From the website of the Louisville Courier-Journal, this story, posted today by Alex Davis:

"The Courier-Journal will lay off about 15 employees and leave other positions vacant as part of a broader cost-cutting move by the newspaper's parent, Gannett Co., the newspaper announced today.

"An unspecified number of jobs will be cut at The Courier-Journal by not filling vacant positions. Overall Gannett will eliminate about 1,000 positions, or 3 percent of its total work force.

"Arnold Garson, publisher of The Courier-Journal, said in a memo to employees that the local layoffs aren't as deep as those experienced at many other metro newspapers this year.

"'As you all know, the newspaper industry, like many other businesses and industries, is in the midst of a difficult economic time,' Garson wrote, adding that the company doesn't see the present trend of declining revenues improving anytime soon.

"Layoff notices will be completed by Aug. 27, Garson said, and severance packages will be offered to those who lose their jobs. Severance and continued medical benefits will be based on length of service.

"Garson said in his memo that any future job eliminations will depend on whether revenue continues to decline.

"'We have no choice but to keep expense trends consistent with our revenue trends," he said.

"Newspapers have been cutting jobs by the thousands recently. McClatchy Co., owner of 30 daily newspapers including the Lexington Herald-Leader, recently announced plans to eliminate 10 percent of its staff or about 1,400 jobs companywide.

"Gannett is the nation's largest daily newspaper publisher. The Courier-Journal is the largest daily newspaper in Kentucky.

Reporter Alex Davis can be reached at (502) 582-4644."