McClatchy cuts 90 jobs nationwide, ending 54-year tenure of Miami Herald legend Greg Cote

Key points

• McClatchy cut at least 90 unionized positions across 17 newspapers, affecting roughly 30% of its unionized workforce.
• The Miami Herald lost more than 30 roles, including the entire writing staff of its Spanish-language sister paper, El Nuevo Herald.
• Veteran sports journalist Greg Cote, who spent 54 years at the Miami Herald, was among those laid off on his birthday.
• The cuts eliminated the only female photographer, the sole video producer, and all reporters covering Broward County at the Miami Herald.
• McClatchy executive Greg Farmer stated that subscriber interest did not support the level of investment in local news reporting.

Background

The U.S. newspaper industry has contracted for two decades due to the decline of classified advertising, the rise of the internet, and social media fragmentation. Recent months have seen similar restructuring at other major outlets, including USA Today Co. and The Associated Press, which relocated 19 U.S.-based video producer jobs to India. These moves reflect a broader industry shift toward digital consumption and cost-cutting measures.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times and NBC News reported that McClatchy’s cuts were driven by a lack of subscriber interest, with an internal memo stating the company could no longer continue investing where that interest was absent. In contrast, staff and union representatives emphasized the severe impact on local accountability. Carol Marbin Miller, deputy investigations editor at the Miami Herald, described the situation as 'sinking' and likened the cuts to 'slicing out the vital organs.' Awful Announcing highlighted the personal impact on Greg Cote, noting that the layoff occurred on his birthday and that he had previously advocated for buyouts rather than abrupt firings. The Dan Le Batard Show’s social channels announced the news with a lighthearted reference to a past engagement leak, contrasting the somber reality of the layoffs with a moment of levity.

Why it matters

The layoffs signal a critical turning point for local journalism in major U.S. cities, including Miami, which is described as a crucial state and the largest city in Florida. The elimination of entire newsroom teams and specialized roles, such as investigative reporters and government accountability desks, raises concerns about reduced oversight of local governments and institutions. As the industry continues to adapt to changing audience behaviors and revenue models, the sustainability of vibrant local news outlets remains under threat.

What to watch

Greg Cote is scheduled to discuss the details of his layoff and the broader situation at the Miami Herald on his podcast, The Greg Cote Show, on Monday morning. The NewsGuild-CWA union is expected to continue advocating for the rights of laid-off workers and monitoring the impact of these cuts on local news coverage across the affected regions.