The Times' John Johnson is moving to the science desk to cover space exploration. He has been the roving reporter on the Central Coast. The memo from Science Editor Ashley Dunn follows.

To: The Staff
From: Ashley Dunn, Science Editor

John Johnson, state reporter covering the Central Coast, will be joining the Science Department in mid-September to cover space exploration.

John has worked for The Times since 1988, participating in staff Pulitzer coverage that included the Rodney King riots, the Northridge earthquake and the North Hollywood bank shootout. While working in the Valley, he won awards for narrative journalism projects that included spending three months in the Van Nuys police division and renting an apartment to record life in a gang neighborhood. He served as city editor in the Ventura edition and since May, 2000 has worked on the state desk.

Prior to coming to The Times, John worked for McClatchy Newspapers in Washington, covering Congress, a variety of federal agencies and the Supreme Court. He was the co-author with former Timesman Ron Soble of a book about the Menendez murders called "Blood Brothers."