You'll find that each newspaper has a different way of placing the articles on their Web site. By analyzing the different linked sites, you'll be able to see what works and what doesn't. Of course, some articles are far easier to read than others. The least inviting articles are those with text that extends from one edge of your monitor screen to another. Long lines of text are, thankfully, very rare.
Most newspapers opt to reduce column width.
Sometimes these panels are empty, other times they are crammed with text links, weather, or stock market prices. The more content there is on the page, the harder it is to read the article. Likewise, the brighter the colors in the flanking panels, the harder it is to read the text. Even if you're not particularly interested in the Rocky Mountain West, I suggest you spend an hour or so at Headwatersnews.org and click on every article link. Pay particular attention to the site's navigation, noticing how on some sites the navigation links distract you from the article you're trying to read, while others are less intrusive.