An extremely anonymous former Belo employee (and FBvian, natch) says, “The newsroom budget strife is dead on.” Plus, the hiring freeze came right after two assignments editors left, so the news desk is very short-staffed.
About the no-travel edict for the sports department, though, I was a little off. Another source, who is in a position to know, says Channel 8 will send reporters and photographers to away games. But the travel budget for the entire season will amount to what the station spent on training camp alone last year (sports reporter to management: “You want me to do what? Share a hotel room? Never! I will NOT double up!”). And the real trouble will come if the Rangers make it to post-season play. The sports department might then have to choose between covering Rangers and Cowboys road trips.