Gannett to add condensed USA Today edition to News-Leader

Gannett said Wednesday it will begin inserting a condensed edition of USA Today daily into 31 additional newspapers early next year, including the Springfield News-Leader.

Dubbed the "Butterfly" initiative, the McLean, Va.-based publisher aims to beef up local publications' content and expand the reach of its national paper, according to USA Today and the News-Leader.

Gannett, which owns USA Today and 81 local newspapers, first launched the initiative as a test in early October, planning to expand the program if it was deemed successful.

The 31 additional newspapers will begin distributing the Butterly edition in first-quarter 2014, according to USA Today. It will include material from USA Today's news, money, sports and life sections.

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