Hasta La Ideas

The New York Times is cutting off its coverage of local art galleries, restaurants and theaters. The move is designed cut costs and reduce the number of freelance writers the Times uses.

Kurt Wenzel, one Times freelancer who reviewed restaurants, noted how this decision will impact local businesses.

“This is, in my opinion, the real shame of ending this part of the Metro section (beyond the livelihood of writers),” Wenzel wrote in an email to Deadline. “The fact that there is now much less oversight of local culture and entertainment. Local communities are the biggest losers, since a new theater run or restaurant won’t get the opportunity to reach the sophisticated audience that the Times attracts.”