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When WITI & WAGA switch from CBS to FOX both stations had the same Prime Time Set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id=o7rXOQ1qO1U;list=PL4M8-iCgRoKdOyfJE0GIvK47CxeQtuJt8

Yeah, the frosted glass is very similar.

I'm gonna build me a city called "Old News City" and fill it full of Tegna retirees and all the rest of the washed up and disrespected news men and women. Every night will be awards night...rubber chicken dinners and all. Major news story re-enactments, story time with Uncle George. We will have a weather club for all the old weather people. We will allow drinking, smoking and swearing. We will bury you with your Emmy. Die with what little respect you still have left.

Does that have anything to do with those stations being sold?

Talk about corporate spin

Go ahead and add KGW 8's Joe Becker to the list of TEGNA employees taking the early retirement buyout packages. [MEDIA=instagram]BEU1omEOhKH[/MEDIA]

I don't think this 'voluntary' early retirement package is going to help in eliminating their debt. Even a possibility of a string of layoffs won't alleviate any of the mountainous amount of debt.

The offers were made a little over 6 weeks ago. By law employers must give workers over age 40 at least 45 days (when offers are made to a group) to consider an early retirement offer under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. Employees also have 7 days to revoke an agreement after signing it. So, it's possible they could have known approximately 5 weeks ago some of the employees that would be taking the offer(s). On the flip side it's possible that they didn't know some of the employees that would be taking the offer(s) until approximately a week ago. In any event they knew who offers were made to several weeks ago and could plan accordingly in the event offers were accepted. They remain employed. Although, (as rkolsen posted) Early Retirement Offer(s)/Buyout(s) tend to be a prelude to layoffs. So, if you are given an offer and refuse you could possibly be laid off with a less favorable severance down the road. However, it is also worth noting that employers can't just lay off employees based on age (or, race, gender, etc). And, disparate impact prevents protected classes from being disproportionatly impacted. So, it's possible for an older employee to weather potential layoffs even after rejecting an early retirement offer. Most (but not all) employers will usually state if layoffs may occur in the event there are not enough takers of the early retirement buyouts. This way they can "juice" participation in the buyouts and protect themselves a bit from any future litigation by being up front about the possibility of layoffs. IMO I believe TEGNA is simply trying to reduce their payroll (and, pension) obligations. So, I personally don't expect any mass layoffs shortly thereafter. I can almost guarantee you they have a non-compete agreement... Especially, the on air talent. I'd be shocked if they didn't. The point is to get them off the payroll. And, more importantly not add more years of service thereby increasing any future pension obligations. It might be harsh but, the company trying to create some certainty around it's payroll, pension (and other benefits) obligations for these employees. By rehiring them it would essentially negate any (or, most of the) benefits received from the employee taking the early retirement offer. No, they don't get both. They are trading any future earnings in exchange for the buyout offer. So, if employee A has 2 years left on an agreement they would be forgoing that in exchange for the 2 weeks/per year (plus, some continuation of benefits I'm sure.) The same would apply for an employee without an agreement. They'd be forgoing continued employment in exchange for the buyout offer. I'd bet money that the on-air talent (if not all employees) are getting non-compete agreements. That includes the "No non-compete" States. You write the agreement as so it is entered into and governed by the laws of your principal place of business. In this case that would be Virginia where non-compete agreements are legal and enforceable...so, problem solved.

The one to replace Linda at 4pm should have been Sylvia Perez! In fact, they should have Sylvia return and be on with Linda at 4pm to replace Alan.