*UPDATE 3* Paper cuts: Axe falls on newspaper employees, others return to the grind | Ink By the Byte
Banner, Ink By the Byte — By Christopher Spencer on October 29, 2009 at 6:13 pm** UPDATE at 6: p.m., 11/06/09 ***
Bob Caudle was hired today by the merged Northwest Arkansas Newspaper as a Benton County’s fire and police reporter. The offer was made after Anna Fry, who covered that area previously, decided to find greener journalism pastures in Washington, D.C., sources say.
Here’s the note from his Facebook status:
Bob Caudle For those of you scoring at home, The Morning News called today and offered me a job covering Benton County fire and police. I took it. We’re going to iron out the details on Monday. This has been quite a week….
Also, Razorback columnist and newspaper merger casualty Nate Allen has been offered a freelance contract by Northwest Arkansas Newspaper to write a three times a week sports column. The offer was made after a successful Facebook effort by about 150 people drew attention to Allen’s dismissal from the paper.
Group organizer Beth Presley provided this note today that was written by Allen, thanking people for their support. It reads as follows:
Without my beforehand knowledge or consent, you have made Nancy and me feel like “It’s a Wonderful Life’s” George Bailey.
I have never had such a following other than the last batch of bill-collectors chasing me from Roger’s Rec to the Bank of Fayetteville.
Your sincerity even exceeded theirs. And they were indeed sincere.
Thanks to you, some of them might even start getting paid off, or as much as a sportswriter’s salary pays anybody off.
Last Thursday I signed a 2-year contract that’s supposed to take effect next week to write three columns a week for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
That never, ever, would have happened without you all.
Like George Bailey, you have made me feel like the “richest man in town.”
Because while the money is no greater than what I previously received, the enrichment of so many caring so much to take it upon themselves to lobby for my employment is a treasure lasting forever and infinitely greater than any money I could ever spend or save.
Nancy and I are still overwhelmed by it all.
I would imagine those at the newspapers are, too. Especially with them knowing full well I am too computer illiterate ever to have organized and engineered this since I don’t even Facebook or Twitter or can do much beyond sending e-mail.
The outpouring is nearly as baffling as it is wonderful.
I’m even wondering if a lot of you have parakeets lobbying to keep their favorite target in their birdcages.
Whatever the reason, we will never forget your kindness.
With the greatest love and appreciation to you all,
Nate Allen
I’m pleased that these two columnists were given a chance to return to the work that they enjoy. I think it should also be a lesson to those news reporters who ply their trade silently and want or are asked to keep their identity removed from their work. You remain anonymous at your own peril.
Engage your audience and make yourself known. Take control of your own brand as a writer and cherish it and develop it, building trust with your audience. The public would not likely feel the same connection with Bob and Nate if they were not columnists and had not developed that audience over the years.
In general, newspapers do not want journalists to have power in their own name and exert pressure to make sure that doesn’t happen.
You should resist that pressure.
** UPDATE at 8:30 p.m., 10/30/09 ***
Morning News reporter and columnist Bob Caudle will continue his column as a freelancer. It will be published by Northwest Arkansas Newspapers.
Caudle posted this comment on his Facebook page today:
“Employment update. My column will be in this Sunday’s paper, I’ll take a week off and then pick back up on Nov. 9 on a freelance basis. The editor asked and I agreed. I appreciate everybody’s kind words, thoughts, phone calls, e-mails … etc. And thanks to West Doss, I’m sure Walter Hussman at some point in the day asked, “Who in the hell is Bob Caudle?” Seriously, thanks”
First, a serious caveat. We’re talking about real people’s lives here so I hope anyone who comments will keep that foremost in their mind.
Also, this is a post that’s covering an event in action. It’s a composite based on multiple sources. Everything is preliminary and subject to change as I learn more. If there are mistakes, please inform me in the comments below so I can make those corrections immediately.
For many people, this sort of coverage is inside baseball for the newspaper industry, but for others, this is their livelihood.
Thursday is typically the last day of payroll at the Morning News, so it makes sense that the cuts would come today.
Among the editors:
We already know that everyone at the tip-top stays in place.
Donna Lonchar will be the Morning News’ Springdale editor.
Leeanna Walker will continue as the Morning News’ Rogers editor
Greg Harton will likely remain editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times in Fayetteville
Mike Jones will be Bentonville editor at the Benton County Daily Record.
