NPR's Newsroom Shrinks Through Buyouts and Layoffs

NPR, May 27, 2026.

NPR has laid off 10 journalists, including some veteran reporters, in an attempt to save money and reorganize the newsroom. It also is buying out at least 18 news staffers who voluntarily accepted offers to depart, according to three people with direct knowledge. (The people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of speaking publicly about internal network matters.) The network intends to leave eight empty positions unfilled.

NPR Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans expressed regret in a note to staff. "Today has been incredibly heavy, and I want to acknowledge how difficult it is to say goodbye to our colleagues," Evans wrote.

He said the total reductions amounted to 4% of NPR's content division, which includes the newsroom and podcasts, and pledged that the network would maintain high standards. No staff members of news programs or podcasts were affected.

The moves are part of NPR's effort to grapple with the economic consequences of Congress' vote last summer to eliminate federal subsidies for public media. While NPR relied directly on federal funds for about 1% of its budget, the cuts deeply hurt public radio stations that pay for the radio giant's programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered...

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/27/nx-s1-5836624/npr-layoffs-job-cuts