Since learning that most of the staff would get laid off when The New Orleans Advocate bought and absorbed The Times-Picayune, journalists there have been sharing memories, layoff anxieties and love for their newsroom and city on social media. (Poynter reported Monday that of the 65 in the newsroom, 10 were moving to The Advocate.)
On Twitter, they looked back:
My @NOLAnews journey to being city columnist was a little circuitous, but one of the most rewarding aspects has been to be a part of the crime team, led by @dzsamuels.
1/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
I’ve gotten to see this group of reporters & photogs prioritize telling the stories of the people who come face to face with one of New Orleans’ biggest challenges: curbing its crime statistics.
2/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
There’s a thing that happens to our team with shocking regularity: They get recognized at crime scenes. A lot. It’s always jarring for our younger reporters, but it eventually happens bc we send them to every single homicide and nearly all shootings.
3/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
A little more than a year ago, I started serving as the breaking news (read: crime) editor on Sunday nights. It’s been a painful but incredible education ever since.
4/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
I don’t have many nights like this — listening to the police scanner, taking reports from our team in the field, ensuring breaking news alerts get sent to your phones — left at The Times-Picayune.
5/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
They’ve been humbling, heartbreaking and sometimes beautiful, but I’m so thankful they were part of my journey here.
6/6— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) June 16, 2019
Well, so I didn’t PLAN to tear up before noon today. ? I’m really going to miss this newsroom. It’s a newsroom that really understood the importance of community engagement and building, and how it helps us achieve our journalistic mission. It made my job easy. https://t.co/u2rBWznY4Z
— Haley Correll (@HaleyCorrell) June 15, 2019
It’s been three days and the news regarding our layoffs at the Times-Picayune has finally hit me.
It hit me like a freight train at about 1:30 this morning. I wasn’t ready. And I’m still not.
I was one of our shortest-tenured reporters, but that didn’t matter.
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) May 5, 2019
The Times-Picayune and Baton Rouge are home. I fell in love with Louisiana when I visited back in pre-Katrina 2005. The Times-Picayune’s coverage of Katrina made working for the T-P one of my dream destinations.
When I was hired in October, I joked that I “peaked too fast”…
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) May 5, 2019
… Because I’d already worked for two of my top three newspapers that I charted as a kid.
But now, I just feel empty. This wasn’t my hometown paper. I didn’t work here for 35 years, let alone a full year, but NOLA became my home. I was finally happy. And that’s why this hurts.
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) May 5, 2019
Will I be OK? Of course. I have faith that things will pan out for us all. But in the short time I’ve been here, the Times-Picayune staff and the LSU beat became my family.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know my NOLA colleagues will forever have a place in my heart. pic.twitter.com/8s0PJIx1sa
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) May 5, 2019
I can’t encapsulate all of my emotions on Twitter, so instead I’ll share with you a brief narrative about my life as I mull over the recent purchase of @NOLAnews | The Times-Picayune: The Times-Picayune is the first newspaper I read growing up in New Orleans. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
I’ve always been a storyteller, but it wasn’t until 2006 that I realized I wanted to be a journalist. That year, a Times-Picayune writer interviewed 14-year-old me about my grief counseling experience in Japan after Hurricane Katrina. ?@susanpoag and @MichaelDeMocker (Cont.) pic.twitter.com/BkCqoOKsjl
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
He told me to keep reading and writing if I wanted his job someday. I followed his advice and years later it paid off in 2016.
Since then, I’ve received an invaluable amount of experience and knowledge from editors, photographers, videographers, reporters and many more. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
Working at my hometown paper was always my dream job. Whether it was reporting on crime, infrastructure, politics, or education, I’ve tried to do right by my city even when that effort wasn’t reciprocated by her. I don’t know what lies ahead for me five years from now. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
But I’m not as anxious about my future as I was at age 14 after my mother’s death in 2005. That lack of anxiety today is due in part to the people who have helped me grow into a better journalist and human being. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
I have faith in the ability of my invaluable colleagues. I know they will bounce back from this. I still have a job for a few weeks and I have a few more stories in the works about my city and its people, so I’m not out of here yet. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
This is the first time I’ve experienced something like this, so I thank those of you who have expressed concern about our livelihoods. (Cont.)
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
Thank you for indulging in my Twitter therapy. Please keep reading our work. I’m spending the next few days in Baltimore, so have a beer or two for me while I figure out what’s next. As always, hit me up with news tips or opportunities: wnobles@nola.com/Wilborn.nobles@gmail.com.
