06-16-2009 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY? KC STAR LAYOFFS BEGAN A YEAR AGO... In the long illustrious history of the Kansas City Star there are several important dates that are highlighted: the paper's founding, awards, new printing facility, etc. June 16, 2008 will likely not be one of them. That is the date of the first round of layoffs at Kansas City's leading newspaper. Key newsroom staffers Paul Wenske, Bob Lynn and Julius Karash were among the bigger names of journalists let go (see initial list below). Several more rounds of layoffs throughout 2008 and 2009 have permanently changed the paper. Many journalists have said the newsroom was hit really hard by this first round and hasn't ever recovered. "It also became clear to everyone in the newsroom, especially with Lynn and Wenske's ousters, that Star management's real purpose to these layoffs was not saving costs but getting rid of people they didn't like," noted a former reporter. In March of this year reporter Jerry LaMartina of the KC Business Journal provided an excellent overview of all the changes that have occurred at the Star since that fateful day last June. They have included layoffs, a price increase, shrinking size, salary cuts, etc.
06-16-2009 FEEDBACK:
"Don't forget to add Jeff Flanagan and Tom Smith from the Sports Department and Rick Alm from the Business Section to the list of casualties. "I think it's also worth noting that during this time of cuts in the product, the Star continues having SEVEN Vice Presidents whom most readers do not even know are alive. Oh yes, and the Star builds this beautiful glass building downtown at the same time while also asking the readers for rates increases. "How does this make business sense? The economy and the internet are not the only reasons this Company is failing. Thanks for the great website and updates."
06-17-2009 "Unlike what it says in the feedback to The Star anniversary story, Tom Smith is still at The Star."
Updated: 07-01-2008 LIST OF TERMINATED KANSAS CITY STAR EDITORIAL EMPLOYEES The editorial side of the Kansas City Star is going through a series of painful layoffs. Unfortunately, many excellent journalists have been given their walking papers. Below is a list of employees we have learned who are losing their jobs. We will update the list as the names are provided to us and confirmed. Joe Lambe, who was initially let go as the Jackson County Courts Reporter, applied and was re-hired as the Johnson County police reporter. Your anonymity is guaranteed, but we want only confirmed information. Send tips (corrections) to [email protected].
* HOWARD RICHMAN, Kansas State beat writer (see story)
* STEVE ROCK, News reporter
* PAUL HORSLEY, Classical Music Critic
* JULIUS KARASH, Reporter, Health Care
* VICTORIA SIZEMORE LONG, Clerk/Reporter, KC Board of Trade
* JACKIE WHITE, Fashion editor
* PAUL WENSKE, Consumer Affairs reporter
* JOE LAMBE, Jackson County courts reporter (See above)
* DAVID OLSON, Business wire, Layout editor
* DAVID KNOPF, Northland reporter
* MELODEE HALL BLOBAUM, Shawnee/Lenexa Neighborhood News editor
* BOB LYNN, Weekend city editor, Missouri Desk
* ERIC CRAVEN, Graphic artist
* JOHN MUTRUX, Homes Photographer
* LOREN STANTON, Blue Valley-Leawood Neighborhood News editor
* HIRAM WILLIAMS, Web Editor, Entertainment
* TWO (OF 3) CALENDAR CLERKS, Compile lists of events
* CHARLES COULTER, Op-Ed Editor
* GENE WOLOWSKI, Statistics Editor (Sports)
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