AOL to Axe Up to 500 Patch Employees

Mass layoffs are on the way for AOL's local news outlet Patch.

After the public firing of a staffer during a conference call last week, half of Patch's 1,000 employees may face layoffs. On Friday, 350 people will receive their notice, according to the Associated Press.

CEO Tim Armstrong is looking to close under 400 of Patch's less profitable sites, or at least find partnerships with local news sites. As of now, Patch runs a total of 900 local news sites

AOL will be gearing its attention to Patch's more profitable sites — which generate the majority of the company's traffic — and focus on maintenance. Read more...