A couple of followups on publications I’ve blogged about in the past:

A couple of days late, but happy anniversary to SMITH magazine, which celebrated its third anniversary on “National Smith Day,” a day to celebrate Smiths, famous and not, on Jan. 6. SMITH is celebrating with a new book of 56-word memoirs and a Web site redesign.

Just before Christmas, I reported on the plight of The Independent Florida Alligator, the student-run newspaper at the University of Florida (whose football team, by the way, plays for the national championship tonight against the Oklahoma Sooners — Go Gators!). The current editor just e-mailed a group of alumni to report that things are looking up a bit for the newspaper that has launched so many stellar careers in journalism. Here’s what’s happening:

After a period of uncertainty and low morale last semester that witnessed The Independent Florida Alligator without an applicant for the editor-in-chief position for perhaps the first time in 40 years, the paper is back on its feet…. the paper will also be implementing changes to address some of the problems voiced by staffers in meetings late last year.

The paper recently got new equipment, including flat-screen computer monitors and a new computer for the photo department ….

The Alligator will increase communication with its board of directors and has seen an outpouring of support from faculty in UF’s College of Journalism and Alligator alumni ….

The paper will also try to increase its focus on multimedia journalism this semester to better prepare its staff for future jobs…

The Alligator will continue to need help, and I intend to do my part to ensure that it continues to tell stories that launch great careers — dare I say storied careers?