McClatchy slashes up to 40% of newsroom staff in California

McClatchy, the owner of The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee and other regional papers, revealed a major workforce reduction that removed up to 40% of newsroom employees in California. Union estimates indicate that more than 90 journalists across the United States were impacted. The Sacramento Bee saw at least ten reporters dismissed, while The Fresno Bee cut seven reporters.

In total, at least 13 McClatchy newspapers in eight states faced layoffs affecting reporters, photographers and videographers. The cuts threaten reporting on government, education, accountability and sports. Ariane Lange, an investigative reporter at The Sacramento Bee and vice chair of the newsroom union, described the round as the "bloodiest" in recent memory. McClatchy is owned by the private investment firm Chatham Asset Management.