Ever since the Fulton Sun announced plans to switch to a hybrid digital-print model, I've been receiving questions from our readers about what this means for the paper and how it'll work for our subscribers.
I truly appreciate how much our readers care about their local news. Below, I've rounded up the most common questions and provided answers. For more background on why this change is necessary to ensure the Fulton Sun's future, check out the June 27 article "Fulton Sun goes digital": bit.ly/39xcecY
Q. Is the Fulton Sun coming to an end?
A. We're not going anywhere. Our office is currently closed to visitors due to the ongoing pandemic, but the Fulton Sun staff is still working inside. Beginning Aug. 8, we will be producing seven digital papers a week, plus a single print edition each Saturday.
Q. Will rates increase Aug. 8?
A. Rates will remain the same for all subscribers at this time. People who subscribe to digital only may continue to do so at no extra cost; those subscribers will not be receiving the Saturday print edition.
Q. Will the Fulton Sun continue producing and distributing the free Wednesday Sun Advertiser?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I still pick up the print edition at area stores and news racks?
A. Yes. The Saturday Fulton Sun will continue to be distributed to news racks and vendors around the area. According to our circulation director, Mike Johns, they'll be available in Holts Summit, New Bloomfield, Fulton, Auxvasse and Kingdom City. The racks in Millersburg and Williamsburg will no longer be stocked.
Q. How much will the Saturday print edition cost?
A. A copy of the Saturday print edition will cost $2.
Q. How will the Saturday print edition be delivered to me?
A. The print edition will be mailed to all subscribers.
Q. Will I still receive a TV guide and coupon inserts?
A. Yes. Both will be included in the Saturday print edition. The daily digital edition will have a section for digital coupons, too.
Q. What about Kingdom Pages and the Church Briefs section?
A. The Saturday print and digital editions will feature a giant Kingdom Pages section, combining the former Wednesday and Sunday Kingdom Pages. Church Briefs will also move from the Friday to the Saturday edition. You may continue submitting items for inclusion in those sections to [email protected].
Q. Will there be fewer reporters?
A. No. Editor Helen Wilbers, reporter Olivia Garrett and sports editor Ryan Boland are all staying at the Sun. A new part-time reporter will soon begin covering Holts Summit; she'll be based at our sister paper, the Jefferson City News Tribune. Retaining and gaining new subscribers will ensure our staff can continue providing the news you enjoy.
Q. Can I or my business continue to buy display and classified ads?
A. Absolutely. You can purchase display and classified ads in the digital edition, the print edition or both. To purchase a classified ad, call 573-642-7272 or email [email protected]. To purchase a display ad, call 573-826-2415 or email [email protected].
Q. Can I just subscribe to the Saturday print edition?
A. At the moment, we're not offering a Saturday-only rate. Of course, you can continue to subscribe and just read the Saturday edition rather than accessing the digital edition, if you so choose. The current monthly rate is approximately equal to the cost of printing and mailing four $2 Saturday print editions per month.
Q. If I just read the Saturday print edition, will I miss news and obituaries from the previous week?
A. You won't miss any obituaries - all the obits from the past week will appear in the Saturday edition. You'll also catch all the big news stories from the last week, because we'll be printing a weekly recap in the Saturday edition, in addition to new stories. However, stories included in the recap will be abridged - to get all the details and pictures, you'll want to check our digital edition or website.
Q. Will the digital and print Saturday editions be different?
A. No.
Q. How can I read the digital edition?
A. There are two main ways to do so: the Fulton Sun app and the fultonsun.com website. If you've already set up your online access, you can start reading the digital edition now - just download the app for free from your device's app store (it's currently available on iOS and Android devices) and use the same log-in credentials you use on your website. Or go to fultonsun.com and click the "Today's Edition" link in the upper-left corner of the page.
If you're a subscriber but you've never activated your online access before, it's free and easy to do so. Visit fultonsun.com and click the "Sign In" button on the top right side of the page, then click "Activate your digital access now" and fill in the form. Once you've done so and received confirmation that your activation is complete, follow the steps above.
You may also continue reading our stories at fultonsun.com. Subscribers have unlimited access, which they can unlock through the process described above. Non-subscribers may view a limited number of stories each month.
Q. What time is the online edition available?
A. By 6 a.m. every day - no more weather delays!
Q. Do I need an internet connection at home to read the digital edition?
A. Not necessarily. You'll need either an internet connection or a data plan to download the app and each day's newspaper, but once you have the edition downloaded, it's stored on your device. The app can save up to 60 previous editions of the Fulton Sun, all of which you can access without an internet connection. Several locations around Callaway County offer free wireless internet access, including the Callaway County and Holts Summit public libraries, Walmart and McDonald's.
Q. Do I have to wait until Aug. 8 to start reading the digital edition?
A. No. You can start reading the digital edition now, and you'll continue receiving the print edition until Aug. 8. See "How can I read the digital edition?" to learn more.
Q. Where can I find the app?
A. The Fulton Sun app is available free in the app stores of Android and iOS devices (such as the iPhone and iPad). Launch your device's app store and search for "Fulton Sun."
Q. How do I activate my access to the app and the replica edition on the Fulton Sun website?
A. See "How can I read the digital edition?"
Q. What new features will the digital edition and app offer?
A. The Fulton Sun will include more photos than ever before and video as well. Flip to the last page of the newspaper and you'll find a link to digital circulars. You'll soon be able to enjoy interactive puzzles and word games inside the app - more than previously fit in the paper. Other features include the ability to enlarge the text, share articles to social media and have the app read stories out loud to you. For more information about the app, visit fultonsun.com/tablethelp/ or call 573-761-0234.
Q. I like clipping out Fulton Sun articles that feature my friends and family. Can I still do that?
A. Absolutely! If the article appears in the Saturday edition, you can clip it out as normal. Otherwise, access the online digital edition or the fultonsun.com website on a laptop or computer that's paired with a printer. From the website, click on a story and then click the printer icon under the headline and follow the prompts. From the digital edition (accessed by going to fultonsun.com and clicking the "Today's Edition" link), click an article, then click the three vertical dots at the top of the page and select "Print," then follow the prompts.
Q. I'm curious about the digital edition, but I don't have a laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. What should I do?
A. The Fulton Sun is offering subscribers a chance to rent an iPad from us for just $9.95 per month, in addition to the regular cost of your subscription. You'll be able to use that iPad for much more than just accessing the Fulton Sun: browsing Facebook, watching videos, checking the national news, video chatting with family and friends - the list goes on. Call 573-761-0234 to learn more.
You can log on to the Fulton Sun's website and digital edition on any computer, not just your own - the Callaway County and Holts Summit public libraries have computers available for public use.
Q. My family uses more than one device - do I need to buy a separate subscription for each device?
A. No. Each subscriber can access the Fulton Sun on up to five devices per household.
Q. Who should I contact if I want to cancel my subscription?
A. We'll miss you! Please call 573-761-0234.
Q. Who should I talk to if I have more questions or need help?
A. We've set up a customer service hotline - just call 573-761-0234 between 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 7 a.m.-noon Saturday and Sunday. They'll even send a representative to walk you through setting up the app in-person upon request.