Weakened USA Today to Launch Weekend USA Today

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Ceding the public's changing reading habits, Gannett Co. next week will debut an online version of USA Today that duplicates the print version and tacks on interactive and exclusive content.

Additionally, the long-time five-day daily is launching USA Today Extra, a Saturday/Sunday edition, that will be accessible to online and print subscribers only. The electronic replica of the print version of USA Today will be available daily at 5:30 a.m. EST. Subscribers will receive an Email alert concerning the online version's availability.

The electronic addition either may be read online or downloaded for later reading. Subscription rate for the 52-week electronic version is $99. An eight-week trial subscription runs $9.95 and renews every four weeks for an additonal $.9.95.

No word on whether the online edition of USA Today will one-up its color weather map with lightning and thunder special effects.