WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - The president and CEO of Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate says they are working towards becoming the first statewide newspaper in Louisiana.

Richard Manship said they are continuing plans to expand publication into New Orleans. This comes after the Times-Picayune newspaper's publisher announced they were cutting publication back to just three days a week and focusing on their online presence.

Manship told News 2 they plan to hire staff specifically to cover New Orleans news and the Saints, and broaden their reach to make The Advocate the first statewide newspaper. They currently plan to launch the New Orleans edition in October when the Times-Picayune changes happen.

Richard Manship is also president and CEO of WBRZ-TV.