Harold Meyerson, the LA Weekly fixture [* keep reading...] who was editor of The American Prospect in 2001-2, is coming back as acting executive editor of TAP. Incumbent Michael Tomasky told the editorial meeting this morning that he is stepping down. The official reason is he wants to pursue other writing projects, but Wonkette speculates on behind-the-scenes doings at TAP. Meyerson, currently editor-in-large, takes over after the November issue.

Added media note: Tony Castro, editor of the L.A. Independent and former Herald Examiner columnist, joins the Daily News as a feature writer on Monday. DN editor Ron Kaye also tells Editor & Publisher that he may hire more Santa Barbara News-Press refugees. LAO reported yesterday that he grabbed up ex-managing editor George Foulsham.

* New development: Just as Meyerson was getting the new gig at TAP, I'm told he got a call from the LA Weekly disinviting him from further punditry. Translation: Meyerson becomes one of the first L.A. casualties of the New Times ownership takeover. He has been listed on the Weekly masthead as a columnist and editor-at-large.