Two US newspapers have launched niche blogs in the last week, catering to mothers and Olympic enthusiasts, respectively.
 
On Monday Boston Globe Media launched BoMoms, a site designed by and for Boston mothers that features a searchable database of listings, a calendar highlighting events for kids, blogs written by women at varying stages of motherhood and ongoing forums on parenting.
 
"The goal of BoMoms is to be the ultimate local resource for busy moms -- because all of its recommendations come straight from the mouths of real moms who have tried and tested them," said Alexandra Hall, editor of the site.
 
BoMoms reflects newspapers' growing desire to capture the 'Moms' demographic, and is a nod to IndyMoms.com, launched by the Indianapolis Star in 2006.
 
The New York Times also announced today the launch of its 2008 Olympics blog, called 'Rings.' Rings will cover not only the summer Games (set for August 8 - 24), but also the social, political and economic issues entangled in the event.
 
The blog features analysis from sports, foreign and business reporters, who have already begun posting on issues including Web censorship by China's government, the details of the Olympic trials in the United States and the controversy over the torch relay, which has caused protests worldwide.
 
"We expect the Rings blog," explained Deputy Sports Editor Sandy Keenan, "to become a must read for those interested in all aspects of the Beijing Games."
 
Source: Editor & Publisher