NYT econ reporter Andrews also taking buyout

Michael Calderone of Politico reports Monday that New York Times economics correspondent Edmund Andrews, who covers the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department, is also taking the paper’s buyout offer.

Calderone writes, “Andrews becomes the fifth reporter so far planning to leave the Washington bureau, following up on the news that Stephen Labaton, Neil Lewis, David Johnston and David Stout were all taking the buyout. That’s a significant number given that the bureau had a total of 45 staffers when the buyout offer went out in October.

“The departure of Andrews comes as a surprise to colleagues; indeed, he only decided on it this past weekend. While Andrews said he’s unclear where the next move will be, he noted that ‘it’s a good time to start a second chapter.’ Earlier this year, Andrews wrote a book on his own financial troubles and personal experience in the mortgage crisis, raising some concerns since he also covers the issue.

“Andrews began his career at the Times as a contract writer, but came on full-time after a year-and-a-half in that role. Over the past 18 years, Andrews reported primarily from Washington and Frankfurt. In that time, he said, he’s gained ‘a lot of expertise and experience in finance and economics and in Washington policy.’ Now he’ll try and figure out how to make beset use of that background and experience.”

Read more here.