Layoffs hit the Orange County Register on Tuesday after owner Freedom Communications ceased publication of its Los Angeles daily five months after it debuted.
The number of layoffs wasnt immediately clear, but it appeared to be a mix of both Los Angeles and Orange County reporters and editors. A human resources worker told a laid-off O.C. Register staffer that the total was in the 20s companywide, the former staffer said.
The Los Angeles Register, which launched in April as part of Aaron Kushner's bold bet on print newspapers, published its final edition Tuesday. On its front page, the papers owners thanked readers for their support and patronage.
Orange County Register co-owner Kushner announced the decision Monday night in a memo sent to employees.
"Pundits and local competitors who have closely followed our entry into Los Angeles will be quick to criticize our decision to launch a new newspaper and they will say that we failed," said the memo, signed by Kushner and his Freedom Communications co-owner Eric Spitz.
"We believe the true definition of failure is not taking bold steps toward growth."
The memo hints at layoffs, but provided no specific details.
"There will be some staff changes with our content team as part of the changes in Los Angeles," the memo said. "For those that will be leaving, we say thank you. We are most grateful for their service to the community."
The company will now focus on core markets in Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where the company has decades-long and "deep relationships with subscribers and advertisers," the memo said.
Freedom Communications acquired the Riverside Press-Enterprise in November.
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Layoffs hit Freedom Communications as it ceases publication of L.A. Register