Acting on an anonymous tip, the Independent is looking into rumors about large-scale layoffs at the Santa Barbara News-Press, where between 11 and 16 employees were reportedly laid off today. According to one source, among the laid-off are life editor Mindy Spar, image editor Bob Klinger, and Barry Punzal, a sports editor who has been with the paper since 1983.
Another source said several advertising representatives constituted a large chunk of the group of victims of the downsizing. News-Press management reportedly said in explanation of the layoffs that newspaper readership has fallen throughout the country and that Santa Barbara is no different.
Check in with independent.com for more news.