SANTA ROSA, CA (November 4, 2008) – "We have to cut additional expenses into 2009," publisher Bruce Kyse told Santa Rosa Press Democrat employees last Friday. "This is not a good day."
Kyse's statements were part of his announcement of layoffs in the news, advertising, and business departments of the paper. The publisher said 16 positions will be cut, including 10 in the newsroom.
As the economy and advertising started to seriously decline last year, the paper laid off 35 people in the early months and another 17 in July. This round of cutbacks brings the newsroom to about 70 jobs, down 30 percent from 2004.
This latest round of job cuts included photographers, copy editors, graphic artists, and editorial assistants.
The publisher said the loss of advertisers such as Mervyns, Linen's 'n Things, and the decline of classified advertising that has moved online, means the Press Democrat "can't support as many newspaper employees as in the past."