Among the reporters:
Morning News columnist and reporter Bob Caudle was told today he would not be retained with the new newspaper after almost 17 years.
“There’s really no hard feelings, business is business and, apparently, I didn’t fit into their plans,” he said from his home this evening.
“You look at it from a business standpoint and the guy that makes the most money … I’d probably have fired me to.”
Caudle said he plans to take some weeks to burn through his severance and play some golf, contemplating his next move.
Charles Fowler at the Benton County Daily Record was also let go. Charles Huggins, who covered police and Washington County government for the Morning News, was also laid off. Jamie Smith, a reporter for the Benton County will also not be part of the new company.
My thoughts are with each of you.
On the scene
Folks were called into offices this morning and afternoon and told whether or not they made the cut.
Production, the technical side of producing the new paper is still rough. No one knows for sure how all the pieces are going to come together, said one employee who was re-hired by Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC.
The new company is expected to begin publishing the combined newspapers on Sunday.
“We were numb going into it but wired. Even afterward, everybody’s kind of like a zombie.”
* Update*
Lament for the Fourth Estate
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (NWA edition)
Stephanie Wheetley
Sue Morris
Chris Cocoles
Michelle Morgan
Bill Etter
Buddy Gough
Northwest Arkansas Times
Robin Mero
Brooke McNeely
Scott Shackleford
Ashley Batchelor
Sandra Cox
Benton County Daily Record
Gary Lookadoo
Tom Treweek
Karen Laskey
Paul Gatling
Sarah Nader
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Tom Sissom
Chris Dunivan
Other employees, including those listed, might not have applied again for their jobs.Please leave a comment below if there are any inaccuracies.
SIMILAR POSTS
- NWA newspaper merger becomes “officially” official as papers drop simultaneous press releases | Ink By the Byte at 6:30 pm on October 26, 2009
- Wehco and Stephens marry as Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. is formed Friday | Ink By the Byte at 12:24 pm on October 24, 2009
- Washington County can no longer house immigrants suspected of residency violations | CF at 10:06 pm on February 28, 2010
- Arrest made in Rogers bank robberies case at 12:48 pm on July 4, 2009
- NWAnews.com gets a new online editor at 11:37 am on July 12, 2009
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91 Comments
Reading the paper in Northwest Arkansas will never be the same without Bob Caudle. I read Bob’s column before I read anything. This is a travesty!
It is indeed a sad, sad day in Northwest Arkansas. The weather is quite fitting. I feel horrible for those let go by any and all of the papers. :(
Bob Caudle’s wit and humor were a huge attraction for a lot of readers. Guess this has to be a financial decision because it doesn’t make sense as a journalism decision.
This is a big reason why newspapers and their leadership are fumbling. Money-changers are making decision unrelated to the quality of the product. And that’s why people are failing. The whatever product is a lot less interesting without Caudle. Insane. Like people are going to line up for another right-wing editorial. Good luck with all that.
I found Bob Caudle to be one of my most enjoyable newspaper reads always. Evidently quality of content is not winning out against salary expenses. Thanks, Bob, for all your wonderful writing.
It is definitely cronyism at its worst. None of these decisions make any sense. If they had made decisions based on job performance or talent, I could understand. This just seems like they drew names from a hat, but I fear it’s more personal than that. Editors and publishers are so out of touch with the average reader it’s not even funny.
I feel for the folks that are left without jobs, I really do. But honestly it seems the newspaper seems to get a lot more attention than all the other folks that have been losing their jobs in the area and state for many months now. Seems rather self-serving.
The papers covered Walmart layoffs in the spring. They have documented manufacturing layoffs regarding Superior Industries and folks let go from local banks. They have covered Dayspring Cards layoffs and interview out of work folks every month when unemployment stats are updated.
See that image of the Northwest Arkansas Times? Look closely in the upper left corner – “Serving Washington County since 1860.” That’s longer than the University of Arkansas has been around, folks. Now all that is left is some hybrid bunch of mess that is supposed pass for a “community newspaper.” It is not only sad that these individuals lost their jobs, but that the readers of each of these communities have lost their distinct public voices. Yes, that loss started long before today, but this seems to be the final crumble. As Caudle said, from a business perspective, it’s the bottom line that counts. It still makes me sad.
By the way, it think it bears noting that Kent Marts, who has been a dedicated reporter and editor and was eventually publisher of the Benton County Daily Record, is also leaving his post. Not sure if it was by choice or arrangement, but Kent’s been a staple in Northwest Arkansas journalism.
