For the Record

"New Low":

Weeks after mass layoffs following its $5 million sale to Bustle, Mic is publishing "a steady stream of new material" by non-union writers Lauren Rearick and Emma Sarran Webster. The posts include how-to guides on budgeting and credit card applications. According to an unnamed representative of the Mic Union, "The 'relaunching' of Mic.com by Bustle Digital Group without the involvement of the very people Mic co-founders Chris Altchek and Jake Horowitz unceremoniously laid off, is an appalling [...] move given the anti-worker reputation of [...] CEO Bryan Goldberg."

"More Consolidation":

Prior to becoming the target of a takeover attempt by hedge fund-backed Digital First Media, Gannett was approached by Tribune Publishing "about reviving merger talks between the newspaper publishers that had fallen apart in acrimony two years earlier." Although the company rejected the offer, Tribune "remains interested in discussions — and Gannett’s board is likely to revisit the issue in light of the takeover approach."

Nuance:

The departure of key staffers at Slate (including former Pulitzer Prize jurors Jacob Weisberg and Julia Turner) amid declining readership and the unionization of the newsroom may portend the end of the digital magazine's brand of "impish liberal contrarianism." "Is there a place for a contrarian take in a hyperpartisan world [...]?” asked David Plotz, a former Slate editor.

"Superb Editor":

David Haskell will succeed Adam Moss as editor in chief of New York magazine on April 1, the publication has announced. As New York's editor for business and strategy, Haskell has edited much of its longform political coverage and worked on various podcasts and events.

"The Value Of Poetry":

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation "has awarded $2.2 million to the Academy of American Poets" in what standas as "the largest donation the Mellon Foundation has ever made in honor of the art form." "Philanthropy hasn’t done a lot for poetry," said Elizabeth Alexander, the Foundation's president and a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board. "But on the other hand, poetry survives no matter what."

"Pillar of Democracy":

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-New York) announced his intention to introduce legislation that would make assaulting on-the-job journalists a felony in his State of the State address Tuesday. According to Cuomo's proposal, "The men and women working in journalism should feel safe performing the duties of their jobs."

"Takeover Approach":

Digital First Media's proposed acquisition of Gannett may jeopardize the latter company's bid for the Univision-owned Gizmodo Media Group. In a letter announcing the proposal, Digital First demanded a halt to Gannett's digital acquisitions and accused the publisher's management of "damaging the company’s financial position by making several 'aspirational digital deals' that haven't paid off."

"Prominent Critics":

Days after leaving office, former Governor John Kasich (R-Ohio) joined CNN Tuesday as a political commentator, while former Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) has taken a similar position with MSNBC.

"I Don't Want To Manage":

After 15 years, Adam Moss will step down as editor of New York magazine in March. "I’ve been going full throttle for 40 years; I want to see what my life is like with less ambition," said Moss. "I’m older than the staff. I’m older than the readers. I just want to do something new." During his tenure, Moss led the publication to 40 National Magazine Awards and a Pulitzer Prize.