Not much boost from political, at least through the end of September, says Journal. Its “political and issue advertising” category was up from a non-election year $100,000 to this year’s $400,000. But Milwaukee-based Journal does continue to control expenses, up just 0.4%. And with revenues up from $18 million to $18.5 million, operating earnings improved by the same amount: up $500,000. Overall, Journal Communications says its revenue grew 1.7%, led by television’s election year surge of 22.3% higher revenue. Journal continues to pay down debt, with “notes payable to banks” reduced $39 million to about $112 million, compared to January 1 of this year.