With the economy's recovery a huge story, USA Today is losing its two-person economics reporting team in the Money section: Barbara Hagenbaugh gave notice today, I've been told, and Sue Kirchhoff announced plans to leave last week. Their departures would follow those of at least three other beat reporters at the flagship: politics reporter Jill Lawrence's last day is today, I'm told. Plus, blogger Mark Memmott left last week. And healthcare industry reporter Julie Appleby left last month."Think any of them will be replaced?" a waggish tipster asks, before supplying the answer: not likely.
Plus, of course, Publisher Craig Moon's last day is tomorrow; no replacement has been announced. Also, it's been more than two months since top Editor Ken Paulson quit for a Freedom Forum job. His permanent replacement hasn't been named, either.
And, unless I've missed it, there is still no replacement for the Editor in Chief position at USAT.com, vacated months back by Kinsey Wilson.
ReplyDeleteEveryone sees the handwriting on the wall. Sergio Non is just one example. The big cuts are coming, and coming soon, and USAT is no longer the darling it once was. So there is no surprise that those who can move off to another perch are now moving off.
ReplyDeleteNone of them will be missed. Bunch of whiners and losers, IMO.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnd, unless I've missed it, there is still no replacement for the Editor in Chief position at USAT.com, vacated months back by Kinsey Wilson.No one's really noticed, because Kinsey didn't do a thing anyway, except suck up a lot of payroll.
Couldn't agree more about Kinsey Wilson. And good to see some of the dead-weight finally leaving USA TODAY. The over-inflated ego's will not be missed.
ReplyDeleteJohn Hillkirk runs a tight ship and is doing the best work ever with the USA Today news room.