4 Worcester Telegram Retirements Take 150 Years Of Experience

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Telegram and Gazette this week is losing a combined 150 years of local knowledge with the departures of four of the newspaper's longest-serving reporters.

On Saturday, reporter George Barnes, sports writer Bill Doyle and City Hall reporter Nick Kotsopoulos announced their retirements in separate columns. Reporter Elaine Thompson announced her retirement on Monday night, along with Worcester Magazine creative director Kimberly Vasseur, who began working at the alt weekly in 2001.

Barnes, Doyle and Kotsopoulos each began working at the Telegram about 40 years ago. Thompson was a 28-year veteran. The news of their retirements surprised some, and prompted an outpouring of praise.

City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. issued two separate statements recognizing the four reporters. He highlighted Thompson as a trailblazer for Black women journalists, and Kotsopoulos for his institutional knowledge of 455 Main St.

"[Kotsopoulos] had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of city government," Augustus said. "He knew more than anybody how city government works. Nick is a gentleman and a true professional. I wish all a long, happy, and healthy retirement."

"Congratulations to [Kotsopoulos] and District 5's [Doyle] for a combined 80 years covering politics and sports for the TG," District 5 Councilor Matthew Wally tweeted on Saturday. "Enjoy a well deserved retirement. You will be greatly missed."

The four retirements follow the sudden June death of Telegram courts reporter Gary Murray, who had worked at the paper for 51 years. Also in June, Worcester Magazine writer Bill Shaner quit after two of his columns were held back from publication.

The retirements are part of a wave of voluntary buyouts that Gannett, the Telegram's owner, offered to reporters, editors and photojournalists across the country in October. About 500 Gannett employees nationwide took the buyouts, according to Poynter.

The Telegram was owned by GateHouse Media up until a merger with Gannett late last year. Gannett now owns more than 90 daily and weekly news publications across Massachusetts, including the MetroWest Daily News, Milford Daily News, Patriot Ledger, Worcester Magazine and the Wicked Local news sites.

Gannett has sought to cut newsroom costs already this year. During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Gannett furloughed editorial staff at papers across the country and Massachusetts. Gannett also laid off numerous editorial staffers at the end of April, including reporters and editors at the Ipswich Chronicle, Gardner News, New Bedford Standard-Times, the Cape Cod Times and the Fall River Herald News.