Larry Wills

The Croaker Larry Wills

Dysfunctional reporters converging on a sleepy small town, expecting "no news", become consumed by an avalanche of events that defies their understanding. Sometimes gruesome local traditions draw local outrage when reported. Past secrets are not talked about. Crimes become deeply personal for the entire community. Reporters grapple with their emotions in trying to understand it all, while also enduring public contempt for the paper. The alcoholic editor misses typo after typo, which sinks stories into absurdity and makes the paper a laughingstock; hence the nickname, The Croaker. The town itself is a victim of atrophy. Store after store goes under and the arrival of corporate-owned business spells the death of Main Street. The paper becomes such a victim, becoming a shopper. The reporters move elsewhere.