I wrote my first news story 52 years ago last week for my college paper. That year and every year since, I was taught, reminded, practiced and adhered to Associated Press style and always identified elected officials by their political party.

Put a D after their name, or an R. It was automatic, a blank space that reporters had to fill in. An elected official's name without a party affiliation was incomplete.

It was as if the party initial told readers all they needed to know, and our reporting was done.

Well, that's not the style any more in the Wrangell Sentinel.

I've thought about this si...