Ask Dome: How the blog works

"What is the process to publish something on the blog?" — Dome reader Jerimee

There are several ways an item makes it into Dome.

The chief blogger, Ryan Teague Beckwith, reads all of the blogs that touch on North Carolina politics (currently 92, including one that's mostly zoo pictures), scans the state newspaper's coverage and reads press releases.

Like any other reporter, he also regularly touches base with politicians, advocacy groups, consultants and other sources to learn about the news of the day.

He begins the day with the Morning Roundup, a link to the top news story or stories that's not already been covered on the blog. He then links to interesting stories and posts his own reporting throughout the day.

Other members of McClatchy's Raleigh and D.C. bureaus send short items to Beckwith or capital team editors Bill Krueger and Jane Stancill to post throughout the day. Two reporters, Ben Niolet and Mark Johnson, also have the ability to post, for technical reasons.

The name of the person who submits the post is in small gray text just below the headline. If they did not write it, the second or third paragraph will say "Dan Kane reports," for example.

Generally speaking, the blog is a group effort, which is one reason we use the first-person plural pronoun so much. But either Beckwith or another reporter is also assigned to keep the blog active on weekdays.

Got a question? E-mail dome@newsobserver.com or post it in the comments below.