One of Snedden's first actions was to readdress the paper's stance on Alaska statehood. Lathrop and the "News-Miner" had been strongly opposed to statehood, but after Snedden took control, he analyzed the issue and came out strongly in favor of Alaska statehood. The "News-Miner" continually published editorials in favor of statehood, and encouraged other newspapers across the U.S. to do the same. In 1955 and 1956, when the Alaska Constitutional Convention took place at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the "News-Miner" set up special telephone lines from the convention chambers to the newspaper's office. Daily reports were printed, recording the delegates' progress.