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) May 3, 2019
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They cheered each other on:
In 1 month, we’ll hand in our laptops, shut off the lights and probably head to the bar. In the meantime, lots of folks at https://t.co/jk3TUt0lN6 | The Times-Picayune are still looking for what’s next. We appreciate your links, please keep sending! Remote opportunities a big +
— Carolyn P. Fox (@carolynpfox) June 1, 2019
.@PrijFrankie is being a total gem and taking headshots for our staff as they announce new jobs or update LinkedIn profiles or put themselves out there for freelance or … here’s a great example. #teamworkmakesthehardstuffeasier https://t.co/SZNQCE2TLU
— Carolyn P. Fox (@carolynpfox) June 15, 2019
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They kept working:
.@JSODonoghue is being laid off in a month, through no fault of her own, as part of The Advocate’s purchase of The Times-Picayune. And here she is breaking a story involving @LouisianaGov and LSU. A smart editor somewhere will hire her. #lalege https://t.co/CGpaMwZUrV
— Tyler Bridges (@tegbridges) May 30, 2019
1) This week, we launched a series of stories on the Louisiana Scholarship Program. “Cost of Choice” is a project done by @FOX8NOLA @NOLAnews @WWNO @reveal https://t.co/wF81a6wNJ0
— Lee Zurik (@LeeZurik) May 10, 2019
2) Five days before launching our series, @KimChatelain & @1manueltorres found out they would be out of a job in 60 days.
— Lee Zurik (@LeeZurik) May 10, 2019
3) Hours after receiving that news, these two were still hard at work on our project. Saturday morning at 7:30, @1manueltorres was sending notes and working.
— Lee Zurik (@LeeZurik) May 10, 2019
4) The respect that I have for these two is hard to put into words. The way they’ve handled the past week says a lot about their character, their ethics, and their moral compass.
— Lee Zurik (@LeeZurik) May 10, 2019
What does laid-off Pulitzer prize-winning reporter @MSchleifstein do when given a plate of pizza paid for by Times-Picayune supporters? Lets it get cold. He’s got breaking news to write. pic.twitter.com/NAFUhmeqBk
— Tristan Baurick (@tristanbaurick) May 8, 2019
They maintained some gallows humor:
#layoffplaylist
“Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans” Louis Armstrong
“World I Never Made” Doctor John
“Sitting in Limbo” The Neville Brothers
“Come to the Mardi Gras” Professor Longhair
“Trouble of the World” Mahalia Jackson
“Yes We Can” Allen Toussaint pic.twitter.com/3hgRIhASkh— Tim Morris (@tmorris504) June 27, 2019
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They sought and got comfort in all the appropriate places:
Thank you @LASPCA for bringing us puppies at @NOLAnews !! @LJMcKnightNOLA @TPrice504 pic.twitter.com/B4oMJSh7qN
— Diana Samuels (@dzsamuels) May 13, 2019
Puppies in the Times-Picayune newsroom, comforting forlorn laid-off reporters ?#Journalism pic.twitter.com/9WYDNHofcY
— Beau Evans (@beauvans) May 13, 2019
My newsroom is having drinks tonight courtesy of a few of my generous coworkers who are using prize money from a recent journalism award they won for an open bar.
We want @MichelleHunter there, but she needs a babysitter in Jefferson Parish. Can anyone help?
— Julia O’Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) May 9, 2019
Look at these gorgeous people pic.twitter.com/1RDTcsTOwd
— chelsea brasted (@cabrasted) May 9, 2019
Photographer @DavidGrunfeld is still working! pic.twitter.com/MpF2LTQt0j
— Ben Estes (@benestes) May 2, 2019
The @NOLAnews newsroom fridge is stocked! ??? Thanks for the gift that keeps on giving, @cateroot! Pizza for breakfast ?#newsroompizza pic.twitter.com/X7xyFz9hJR
— Carlie Kollath Wells (@carlie_kollath) May 9, 2019
Dear @NOLAnews staffers:
In solidarity with #NewOrleans journalists about to lose their jobs, I will be hosting a free Freelancing 101 this Monday at 5:30 at the Rusty Nail. Come for happy hour and to learn about how to get started freelancing. Deets: https://t.co/E1iXymVBk8 ✊ pic.twitter.com/4xYbayX6Rv— Shannon Sims (@shannongsims) May 3, 2019
Starting tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future, any @NOLAnews employee can get a free donut and coffee at @ShipleyDonutsOM by flashing an ID. Help me spread the word!
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker6) May 2, 2019
It’s the last week in the @NOLAnews newsroom and we are eating our feelings. Thanks to @ONA for the @WillaJeanNOLA treats. The unicorn cupcakes are from my 3-y-o ❤️??? pic.twitter.com/aLYQKBw5UG
— Carlie Kollath Wells (@carlie_kollath) June 27, 2019
With 2 hours left, we have relocated to the bar across the street. But I still have the scanner!
