‘CSI’ fires two regulars in salary rift

CBS has axed two regulars on its top-ranked drama, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” following a salary dispute.

Actors George Eads and Jorja Fox, who play investigators Nick Stokes and Sara Sidle, were fired earlier this week, just as shooting resumed for new episodes, according to a source close to the production. Both actors were reportedly in the fifth year of a seven-year contract. The firings came after their representatives engaged in contentious negotiations for salary hikes, according to another source.

“CSI” stars William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger are expected to return to the series. A CBS spokesman declined comment, and a publicist for Eads and Fox could not be reached for comment.