This is most likely already a common practice, whether it’s disclosed on the byline or not.
Honestly, it makes sense for papers to use it. Save time by drafting the articles with AI, but then use the time savings to put more manpower into research and post-AI editing. Practically, probably not gonna pan out well, but that has more to do with the economics of making money off of written news copy.
That paper's circulation used to be really wide...in the little town I'm from, that and the Disgrace were the two out of town papers you could count on seeing on the rack.
When circulation is down so is ad revenue. So they cut costs, primarily in staffing.
Well, that was 40 years ago too. Who knows what it is now, I haven't bought yesterday's news tomorrow for the better part of two decades.