LA Times Buyout Wave Includes Columnist Sandy Banks, Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila

Longtime writers and editors begin latest Spring Street exodus

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A significant number of longtime Los Angeles Times staffers have accepted voluntary buyouts this week from publisher Tribune, according to social media posts and media reports.

Close to 20 staffers including California section columnist Sandy Banks, restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila, Image section editor Booth Moore, stateside and international bureau chiefs and writers across awards, features, environment and food and wine have accepted packages.

Banks had been with the Times for 36 years, while Virbila worked at the paper for 22 years.

“On December 11th, I’ll be leaving the Times building after 22 years. I remember the great feeling of coming in from the cold of freelancing,” Virbila tweeted Tuesday.

“Farewell after 28 yrs… thanks to all of you for countless courtesies and kindnesses,” wrote veteran arts reporter Mike Boehm on Twitter.

50 volunteers were needed to accommodate budget cuts, as TheWrap reported in October. It’s currently unclear if enough employees accepted the buyout packages to avoid layoffs.

A spokesperson for the newspaper had no comment for TheWrap.

Others taking voluntary buyouts include New York bureau chief Tina Susman, Seattle bureau chief Maria LaGanga, San Diego bureau chief Tony Perry and San Francisco bureau chief Lee Romney, according to LA Observed.

Assistant managing editors Alice Short in features and Henry Fuhrmann at the copy desk, TV editor Martin Miller and Image editor Susan Denley are also counted. Longtime features staff writer Susan King has volunteered to take a buyout as well, although she’ll remain through March to assist with awards coverage.

“It was time. It was a good deal,” King wrote on Facebook. “I’m not close to retiring.”

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