From a release sent out earlier this month:

Allbritton Communications Company announced today the launch of a Capitol Hill newspaper that will serve Congress, congressional staffers, and those interested in the actions of our national legislature. The new publication, The Capitol Leader, will focus on congressional activities and the key people involved in making our laws and overseeing the Federal government. The newspaper will work with other Allbritton properties, including the ABC affiliate, WJLA-TV and 24-hour cable news channel, NewsChannel 8, to provide comprehensive coverage of Congress' behind-the-scenes activities and the political process.

Robert L. Allbritton, Chairman and CEO of Allbritton Communications commented, "Given our long history of reporting political news in Washington and our large, experienced team of journalists, we believe The Capitol Leader will in fact be the leading news source for public understanding of the Congress, as well as Congress' understanding of itself." The newspaper will publish three times weekly while Congress is in session and will be advertiser supported. The process of assembling a top-flight set of reporters and editors is being overseen by Martin Tolchin, Senior Editor and Senior Publisher. Mr. Tolchin's career in newspaper publishing includes 40 years at the New York Times and being the founding Editor and Publisher of another Capitol Hill newspaper.

Tolchin and his wife, Susan, are the co-authors of seven books, including the recently published, A World Ignited: How Apostles of Ethnic, Religious & Racial Hatred Torch the Globe. In addition, the company also has engaged Louis Silverstein to design the newspaper. Mr. Silverstein played a key role in the design of the current New York Times and other leading newspapers across the country. Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., President of Allbritton Communications, noted that, "We are now assembling an elite team of journalists who will dig deep into the legislative process and, with our significant existing newsgathering resources, will provide a unique perspective on the personalities and mechanisms of Congress."

Aside from its combined 16 hours of live news daily on WJLA and NewsChannel 8, Allbritton currently produces political programming including ABC 7's Inside Washington, Capitol Sunday and NewsChannel 8's daily NewsTalk. The former publisher of The Washington Star, Allbritton also owns ABC affiliated stations in six other markets.