WaPo biz staff hit hard by buyout offers

Washington Post reporter Frank Ahrens reported Thursday that a number of reporters and editors at the paper have accepted a buyout offer and will be leaving the paper, including at least nine members of the business staff.

Among those leaving, as mentioned earlier, are Washington Investing columnist Jerry Knight and business columnist Leslie Walker.

Ahearn writes that Walker, the business section’s technology columnist, will work to finish a novel she started last year.

Ahearn wrote, “Nine Business reporters, editors and columnists from a full- and part-time staff of 71 are taking the buyouts. Familiar names to readers include international economics reporter Paul Blustein, who plans to write books; tax specialist Albert B. Crenshaw; and consumer reporter and blogger Caroline E. Mayer.

“‘It’s very hard and sad to leave a newsroom after 25 years,’ said Mayer, who has already booked a vacation. ‘But it’s also very exciting to ponder all the opportunities that a second career could offer. Besides, there’s the hope of lots more free time. Who could beat that?'”

Read more here.