Independent Record lays off 5

The Independent Record in Helena, Mont., has laid off a full-time copy desk editor, three part-time copy editors and a part-time sports reporter. Two open positions -- one full-time and one part-time -- also were eliminated. Publisher Randy Rickman said the economic slowdown caused the layoffs; other expenses also have been cut, he said.

(Via e-mails. Send tips and Lee news to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Lee posts 2Q profit

On the heels of furlough, layoff and pay cut announcements, Lee Enterprises announced Tuesday that it is making money.

Total revenue was $185.7 million. Operating expenses and compensation costs (part of that furlough, layoff and pay cut plan) also are down. Add it up, and Lee reported a profit of $3 million for the second quarter; this is the company's third consecutive profitable quarter.

• Editor & Publisher story
• Associated Press story
• Lee's financial release

Oregon employees required to take unpaid furloughs

Full-time Mid-Valley Group employees and managers were told Wednesday they will have to take a five-day unpaid furlough between late May and Sept. 31. The Oregon group includes the Corvallis Gazette-Times, the Albany Democrat-Herald and the Lebanon Express.

(Via e-mail. Send tips and Lee news to lee.ent.watch@gmail.com.)

Ex-Lee VP named CEO of Texas newspaper company

Former Lee Enterprises vice president Jim Hopson has been named chief executive officer of ASP Westward in Houston.

Hopson was publisher of the Wisconsin State Journal from 2000 to 2006 and was a Lee vice president for publishing. He retired from the State Journal to walk across the country and write a book. Hopson has served on the board of Westward since July 2009. Westward publishes 60 daily and weekly papers in Texas and Colorado.

Lee Enterprises launching new niche publication in St. Louis

Lee Enterprises will launch a food and home entertainment magazine this summer in St. Louis.

Catherine Neville, co-founder of Sauce Magazine in St. Louis, will be the publisher of the new publication. Sauce, an 11-year-old website-turned-magazine, is a free monthly St. Louis food publication. Neville sold her share of that business to her co-founder in February.

What does Post-Dispatch contract mean for Lee?

In its latest SEC statement, Lee Enterprises says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch contract with the St. Louis Newspaper Guild will save the company more than $30 million over the next five years.

"The Company estimates the contract changes will result in non-cash curtailment gains totaling $14,000,000, which will be recognized in March 2010, and are expected to further reduce operating expenses for the six months ending September 2010 by $1,300,000 and by an average of $1,800,000 on an annual basis over the life of the contract. The Company’s post retirement medical benefit and pension obligations will be reduced by approximately $6,500,000 and $2,000,000, respectively, in March 2010. Curtailment gains and changes in benefit obligations are subject to final actuarial calculations."

Post-Dispatch guild approves contract

St. Louis Newspaper Guild members voted 132-54 to approve a five-and-half year contract with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The contract includes a 6 percent pay cut for the duration of the contract and three furloughs between April 1, 2010, and Sept. 30, 2012; eliminates retiree medical benefits for current employees; freezes pensions; and guarantees no layoffs for six months.

(Via e-mails)

Former St. Charles Journal publisher dies

Bill Mullins, founding publisher of the St. Charles, Mo., Journal, died Saturday. Mullins started the Journal in 1957, which joined a chain of weekly papers, and served as publisher for 32 years. He retired in 1988. The chain was sold to Pulitzer Publishing in 2000, and to Lee Enterprises in 2005.