NATCHEZ — This morning’s print edition of The Natchez Democrat is the first to be printed on slightly smaller width newsprint.

Today’s newspaper is printed on 22-inch wide paper; the final product is folded in half resulting in an 11-inch wide page. Previously, the pages were 12 inches wide.

The change was made in an attempt to offset skyrocketing newsprint prices.

“We have seen an increase in newsprint costs each month during the last year,” said Democrat publisher Kevin Cooper. “With no apparent end in sight to the rising commodity prices, we were forced to make some changes to reduce expenses or consider some major prices increases for customers.”

Next to the newspaper’s staff, newsprint is its biggest expense.

“Newsprint prices have nearly doubled in the last 12 months and we decided it would be unfair to expect our customers and readers to absorb that large of a price increase,” Cooper said. “So we’re looking at internal expense controls such as the newsprint reduction to reduce fixed costs.”

The newspaper’s design team has worked to minimize the impact on readers and in some cases used the change as a way to improve readability.

Beginning Monday the daily crossword puzzle will be printed larger, though that change necessitated the reduction of one comic strip, Doonesbury.

The grouping of weather information will also be reduced to allow more room for news stories.

The changes will allow the newspaper to keep subscription and single-copy prices the same.

“While none of us like changes, these are necessary to keep your newspaper financially healthy, prepared for the future and a contributing corporate citizen in our community,” Cooper said. “We continue to feel strongly about our newspaper’s future — in print and online. We’re reaching more readers today than we ever have.

“We hope our print edition readers will understand why these changes are necessary and know that we’re still dedicated to bringing them the best community newspaper we can provide,” he said.

Comments or suggestions on the changes are welcome by calling Cooper at 601-445-3539 or by e-mail to: kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.