Word is that WTSP in Tampa has pulled out of a news sharing agreement with competitors WTVT and WFTS and then laid off 4 staffers.

Florida News Center reports that the order came from new VP/GM Elliott Wiser, who joined the station this past June from Bright House Networks/Bay News 9.

Sources also tell Florida News Center that three station photographers and Tallahassee bureau reporter Dave Heller (pictured) have been laid off as a result of the local news sharing pull-out. Two of those photographers had been with the station for over twenty five years. WTSP has removed the photographer biography section and the bio of reporter Dave Heller from its website. Heller had covered the Florida Capitol for the past 12 years.

Since 2009, all three stations have been sharing a single helicopter, operated by WFTS and video and other resources as needed.

WTSP’s former helicopter, Sky 10 was grounded in 2009.

Will the station now be getting a new news chopper?

WTSP and its management is not commenting on that or the layoffs of their staffers. Because you know, this is the communications business.