The New York Times Company, facing upwards of a billion dollars in debt, along with WSJ parent company News Corps., have decided to San Francisco Chronicle staffers, this is essentially the worst possible thing that could happen. The Chronicle has been facing a notorious struggle in the industry with circulation at an all-time low, and Hearst has been publicly threatening to shut them down since at least the spring. While the NYT Co. and News Corps. may be doing exactly what they need to to keep their businesses afloat (launching ventures in new markets that could prove more profitable than even those in their home cities), it’s also sad to think that The Chronicle (est. 1865) will probably be the next major paper sacrificed on the altar of the digital journalism revolution. Eh, at the end of this we’ll probably all just keep getting our news from Gawker and The Daily Show anyway.

But despite the New York Times‘ exceedingly respected reputation worldwide, it is also, at its core, a New York newspaper. There is a special pride New Yorkers take in paging through it (or reading it on their iPhone…) during languid Sunday brunches. It’s a particular brand of affection that just may not translate to readers in other cities. Who in the midwest gives a fuck about the Weddings & Celebrations section anyway? There’s no doubt that the Times has epic international and national clout, but will setting up editions in other cities sully New Yorkers’ undying devotion to the paper? Will this venture further undermine their New York business? Do any of you feel at all a little… betrayed?

The plan for expansion is still in fledgling mode. A Times reporter that NYULocal Editor-in-Chief Lily Q spoke with didn’t even know what we were talking about. I suppose we’ll all just have to wait and see how this plays out. Jeez, thank god we still have the Washington Square News!