I think laptops are just a couple of generations away from replacing the giveaway newspapers in these areas. Unfortunately, it will be like the political parties. When the Republicans started winning, Rats changed to Republican, but didn't change their politics. All these newspaper Marxists will go online. The delivery method will change, but Molly Ivins wannabes will still be around.
"I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last week, and the newspaper was dropped at the door every morning. There was a note that said they'd drop 8 cents a night if you didn't want the paper, which tells me what they're paying per copy. I'd bet well over 50% of USA Today's circulation is to travellers who get it gratis. They're also frequently in restaurants, free for reading to patrons."
During the 2000 election someone on Free Republic posted the info that those USA Today's were not free. After that I told the desk clerks on check in, to put in the computer that I didn't want the USA TODAY and credit my account for the amount they paid. In 2000 it saved me about a nickel to a dime. I figured, the hotel/motel got the paper for free and then USA Yesterday paid the hotel/motel nickel to a dime to have the bell man or maids to put the newspaper down by the door.
Any person who doesn't click on the link to read the story will get a "catchy" headline which gives the liberal slant on a news story.
It's disgusting.
Not quite 50%, but close. I looked it up; 46% of USA Today's circulation is from "bulk sales", as of 2003. According to the circulation auditors, "In bulk sales, we included all papers listed outside of individually paid circulation, which includes hotel sales, educational copies and third party sales to such business as airlines and restaurants."