— Ben Estes (@benestes) June 26, 2019
They heard from their community:
The Times-Picayune has been part of the soul of #NOLA for as long as I can remember, reporting on every disaster and every victory. Thank you to the @nolanews staff for your commitment to our city, for holding us accountable, and bringing us together.
— Mitch Landrieu (@MitchLandrieu) June 29, 2019
To the @NOLAnews team: thank you for the time, care, and dedication you gave to New Orleans. I hate that we are losing many of you. Please know that we will never forget your contribution to this great city. We’re rooting for all of you! ❤️
— Emily Egan (@EmilyEgan04) June 28, 2019
With the Times-Picayune @NOLAnews entering it’s final month, we wanted to take a minute to thank everyone working there that has covered us over the years, and highlight how important good local journalism has been to our work. A thread:
— MaCCNO (@musicculture504) June 3, 2019
Nobody from the New York Times was coming down to write a series of articles about street performers getting pushed off Royal St; the Washington Post didn’t feature an op-ed about about the plight of young brass bands; USA Today didn’t care it was our 5th Anniversary.
— MaCCNO (@musicculture504) June 3, 2019
Those stories could have only be covered by people who had deep connections to the city and intuitively knew the issues and why they were important and newsworthy. On our end, they helped us help New Orleans culture and make a better, more equitable city.
— MaCCNO (@musicculture504) June 3, 2019
So, long story short, support local journalism and support local journalists. We couldn’t do our job without them, and New Orleans would be a vastly different city in their absence. Thanks again for your work.
— MaCCNO (@musicculture504) June 3, 2019
When it was finally over, those who’d found other work in local news got back to it. Here are just a few:
I’m starting a new job at @stlpublicradio. Please send your Missouri politics and radio reporting resources this way! #moleg
— Julia O’Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) June 24, 2019
Day one @baltimoresun! pic.twitter.com/9XlnxFzE2L
— Wilborn P. Nobles III (@WilNobles) July 1, 2019
As for me: I’ll be sticking to the public safety beat, but in a land with much more elevation & a lot less humidity. Next week, I’ll be with the talented team at @csgazette & will join them in reporting on important issues in Colorado Springs & across the state. Stay tuned.
— Olivia Prentzel (@olivepretzel) July 1, 2019
After lots of hugs, and some ?, I left with my It’s Carnival Tom sports front (NE 3-ATL 28 #neverforget) and my giant post-its, both soon to be found at the @TB_Times. To the staff of @NOLAnews, all I got left is…thank you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5rkd7xZKjS
— Carolyn P. Fox (@carolynpfox) June 28, 2019
This is a tough day. Today, I say goodbye to my @NOLAnews family. If you’re lucky as a journalist, you get to work in a city with important stories to tell, and in a newsroom full of talented people willing to do what it takes to tell those stories.
— Jonathan Bullington (@jrbullington) June 28, 2019
That happened to me five years ago, when I moved to New Orleans and joined this family. In that time, we’ve laughed together and cried together. We’ve argued over silly and not-so-silly things. We’ve celebrated our many successes and mourned our many losses. Like families do.
— Jonathan Bullington (@jrbullington) June 28, 2019
That’s why I’m not too sad to leave. You can’t really lose your family. And in a couple weeks, I get to join a new family at the @courierjournal, where talented people are willing to do what it takes to tell important stories for their city and their state. How lucky is that?!?
— Jonathan Bullington (@jrbullington) June 28, 2019
Absolutely unbelievable that New Orleans is losing @jarvisdeberry https://t.co/yFo0JinuwT
— skooks (@skooks) June 23, 2019
More bragging about my wonderful cowrkers. @dzsamuels is going to be the assistant Metro editor at @seattletimes. She’ll be overseeing criminal justice coverage.
— Julia O’Donoghue (@JSODonoghue) June 20, 2019
And a lot of them shared one final message:
The truth isn’t cheap. pic.twitter.com/svLZrQe6yD
— Mark Lorando (@MarkLorando) July 1, 2019
That’s -30- for @NOLAnews (but not for me). We tried our best for you, New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/fZgIuxlUjc
— Todd A. Price (@TPrice504) July 1, 2019
It’s the end of an era for @NOLAnews, but truth-seeking, fact-checking and important storytelling doesn’t stop here. For the sake of New Orleans, support local journalism. https://t.co/m8vquecCb4
— Olivia Prentzel (@olivepretzel) July 1, 2019
It’s been an honor and a privilege, New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/YQTzeASkMo
— Diana Samuels (@dzsamuels) July 1, 2019
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