The Daily Planet, launched as a weekly newspaper five years ago in Asheville, will remain a monthly through the economic downturn.

In responding to deteriorating market conditions, the paper went monthly for the summer, beginning with the July edition.

However, as the economy has continued to sour, the Planet will continue to take the fiscally conservative path of remaining monthly to ensure its long-term survival. The free-distribution paper, which circulated a record 8,500 copies in November, is mosty dependent on advertising sales for its revenue.

In addition, publication of the Planet’s companion Spanish-language weekly, El Eco De Las Montañas, has been suspended since the July edition, pending improvement in economic conditions among Hispanic advertisers.