Mercury News plans to eliminate 101 jobs

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Two major Bay Area daily newspapers that recently got a new owner are making aggressive moves to slash costs.

The San Jose Mercury News plans to reduce its workforce by 101 positions, or 8.5 percent, by Dec. 19 because of declines in revenue, the newspaper said Friday. The projected staff cuts include 40 jobs in the newsroom, or about 14 percent of the editorial staff of 280.

The Contra Costa Times, which has also experienced steep declines in advertising revenue, plans to act quickly to lower operating costs, according to a memo Thursday from its publisher. And in another memo on Friday, the Times said that Editor Chris Lopez is leaving the paper because his position has become "redundant." Executive Editor Kevin Keane will take over Lopez's responsibilities.

Bush probably would get better economic coverage from the MSM if they were an expanding business.