Now the big question is – Who’s left covering the Hogs?
I was laid off from the Times, and you can add Terry Wood, Vernon Tarver, Heath Allen and Dave Showers to the list of cuts. Also, Managing Editor Christie Swanson will be writing business stories out of the Springdale office. There were also people not in the public eye, including me, who were let go. The Times as you’ve known it is dead and gone forever.
The loss of editorial voice is particularly pointed in Fayetteville, where I see Scott Shackleford, the opinion page editor at the Times, has been let go. I suppose the rejoinder will be that the other editors there will continue to write editorials in some fashion for the Times, but I fear eventually a distinct political voice serving Fayetteville – unique politically from its far more conservative neighbors – will ultimately be lost.
This is a travesty. After 12 years, I’m out the door. The only one not kept from my department. It’s like a death in the family. I’ve grown up here, spent more time with my co workers than my own family. I’ve lost my right arm and am left to pick up the pieces. I know there will be a rising sun tomorrow and the next, and that I’ll get paid to spend the holidays with my family, but there will still be this void that will never be replaced.
Several Morning News workers tell me they were “banned” (their word, not mine) from talking about anything until Sunday. Typical.
It’s fair to guess they also were threatened with their jobs should the information get out. Also typical.
Before the layoffs, a few interested parties made predictions about who’d have a job and who wouldn’t, based solely on the politics of the managers making the selections (one of whom, workers are frequently assured, “doesn’t hold a grudge”).
The predictions, being held for verification by an independent observer, follow the list of those laid off with eerie accuracy.
Happy Halloween.
###
Wow. Lisa Thompson has been after Mr. Caudle since the day she showed up at The Morning News. It took her several years, but she was finally able to get rid of him. Looking at the people that have been let go in the past year, I think she has just about checked everyone off of her personal hit list.
I feel for the people that have been let go, I really do, but my life has never been better since the day I was let go from that place. I no longer need stress medication, I’m happier than I have ever been in my life, and surprisingly have more money.
That place was sucked the soul out of a person and made them want want to curl up in a ball and slowly drift away. Not because of the actual work (that part was enjoyable), but because of the way people were treated by the one with the list. There’s a special place in hell for that person.
I cannot agree with @I have a turtle more. I devoted years of my life to getting a degree in journalism, because I loved it passionately. Then I went to work at the Morning News.
I hated it every day and found that papers aren’t actually there to serve the readers at all. They are businesses and exist to serve the people at the top: editors, publishers, etc. The mismanagement and fear tactics used to rule at that paper reveal the worst kind of cronyism.
I was laid off in May and things have never been better. It kills me to see that the career path I loved is so warped and hateful.
I feel for Caudle, Sissom and all the other quality journalists who were pushed out to allow room for the management’s pets. You don’t deserve it and you will find something better.
I wonder if Flip will be the outdoors editor since they let Buddy Gough go? That stinks, as I got to fish a few times with Buddy and get in the paper.
Didn’t Bob Caudle win First Place Humorous Editorial in this year’s APA awards, along with 17 years of writing for the same paper? Those decision makers in management should be given First Place Bonehead Award. Come on… really?
Chin up Bob. It’s people like you that show what class is all about.
This will be worse than having no newspaper at all. The Northwest Arkansas Times should be able to run their presses by harnessing the power of the Fulbrights spinning in their graves.
It’s like these folks:
tstallbaumer@nwaonline.net
rturner@nwaonline.net
lthompson@nwaonline.net
are trying to piss off the entire city of Fayetteville…
Ditto for me, Turtle keeper and Megan.
After 20 something years in newspapers, I was voted off the island a while back.
Once I got used to being out of the muck, I haven’t been better. Or made as much money, which still isn’t saying much… but no longer living on a pauper’s budget.
Donna Lonchar as Springdale editor? Chickenopolis has reached a new low. But that should make the cowbirds happy. No muck will be raked up under her blind-eyed watch.
Best of Luck to Caudle and Cleatus. Did you ever think you’d see someone say you have class? Don’t worry, your reputation will not be hurt by that.
After covering NWA news, and learning the harsh truth @Megan Garner mentioned, I left the profession over 20 years ago and haven’t looked back.
I greatly admire those who kept with it, though; I know what it takes to try to stay true to yourself amidst the aforementioned cronyism and under the daily political pressure (both internal and external).
So I’m here to show my appreciation for all of you – whether you have been retained or let go – because you had the stamina I lacked. And I wish all the best for each of you in your future endeavors. This is indeed the end of an era.
