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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Salem's Statesman Journal Lays Off Key Newsroom Employees, Sells Building

Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
'For Lease' signs are posted in front of the building that houses the Statesman Journal in downtown Salem.

The daily newspaper in Oregon's capital is undergoing some changes. The Statesman Journal in Salem laid off two top newsroom employees and has sold the downtown building that houses its newsroom.

The paper quietly parted ways with Executive Editor Michael Davis earlier this month. This week, long-time Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes was laid off. Hughes had been with the paper nearly 35 years. He said on Twitter that it was a sad day but had no hard feelings.

The moves come as the Statesman Journal's parent company, Gannett, said it's laying off about 2 percent of its workforce nationwide as part of a cost-cutting move.

The Statesman Journal may also be moving from its downtown Salem headquarters. The building that houses its newsroom sold in August for $2.6 million. The buyer is listed as a company called "News LLC" based in Keizer, Oregon.

Statesman Journal President Ryan Kedzierski did not respond to a request for comment.