California newsrooms decimated in ‘the bloodiest round of layoffs’ as media giant culls 40% of staff

Live updates

1. 4d ago

   McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in nationwide newsroom layoffs

   Media giant McClatchy has eliminated more than 90 positions across its national network of newspapers. The cuts hit California newsrooms particularly hard, with one report describing the move as the bloodiest round of layoffs. Specific impacts include the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Idaho Statesman, where nearly half of the staff were laid off. These reductions represent the most severe staffing cuts the company has implemented in years, affecting multiple local outlets across the country.

   Why it matters

   McClatchy operates a large portfolio of local newspapers across the United States. These deep job cuts reflect broader financial pressures facing the regional news industry. The scale of the reductions suggests a significant shift in the company's operational strategy.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy cut more than 90 staff members in its most severe layoffs in years.
   • The layoffs affected newspapers across the country.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom was gutted.

   What to watch next

   • Company statements regarding the specific percentage of total workforce reduced
   • Reports on the remaining staffing levels at the Idaho Statesman and Lexington Herald-Leader
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. New York Post — California newsrooms decimated in ‘the bloodiest round of layoffs’ as media giant culls 40% of staff
   2. Poynter — McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in its most severe layoffs in years
   3. The New York Times — McClatchy Makes Deep Job Cuts to Newspapers Around the Country
   4. KTVB — Nearly half of Idaho Statesman staff laid off as part of national cuts to parent company
   5. Louisville Public Media — McClatchy guts Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom, among nationwide layoffs
   confidence 90%