What’s up with the sports department? If Wood is gone does that mean Souza is the sports editor? What about the Morning News and Times Razorback beat writers? Any news on the ADG side — Bob Holt, etc.
I think Souza will be over the Times, Morning News and Daily Record sports departments. Paul Gatling, sports editor at the Daily Record was also let go I believe.
These cuts will buy the Dem-Gaz print edition a few more years of continued operation, but the long-term prospects for it are not good. The economic trends are working against them, especially if a big wave of inflation occurs. Apparently, that is what the Stephens group foresees.
Unfortunately, Arkansas is ranked about 49th in broadband access, so the market conditions for an online edition are poor too. It’s regrettable that Hussman never used his editorial voice to promote better broadband access for the state. He will continue to suffer the consequences of his anti-Internet attitude in the future.
There’s plenty of dead weight at the MN where sports is concerned. I wonder if under the new arrangement Souza will be able to hire his kids again? Nepotism is a big player at that place.
But there is some good news in all this. No matter how people think, this venture is now Hussman’s. He’s got control of the board and the purse strings. In this is a guy who likes his money. I’m pretty sure that the legacy of failure that some leadership types have displayed is very much closer to catching up to them. At some point the pussycat runs out of lives.
One day closer are certain rusty old pretenders who only have gotten to their great heights through attrition and just showing up. Those people are like the kid who gets an award for perfect attendance at school. What an accomplishment. I think they may be hanging on hoping that they can milk a few more years out of this so they can still scarf double cheeseburgers at Burger King, buy bigger shirts and just make it to retirement before they totally kill the thing.
One day closer are headless Thompson gunners who “manage” only to create an environment of nepotism and reverse discrimination borne of some insane penis envy. (Chris, can I say “penis” on OU?) Their circle has only gotten smaller until it’s like that old story about the Nazis coming first for the Jews, then the communists, etc. At some point they come for you. And they won’t be able to dug…er….dig themselves out of that.
One day closer are the stalling bombers who do nothing but destroy other people’s lives, coldly and with priorites being how soon they can get to their Razorbacks game or round of golf or to get fitted for their Armani spectacles.
People like that have no soul. They remind me of a recent high-ranking politician who also was a spectacularly failed businessman. Who also cost people jobs — good, hardworking and decent people who deserved a lot better than to be treated like chattel and discarded.
I wonder if the furloughs are over. I wonder if the loss of benefits are over. I wonder how these creeps dare pass a mirror.
Brutal situation and best of luck to all those who lost their jobs. Having worked at both Stephens Media (back when it was Donrey) and the Dem-Gaz, I can say with some authority that there’s very little difference between the two companies in terms of how they treat their employees…unless you happen to be one of the “editors’ pets” with dark stuff on your nose. Everyone else who tries to succeed on “merit” is overworked, underpaid and undervalued. Got out of Arkansas journalism during Bush Junior’s first term (after nearly a decade in the business) and haven’t missed it one day.
Some unsolicited advice to anyone in college print journalism programs in Arkansas: change your major if you’re planning to stay in this state, because newspapers in Arkansas have been reduced, through bonehead business moves and sheer greed, into a Chernobyl ash heap. Can’t speak to whether it’s any better in other states, but not sure how it could be much worse.
Hey Casual Friday. If you are whom I suspect you are, then you should know exactly what it is like to “destroy other people’s lives, coldly.”
For after all, if you are whom I suspect, then what you did to a certain desk editor is more reprehensible than legitimate business layoffs. You destroyed a person merely because you could, and because it suited your purpose. Much like you lied on your resume, citing four years as a business editor (HA!), to attain your current job.
So I guess we see how you operate. What is OK for you to do, is not OK for others to do. And, when they do, it is OK for you to vilify them for it.
Have you no shame, sir? Have you no shame?
If this is not the person I believe it is, you have my apology.
Yep, penis is an acceptable word. I really should hammer out a comments policy, but I’ve yet to do so.
Suffice to say that your entry-level curse words are generally OK, but no dropping f-bombs or s-bombs. I aim for a PG-13 feel.
Also, tone is a big consideration. I could totally disagree with a comment, but personal and mean-spirited (I know a subjective decision) attacks cross the line for me.
I appreciate the question.
Jack, that ain’t me, but I know who you are talking about. And that person’s alright in my book. The way I hear it, said desk editor was a convicted pedophile, so I’m not likely to defend that. But that’s a whole ‘nother story.
