Mississippi's largest newspaper announced Wednesday it was reducing its staff by 9 percent, citing declining revenue and rising expenses.

The Clarion-Ledger will cut 33 jobs, including 11 staff positions, through involuntary layoffs, severance offers and attrition. One of those being laid off is Orley Hood, a longtime feature writer and columnist with the Jackson newspaper.

The announcement comes after the newspaper's parent company, Gannett Co. Inc., in October announced a 10 percent across-the-board work force reduction at its 84 daily newspapers. Other newspapers in the chain are also reducing their staffs this week.

All Clarion-Ledger departments were affected by the reduction in force, which is effective immediately. Employees were notified of their status on Wednesday.

Severed workers will be compensated with a week of pay for every year of service, up to a maximum of 26 weeks.

Gannett blamed the cuts on the steep reductions in advertising revenue that have resulted from the sluggish economy.

In an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press, Larry K. Whitaker, president and publisher of the newspaper, also announced production changes at The Hattiesburg American, another Gannett newspaper.

Whitaker said the Hattiesburg newspaper's production operations will move to Jackson, about 90 miles south.

"It is a major change that will lead to significant cost efficiencies and expense savings for both our companies," Whitaker said in the memo.

Whitaker said 2008 has been the most difficult year the newspaper industry has ever faced.

"While we have done better in Jackson than many markets, we are experiencing the same downward trend as other media companies," he said in the memo.