By now, the latest updated Monroe Times newspaper should be arriving by truck from Janesville. Beginning with this morning's edition, the Times is being printed in the Janesville Gazette's marvelous new printing facility.

As we said in a story in Saturday's edition, there are some noticeable changes this means for the Times newspaper edition.

First and foremost, the size of the paper has changed. My wife liked to refer to the old size of the Times as a "horse blanket." It was rather large, and sometimes difficult to manage.

Many newspapers in the industry already have converted to the smaller web width. The Times today gets in line with that trend. The newspaper is smaller by about 2 inches in width and length. It is easier to hold. I, personally, like the feel of a smaller newspaper, though I admit it took me some time to get used to it.

I suspect it will take our readers some time, too. Any change can be a bit disorienting and create a sense of loss. While the new Times looks very similar to the last "old" edition we published Saturday, it feels very different. I appreciate your patience as you get comfortable with the new look.

I would appreciate your comments about the shorter newspaper.

For the rest of this week and perhaps into next, I'll use this blog to touch on other topics related to our printing change this week.