McClatchy Cuts 90+ Journalists Across 17 Publications, Closing a Brutal Summer for the News Industry

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 12, 2026

McClatchy has laid off more than 90 unionized journalists and media workers across 17 publications — roughly 30% of its NewsGuild-CWA membership — with deep cuts at The Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee, Kansas City Star, and Charlotte Observer, among others. The cuts reflect a two-decade contraction in the U.S. newspaper industry accelerated by declining advertising, shifting audience habits, and pressure on subscription models. USA Today Co. (formerly Gannett) and the Associated Press also made significant staff reductions this summer. For staffing agencies, the media sector's continued contraction signals reduced white-collar hiring demand in journalism, content, and editorial roles, while potential offshoring of production work adds a cautionary signal for domestic placement in media-adjacent functions.