Paul Schmelzer and Brian Lambert have been previewing a shakeup among the columnists at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Despite these rumblings, I find it almost unbelievable that the first evidence of the shakeup is the folding of the daily column by James Lileks. James announces: "[T]hey've killed my column, and assigned me to write straight local news stories. Really."

James's announcement follows on the Star Tribune's March buyout of 24 staffers including reporters. In theory, I think the Star Tribune could easily improve the paper while downsizing its staff, but James's announcement suggests that that's not what's going to happen -- as Hugh Hewitt observes rather more pointedly. Union rules may make the Star Tribune unmanageable. James's announcement makes it a joke.

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Posted by Scott at 07:00 AM  |    |