Daily News colleagues said goodbye Monday after the 99-year-old tabloid abruptly slashed its editorial staff in half.

"It's going to be a huge blow to the paper, a huge blow to the city," said Erin Durkin, a former Daily News City Hall reporter.

 

 

 

"It's been my life for almost six years, and I feel very privileged to have gotten to work with some of the best in the business," said Chelsia Rose Marcius, a former Daily News reporter.

Tronc, owners of the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, bought The News last year but could not stem the financial losses.

Tronc said The News would now focus on breaking news online, adding, "We will, of course, continue to cover local news, sports and other events, but our approach will evolve as we adapt to our current environment."

But most of the sports staff was let go, including veteran columnists Frank Isola and John Harper.

 

 

 

And although The News has long called itself New York's picture newspaper, all of the staff photographers were dismissed.

"They had some very tough choices. I don't envy them," said Todd Maisel, a former Daily News photojournalist. "But then again, there's a bunch of guys over there in Chicago making a whole lot of money."

 

 

 

The News was once America's largest newspaper, selling 2.4 million copies a day after World War II.

But ad sales and circulation have been sliding for years and the staff has repeatedly been cut, mirroring trends across the industry.

Even so, it continued to aggressively cover the city — a task now made even harder.

Jim Rich, who is out as editor-in-chief, lambasted the decision on Twitter:

 

 

 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was shocked because Tronc never reached out to seek assistance. He said he has contacted the company.

 

 

 

"These are important jobs," the governor said. "The Daily News is a very important institution, not just for New York not just a big business in New York, but it's also vital to the press corp and a national publication."

Mayor Bill de Blasio urged Tronc to "sell the paper to someone committed to local journalism and keeping reporters on the beat."

 

 

 

But for the moment, a savior does not appear in sight.

OTHER REACTIONS TO THE DAILY NEWS LAYOFFS

Zach Haberman, former breaking news reporter:

 

 

Molly Crane-Newman, former reporter:

 

 

 

Josh Greenman, former opinion editor:

 

 

 

Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief Jillian Jorgensen:

 

 

 

NY1 Transit Reporter Jose Martinez:

 

 

NY1 Managing Editor Joel Siegel:

 

 

 

"Inside City Hall" Host Errol Louis:

 

 

 

New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay:

 

 

 

Wall Street Journal City Hall Reporter Katie Honan:

 

 

Filmmaker Ken Burns:

 

 

Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay:

 

 

Cynthia Nixon, candidate for governor:

 

 

 

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood:

 

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson: