Has the print in the newspaper changed? Is it smaller?

Yes.

The size of the text used in American Press stories has been reduced by a half-point, from 9.5 to 9, and the leading — the spacing between lines — has gone from 11 to 10.5 to accommodate the type reduction.

“The slight reduction in point size saves space, and is more in line with the point size employed by the state’s other major daily newspapers,” said Donna Price, American Press design editor.

“In compensation, a little more space is being allowed between stories. Stories are divided by rules, or thin lines, to give the paper a cleaner, more airy look.”

Point size refers not to the size of the letter but to the size of the “type block,” which is generally the distance between the tips of the ascending lines in lowercase letters like “b” and “d” and the descending lines in lowercase letters like “q” and “y.”

Point size comes from the days of typesetting with metal blocks. One point corresponds to 1/72 of an inch.

Additionally, the American Press has changed the typeface it uses for headlines, switching from Lucida Sans and Caslon fonts to the Myriad Pro type family.

The newspaper’s sports section continues to employ the old design, but that will change in the coming weeks.

• Online: www.adobe.com/type/topics.

Parish, cities bar at-large dogs

Is it illegal for dogs to run loose?

Yes.

The cities of Lake Charles and Sulphur and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury have ordinances that prohibit pet owners from letting their dogs wander about.

“Any citizen may, or law enforcement officer shall, seize any dog found unaccompanied by its owner or keeper and running at-large on any road, street, or other public place or trespassing on any premises other than the owners’,” read both the Lake Charles and parish ordinances.

“Citizen must contact animal services and adoption center to provide details regarding the animal.”

For more information, call Calcasieu Parish Animal Services, which enforces dog ordinances for Lake Charles and the parish, at 721-3730. Sulphur residents should call 527-4577.

• Online: www.cppj.net; www.sulphur.org.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com