The Buffalo News is headed for
a layoff of five newsroom staffers, Investigative Post reports.
And it will stop publishing New York Times stories -- which now take up a large part of
the paper’s front section -- effective January 1, 2026.
The newsroom now has 45 staffers, compared to over 200 during the 1980s.
The Buffalo Newspaper Guild strenuously opposes
the cuts.
“We continue to believe local news requires investment, and it’s abundantly clear that Lee Enterprises has no intention of investing resources into Buffalo, or any
of its other markets,” says Jon Harris, a reporter and president of the Buffalo Newspaper Guild, Investigative Post, adds. “Endlessly cutting costs will not save local news, and
we urge Lee to formulate a strategy that will allow The Buffalo News and its other properties to succeed in the future.”
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This is the second such layoff at a Lee Enterprises
paper within a few days. Last week, The Richmond Times-Dispatch laid off an estimated five reporters, according to The Richmonder. It was not clear at deadline whether other
layoffs were occurring.
Lee Enterprises has had a rough year, between a cyber attack it suffered in February and revenue challenges.
In Q3, operating revenue totaled $141
million for the quarter and $423 million for the nine months that ended June 29. But last year looked better — Lee generated $150.5 million in Q3 and $452.8 million for the nine
months.
However, the company has continued building its digital revenue, which now accounts for 55% of total operating revenue.
Lee achieved “meaningful
reductions in print-related expenses and corporate overhead, while reinvesting in high-growth digital areas” during the quarter,” said Kevin Mowbray, president and chief executive
officer of Lee Enterprises.