Newspaper Layoffs in November Show Spike From Previous Months

Newspaper layoffs in the United States picked up steam just in time for the holidays as 623 people were dismissed or offered buyouts in November, News Cycle's list shows. This is about a 50 percent increase over the layoffs reported in both October and September. But three major announcements in the month did not add to News Cycle's running total.

The Associated Press reported that it was dismissing 190 people from its staff either through accepting a buyout plan or a layoff. In May, it was estimated that 400 AP staffers would lose their jobs this year. News Cycle subtracted 210 from its grand total figure to compensate.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, offered buyouts to 140 managers on Nov. 6. Block Communications would not say what its target was, nor would it release its deadline. This number is not included in News Cycle's 2009 total.

Finally, The East Valley Tribune in Arizona announced on Nov. 3 that it would cease publication on Dec. 31, putting 140 out of work. But on Nov. 25, Randy Miller's Thirteenth Street Media, which owns the Tucson Explorer, signed a letter of intent to purchase the newspaper and keep a "substantial" number of employees on the job.

Here are November's other confirmed layoffs:

Nov. 13: Colorado Springs Gazette, 11 people.
Nov. 12: New York Times News Service, at least 25 people. Union sources say that up to 28 people may be cut.
Nov. 10: The Arizona Daily Star, 15 people.
Nov. 9: Minneapolis Star Tribune, 100 people.
Nov. 7: The Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer, two people. Three other unfilled positions will remain vacant.
Nov. 6: The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C., 16 people plus seven unfilled positions cut.
Nov. 5: Huron (Mich.) Daily Tribune, 30 people.
Nov. 4:The Fresno (Calif.) Bee, 51 people in the circulation department. Dismissals will happen in phases and be completed by Jan. 31.
Nov. 4: Staten Island (N.Y.) Advance, 40 people.

Here are News Cycle's month-by-month lists of newspaper job cuts this year:

December -- 752 people.
November -- 293 people.
October -- 375 people.
September -- 347 people.
August -- 425 people.
July -- 2,505 people.
June -- 318 people.
May -- 1,084 people.
April -- 1,350 people.
March -- 3,943 people.
February -- 1,492 people.
January -- 2,256 people.

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