Correction appended
Isthmus has learned that five veteran staffers of the Wisconsin State Journal have accepted the paper's offer of job buyouts, as a cost-cutting measure.
Bill Wineke, Anita Clark, Jean Peterson, Joe Jackson, and Ron Larson have all agreed to buyouts based on years of service. Wineke is a longtime reporter and columnist; Clark a reporter and former national editor; Peterson worked on the features desk and had an occasional byline; Jackson was a photographer; and Larson was the paper's library director.
The voluntary departures come on top of six layoffs of information technology and advertising employees announced last week.
George Hesselberg and Pat Simms, the paper's two most veteran reporters, are not among those heading to the door.
The State Journal had asked for three to five veterans to give up their jobs for the common good. According to its article on the topic, "Other cost-saving measures will be considered if there aren't sufficient buyout applicants."
Correction: Joe Jackson is one of the State Journal employees accepting a buyout.
