March 23, 2009 News (*updated)

VERY distressing news that among the LA Times layoffs today (numbers vary between 40 and 50) is Deputy Arts Editor Craig Fisher. Craig is a great guy, and this is really a loss.

LA Observed reports that transportation writer Steve Hymon was laid off as well. Take the link for more details on Hymon, and stay tuned for more bad news.

*And more from LA Observed, although this isn't related to the layoffs:

Charlie Amter left The Guide at the LAT to be news editor at OK! magazine.

Reach him @okmagazine.com with charlie dot amter.


Check out former LA Times food writer Barbara Hansen's excellent Table Conversation web site.



LA Mag news, per LA Observed, a bit old, sorry for the delay:

Recent staff departures at cost-cutting Los Angeles Magazine, per sources: senior editors RJ Smith and Margot Dougherty, art director Joe Kimberling, Guide editor Michael Mullen. The Guide is being discontinued in print (will go online), except for a Coming Attractions section in the front of the book.

This is from Michael's farewell note; all addresses are @lamag.com:

Mary Melton (mmelton) is overseeing the [Guide] Web effort, and Shayna Rose Arnold (srarnold) will be working closely with her. I don't recommend that you immediately bombard them with submissions, but they're the point people for the Guide as it will appear online. Sara Wilson (sewilson) edits Coming Attractions in the magazine.

According to themediaisdying's Twitter post a week or so ago:

MOVIELINE'S HOLLYWOOD LIFE has ceased publication - website will be reinvented.

It's been a hectic few weeks... will catch up and have more news posted as soon as possible.