The transition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to new ownership began Thursday night with significant newsroom layoffs, according to multiple accounts from staff and union leadership.
Employees across the newsroom reported a mix of outcomes: some received employment offers, while others said they received no communication at all. The cuts are expected to affect a substantial portion of the paper’s reporting, editing and production staff.
The layoffs come as the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism prepares to assume control of the publication from Block Communications Inc.
In a message sent to supporters Friday morning, Andrew Goldstein, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, said, “At least a third of newsroom workers are losing their jobs. We expect that figure to climb to closer to half.”
Goldstein’s message also stated that “no department has been spared,” citing reductions in areas including arts coverage, high school sports, photography and copy editing.
The Guild further alleged that the layoffs disproportionately affect journalists who participated in the paper’s recent strike, stating that “80% of the former strikers” were not retained. The union described the cuts as “a brazen, discriminatory attempt at busting our union.”
The Venetoulis Institute has not publicly addressed those specific claims.
New ownership responds, outlines path forward
In response to concerns raised by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism emphasized that the transition is structured as an asset purchase, requiring the organization to build a newsroom from the ground up. Leadership noted that they are actively hiring journalists, including from the former Post-Gazette staff, as they prepare to relaunch operations under the new ownership model.
“We are very excited to welcome the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette into the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism next week,” said CEO Bob Cohn in a statement. “As we develop the next chapter of the P-G, our commitment to providing trusted, independent news to the Pittsburgh region is fierce and unwavering.” He added that the organization is focused on long-term sustainability, noting that “the new P-G will be sized to deliver on both these pledges,” with plans to grow the newsroom over time while maintaining a “digital-first, community-embedded” approach to coverage.
Elected officials urge staffing stability
Separately, a group of federal, state and local officials issued a public letter this week welcoming the new ownership while urging it to maintain staffing levels and engage in good-faith bargaining with the Guild.
The letter was signed by members of Congress, state legislators, county officials and members of Pittsburgh City Council.
“Any path forward that separates the future of the Post-Gazette from the dignity of its workers will misread this city entirely,” the letter stated. “In Pittsburgh, solidarity is a shared ethic, not just a sentiment that we profess, but a commitment that we practice.”
The officials also emphasized the role of local journalism in holding public figures accountable and serving the community.
Initial reporting outlines scope of reductions
Reporting from CBS News’ Mike Darnay and Andy Sheehan indicated that approximately half of the Post-Gazette’s newsroom staff received employment offers from the new ownership group.
Other employees reported they had not been contacted.
The Venetoulis Institute said in a statement that it is “working hard to build a team that’s ready to take the Post-Gazette into its next chapter” and that it is “determined to ensure that the P-G is positioned for long-term success.”
The Institute also confirmed that existing leadership would remain in place, including President Tracey DeAngelo and Executive Editor Stan Wischnowski.
Several longtime journalists have publicly stated they were not retained, like Music Reporter Scott Mervis — who revealed on [insert social media platform] that after more than four decades, his tenure at the paper would end this week.
Context from ownership prior to transition
In an interview E&P conducted last week, Bob Cohn, a leader in the new ownership group, described the acquisition as an effort to stabilize and sustain local journalism in Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh was on the verge of losing its leading source of news,” Cohn said.
He indicated that the organization’s goal was to position the paper for long-term viability, though he did not detail specific staffing levels at that time.
The Venetoulis Institute, led by Stewart Bainum Jr., acquired the Post-Gazette following years of financial and labor challenges under prior ownership.
Union response and next steps
In its message, the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh also announced plans to support a new worker- and community-owned news initiative, the Pittsburgh Alliance for People-Empowered Reporting (PAPER).
The Guild stated that it has “no confidence that what remains will properly serve the needs of the people” following the staffing reductions.
The situation remains fluid as the new ownership prepares to formally take control of the publication.
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