The Richmond Times-Dispatch will lay off several of its remaining reporters as part of a new round of layoffs, according to an internal announcement viewed by The Richmonder.

The layoffs could affect at least 5 reporters, according to the announcement, including several who focus on covering Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties.

Emails sent to Times-Dispatch employees indicated the layoffs will be effective Sept. 26. The newspaper has identified specific staffers who are on the chopping block, but the exact job cuts aren’t yet finalized.

A human resources manager told employees management was seeking volunteers for layoffs in accordance with union protections, which could avoid the involuntary “reduction in force” the company is planning. If no volunteers come forward, management explained, the paper will proceed with the job cuts the company identified.

If the identified cuts go forward as planned, it could leave the Times-Dispatch newsroom with fewer than 10 news reporters and affect coverage provided by the Mechanicsville-Ashland Local, a subsidiary publication focused on Hanover.

The Times-Dispatch is owned by Lee Enterprises, an Iowa-based newspaper chain.

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Eric Kolenich, a reporter who handles Times-Dispatch newsroom union issues as the leader of the head of the Newspapers Professional Association, said the pending cuts are another blow to local news coverage in the Richmond area. The union, he said, has long called for Lee to “improve its digital product.”

“Ultimately, the community is what suffers when we have fewer reporters,” Kolenich said.

Chris Coates, Lee’s senior director for local news and previous executive editor of the Times-Dispatch, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did Encarnacion Pyle, the paper’s current executive editor.

In a social media post, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called the planned cuts a "tough blow for Richmond and part of an ongoing tragedy across the country."

"Local press does invaluable work holding power to account and keeping folks informed," Warner said. "We must continue to support our remaining and incredible local journalists."

Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org.

Note: The author of this article previously worked at the Times-Dispatch.