That outline really did hold up. I might have been too rigid in doing the outline. You have to have a story with one dominant theme or person every day. As the series progressed, it became more complex. I had to get some of the bureaucracy in there.
Great journalism begins with that premise.
A character who is sympathetic from the outset. Facing a complicating situation that he confronts. Things happen to him. It has all kinds of value to our readers, who want to be surprised, who want something different. They come to the newspaper for diversion, to kill some time and have a little fun.