It’s my unfortunate duty to inform you that the Mercury’s beloved bearded newsman, Scott Moore, has shaved his beard. (He did not set out to do so. From his mutterings, I gathered that there was an unfortunate incident this a.m. with his beloved beard trimmer—a device that has served him well for many a year, only to turn on him this morning, unexpectedly and cruelly mangling his once-fine facial hair into an embarrassment that, according to Mr. Moore, could only be solved by its annihilation.) Once a mighty, prospector-worthy example of beardery, Mr. Moore’s chin is now bare.

Then:

Now:

WHAT DO YOU THINK, READERS? Should Mr. Moore keep his new look, or reforest his visage? THE BEARD’S FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS; as Mr. Moore himself said a few short moments ago:

It all depends on what the readers say. Unless they tell me to grow a frat rock goatee, I’ll do what they say.