By: Joe Strupp New Jersey?s two largest newspapers -- who have long competed fiercely on state news -- are combining their statehouse bureaus in Trenton, according to a joint announcement.
The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack revealed the change in a joint announcement that stated the combined bureau would initially have 11 staffers. It added that no Trenton-based jobs would be cut just yet.
?At a time when newspapers have had to cut back news staffs, this cooperation allows us to pool resources and better serve all our readers,? Jim Willse, editor of The Star Ledger, said in a statement.
Record Editor Frank Scandale added: "sharing coverage while maintaining two distinct news operations is a common-sense response to the changing media landscape. It will strengthen the content of both papers.?
The move comes at a time when both papers are seeking cost-cutting options. The Star-Ledger recently cut 151 of its 330 news staffers through a buyout program, which also reduced its previous Trenton bureau group from 11 to four.
The Record, meanwhile, has been discussing plans to move from its Hackensack headquarters to other locations used by its many weeklies, and its sister daily, the Herald News.
The Star-Ledger and The Record also recently joined forces with the newly created Northeast Consortium, which also includes the Daily News of New York, The Albany (N.Y.) Times Union and The Buffalo (N.Y.) News. Those papers plan to share content and photos on a daily basis.
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