Clarion-Ledger drops Southern Miss beat

[HejiraHenry]

I'm reliably informed that the "statewide" Mississippi paper will be using Southern Miss coverage from its Hattiesburg sister paper starting Jan. 1.

In a related matter, USM beat writer Tim Doherty is out in Jackson.

 

[Miles O'Toole]

I had also heard that as well and was waiting for that to pop up on here. That's pretty pathetic, but unfortunately not surprising with the way the industry is going these days. I hope Tim lands on his feet very soon.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Stay clashy Big G.
ship, Hattiesburg is closer to Jackson than Oxford or Starkville. Granted, there aren't as many Southern Miss grads/fans reading the paper as Ole Miss/MSU folks, but still.
Maybe I can see not replacing that spot once Tim Doherty leaves (you got to keep that 30% profit margin somehow), but it seems kind of crappy to dump a guy like that. Especially one you hired from Hattiesburg a few years ago.

 

[Moderator1]

Out? As in forkin' see ya?
Nice business.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Out? As in forkin' see ya?
Nice business.

Not a new invention in this sector. I got my thumbs slammed in the door by Mother Gannett once upon a time, when I tried to invoke my return to a paper where I had a standing invitation to return.

But, I walked away under my own power and my life is much better for it.

I can only wish the story for Tim – who I do not know – turns out as well.

 

[Moderator1]

I knew Tim very well back in the day when my travels took me in that direction frequently. Great guy, hard worker, strong reporter. I can't believe any of that changed.

 

[thegrifter]

Sounds like par for the course for Gannett.

 

[2underpar]

doubt rusty is very happy about this development.

 

[black dude with pompano]

Dropping USM coverage is embarrashing, but forgivable

Kicking a reporter to the curb -- not to mention a longtime Gannett employee (at two papers) -- is much worse.

 

[Magnum]

I shouldn't be surprised, but really I am shocked that they would fire a guy just because they eliminated his beat. That's crazy.

 

[BYH]

I shouldn't be surprised, but really I am shocked that they would fire a guy just because they eliminated his beat. That's crazy.

Status quo at the JRC.

 

[terrier]

Reminds me of the day Modell announced the Browns' move to Baltimore. Before Modell was even finished speaking, Jelenic was on the phone to the publisher of his Cleveland-area paper to lay off the Browns' beat writer. Not reashign - lay off.
There may be some cool people in hell, but it's not worth it to have Jelenic within breathshot.