A lot of people in California and Los Angeles politics know John Balzar, the Times' former political writer, columnist and Sacramento correspondent. He has written most recently for the paper's late Outdoors section and the Home section. Assistant Managing Editor Janet Clayton just announced that Balzar is coming back to the news side.

To: The Staff
From: Janet Clayton, Assistant Managing Editor

John Balzar, senior features writer, is returning to the California section.

John, once a political writer and Sacramento reporter -- as well as national correspondent, foreign correspondent and Op-ed columnist -- will write news, news features, profiles and analysis. He's demonstrated that he does all forms well during his long and impressive career. John has covered wars in 12 countries and presidential campaigns; he's written about sailing across the Pacific and encountering grizzly bears in Alaska.

John now will turn his eye to the good stories right under us in the Los Angeles region. He starts March 20.