The only thing surprising is that it took so long.

When I first heard that McClatchy was going to own both the Charlotte Observer and the News and Observer, my enthusiasm was muted. That was almost two years ago, and most of the impacts predicted have come true. Here's a memo from the Big Cheeses to employees of the N&O and the Charlotte Observer on the heels of McClatchy's recenty announced layoffs.

To: Employees, the Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh
Subj: New areas of collaboration
Date: June 16, 2008

The newsrooms of the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer have worked well together during the two years since the Observer became part of the McClatchy Company. That collaboration clearly has benefited readers of both newspapers.

As we realign resources for the future, we will now link the two newsrooms more tightly in four areas in which we clearly have much in common. By doing this, we expect both newspapers to do a better job for our communities than either could have done on its own. This added collaboration will also enable each newspaper to train more resources on content that is unique to its area.

Here are the areas of expanded cooperation:

A new McClatchy capital bureau will serve both newspapers with coverage of state government and other topics of statewide concern. Initially, this bureau will be comprised of five reporters from the N&O and two reporters from the Observer, all of whom now cover state government. Other reporters with beats that have statewide focus could join this team later. The bureau will be headed by Bill Krueger, who is now the N&O’s government editor. Krueger will report jointly to N&O Senior Editor Linda Williams and Observer Deputy Managing Editor Glenn Burkins. This bureau will be based in the N&O’s building, but will operate separately from its newsroom.

The two newspapers’ sports departments will merge into one department that will serve both papers. This department will be headed by Gary Schwab, a former Observer sports editor who is now that paper’s projects editor. Gary will report jointly to Observer Managing Editor Cheryl Carpenter and N&O Senior Editor Linda Williams. Schwab will be based in Charlotte, but will also spend time in Raleigh. Editors in both newsrooms will continue directing sports coverage that is unique to their respective newspaper. With this new configuration, we expect to simultaneously eliminate duplication in coverage and maximize our ability to do sports enterprise.

Our news research departments will merge to serve both newsrooms. This new department will be headed by Teresa Leonard, who now heads the N&O’s department. Leonard will report to Charlotte Newsroom Systems Editor Neil Mara and N&O Senior Editor Dan Barkin. The Observer’s Marion Paynter becomes the research manager based in Charlotte. The N&O’s Denise Jones continues as research manager in Raleigh. Leonard will also be based in Raleigh. With this merger, both newsrooms will benefit from Raleigh’s capacity to provide research assistance seven days a week, as well as Charlotte’s deep expertise on background research and issues specific to South Carolina.

The newsrooms’ features departments will work to develop several jointly produced sections that work equally well for both papers. These sections would strive to reduce duplication and, at the same time, retain the local flavor of each region. We believe that both readers and staff could benefit from this collaboration. You will hear more about these efforts in coming weeks.

These are bold moves for two outstanding newspapers. We believe that they will help ensure that these papers continue to set the standard for excellence in journalism across North Carolina for many years to come.

We also have many details yet to work out. For that, we’ll need your full support, talent, patience and problem-solving skills. So, please join in and help us now build on these ideas and make them a success.

In an era of stretched resources, our newspapers are very fortunate that we have this opportunity. There are few places in the United States where sister newspapers are as naturally aligned in terms of journalistic values and geography. We want to take full advantage of it for the benefit of all of our readers.

My interpretation today is different than it was back in 2006. I feel sorry for the journalists caught up in the slow decline of the industry, and I offer my good wishes to all involved. I hope the two papers can get focused, get efficient, and do a better job covering the issues that matter most to our democracy.

It won't be easy.

The truth is, McClatchy is doing a better job than most news organizations these days. That may be faint praise, but it's praise nonetheless.