The best news from 425 Portland today? Editor Nancy Barnes says the latest round of newsroom staff cuts are over. 

The bad news? The Strib is losing three more journalists to voluntary buyouts. The are Jim Foti, who made a name for himself as the Strib's personable transportation correspondent "Roadguy"; John Millea, an ace prep sports reporter, and Kim Yeager, who coordinated and wrote for the Wednesday Home+Garden section.

Since I just got the memo, I only have details on Millea's future life; he's crossing the boulevard to become a staffer for the Minnesota State High School League, according to a Tuesday tweet. This morning, he added that "My title will be Media Specialist; writing, blogging...lot of the same things I've done for the newspaper. See you soon."

I asked John for comment yesterday and didn't hear back, but it's fair to think High School League has more long-term stability than the Strib. While negotiating for a job with an entity you cover is risky business, I'll give him props for a big story questioning Apple Valley High School's wrestling program the same day he announced his uniform change.

Though Strib management earlier this month told employees it could accept "up to five" buyouts when initial cost-cutting goals were missed, spokesman Ben Taylor was confident enough staffers would step forward that layoffs wouldn't happen. Barnes confirms that, writing, "While the economic travails of the last two years tell us that there are no guarantees for the future, these three departures conclude the newsroom’s reduction in force."

Here's the memo:

All hands,

I wanted to let you know that in response to the voluntary separation packages that were offered in the newsroom, three staff members applied for and were accepted for those packages. The three are Jim Foti, Kim Yeager and John Millea.

John’s last day will be next Monday, March 8; Kim’s will be Wednesday, March 17. Because of his personal plans, Jim elected to make last Friday his final day.

I want to thank them for their service to the Star Tribune, and please join me in wishing them well as they go forward in their new directions.

While the economic travails of the last two years tell us that there are no guarantees for the future, these three departures conclude the newsroom’s reduction in force.

Nancy