Not a month removed from the last newsroom layoffs, and with editor Russ Stanton talking openly about another round of staff cuts coming in December, the Los Angeles Times is nonetheless hiring in Entertainment, one of the departments that lost people in October. Kind of makes it seem about bringing in cheaper talent, not reducing bodies or refocusing. Hiring memo after the jump.

From: Hagihara, Randy
Sent: Tue 11/10/2009 11:43 AM
To: yyeditall
Subject: Openings: Reporters -- Entertainment

The Entertainment Department has openings for two general assignment reporters who can write news and features across the full spectrum of our coverage areas -- from fine art, theater and classical music to movies, television and pop culture.

We are looking for experienced, energetic journalists with an ability to break news, develop original features and deconstruct pop culture. Candidates should be at home in both the print and web worlds, as a typical assignment might include writing a breaking news bulletin or blog item, followed by a fuller news story for the website and other Tribune Co. papers, then a more analytical piece for the next day's Times.

These reporters also will be expected to contribute column one stories, front page news and features and cover stories for Sunday Calendar and Company Town.

Interested parties should contact Sallie Hofmeister, AME for arts and entertainment, or Craig Turner, arts and entertainment editor.