Oregon Public Broadcasting Hires Anna Griffin of The Oregonian to Be News Director

Her departure comes in the wake of a wrenching round of downsizing that saw 25 senior staffers take buyouts or get laid off in December.

Oregon Public Broadcasting has hired Anna Griffin, a veteran reporter and editor at The Oregonian, to be the public broadcasting station's news editor.

Sources in both newsrooms confirmed the move, speaking on background because they are not authorized to discuss personnel matters.

Griffin, 43, confirmed her move to WW late this afternoon.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity," she said. "At the same time, I'm really sad to leave The Oregonian. This is still a place where great journalism gets done on a daily basis. This was just an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Griffin joined The Oregonian in 2004, after a decade at The Charlotte Observer. In Portland, she covered City Hall and worked as a metro columnist before taking on editing duties.

Her departure comes in the wake of a wrenching round of downsizing that saw 25 senior staffers take buyouts or get laid off in December.

Griffin was not eligible for that buyout, and her departure would seem to be a blow to the paper. Just last week, Oregonian editor Mark Katches heaped praise on Griffin's 2015 reporting on Portland's homeless issues.

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