But the long history of newspaper editorials may now be about to end, a casualty of both changing news values and economic pressure. Over the past 185 years, newspaper editorials have played a role in virtually every important social and justice movement in American history. Losing the newspaper’s soulDuring my career as editor-in-chief of USA Today and daily newspapers in Wisconsin, Florida and New York, I’ve reviewed thousands of editorials. Major news companies have backed awaySome news companies have concluded that local editorials aren’t in their interests. Create a community editorial board composed of civic-minded residents with distinct and diverse viewpoints and open minds.