reporter (Nick Eaton) and a brand-new WSU coach.

Thick slices

• Speaking of mobile journalism, multimedia editor Colin Mulvany brought up Phoning It In: A mobile blog straight from the cell phone of Brian Immel. When most of the graduating class was probably text-messaging during WSU commencement, Immel/"Bimmel" blogged from his phone.

• Reactor's shutdown limits medical testing, a fine story, said editor Steve Smith. "We'll miss her when she's gone," he said. Congrats to health reporter JoNel Aleccia, who scored a job as a senior editor and writer for MSNBC.

• "Alcohol-free wines can deliver in a pinch": Not mentioned at the meeting, but an interesting read.

• "Yuletide wrapped in historic charm: Decorated for the holidays, Campbell House will welcome all for tours, music and more." Campbell House is free this time of year, said HOME editor Cheryl-Anne Millsap.

Notable calls

An reader called Smith's office this morning, angry that the story about Al Gore receiving the Nobel Peace Prize was all the way inside the A section. Meanwhile she said Evel Knievel's funeral appeared on the front page of the Northwest section. Reader asked where S-R's priorities went.

The newsroom's explanation is that the deep insides of the A section are generally for newswire, national and international stories. The B section is for local news.

Miscellany

• Maybe it's too big of a morning meeting bulletin board. Every morning, Smith's administrative assistant separates the day's newspaper and tacks up each section for critique. After a switch to only one edition, there is a lot of empty space (except on Thursdays, when there are a lot of different Voice sections). New uses? Folks suggested scrapbooking, or seasonal decor.

• This is about the only math that journalists can do: Around Colville there is an 18,000 square mile area in which 4,000 households have Spokesman-Review subscriptions. Folks are looking into a possible story idea about the guy who administered the route (though not by himself). Find the subscription density and express it in three significant figures.