Bar Harbor, Maine; Augusta, Maine; Rockland, Maine; Belfast, Maine
Owner: Village NetMedia
Effective: March 9, 2012

Village NetMedia has closed the weekly papers; 56 employees were laid off. “The profound changes in the newspaper publishing business, a weak economy and our investment in new products created severe financial challenges,” owner Richard Anderson said in a statement. “Over the recent months, I have worked with outside professionals to achieve financial restructuring that would allow us to continue. These efforts failed as of 3 p.m. today, March 9, 2012. We can no longer sustain our operations.” Employees were notified by email on March 9.
Sources: Bangor Daily News and Paper Cuts tip

Worcester, Mass.
Owner: The New York Times Co.
Effective: June 2012

Printing will be outsourced to a Boston Globe facility in Dorchester; 48 full-time and 16 part-time employees will be laid off. “This was an extremely difficult decision because we all know the excellent contributions our co-workers have made to the company over the years,” publisher Bruce Gaultney said in a memo to employees. “I sincerely appreciate their dedication to the important task of printing the newspaper every day of the year.” The Telegram will continue to print its Saturday edition.
Source: Telegram & Gazette via Paper Cuts tip

Norfolk, Va.
Owner: Landmark Media Enterprises LLC
Effective: Nov. 22, 2011

A story on the paper’s website says “more than 50 jobs” have been cut through layoffs, early retirements and by eliminating open positions. The story does not clarify how many employees were laid off. “We’re not in any crisis,” said publisher Maurice Jones. “But we are looking forward at what we think is going to be an economic climate that’s not going to give us a lot of help through at least next year.” The paper also has cut its number of pages.

Do you know how many employees were laid off? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot

Ann Arbor, Mich.
Owner: Advance Publications
Effective: Jan. 2, 2012

Starting Feb. 2, two new companies, MLive Media Group and Advance Central Services Michigan, will take over operations of mlive.com, annarbor.com and the eight Booth newspapers. The Grand Rapids Press, The Muskegon Chronicle, The Kalamazoo Gazette and The Jackson Citizen Patriot will continue to publish seven days a week, but after Feb. 2 will only be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The Flint Journal will keep its Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery schedule. The Bay City Times and Saginaw News will add Tuesday delivery starting Dec. 13, and will continue Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery. The annarbor.com print edition will continue to be delivered on Thursdays and Sundays. Dan Gaydou, publisher of Booth Newspapers and The Grand Rapids Press, said an “undetermined” number of Booth employees would be laid off; laid off employees can apply for positions in the new companies.
Sources: mlive.com; Paper Cuts tips

Update: 55 “Booth Michigan” employees will be laid off according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter. (11.22.11)
Source: mlive.com via Paper Cuts tips

Jackson, Mich.
Owner: Advance Publications
Effective: Jan. 2, 2012

Starting Feb. 2, two new companies, MLive Media Group and Advance Central Services Michigan, will take over operations of mlive.com, annarbor.com and the eight Booth newspapers. The Grand Rapids Press, The Muskegon Chronicle, The Kalamazoo Gazette and The Jackson Citizen Patriot will continue to publish seven days a week, but after Feb. 2 will only be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The Flint Journal will keep its Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery schedule. The Bay City Times and Saginaw News will add Tuesday delivery starting Dec. 13, and will continue Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery. The annarbor.com print edition will continue to be delivered on Thursdays and Sundays. Dan Gaydou, publisher of Booth Newspapers and The Grand Rapids Press, said an “undetermined” number of Booth employees would be laid off; laid off employees can apply for positions in the new companies.
Sources: mlive.com; Paper Cuts tips

Update: According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter, 71 employees will be laid off. Layoffs will hit all departments. (11.19.11)
Sources: WNEM; Paper Cuts tips

Bay City, Mich.
Owner: Advance Publications
Announced: Nov. 2, 2011
Effective: Jan. 2, 2012

Three of four full-time reporters, the chief photographer and the opinion editor for were laid off.
Source: Paper Cuts tip

Clarification: All of these layoffs were made at the Bay City Times. This post previously grouped the Times, The Saginaw News and The Flint Journal together. This information has been corrected. (11.04.11)

Update: According to letter from the publisher, 71 employees will be laid off across all departments. Starting Feb. 2, two new companies, MLive Media Group and Advance Central Services Michigan, will take over operations of mlive.com, annarbor.com and the eight Booth newspapers. The Grand Rapids Press, The Muskegon Chronicle, The Kalamazoo Gazette and The Jackson Citizen Patriot will continue to publish seven days a week, but after Feb. 2 will only be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The Flint Journal will keep its Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery schedule. The Bay City Times and Saginaw News will add Tuesday delivery starting Dec. 13, and will continue Thursday, Friday and Sunday delivery. The annarbor.com print edition will continue to be delivered on Thursdays and Sundays. Dan Gaydou, publisher of Booth Newspapers and The Grand Rapids Press, said an “undetermined” number of Booth employees would be laid off; laid off employees can apply for positions in the new companies. (11.05.11)
Sources: mlive.com; Paper Cuts tips

Portland, Maine
Owner: MaineToday Media Inc.
Announced: Sept. 14, 2011 Oct. 14, 2011

“About 40″ employees will be laid off. The Portland Newspaper Guild said that represents about 15 percent of the paper’s employees. Press Herald Editor and Publisher Richard Connor said the paper is “feeling the effect of the economy like everyone else.”
Source: Forbes

Update: Twenty-three full- and part-time employees accepted a buyout offer; another 38 full- and part-time employees will be laid off by the end of October. The majority of the layoffs and buyouts are from the newsroom. MaineToday CEO Richard L. Connor blamed the economy: “Our business is inextricably tied to the national economy so, like other companies, we’ve had to confront declining revenue with a downsizing of the workforce,” he said in a prepared statement. “Nevertheless, it is difficult to part with talented and loyal employees, some of whom have contributed many years of service to our company, and none of whom is responsible for the economic conditions in which we operate.” (10.14.11)
Source: Kennebec Journal

Toldeo
Owner: Block Communications Inc.
Announced: Aug. 1, 2011

New labor contracts ratified at the end of July include 3 percent wage cuts, higher medical costs, less paid time off, a pension freeze and 67 buyouts. Contracts are effective through May 31, 2014; I am not clear when those buyouts will take effect. Do you know more? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Source: Toledo Blade

Port Huron, Mich.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: Sept. 6, 2011

Printing and mailroom operations will be outsourced to Lansing, Mich. Twenty-six full-time and 27 part-time employees wil be laid off. “This was a very, very difficult decision, and I am deeply saddened to lose these dedicated employees,” said Lorinda Driscoll, the paper’s general manager and director of advertising, in a story on the Times Herald website. “”What is happening today in Port Huron is happening throughout the industry. The loss of the press and local jobs is significant … but coupled with tough economic times, it is nearly impossible to hold on to all the physical elements that make up the Times Herald.” Lansing is about 120 miles from Port Huron.
Source: Times Herald

Phoenix, Ariz.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: July 21, 2011

In a story on its website, the Republic reported “about 30″ employees were laid off. The paper did not offer any other details, but said the move was part of 700 job cuts across Gannett. Both Gannett Blog and the Phoenix New Times reported that the Phoenix Offset Plant in Chandler would close, which both said would result in “about 40″ layoffs. Gannett Blog commenters also reported that the Republic’s features department was hardest hit by newsroom layoffs, and that fashion magazine “Yes” was eliminated.

Do you know more? Can you clarify how many people were laid off? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Sources: The Arizona Republic; Phoenix New Times; Gannett Blog