The Tribune had quite a local front in Sunday. First, and most remarkably, Executive Editor Janet Coats and Publisher Denise Palmer co-wrote (one wonders how much co-writing was really involved) a top of the page declaration that the paper would not cease to exist after the Super Bowl, as various rumors have suggested in recent weeks. But it didn't stop there.
I've been a little busy, a little sick, and, frankly, a little mentally worn out (a condition I brought entirely on myself, I must acknowledge), so I apologize for the dearth of posting. I'm sure both of my fans have missed me. You may have heard about the truly devastating Tribune layoffs that occurred Monday. A very good friend of mine, and a number of friendly acquaintances, were among the casualties. Here's a decent rundown from Eric Deggans at the St. Pete Times. Notice his distinct lack of gloating. This can be anyone's fate at any time. I don't have much to offer beyond that, except to say that everything that I wrote here holds true and appears to be accelerating. These are the most significant layoffs - in terms of specific positions eliminated - I've ever heard of at a newspaper. The Trib let go arguably its lead metro columnist, its editorial page editor (who had much to do with the paper's forceful stances on CSX and USF-Lakeland), a long-time senior editor, its business editor, and a whole host of other core functions. People in these types of positions have taken buyouts in the past, but I've never heard of a paper actually laying them off. Think of them, and all of us. Tough time are ahead. As a country, we're going to need each other.
This is a little long, so bear with me – or don’t, depending on your taste. It’s more timely now with the news of The Ledger’s job cuts and religion editor Cary McMullen’s column last Saturday lamenting the demise of religion reporting and the specific layoff of well-known and respected Orlando Sentinel religion reporter Mark [...]
Bio: Billy Townsend was a longtime government, political and general assignment reporter in Polk County and the wider I-4 corridor. He wrote extensively about Polk's unique regional identity and the issues shaping it, including USF Polytechnic, the Heartland Parkway and the CSX rail deal. Billy recently left professional reporting to take a corporate writing job, but he keeps close tabs on news of all stripes (especially political news) and the changes in modern journalism. Billy's wife is Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership.They live with their three children in the Lake Morton area. His work at Lakeland Local is his first as an amateur hyperlocal writer.
