Janet Clayton, who used to be the Times' Editor of the Editorial Pages, has taken up her new job as Assistant Managing Editor (State and Local). She's now the editor over most news coverage that ends up in the California section or that comes out of the Metro staff, City Hall bureau, Sacramento Bureau or the political writers (but not the presidential campaign, which is a separate desk headed by Don Frederick). In one of her first moves, Clayton has brought editor Jim Newton back from book leave for two months to help in her transition. Before going on leave, Newton oversaw coverage of local government, and previously had reported extensively on City Hall. Newton's book (for Penguin USA) is about the former Chief Justice and California governor Earl Warren. LAT staff directory.