Fresno Bee cuts deep as McClatchy restructures with AI tools

McClatchy Media Company, which acquired the Fresno Bee out of bankruptcy in 2020, has laid off staff at the paper and other Central Valley publications. Joshua Tehee, a veteran Fresno Bee writer and union leader, says the cuts reach up to 40% and eliminate positions including an accountability reporter, civic watchdog reporter, and city hall reporter. The paper has moved from daily to three-days-a-week publication. McClatchy has also increased its use of AI tools across its platforms. While Tehee cautions against assuming AI will directly replace reporters, he notes remaining staff will be expected to do more with less and rely on AI for storytelling efficiency. The cuts remove journalists who covered investigations into workplace safety, immigration and detention, and local corruption. Local news advocates worry the Valley will lose critical accountability reporting.