Via Romenesko: The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) and Charlotte Observer, the two largest newspapers in the state and both owned by McClatchy, are merging their features desks. This comes eight months after they merged their sports departments. An excerpt from the memo to the staffs at both papers:

The editors in each department will plan together, communicate daily and assist each other in editing. Each staff could take the lead in planning and executing certain coverage areas or certain days of the week (or certain sections). We will explore the possibility of sharing copy editing and designing. When it comes to reporting, we will seek to expand our reach by avoiding duplication. We want to preserve as much local content as possible. But some stories, if reported in a certain way, could be effective in each paper. Each paper will have full access to the reporters on each staff.

I would be nervous if I were a copy editor or designer in either of those features departments right now. Best of luck to everybody at those papers.