CNN cuts end Mitchell's show on HLN

In this 2011 file photo released by CNN, HLN correspondent Jane Velez-Mitchell reports on the Conrad Murray trial for the death of Michael Jackson. Velez-Mitchell and her staff have been laid off due to budget cuts at CNN, ending her nightly program on the HLN network. Her program, which aired for six years at 6 p.m. CT on the CNN sister network, ended Monday.
In this 2011 file photo released by CNN, HLN correspondent Jane Velez-Mitchell reports on the Conrad Murray trial for the death of Michael Jackson. Velez-Mitchell and her staff have been laid off due to budget cuts at CNN, ending her nightly program on the HLN network. Her program, which aired for six years at 6 p.m. CT on the CNN sister network, ended Monday.

NEW YORK (AP) - Jane Velez-Mitchell and her staff have been laid off due to budget cuts at CNN, ending her nightly program on the HLN network.

Her program, which aired for six years at 6 p.m. Central on the CNN sister network, ended Monday. Mitchell was told of the layoff on Tuesday, said executives at CNN who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters. Twelve people, including Mitchell, were let go with this cut.

The show will be replaced temporarily by reruns of "Forensic Files."

Meanwhile, CNN has disbanded its Los Angeles-based unit that covers entertainment and will be ending three specialty shows because of the layoffs.

Rachel Nichols' Friday night sports show, "Unguarded," has been canceled, but Nichols will remain as CNN's sole sports anchor and also work for Turner Sports. Sanjay Gupta's half-hour medical show that airs twice on the weekend has been axed, but Gupta - who is getting plenty of air time with the Ebola story dominating CNN's news broadcasts - will stay with the network.

Similarly, the "CNN Money" show with Christine Romans that airs on Saturday afternoon will be canceled, but Romans is staying with the network.

CNN Worldwide is in the midst of an 8 percent staff cut, a total of 300 jobs. An estimated 130 people have taken buyouts, with layoffs accounting for the remainder, the executive said Wednesday.