What's it been? Like, five seconds since Sam Zell took over Tribune Co.? Just wanted to check and make sure we knew what ground we stood on, 'cause word arrived that the Los Angeles Times is slashing five percent of its staff, or some 150 jobs. (That would be 70 editorial slots.) And, as you've managed to guess by now, most of those axings will come in the form of voluntary buyouts, at least at first.

The news, announced by L.A. Observed, also brings word that LAT design director Joe Hutchinson is departing for Rolliing Stone.

And when Jann Wenner's Rolling Stone starts looking like a crazy better option than the LAT, well, that's significant and stuff.