The Mercury News lost a slew of longtime journalists in 2017, and the year ended with word of yet another notable departure.

Mayor Lisa Gillmor admits she was wrong to block a reporter on Twitter after an unflattering report, but still claims the article is full of errors.

More local media cuts occurred last week, as the Mercury News not only eliminated its copy desk but also bought out several veteran journalists.

“Cortese ‘not afraid to say no'” to special interests, thundered a polished mailer from the Dave Cortese San Jose mayoral campaign. That might seem like typical candidate-speak, but the mailer actually quotes the Mercury News. But the Merc is accusing Cortese of deliberately "lying with the facts."