At 12 a.m. today, the Arizona Daily Star finally confirmed that the newspaper cut 52 people in all departments — posting a story on its website in its business section. Ironically, the Star's story regarding their own layoffs is on the same digital page as a Howard Fischer story on Arizona's jobless rate increasing .2 percent to 9.3 percent.

From the Star:

The Arizona Daily Star reduced its workforce by 52 people Thursday. The cuts came from throughout the operation and were not limited to the newsroom.

The paper also eliminated some open positions and realigned functions in all departments.

"These actions, precipitated by the ongoing weakness in the economy and adjustments to our business model, made for a tough day," said John M. Humenik, president and publisher of the Star.

The decision about how to respond to the challenges was his, Humenik said.

The Star continues to grow its audience through print and digital combined, he said.

Despite the cutbacks, he said, "Our leadership team is confident that these steps will enable us to focus our efforts and position us for a bright future."

Yesterday, The Range confirmed the first round of layoffs included Shelley Shelton, Sarah Trotto, Fred Araiza, Angela Pittenger, Dave Skog, Dan Sorenson, Scot Skinner, Jeff Jackson and John Ames.

A report in the Tucson Sentinel included these additional staffers: Dave Eubank, Dylan Boswell, Val Vinyard, Greg Bryan, Jill Torrance, Sarah Trotto, Polly Higgins, Jeff Jackson, Natalia Lopera, Alex Dalenberg, Carl Hinton, Andrzej Proczka, Angie Bush, Karen Keller, Peggy Adams, Judy Gudeman, Maris Finley, Diana Fennie, Jim Sabados, Joan Walsh, Lucy Carathers, John McNamara, Rance Naffziger, Joan Stulz, Clyde Richardson, Mike Carpio and John Nicholson.

The Tucson Weekly extends its condolences to everyone caught in this latest round of a Star and newspaper "realignment," and suggests these fine newspaper folks take the ex-Citizen staffers up on their invitation that they join them today for their weekly happy hour tradition at the Shanty. What a good way to end the week — with a group of incredible people who went through their own version of on-again off-again newspaper layoff hell. The Shanty is located at 401 East 9th Street.