Sorry, not a convicted pedophile. Child porn guy. That’s different.
There are some dedicated hard-working extremely talented people still left at the NWA Times. They retained their jobs because they are superb at what they do, show up when and where they are supposed to, passionately care about their profession and its role in society, and always go above and beyond. They aren’t still employed because they are brown-nosers or someone’s crony/pet nor a relative of management.
I am not suggesting that all of those let go didn’t also hold these qualities because some do, but to suggest that all of those left aren’t deserving of their positions is just ignorant. There were some exemplary employees laid off. There were some exemplary employees retained. To even hint at suggestion otherwise is unfair.
How do I know such employees still work at the NWA Times? I live with one. How do I know such employees were let go? My brother was laid off back in April from another one of the locals. They both are better than most and are two of my unsung heroes.
Scott Shackleford is a voice that will be sorely missed. G. Harton as mouthpiece for the CoC made no difference at NAT. Harton can keep gagging on gnats.
I understand that so many complained about Caudle being removed that they have offered him a column. That makes sense. If his column is so good that you want to keep it, why get rid of the employee? No wonder the Snooze went under.
I didn’t realize the MN and NWA Times still had a sports section. Oops, sorry. What do they cover, Kickball at Vandergriff Elementary?
Actually the NWA Times sports sections covers quite a bit, Stevie. You might consider opening the paper and actually reading the sports section to find just all that they cover. Some of the recent highlights have been the FHS boys and girls basketball state championships, Dick Johnson’s resignation, Razorback Baseball, the Hogs, etc. etc. etc. And actually the NWA Times also recently ran a feature on a local adult kickball league. If you want to go play some kickball that can be arranged. I don’t know much about that sport but I could probably offer some pointers and even practice with you.
No apologies needed.
Yeah, that stuff was covered I’m quite sure more extensively in the Dem-zette. There can’t be much of a sports section when the entire paper is only what, 8-10 pages?
No apologies neccessary
Cross-posted from the Fayetteville Flyer
Hello, I’m Christopher Spencer, the publisher of Ozarks Unbound.
I appreciate your opinion about it being bad taste to list those who were laid off. Perhaps others feel that way as well.
I don’t mind explaining why I made the choice that I did.
1. More information, so long as it is accurate, is almost always better than less information. The exception to this is when someone’s life is at stake and releasing information could further endanger that person’s life.
2. Accurate information kills gossip. Rather than idle speculation and piece-meal answers, an accurate source in a clearly visible place provides a place for documentation and comment. Ozarks Unbound is not an anonymous blog. Our writers have bylines and we stand behind our work. At the end of the day, it’s my name behind everything that is published there, for better or worse.
3. The newspaper industry in this equation will not or is ill-equipped to cover itself. Media, on the whole, tends to play nice with other media. I tell myself that a similar level of scrutiny would be applied when any larger local companies merged. Also, newspapers are not like other companies. They define how news is presented, how our viewpoints are shaped in society. This is the biggest transformation in a generation up here in the newspaper game.
3. This is a personal reason. When I was laid off from the Morning News in April, I actually took comfort in seeing my name listed among the others on Max Brantley’s Arkansas Times blog. I didn’t know who else was let go and I scrambled for information all day that day.
So those are my reasons for publishing the list of names. You might still think it was in bad taste, and I’m cool with that, but at least you have my thought process.
Putting aside the point that your original assertion that the NWA Times doesn’t cover sports other than elementary kickball, no, actually much of what they do cover in the sports section isn’t covered AT ALL in the DG. What they cover is local sports. You won’t find the same in-depth coverage of local sports in the DG that you find in the NWA Times. Again, my suggestion is you actually open the paper and read it and then compare what is covered there to what is covered in the DG.
I didn’t offer apologies, you did and I considered them unnecessary as I simply considered the source.
The Morning News is out of the Razorback business now. All Razorback copy will be generated by the ADG. The MN writers will cover high school and junior high sports exclusively. Without the AP wire, they will have produce a lot of bylines to fill the two or three page sports section.
Anyone know anything about the Dem-Gaz sports guys Rick Fires or Marty Cook? Were they let go? What will they now be doing? And will the Morning News’ Razorback writers go to the Dem-Gaz?
