'Bloody Monday at Kansas City Star'

just saw this and have to bump

/shameless plug

 

Not in time, for many.

 

"As predicted, layoffs today at KC Star"

 

I think I would be happier as a bartender then I would as a sportswriter worrying about layoffs four times a year.

They cut to the bone a year ago. Now they're sawing through it.

 

I think sports has been spared the last few times around. We'll see if that's the case this time or not.

 

Does anyone have names?

I didn't think there was anyone left to cut.

 

Damn. It just gets worse for that paper.

 

Could go SF Chronicle style, cut all full-time preps coverage?

 

The cuts include Robert Butler, the movie critic who's been with the paper for 41 years, and Michael Mansur, a well-respected reporter on the news side.

http://www.bottomlinecom.com/kcnews/butlerleadsstarcuts.html

Don't know of any other names.

Somebody needs to compile all of the memos sent out by Mark Zieman after all of the rounds of layoffs, just to see how he changes the wording in his insistence that things are about to get better. It'd be comical if there weren't people's jobs at stake here.

At least they won a few APSE awards, like that means anything to anyone.

 

I don't think any of the writers have been touched assuming the "contact us" links on the sports homepage is up-to-date.

 

You have to think that more McClatchy papers will be announcing layoffs in the next week or two. That has been the pattern before.

 

From the Pencil Dick pipeline - 20 cuts in Raleigh today.

Dear Co-Workers:

The News & Observer continues to be challenged by our revenue performance. Although our declines are not as steep as they have been in previous years, revenue trends remain negative year-over-year. As a result, we must continue to look for ways to offset this trend by managing expenses.

Today we are announcing a staff reduction plan that will affect approximately 20 employees across The News & Observer. These reductions affect most areas of our
operation. Some positions will be eliminated through layoffs, and some departments will have opportunities for employees in certain work groups of two or more to accept a voluntary severance package. If enough employees do not take the voluntary option, work groups will be reduced according to least tenure.

We understand how difficult this message is to receive given other reduction programs we have done over the last few years. However, we are working hard to implement new products and improve our revenue performance to help us navigate through these challenging times. We continue to rely on each of you and your contributions at The News & Observer as we manage our way through this, and we are confident that we will remain the premier source of news and advertising services in our area. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Orage Quarles III