McClatchy layoffs hit local WA newspapers

Live updates

1. 17h ago

   McClatchy workforce cuts hit Lexington Herald-Leader and The State

   McClatchy reduced its workforce by more than 90 employees on September 10, cutting some newsrooms by upwards of 40 percent. The Lexington Herald-Leader eliminated 13 positions, resulting in one of the smallest staffs in the paper's 100-year history. The State lost at least five journalists. These reductions follow a pattern of severe cuts at other McClatchy properties, including the Miami Herald and Idaho Statesman, while the NewsGuild-CWA reports that 30% of the company's unionized workers were affected.

   Why it matters

   Investment firms increasingly own newspapers to optimize for profit. This shift often leads to staffing reductions across local news chains. McClatchy owns 30 newspapers, including The Sacramento Bee.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy laid off more than 90 staff members on September 10.
   • The Lexington Herald-Leader cut 13 jobs.
   • The State lost at least five journalists.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Some McClatchy newsrooms were slashed by upwards of 40 percent.
   • The Lexington Herald-Leader now has one of the smallest staffs in its history.

   What to watch next

   • Further staffing updates from Washington state newspapers.
   • Response from McClatchy regarding hedge fund ownership and profit optimization.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. sports.yahoo.com — MLB Latest Updates - Yahoo Sports
   2. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Coronavirus Impact on Auto Industry
   3. www.mississippivalleypublishing.com — Tri-State Rodeo: Grand Parade Shows their Patriotic Pride
   4. www.postandcourier.com — Editor’s Column: Our rival, The State, took a hit this week. I’m rooting for them to bounce back.
   5. www.wkyt.com — Lexington Herald-Leader reporter talks mass layoff at legacy newspaper
   6. san.com — This company’s newspapers are ‘optimized for profit’ — for its hedge fund owner
   confidence 90%
2. 3d ago

   McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in nationwide newspaper layoffs

   McClatchy reduced its workforce by more than 90 employees on Thursday in its most severe layoffs in years. The cuts hit newsrooms across the United States, including Washington state newspapers and the San Luis Obispo Tribune. The Miami Herald lost more than 30 editorial positions, and nearly half of the Idaho Statesman staff were laid off. The NewsGuild-CWA reports that 30% of the company's unionized workers were affected. These reductions follow a turbulent summer for the U.S. news industry and impact a chain owning 30 newspapers, including The Sacramento Bee.

   Why it matters

   McClatchy is owned by a hedge fund and manages a portfolio of local journalism outlets. These cuts create gaps in regional coverage and reflect broader financial instability within the American news industry.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy cut more than 90 staff members in its most severe layoffs in years.
   • The layoffs occurred on Thursday and affected newsrooms across the United States.
   • The Miami Herald lost more than 30 editorial positions.
   • Nearly half of the Idaho Statesman staff were laid off.
   • McClatchy owns The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, and 28 other newspapers.

   Still unconfirmed

   • McClatchy laid off 30% of its unionized workers.
   • Five journalists were laid off from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

   What to watch next

   • Statements from McClatchy leadership regarding the financial drivers of the cuts
   • Reports on specific coverage gaps in Washington state newspapers
   • Response from hedge fund owners regarding future staffing levels
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. Poynter — McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in its most severe layoffs in years
   2. KTVB — Nearly half of Idaho Statesman staff laid off as part of national cuts to parent company
   3. The NewsGuild - CWA — McClatchy laid off 30% of its unionized workers; here’s how local coverage will suffer
   4. The Seattle Times — McClatchy layoffs hit local WA newspapers
   5. AP News — For the US news industry, a tough summer draws to a close with McClatchy chain’s cuts
   6. www.nbcnews.com — For the U.S. news industry, a tough summer draws to a close with McClatchy chain’s cuts
   7. hoodline.com — McClatchy Cuts More Than 30 Miami Herald Editorial Positions in Nationwide Layoff Wave
   8. truthout.org — Hedge Fund-Owned Publisher Lays Off Local Journalists From Papers Across the US
   9. www.arkansasonline.com — McClatchy papers see deep job cuts
   10. calcoastnews.com — McClatchy guts SLO Tribune newsroom, part of nationwide layoffs
   confidence 90%