The story unfolds over the course of a single, frantic day at a New York City tabloid newspaper. The central figure is the paper's newsroom editor, who finds himself caught in a whirlwind of personal and professional dilemmas. Juggling a pregnant wife who is pressing for stability, he faces rising tensions at work where he grapples with editorial decisions that could both make headlines and compromise ethics. The editor’s boss pushes for stories that boost circulation, while competing pressures from the advertising department add to his turmoil. Amidst this chaos, a promising lead about a double murder is intertwined with racial prejudice, offering potential success for the paper, but with high stakes.

As headlines loom, conflicting interests create tension among the staff. Assistant editors and reporters press for different angles on the murder case, with evidence suggesting wrongful accusations against two Black youths. Meanwhile, rivalries heat up when another editor vies for more power, stoking internal politics. The protagonist must decide between rushing a sensational story to press or committing to thorough journalism that seeks the truth. All the while, deadlines approach relentlessly and ethical lines blur against the backdrop of a frenetic newsroom atmosphere. Ultimately, these intertwined challenges test his professional integrity and personal priorities, leading to a crescendo of decisions that define both his career and his personal life.