The DMN Buyout

If your yard needs mowing, your car needs washed, or you just want to hire someone to transcribe the conversations of all the voices in your head, Dallas is about to be awash in unemployed journalists.

A blog called News Buyout has a tentative list of employees who have decided to take buyouts from the Belo Corporation to aid in the downsizing at the Dallas Morning News. Not since John Buzzetta’s fire sale at the Dallas Times-Herald have this many Dallas journalists been unemployed.

My prediction is that Dallas Blog will pick up some kick-ass writers (hell, there are two TV critics and a bunch of book review staff up for grabs) out of this.

Of course, many are probably going to just retire; others will probably go to work on other papers or find new careers. Since their ages aren’t posted on News Buyout, I’m not sure how many are of retirement age and ready to retire. But, if that’s a partial list, I’m dying to know who is going to be left in the newsroom over at the DMN.  Are they going to start filling the paper with AP copy and Agency France Presse photos?

Inquiring minds want to know!

And, if any of those being bought out would like to do some blogging on Texas politics (for no compensation whatsoever except for a pat on the back and the occasional blank stare from Ellie, Capitol Annex’s Official Mascot), then hey: we’re always hiring.