The Chattanooga Times Free Press told newsroom employees of reductions in staff on Tuesday morning.

The reductions were reportedly 15 employees with an additional five retirements - about 20 percent of newsroom staff.

They included several employees with a long tenure at the newspaper - including some with more than 30 years and one with more than 40 years.

Tom Griscom, publisher, said he would have a statement about the reductions in the print newspaper on Wednesday morning.

He said Times Free Press readership is growing, while it is declining at most other print newspapers.

The Times Free Press recently laid off several staff members, including managing editor Bob Lutgen and Herman Wang of the Washington bureau.

Among those in the latest round of cuts reportedly are sports writer Darren Epps, Beverly Carroll who was the city's first female police reporter, former photographer and current reporter Mike O’Neal with 33 years, Kathy Gilbert, Kristy Simmons, Ruth Dickson, photographers John Coniglio and Dave Harding, Nancy Carney, business reporter Jason Reynolds and longtime copy editors David Cooper, Bill Ramsey and Howard Cross.

Here is the Griscom statement:

For us, building and sustaining a relationship with readers is fundamental.
Newspapers nurture the connections that occur through the linking of everyday events that shape the lives of a community.
We celebrate together, and we share the pain of a loss.
We recognize weddings and anniversaries and often provide the words that complete a life.
Relationships are built on sharing, and that is what we are doing today.
There are changes in the Times Free Press, and we want you to know the impact on your reading experience. The Taste section now leads our regular Wednesday features. Anne Braly continues to offer her gastronomic insights. On Saturday the Home & Garden content will move to the lead position of the Life section.
New location, yes, but no loss in the content you have come to expect in the Times Free Press.
Through our news pages we have created connections with readers in Chattanooga and the 15 surrounding counties. Readers in North Georgia will continue to start each day with a region-specific front page. Readers in the 15 counties that surround Chattanooga will find comprehensive region news in the B section.
These changes to the Times Free Press are a result of responding to a slowdown in the economy. We have made strategic decisions, including reductions of the newsroom staff, to address shortfalls in revenues while at the same time minimizing the impact on the news product provided to you.
We will continue to make strategic decisions that provide you with the most comprehensive news in print and online while managing the challenges of the economy.
Thank you for reading the Times Free Press.
Tom Griscom
Editor and Publisher