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Tuesday: Not Funny
posted at 2008-09-23 14:52 | Last modified 2008-09-26 00:39
More bad news from the N&O today. I'm told cartoonist Grey Blackwell has been, um, persuaded to take a buyout. He's done some brilliant, very funny stuff on politics. He'll be sorely missed. (His latest cartoon is here, if you haven't seen it yet.)
WRAL's Rick Smith reports longtime award-winning political cartoonist Dwane Powell and Public Editor Ted Vaden have both been cut back to part-time positions. More here on that. And of course, Pulitzer winner Pat Stith announced last week he's taking the buyout as well. Mandy Locke's excellent profile includes Stith's Ten Rules for Reporters. (Read 'em - they're great!)
Tomorrow's news could be even worse. N&O Publisher Orage Quarles III has said that's when staff reduction decisions will be finalized. The math isn't pretty. The paper is looking to cut about 70 jobs, but multiple sources say fewer than 20 people volunteered for the buyout by last week's deadline.
I'll be thinking about all the smart, talented people I know over there. It's got to be a rough week for everyone.
Comments? Drop me a line.
Correction: Andy Bechtel says Powell went part-time in July, and Vaden in June. “Those moves were part of the buyouts/layoffs earlier this year, not the current round.” I’m not sure that's better news, but I’m happy to correct it, and WRAL has updated its story as well. (9/25/08)
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