Good morning, Netizens...

There are some days when it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. I believe this is one of them.

From Dave Oliveria at Huckleberries Online we learn:

Earlier this morning, the SR newsroom learned that three respected, veteran reporters have accepted an early-buyout offer and will be leaving the newspaper at the end of the month: Bill Morlin (pictured), Karen Dorn Steele, and Dan Webster. Morlin, of course, is recognized as a national expert on the white supremacy movement. Steele is one of the region’s most respected environmental reporters. Webster’s name is synonymous with excellent SR arts and book reviews. He has written the Movies & More blog for at least five years. In accepting their voluntary resignations, Editor Gary Graham said: ”It should be obvious to all that these latest departures represent an incalculable loss to us and our readers.”

I have had a modest involvement with Bill Morlin over the years, ranging over a number of investigative cases, and each time I found him to be an investigative journalist's journalist. Much the same can be said for Karen Dorn Steele who truly gave everything she had to each story she covered, and there were many more than I can list.

The question that sits, unwanted and unnoticed at the corner of awareness is who will assume the position(s) vacated? Who will be handling investigative reporting into the future?

Next month there will be a huge emptiness in the news room at the Spokesman-Review, a vacuous emptiness or, as Gary Graham stated, an incalculable loss.

Now what do we do?

Dave

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