Houston Chronicle

Saw this in the business section today. Anyone know if the sports staff is hit with this?

The Houston Chronicle today began layoffs of approximately 12 percent of its employees in an effort to reduce costs amid unprecedented change in the newspaper industry, Chronicle Publisher and President Jack Sweeney announced.

"As our newspaper continues to report the condition of the economy, we read about companies in all business categories adjusting their size to match current and projected revenues," Sweeney wrote to Chronicle employees. "The Houston Chronicle must do the same in spite of your diligent efforts."

The Chronicle will be providing severance packages, which include two weeks of pay for each year of service up to one year's pay, and career transition services to those employees affected.

 

Anyone know who was let go?

 

Here's some info from the Black Monday thread:

 

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/03/chron_cuts_the_jeff_cohen_memo.php

and


http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/03/chronicle_layoffs_add.php

 

Damn. I enjoyed getting to know MK Bower during college baseball postseason play, including at the College World Series. The few times I shared a press box with Michael Murphy, I liked his company too. I hope those guys -- and everyone affected -- land on their feet.

 

I used to work with MK during our HCN days. Damn shame.

 

Fran Blinebury, who used to be a columnist, is gone.

 

Nice that they were treated like criminals when they were told they couldn't leave with anything unless they had a permission slip.

 

Fran? That's stupid even by newspaper management standards.