HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -The Hartford Courant says it will cut nearly 60 positions and 25 percent of its pages as Connecticut’s largest newspaper struggles with an industrywide decline in advertising.

The Courant plans to reduce its newsroom staff from 232 to about 175, with most cuts implemented by July 31.

The number of pages devoted to news will fall to 206 a week, from 273. At the end of September, the newspaper will roll out sweeping changes in design and presentation, including possible combinations of some sections.

Newsroom employees will be offered voluntary buyouts to achieve the staff reduction, but layoffs are also possible. Four of the jobs are now vacant.

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Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com

AP-ES-06-25-08 1648EDT