Buyouts

Anyone hear of writers who have announced they are taking the buyouts at some of the biggest papers? I'm talking Chi. Tribune, Fort Lauderdale and Detroit. (I hadn't realized until today that Detroit was looking to pare staff further.)

 

Has Lauderdale made the announcement official yet? I know everyone there knows it's coming, but I haven't seen or heard about an announcement yet.

 

Friday . . . although today is when 20-30 volunteers were supposed to report to HR to do paperwork.

 

I'm guessing 20-30 isn't going to cut it...

Here we go again...

 

55-60 was a given all along.

But the 20-30 volunteering just means that many fewer taps on the shoulder come Friday.

I'm leaving the country Monday. Hope my building garage pass works when I come back Aug. 9.

 

How many in sports?

 

Detroit Free Press+News+Agency had 115 take the latest buyout. The JOA bosses were asking for 150 so layoffs may be coming. Not sure on any Freep sports departures, though they just fired a reporter a month or two ago. But I hear the News is losing three writers and no editors.

 

I see that Steve Springer is covering the U.S. basketball team this week for the LA Times. I believe he is leaving. Let's hope he's spending his expense account aggressively in Las Vegas.

 

Any further word from Chicago Tribune, news or sports?

 

Who did the Freep fire?

 

Chris Silva?

 

Seriously? I wonder why. Shit, I liked Chris.


EDIT: Are you sure? His name is still on the "Contact Us" page.