Episode 2 of *The Paper* kicks off with Ned brimming with determination to make his inaugural issue as Editor-in-Chief of *TTT* an unequivocal success. As he settles into his new, spacious cabin, Esmeralda is relegated to a significantly smaller and cramped quarters. Ned, ever the problem-solver, attempts to smooth things over and extends an invitation to Esmeralda to join his team meeting.
Esmeralda, however, remains unyielding and instead invites Ned to partake in a lunch with Ken and Marv. During the debriefing session with his employees, Ned is taken aback to discover that, despite their roles as reporters, the majority of his team members possess a woeful lack of understanding when it comes to the fundamentals of journalism.
Ned's team comprises a diverse group: Barry, Travis, Adam, Adelola, Detrick, Nicole, and Mare. His shock deepens upon learning that Esmeralda has axed the company's subscription to *The Wire*, leaving his team with no choice but to conjure up entirely new stories from the depths of their own imaginations.
Summoning the volunteers back to the meeting room, Ned rallies them to start scouring for leads. Mare catches wind of a water main break at a busy intersection, prompting Ned to dispatch her alongside Barry to investigate. Simultaneously, he assigns Adelola and Adam to delve into the parking conundrums plaguing a local dog park. Travis is tasked with probing into a recent law alteration at the fishing preserve, with Detrick accompanying him.
Nicole, sensing an opportunity, suggests that Ned, as the Editor-in-Chief, pen an editorial for the paper. Ned, in turn, asks Nicole to look into a true crime case, but she balks at the idea, citing the inherent dangers. Instead, she offers to craft the editorial piece for him, while Ned resolves to scour for true crime stories worthy of featuring in the publication.
Mare and Barry come to a halt on their journey toward the intersection, as Barry sustains an injury. Mare informs Ned that she's no longer able to take on covering the story. Meanwhile, a group of mischievous kids start causing trouble for Adelola and Adam. These kids have taken to barking like dogs, a prank they've dubbed "dogging." Intrigued by the spectacle, Adelola and Adam decide to turn it into a story.
Across town, Travis runs into his ex-girlfriend and her current beau at the fish preserve. Detrick catches on to the fact that Travis had lied to Ned about changes in the law, all because he was hoping for a chance encounter with his ex. As a result, both Travis and Detrick find themselves booted out. Meanwhile, Esmeralda cleverly distracts Nicole and makes edits to the editorial piece she was drafting for Ned.
During lunch, Ned's mind is elsewhere, while Esmeralda and Ken engage in a lively chat with Marv. Determined to find a compelling story, Ned tries his luck calling morgues and police stations, hoping to stumble upon a true crime tale. Alas, his efforts prove fruitless. He sinks into despair when he realizes there's not a single innovative story worthy of publication, with the exception of a Sudoku puzzle contributed by Oscar.
In a moment of desperation, Ned decides to take matters into his own hands and pens the editorial piece himself. In it, he muses on how it's actually good news that TTT (presumably their publication) has no news to report. Oscar, overhearing the conversation, excitedly shares with Stanley about the Sudoku puzzle making it into the paper and how thrilled he is to have an original piece published.
The episode draws to a close with Mare carefully framing the editorial piece that Ned had written, a symbol of their perseverance in the face of a news-dry day.