Fires and Cook are still with the ADG. Their beats haven’t changed that much. Malashock and Abrams are no longer covering Arkansas. They are now covering high schools. Malashock is on one of the Rogers schools, Abrams is on Fayetteville. Neiswanger now works for Stephens’ Little Rock bureau as a one-man Razorback bureau.
Morgan, respectfully, most of what runs in the NW Times was either high school or press releases from the University. They won’t be missed.
Razorbacker, those might not be missed by you. But the trend at a lot of newspapers is hyper-local, as in specifically focusing more attention on the high schools. After all, you can get Razorback coverage in a variety of places. You can’t get high school coverage elsewhere. Those high school parents buy papers, and more importantly, own businesses that buy ads.
That’s what these papers will be, it seems. Get the NWA Times, it’ll be focused on Fayetteville High. Get the Morning News, it will be Springdale High and Springdale Har-Ber. Want the Hogs? Go to the ADG, because the UofA coverage won’t be in those local papers.
When I arrived at the Springdale paper, Mr. Turner had many of “his people” around. They did little, earned a nice paycheck and were untouchable. Now, though, Mrs. Thompson has many, many of “her people” around. They do very little, earn a nice paycheck and are untouchable. The funny thing is that Mr. Turner’s people are all gone while Mrs. Thompson’s people have not only stayed put, but infested this company. Seems odd. Who is really calling the shots? From what I hear, Mrs. Thompson had her eye on that editor’s position and damn near got it when it last opened up. I also hear that Mr. Turner was slightly afraid of her pull. Let’s put it this way: When Mr. Turner walked into the room, no big deal. When Mrs. Thompson walked into the room, someone’s ass is going to get chewed … regardless of whether or not it was actually their mistake. It is my full belief that Mrs. Thompson had a plan and Mr. Turner’s days were numbered. Which one of the two is the lucky one now, though? Time will tell. My guess is that all of us underneath them are the true losers.
To Stevie, right on bro. To whatever gender Morgan is, you mention to Stevie to actually open the sports pages. Huh? There’s nothing to open in the NWA Times. It’s gona. The Star Shopper has more news and sports and they sell Yorkies by the dozen.
Bob Caudle was a most talented investigative reporter as well. He sought facts and was fearless in that pursuit. This is a talent which is rare in AR these days, Max Brantley comes to mind as I write this as well as Mara Leveritt. We need Mr Caudle’s extraordinary talent to remain within AR and someone willing to pay him a salary for the pursuit of his talents.
I miss the AR Gazette, a hole has remained in AR since it’s death and to now hear of talent such as Mr Caudle being laid off is anything but good news. I hope the AR Times holds fast in this economy. Good Luck to Mr Caudle, if I could I would hire you in a second.
I am watching the NWA situation (from afar, fortunately) with interest as I know some of the players involved. This may not be much comfort but being laid off from a newspaper job at age 42 was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was still young enough to do something else. The sun is going to rise, guys, and I wish you all the best.
To those of you still employed, one bit of advice. Conserve your cash and sacrifice whatever you need to sacrifice to save it. You’ve not seen the start of rough times for the newspaper industry yet, despite the beginnings of an economic turnaround. These jobs are not coming back. Having money in the bank will allow you to determine your destiny.
Since sex seems to matter, I am female. I wasn’t trying to hide my sex, just didn’t feel it was necessary to mention it. I did state I am related to a former news employee and living with another. And I actually sign my full legal name to my posts.
The NWA Times is a local paper. They have tons of local sports and local news. They cover local stories that never make it into the DG. Stories that are of interest and newsworthy to local people.
The Star Shopper doesn’t have any news nor does it have any sports. Again, (and again and again and again) I invite people to actually open the newspaper and read it. I know this is a huge departure for many who don’t want to actually invest the time to inform themselves but would rather be spoonfed information. Sadly, that’s a big part of what is wrong with the country today.
Some would contend that the paper’s readers are the ones being spoonfed.
Just wanted to express my sympathies for those laid off and those still left at the various papers…I can’t imagine how stressful this has been for them. I still know a few, and they are some good and talented people. I must say that my newspaper career has been much happier and more fulfilling since I got the heck away from Stephens Media, and I wish that for them.
And as an aside to JimmyJack (I’m not the guy you’re talking about either, just someone who’s heard plenty about the situation), the way I look at it, that manager did himself in, many times over. He would’ve had to have lied on his job application, too, and then he made the most of a second chance in the business by treating people very poorly and was probably shocked when it came back to bite him. But for my money, the company was really at fault for making someone a manager without checking his background.