Troubling numbers at Tribune Co.

Tribune Co., the parent of the Los Angeles Times, reported a $122 million loss in the third quarter, according to Mark Lacter at LA Biz Observed. The bad numbers, he adds, include a $45 million charge for severance packages and termination benefits.

Lacter notes another point of concern:

One more troubling number: Operating cash flow decreased 67 percent to $90 million from $268 million in the 2007 quarter. Maintaining adequate cash flow is especially critical for Tribune because that's what will be required to pare down debt. In some ways, the cash flow numbers are more important than the actual bottom line.