Reports: More layoffs hit T&G

With the Telegram & Gazette now in the hands of its fourth owner in less than two years, another group of employees was let go this week, according to published reports.

The reported cuts took place as the newspaper and website took on new looks as the long-time Central Massachusetts daily newspaper changed hands from Halifax Media, which bought the T&G nearly a year ago, to New Media Investment Group, the parent of GateHouse Media, which also owns the MetroWest Daily News.

GoLocalWorcester.com and MassLive.com confirmed a series of layoffs this week, which included editorial cartoonist David Hitch. MassLive also reported that Chris Sinacola, the paper’s editorial page editor, quit. In addition, MassLive said layoffs included personnel in the online department and on the copy desk.

The T&G’s website, Telegram.com, reemerged with a new design last week, bearing a look very similar to that of the MetroWest Daily News and other GateHouse publications in Massachusetts, such as the Fall River Herald News and The Patriot Ledger, of Quincy. The layout and design of its print publication are also similar to that of the MetroWest Daily News.

Last year, New Media also bought the Providence Journal from A.H. Belo Corp. of Dallas.

Nearly a year ago, when Halifax bought the T&G from Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, it laid off more than 20 staff members, including close to one-fifth of the editorial staff, according to published reports.