Digging into a hole instead of out …

Profitability pressures have Tribune Co. newspapers whacking newsroom staffs again.

The Los Angeles Times will lose 85 newsroom positions, about 8 percent of the newsroom staff. The flagship Chicago Tribune will lose 100 employees spread across all departments.

Small Trib properties are taking hits, too. The Daily Press of Newport News, Va., will eliminate eight jobs, four in the newsroom. Eighteen other unfilled jobs were cut. The Allentown, Pa., Morning Call will offer buyouts to cut a dozen from the advertising and editorial staffs.

And, according to the E&P story, “The [Baltimore] Sun said it would cut 75 jobs, or 5 percent of its work force, with 12 to 15 expected to come from the newsroom. In September, Newsday, the Tribune Co.’s dominant daily newspaper on Long Island, said it would reduce its coverage of New York City and cut 45 positions from its newsroom staff.”

This is insane.

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