Mediagazer: Daragahi, Petruno, Jones latest names to leave L.A. Times (Kevin Roderick/LA Observed)

5:20 PM ET, September 1, 2011

Top News:

Amy Gardner / @amyegardner:

A sad day at The Washington Post, with the news that we're closing all of our local bureaus except Richmond and Annapolis.

Discussion: Poynter, @wapoombudsman, Adweek, FishbowlDC, The Wrap, National Review and @wapoombudsman

The Politico:

Washington Post to close all but two local bureaus — The Washington Post is closing all of its local bureaus except two, in the state capitals of Virginia and Maryland, according to a note posted on the Post Guild website. — “As some of you have probably heard already …

Discussion: Poynter, Future of Journalism and The New York Observer

Kevin Roderick / LA Observed:

Daragahi, Petruno, Jones latest names to leave L.A. Times — After the Tribune Co. asked the bankruptcy judge Wednesday to OK $42.5 million in incentive bonuses for 640 managers, L.A. Times Beirut correspondent Borzou Daragahi tweeted that the money “could be used 2 hire 640 journos.”

Jim Romenesko / Poynter:
Tribune Co. asks bankruptcy judge to OK $42.5 million incentive plan

Discussion: rbr.com, Future of Journalism and Reuters

Matt Thompson / Poynter:

What journalists can learn from scientists and the scientific method — I don't need to tell you that the Scientific Revolution kickstarted the modern age. Kevin Kelly lists the discovery of the scientific method alongside the invention of libraries and the printing press as “meta-changes” …

Zachary M. Seward / Speakeasy:

When It Rains, It Pours: Yes, August Really Was a Huge News Month — Ah, August: time to kick back, take some vacation, soak in the end of summer and enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise relentless news cycle. But not this August. From Gadhafi to Irene, the month that ended yesterday …

Discussion: Poynter, The Huffington Post and Future Journalism Project

Frank Greve / American Journalism Review:

Taking Readers for a Ride — The world of car reviewing is replete with expensive perks and fantasy vehicles. Consumer advocates need not apply. Wed. August 31, 2011 — Taking Readers for a Ride The world of car reviewing is replete with expensive perks and fantasy vehicles.

Discussion: The Truth About Cars

Connie Loizos / PE Hub Blog:

Groupon PR to peHUB: Call Us Before You Write Another ‘Nastigram’ — For a company that's in registration to go public and thus forbidden from pumping up the company stock in advance of an IPO, Groupon is having an awfully hard time keeping quiet. Last week, of course …

Discussion: TechCrunch, GigaOM, Felix Salmon, Venture Capital Dispatch, The Business Insider and Future of Journalism, more at Techmeme »

John Koblin / WWD:

Tavi's Rookie Gets Ready for Lift Off — TAVI GETS READY FOR LIFT OFF: WWD has learned that Tavi Gevinson's new Web magazine, Rookie, will launch Monday. The editorial content for the site will be dictated by monthly themes. There will be about three posts a day, scheduled for times …

Discussion: The New York Observer

David B. Wilkerson / MarketWatch:

Newspaper ad spending down 7% in 2Q — Front Page - News Viewer - Commentary - Markets - Investing - Personal Finance - Community - Games — CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — Newspaper advertising spending fell 7% in the second quarter to $6 billion, the Newspaper Association of America said Thursday.

Discussion: Poynter, rbr.com and FishbowlNY

Lisa O'Carroll / Guardian:

Murdoch daily angers Australian government — The Australian publishes erroneous report about country's PM that could lead to a withdrawal of state ads — The Australian government has reportedly put itself on a war footing with Rupert Murdoch's Australian newspaper division after it published …

Daniel de Vise / Washington Post:

Why is Northwestern University teaching journalism in Qatar? — Two students at Northwestern University Qatar. (NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY) Three years ago, Northwestern University opened a satellite campus for journalism and communications in Qatar. — It might have seemed an odd choice …

Max Read / Gawker:

Wikileaks Freaks Out at Newspaper Over Its Own Dumbassery — Wikileaks has always had a healthy sense of self-importance—one that seems, at least in part, well-deserved. But there's something uniquely hubristic about accusing a major newspaper (and former collaborator) of …

Discussion: Guardian, WikiLeaks, The Huffington Post, The Wrap, Between the Lines Blog, Editors Weblog and Press Gazette

Tim Currie / Nieman Journalism Lab:

Chats don't have to be online: A newspaper finds success with its downtown news cafe — Not long ago, the Winnipeg Free Press's social media editor hosted an online chat from her desk at the paper's downtown news cafe. She had done it many times in recent months but something unexpected happened.

Discussion: Fast Company and Winnipeg Free Press

Amy Wicks / WWD:

Gaga vs. Horyn — GAGA VS. HORYN: Before Cathy Horyn takes her front-row seat at New York Fashion Week, setting her critical eyes on the collections, Lady Gaga has a few harsh words for the New York Times fashion critic. For some reason, Lady Gaga has decided to issue a takedown of Horyn and her ilk …

Discussion: Gawker, Adweek and The New York Observer

Paul Balcerak / Lost Remote:

Q&A with Jenni Hogan, Twitter's top local TV journalist — One of the great privileges I enjoy as an employee of KIRO 7 Eyewitness News in Seattle is the opportunity to work with Jenni Hogan. Jenni (@jennihogan) is our traffic reporter, and she's just as well-known in Seattle for her on-air presence …

Discussion: TVSpy