NPR lays off small portion of newsroom staff as part of resource shift

NPR laid off a small portion of its newsroom staff as part of a “restructuring” effort.

According to NPR Senior Vice President of News and Editorial Director Nancy Barnes, the changes affected fewer than 10 people.

Among those laid off were national security correspondent and 30 year veteran David Welna.

NPR correspondent and host David Folkenflik confirmed Welna is out as of Sept. 6, 2019, along with three video journalists.

The changes won’t result in a net reduction in spending for NPR, since hires are planned, including ones for its flagship “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” as well as opioid addiction, climate change, pharmaceuticals and other beats.