McClatchy Makes Deep Job Cuts to Newspapers Around the Country

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   McClatchy cuts 30 percent of unionized workforce across 17 newspapers

   McClatchy eliminated over 90 unionized journalist positions across 17 of its 31 publications. The layoffs include more than 30 jobs at The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, and 13 positions at the Lexington Herald-Leader. These cuts represent roughly 30 percent of the company's NewsGuild-CWA workforce. The reductions leave the 100-year-old Lexington Herald-Leader with one of the smallest staffs in its history. Other heavily impacted papers include the Idaho Statesman and the Charlotte Observer.

   Why it matters

   The U.S. newspaper industry has contracted for 20 years. This decline began with the rise of the internet and loss of classified ads, followed by social media fragmentation and changing consumption habits.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy cut over 90 unionized journalists across 17 publications.
   • The layoffs account for about 30 percent of McClatchy's unionized workforce.
   • More than 30 journalist jobs were eliminated at The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Lexington Herald-Leader cut 13 jobs last week.
   • Nearly half the staff was cut at the Idaho Statesman.

   What to watch next

   • Statements from the NewsGuild-CWA regarding the 30 percent workforce reduction
   • Further staffing updates from the Charlotte Observer
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Coronavirus Impact on Auto Industry
   2. www.commondreams.org — Trump Moves to Strip EPA of Authority to Limit Power Plant Carbon Pollution
   3. firstamendment.mtsu.edu — For U.S. newspapers, tough summer draws to a close with McClatchy chain’s cuts
   4. www.wlrn.org — More than 30 journalist jobs eliminated at Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald by parent company McClatchy
   5. www.wkyt.com — Lexington Herald-Leader reporter talks mass layoff at legacy newspaper
   confidence 90%
2. 1d ago

   McClatchy cuts jobs across 31 national newspapers

   McClatchy reduced staff at its newspapers nationwide on Thursday, including at The Miami Herald and The Sacramento Bee. These cuts follow a period of instability for the U.S. news industry. The chain owns 31 newspapers in total. Previous reports indicate the layoffs affected more than 90 unionized workers across 17 publications, representing roughly 30% of the company's NewsGuild-CWA workforce. Specific losses were heavy at the Idaho Statesman, where nearly half the staff was cut, and at the Lexington Herald-Leader and Charlotte Observer.

   Why it matters

   The layoffs occur at the end of a turbulent summer for American media. These reductions impact local reporting capabilities in multiple states.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy implemented deep job cuts on Thursday across its newspapers nationwide.
   • The company owns The Miami Herald and The Sacramento Bee.

   What to watch next

   • Statements from McClatchy leadership regarding the cause of the layoffs
   • Updates on union negotiations with The NewsGuild-CWA
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.pressdemocrat.com — National News
   2. www.courant.com — CTNow – Hartford Courant
   3. www.nwaonline.com — McClatchy papers see deep job cuts
   4. www.nbcnews.com — For the U.S. news industry, a tough summer draws to a close with McClatchy chain’s cuts
   confidence 90%
3. 3d ago

   McClatchy cuts more than 90 unionized staff across 17 publications

   McClatchy has implemented its most severe layoffs in years, cutting more than 90 unionized journalists and media workers across 17 publications. These cuts represent approximately 30% of all McClatchy workers unionized with The NewsGuild-CWA. Affected outlets include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, and The Kansas City Star. The layoffs hit local newsrooms hard, with the Idaho Statesman losing nearly half of its staff and the Lexington Herald-Leader experiencing deep cuts to its newsroom. The Charlotte Observer also slashed its newsroom staff as part of the national reduction.

   Why it matters

   These reductions come during a difficult summer for the US news industry. The NewsGuild-CWA suggests the company is replacing high-skilled employees with AI. The scale of the cuts threatens the viability of local coverage in several states.

   What is confirmed

   • McClatchy cut more than 90 unionized journalists and media workers across 17 publications.
   • The layoffs affected the Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom.
   • The cuts represent about 30% of McClatchy workers unionized with The NewsGuild-CWA.
   • Impacted publications include The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, and The Kansas City Star.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Nearly half of Idaho Statesman staff were laid off.
   • The Charlotte Observer slashed newsroom staff.
   • McClatchy is replacing worker output with AI.

   What to watch next

   • Statements from McClatchy leadership regarding the use of AI in newsrooms
   • Reports on the specific number of remaining staff at the Idaho Statesman
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Poynter — McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in its most severe layoffs in years
   2. The New York Times — McClatchy Makes Deep Job Cuts to Newspapers Around the Country
   3. KTVB — Nearly half of Idaho Statesman staff laid off as part of national cuts to parent company
   4. Louisville Public Media — McClatchy guts Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom, among nationwide layoffs
   5. WKYT — Lexington-Herald Leader affected by layoffs per reporters
   6. thecharlotteledger.com — Charlotte Observer slashes newsroom staff
   7. www.wsls.com — For the US news industry, a tough summer draws to a close with McClatchy chain's cuts
   8. newsguild.org — McClatchy laid off 30% of its unionized workers; here’s how local coverage will suffer
   confidence 90%