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The State in Columbia, S.C, a Knight Ridder newspaper, is launching TheColumbiaRecord.com, a stand-alone citizen journalism site.

The paper has recruited 25 local “experts” to blog on a variety of topics ranging from astronomy to classical arts to forestry. TheColumbiaRecord.com takes its name from the now-defunct afternoon newspaper that Knight Ridder bought and then closed in the late ’80s. Sales of traditional banner advertising and sponsorship of the micro-sites will fund the project. Dave Roberts, The State’s Online Editor said the initial sponsorships have already covered the paper’s start-up costs, but more selling will be needed to cover the CMS monthly service fees and the salary of the community editor.