The Star Tribune and WCCO-TV (Ch. 4) are launching a partnership that begins today with weather news and will extend to other news, joint advertising sales and promotion, the companies said Thursday.

"We are combining the power of our two great brands in multiple ways that will benefit both our audiences and the Twin Cities community," said Susan Adams Loyd, general manager of WCCO-TV. "We share strong journalistic values and both have long histories in the Twin Cities."

Ben Taylor, Star Tribune senior vice president for marketing and communications, said, "This is a natural and powerful partnership between two companies that will give our audiences more and better news and information and will extend reach and influence for our advertisers."

WCCO-TV's weather team of Chris Shaffer, Mike Fairbourne, Mike Augustyniak and Ron Trenda will appear daily on the Star Tribune's weather page, with regular updates on WCCO.com and StarTribune.com.

WCCO's report will replace the commentary of Paul Douglas, a weather business entrepreneur and former WCCO meteorologist.

STAFF REPORTS