When all the news that fits doesn't, blogs to the rescue

One of many valuable features of the Daily Herald's website is the many ways it allows us to expand our local coverage. On a routine basis, it allows us to squeeze in a couple of extra quotes or some additional facts when a particular story has to be trimmed to meet the restrictions of print space. Sometimes, it allows us to include a graphic or chart with a story that wouldn't fit in the available space or ad configuration on a given day.

Sometimes, it helps make room to expand the angles and ideas that can engage your heart and mind on specialized topics.

With the legislature in session, two sports teams in the playoffs, the Cubs and Sox both off to sputtering starts and the growing stream of spring movies, it's a good time to direct your attention to the variety of blogs you'll find at dailyherald.com.

Consider, for instance:

• At Tim Sassone's "Between the Circles" blog on the Blackhawks Wednesday, you could join nearly 80 commenters reacting to the Hawks' Game 3 playoff defeat and Sassone's suggestion that "coach Joel Quenneville . . . call some guys out instead of the usual pats on the back."

• At Bob LeGere's "Bears Essentials" blog, Bears fans got a glimpse of new board Chairman George McCaskey shortly after noon and, following a news conference on the leadership change, they could read more details and insights, many of which couldn't be accommodated in today's print edition.

• Marty Maciaszek gave the very early line on a true suburban basketball showdown already scheduled for next January at his "Getting Prepped" blog, and Lindsey Willhite noted - within five minutes of interviewing DePaul University's basketball coach - that three top high school prospects have firmed up their intentions to play for the Blue Demons next year.

• Movie, TV and video culture lovers could watch a video by Sean Stangland discussing his reaction to the latest episode of "Lost," and, in a previous entry, even pick up a copy of "Netflix disc for Wii" along with Stangland's review of the product.

• At "Animal Farm," the political blog by Senior State Government Editor John Patterson and Politics and Projects Editor Joseph Ryan, you could not only follow a brief mini tussle between us and the University of Illinois over charges assessed for responding to a Freedom of Information request, but also keep track, through words and video, of Wednesday's massive demonstration in Springfield for more money for teachers and other public employees.

These and other blogs on specialty topics of interest to people in the suburbs are constantly updated, sometimes with facts, sometimes with video, sometimes with long diatribes, sometimes with brief information nuggets, and always with the opportunity for you to weigh in with your own views.

In print, the Daily Herald aims to be as comprehensive as possible in presenting informative, entertaining and engaging news and opinion, but finite space can't always accommodate all the depth some readers want or the highly specialized discussions others care about. Thanks to the infinite expanse of the Web, though, we can help you to drill down to a deeper level of knowledge and discussion with others who share your interests, if not necessarily your point of view.

• Jim Slusher is an assistant managing editor at the Daily Herald.