Controversy over Oklahoman cartoonist's "retirement"

After 58 years as The Oklahoman's editorial cartoonist, Jim Lange, 82, penned his last cartoon for Sunday's edition.

But the paper insinuated Lange's retirement was voluntary while Lange's wife reports that it was part of the recent round of voluntary buyouts. She reportedly told dailycartoonist.com "He liked what he did, and didn't really want to retire."

No distinction was made in both the Oklahoman's front-page story about Lange nor in editorial dedicated to the cartoonist.

This last round of Oklahoman layoffs was announced Sept. 4. According to that article, David Thompson, the paper's publisher, met with 102 employees at least 55 and older and with at least 15 years at the paper on Sept. 3 to discuss early retirement.

It is unknown whether the Oklahoman will hire another cartoonist. No mention was made in any story. It was reported earlier this year that the number of cartoonists at newspapers has shrunk from about 350 to 78.

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