Eugene Weekly, a known voice in Oregon journalism for 40 years, has been forced to lay off its entire staff and halt its print edition after discovering a major embezzlement scheme. The paper's editor, Camilla Mortensen, revealed the shocking news, expressing her devastation at the betrayal and its impact on the community.
The former employee, heavily involved in finances, allegedly siphoned off $90,000 from the paper's bank account since 2022. Additionally, over $100,000 in unpaid bills, including to the printer, accumulated unnoticed for months. Even worse, employee retirement contributions were never deposited, adding insult to injury.
This financial devastation left the paper unable to meet payroll, forcing the layoffs of all 10 staff members and the suspension of the free weekly publication, distributed in 30,000 copies across Eugene.
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The loss of the Weekly is a major blow to Eugene, already facing a national trend of disappearing local news sources. Brent Walth, a journalism professor, lamented the impact, highlighting the Weekly's role as an independent watchdog, compassionate voice, and platform for student journalists.
Tim Gleason, former dean of the university's journalism school, emphasized the wider implications, attributing the nationwide decline of local news to rising political polarization and lack of community cohesion. He noted the alarming statistic that an average of 2.5 newspapers closed every week in the US in 2023, leaving many counties without any local news coverage.
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Despite the bleak situation, hope remains. Staff, working without pay, are updating the website and exploring options for the future. Art director Todd Cooper expressed the team's unwavering dedication and belief in the paper's importance to the community.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the Weekly has already raised over $11,000, showcasing the public's support for its revival.
While the Eugene Weekly's future hangs in the balance, the community's rallying cry offers a glimmer of hope for the continuation of this vital local news source.
