WOOD-TV Channel 8, the NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. is seeking to eliminate 15 or more positions through buy-outs, a staffer has told Messenger.

A source at WOOD-TV 8 confirmed the moves but asked to remain anonymous, noting that staffers were reluctant to talk about the situation for fear they would be fired, laid off or otherwise punished.

 The source said 27 people with 20 years or more of service to the station had been offered buyouts. The station aimed to get 15 people or more to take the buyout package, and if not, “They will definitely do layoffs,” the staffer said.

The company has already released nightly anchor Larry Nienhaus, who had worked for the company for 17 years before completing his final broadcast on Friday, Dec. 5.

WOOD-TV 8 said on its website that Nienhaus’ departure was the result of “the extremely challenging economic conditions in which the nation finds itself.” The statement added that “WOOD-TV8, impacted by the same financial storm that’s hit so many industries, was unable to extend Larry’s contract, which ended November 30.”

A call to WOOD’s station manager was not returned. The station’s parent company, LIN TV in Rhode Island, would not issue a comment.

“I don’t comment on personnel matters at the station level,” corporate spokesperson Courtney Guertin said.