Okay, who needs a tissue?National Public Radio said Wednesday it would lay off 7 percent of its work force and cancel two of its shows as a way to fight financial difficulties.
One of them is "Day to Day," which airs weekdays at 1 p.m. locally on WNPR. The other is "News & Notes," a show meant to appeal to African-American listeners that WNPR does not run.
The layoff of 64 of NPR's 889 employees (and not filling 21 open slots) is meant to address a $23 million deficit in its current year's budget. Corporate underwriting, which accounts for nearly a third of the operating budget, has been sliding from $47 million to $33 million this year.
Dennis Haarsager, interim president and CEO, told employees in a memo this afternoon, "A sharp drop in our current and projected corporate underwriting has compelled us to reduce expenses immediately."
So what kinda pay cut are you taking, Dennis?
Where'd he go?
The two canceled shows will cease on March 20. Look for pledge periods to multiply way before then.
Oh, boy! $500 tote bags!!
I'm sure Air America has a bunch left over that NPR can re-badge ...