Here's something you might be interested in.
Some Union-Tribune employees believe there are three reasons to suspect the sale of the paper (which went on the block in July) may be near. First, there have been no employee United Way pledge solicitations. They normally come in October/November. Second, packets for open enrollment in medical coverage normally come to employees in mid- to late-October. They have not arrived. Third, in announcing the departure of Director of NewsTodd Merriman, Editor Karin Winner said that because of the "upcoming sale of the newspaper," Merriman would not be replaced. His duties will be divvied up among other management people. Winner's use of the word "upcoming" may be meaningless; wishful thinking always crawls into U-T memos. But in announcing Merriman's planned departure, Winner slobbered all over him, lauding his "extraordinary work ethic, his integrity and intelligence," "rock-solid leadership and Journalistic judgment," and "unique humor." Such gushings are normally reserved for someone nudged out the door. Merriman certainly has a high salary. In its head choppings, the U-T has shoved out many Indians, but not chiefs. The newspaper is ridiculously top-heavy. If it really wanted to cut costs, it would begin with the high-salaried people at the top. A new buyer may be insisting on this. But keep in mind: these rumors have been around before.
Some Union-Tribune employees believe there are three reasons to suspect the sale of the paper (which went on the block in July) may be near. First, there have been no employee United Way pledge solicitations. They normally come in October/November. Second, packets for open enrollment in medical coverage normally come to employees in mid- to late-October. They have not arrived. Third, in announcing the departure of Director of NewsTodd Merriman, Editor Karin Winner said that because of the "upcoming sale of the newspaper," Merriman would not be replaced. His duties will be divvied up among other management people. Winner's use of the word "upcoming" may be meaningless; wishful thinking always crawls into U-T memos. But in announcing Merriman's planned departure, Winner slobbered all over him, lauding his "extraordinary work ethic, his integrity and intelligence," "rock-solid leadership and Journalistic judgment," and "unique humor." Such gushings are normally reserved for someone nudged out the door. Merriman certainly has a high salary. In its head choppings, the U-T has shoved out many Indians, but not chiefs. The newspaper is ridiculously top-heavy. If it really wanted to cut costs, it would begin with the high-salaried people at the top. A new buyer may be insisting on this. But keep in mind: these rumors have been around before.