Carol Ocker News Today

Journalists at the progressive publication expect to be laid off this week. Relations between the board and senior staff have severely eroded.

The Texas Observer is shutting down and will lay of its 17-person staff, including 13 journalists, several members of its board said Sunday.

The 68-year-old progressive publication, which published Ronnie Dugger, Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott, hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said.

The closing raises questions about whether small progressive publications can survive the digital transformation of journalism during a time of rapid social, demographic and technological change.

The 68-year-old progressive publication, which published Ronnie Dugger, Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott, hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said.