Large City "local" newspapers are an exception rather than a rule.
Of the Thousands and thousands of local newspapers, few have any decent coverage of international happenings. If you are really interested in international news, local papers are hardly the first place you should look. (Unless of course, it's the local paper of the area of interest).
This weeks front page of the local paper was a picture of my cousin, and how he was the first child born in the county for the new year. I do believe the 9th page or so had a 4 paragaph single column about the saddam hanging, maybe. Yup, New York Times has some decent international news, so that must mean local newspapers are great sources.
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Can't sleep, clown will eat me.