It's part of a trend to convert to morning publication. Stock market reports in an afternoon newspaper are worthless, to name just one reason. Advertisers want the newspaepr in the home earlier in the day. It's too easy to watch TV news instead of reading a paper then. It's not a stupid question.
People call in with news tips.
And reporters cultivate sources who will tell them about what's going on. Some companies issue news releases. Some news comes from routine meetings. It's not as hectic or exciting as in the movies. Thanks to computers, newsrooms are quiet operations these days.