St. Louis Post-Dispatch lays off 39

14 newsroom employees and 25 employees from other departments were laid off Thursday. The memo from the P-D publisher says very little:

Statement

St. Louis, MO. (Jan. 9, 2009)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Publisher Kevin Mowbray

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch today announced a work force reduction of 39 positions. The areas affected are Operations, Newsroom, Advertising and Finance.

“While print and online audience remains strong and stable, we continue to feel the financial challenges from a decline in advertising revenue caused by the recession,” said Publisher Kevin Mowbray. “Today’s work force reduction is necessary and difficult for everyone, but we will continue to produce and deliver the most comprehensive news coverage to 1.2 million readers each week.”

A couple of readers sent in information on the layoffs -- thank you. You can send tips and links to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com