The Sacramento Bee laid off roughly a dozen staffers last Thursday in a round of cuts that eliminated the paper’s entire sports department, opinion section, and editorial board. Among those out: Pulitzer-winning columnist Tom Philp, opinion writer Robin Epley, Op-Eds editor Hannah Holzer, and investigative reporter Joe Rubin. McClatchy, which owns 30 newspapers including the Bee, cited a 41% revenue drop over five years as the reason and did not respond to CapRadio’s request for comment.
Epley pushed back on that framing, telling CapRadio the cuts reflect decisions made by hedge fund owners who never invested in the Bee’s website or social media presence. In her words, they“don’t know us, and they don’t care about our community.”For a capital city with a government workforce, a growing food scene, and a fan base that rides every Kings season, the loss is more than a business story. Sports and opinion coverage are how neighbors argue, celebrate, and hold institutions accountable.
For listeners across Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, and Davis, the practical question is simple: when the paper of record shrinks, who steps in to cover the school board, the riverfront, and city hall? Local radio, community blogs, and nonprofit newsrooms all matter more now, but they can’t fully replace what was cut.
What local coverage will you miss the most? Tell us in the comments.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
