Meredith to lay off employees

Des Moines-based Meredith Corporation plans up to 75 layoffs as earnings drop off. Meredith C-E-O Bill Kerr says the publishing industry’s in the midst of an “advertising recession” that shows no “clear signs of a rebound.” Meredith reports lower earnings in its magazine division. Meredith also owns a dozen television stations in places like Kansas City, Phoenix, Orlando and Atlanta. Kerr says the stations are “strong assets” but the stations need to be tweaked to improve profits. Meredith began in Des Moines back in 1902 with the publication of Successful Farming magazine. It’s largest-circulating magazines now are Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies Home Journal. The company employs 28-hundred people nationwide.