Missoulian, Ravalli Republic newsrooms merge

The Missoulian, in Missoula, Mont., and the Ravalli Republic, in Hamilton, Mont., merged their newsrooms on Aug. 30. Missoulian editor Sherry Devlin took over as editor of both papers; Repulic editor Perry Backus was bumped down to a reporter.

Read the Missoulian's story about the merger.

(Via e-mail. Send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

How do you say goodbye?

When Missoulian digital editor Tim Akimoff resigned at the end of August, he posted a farewell on Facebook, which includes this paragraph:

"I believe in the process of news and the responsibility of a local newspaper to provide news to the citizens. Unfortunately, newspapers are helmed by old, decrepit captains who cannot see past their bifocals way down their noses reading about yesterday with all the relevance of the Hindenberg blimp disaster."

Read the rest of Akimoff's farewell note on Poynter.

(Via e-mail. Send tips, links and memos to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Missoulian lays off 6

The Missoulian in Missoula, Mont., laid off four employees on Tuesday, and said two more will be laid off Feb. 13.

The Missoulian laid off seven people in August.

Missoulian lays off 7

The Missoulian laid off 7 employees. The first to go were a husband and wife -- environmental reporter John Cramer and business reporter Pamela J. Podger have twin sons and recently bout a house in Missoula. They had been at the paper for about a year. Five others were laid off, including advertising and circulation department employees.

This follows other layoffs at Lee papers. I know more are coming -- details will be published as soon as I get them.