The New Haven Register informed its staff that it’s laying off another batch of workers. Newsroom sources say at least 15 positions were cut. The paper’s Washington reporter, Joe Straw, is leaving. His position is being cut; he apparently turned down an offer to take a slot back home. The paper also laid off sportswriter Peter Zellen and longtime librarian Wilbur Massing. It eliminated a sports desk copy editor’s position and transferred the employee to the parent company’s Middletown paper. The rest of the cuts took place in departments other than editorial. The Register has been shedding staffers just as other papers across Connecticut and the country have, as readers and advertisers flee traditional media outlets for the Internet. To our colleagues in other newsrooms who face layoffs, or lowered morale, or continuous commands to fire people, we extend our sympathies and say: Keep your spirits up.