Speaking of Family    

There’s just something about newspapers for the Hanson family of Alabama, which has held the reins of Alabama’s Birmingham News since 1910

There's just something about newspapers for the Hanson family of Alabama, which has held the reins of Alabama's Birmingham News since 1910. On January 1, Victor Hanson III will take over as president and publisher from his father, Victor Hanson II. He in turn succeeded his father, Clarence B. Hanson Jr., who took over from his uncle, Victor Hanson. "It's in the blood," says the elder Hanson of the family's propensity for newsprint. The younger Hanson, 44, says he started showing up at the newspaper at a young age. "I can't think of any other careers that have the same kind of excitement." The paper, with a daily circulation of 159,213, is the largest in the state. Although the family sold the paper to Newhouse in 1956, the Hansons still view it as a family operation. Victor Hanson II, 70, says he plans to travel and participate in community work after he retires. "There's nothing worse than the old guy hanging around," he says. Will the Hanson tradition continue indefinitely? "Time will tell," says Victor Hanson III. "I certainly have one son who's a wannabe."