The P-I‘s last day is turning out to be one of celebration for a lot of the staff. Reporters are throwing back shots of Jack Daniels and munching on pizza in the newsroom. “It’s the least weird it’s been around here in weeks,” a friend at the paper told me. ”People are sad, but also happy, celebrating all we’ve done over the years. Feels like the last day of school.”
Outside in the lobby, a row of television cameras awaits P-I reporters, some of whom, after fortifying themselves with a shot or two of Jack, are wandering out to offer their final words on the demise of the 146 year-old print newspaper. “It’s like the Oscars out there. It seems like every tv station on the planet is covering this,” my friend said.
As for those staying on to launch the online only seattlepi.com news site? “We’re excited and we’re nervous,” one of those asked to stay on said. “The potential for great glory—and great embarrassment—is there.”
