Being a publisher at an independently incorporated newspaper

But one that is still corporately owned?

I think it's like having one testicle.

My guess is that individually incorporating newspapers, or small groups, is for tax reasons and little else.

I think it means little to nothing as far as any degree of additional independence from HQ, while possibly meaning that the buck stops even more with you the publisher at times.

Well, that's life.

I'm not a 1 percenter.

If things change, they change.