Ah, ok, so I was right. The layout has changed. Thanks for the link.
I think the topics are now less readable. I don’t have to sort the topics according to a category, but a separate column makes the titles more readable. I wish there was an option to get the column back.
That thread was only several posts down from yours. Can I suggest you contribute to the discussion there.
The options are now:
Discourse adds an option to revert to prior layout (unlikely)
You embrace the change and leverage the extra space (e.g. adopt a sidebar).
You use the CSS or simliar as shown to manipulate the view (partial solution)
Write a plugin or Theme component to override the Topic List template (.hbs). Probably not that hard because initially you may only need to replace the old one ;). However that would require maintenance over time and would get out of step, so it’s not the best solution longer term.
Install the existing Topic List Previews plugin and enjoy optional images AND a category column in your view!
Your post was not in vain though! I’ve found that the change has messed with our Topic List Previews plugin which will need an update to add the Category header text back!