MADISON, Wis. -- Since December 13, 1917, The Capital Times newspaper has been the primary afternoon, progressive voice in Madison.

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Now, however, that voice is mute -- at least in newspaper form. The daily paper will now focus primarily on publishing its Web site. Saturday's final printed edition featured the headline "Beam Us Up."

The Capital Times's transition is provoking questions in the industry about the future of newspapers and whether this move is a signal that the newspaper is dying.

"I never thought this time would come during my career," said Dave Zweifel, the newspaper's editor emeritus.

Zweifel has worked for the paper for half of its life and the former reporter and editor is one of a handful of staffers staying.

"For us in the newsroom, we're all a big family," he said. "And it's sort of like splitting the family up a little bit."

Dave Callendar, a staffer for 25 years who is a former county reporter, isn't staying.

"It's hard to say goodbye to friends and it's hard for everybody when you have a transition like this," Callendar said.

The paper's editors said they're moving their emphasis from print to online although it will still print a free publication twice weekly, distributed within the Wisconsin State Journal. Plans are to have news and commentary inserts printed on Wednesdays and an arts and entertainment insert on Thursdays.

Editor Paul Fanlund said that it was tough move, but a move that made sense for an industry that's struggling nationwide. The Capital Times is down to a daily circulation of only 17,000, WISC-TV reported.

"(The circulation decline) really brought into focus for us a conversation about irrelevancy. How can we still be relevant if we have so few printed copies, particularly in a market of this size," Fanlund said.

So as some staffers pack up and others gear up for a big change, many are wondering what the future of the newspaper will be. No one quite knows, but at the Cap Times, they said they're hoping the future gets brighter online.

"The sad part is being able to hold that newspaper in your hand, which for me, is going to be a big loss, personally," Zweifel said.

This is a move being closely watched by the newspaper industry nationwide. It's believed that The Capital Times is the first daily newspaper to make this kind of a transition to the Web. If it's successful, it's likely other struggling papers will follow suit.