The Chicago Tribune has shut down New City News Service - a service founded by Chicago's five major newspapers in 1980 with the purpose of gathering local news and selling it to radio and TV outlets - because it had become a competitive disadvantage, writes the Tribune (via MediaBuyerPlanner). The Chicago Tribune had taken over City News six years ago, when the last of the original five papers pulled funding. But now, explained James E. O'Shea, the Tribune's managing editor, "Our competitors were taking stuff off the City News wire and putting it on the websites."

To be more competitive, the Tribune is adding resources to its 24-hour internet-based news operation; 13 new positions are being opened, and the 19 former City News employees are invited to apply.