I am most definitely not an expert on the Duluth media, so I can't give you much analysis here except to note I spoke with Karwath last month about accepting voluntary reader donations and he seemed like a nice, professional fellow. He came to the News Tribune six years ago from the Chicago Tribune.

He's being replaced by News Director Robin Washington. I'll admit, I don't know what a newspaper news director does. Washington is the paper's former editorial page editor and, I'm told, well-known in the community for columns on being an African American Jew. His personal website notes he grew up "in a family of black and Jewish civil rights activists," and he co-founded the Alliance of Black Jews.

Standard disclaimer about why you should care about these layoffs, which also includes the paper's circulation director: Duluth's an important part of Minnesota, newspapers remain the most influential news sources in their areas, and the News Tribune's owner, Forum Communications, publishes more dailies than any other in the state. The Fargo-based chain also cut back a lot in 2009.

Here's the memo from publisher Ken Browall.

Effective today the company has restructured management within the Editorial and Circulation Departments, resulting in the elimination of two management positions at the News Tribune. Executive Editor Rob Karwath and Circulation Manager Tim McLoughlin have been laid off. Both of these individuals have made significant contributions to the News Tribune during their careers. These were difficult business decisions. I will miss Rob and Tim both personally and professionally.

Also effective today, Robin Washington, News Tribune News Director, will move into the newly created position of Editor. The News Director position will not be filled.

The Circulation Manager position will not be filled. Naomi Stein will assume some of the field operations duties and Steve Kidd will assume the single copy marketing duties.

Ken Browall
Publisher