Both FishbowlDC and The Huffington Post are reporting this morning that Page One editor John Arthur has been promoted to managing editor of the L.A. Times, citing sources. Arthur is currently an assistant managing editor and, in the past, has overseen Sports, Travel, the regional editions and national edition and has been an assistant national editor. He would, presumably, continue sharing the managing editor job with Leo Wolinsky, as Doug Frantz did. But will Arthur grow a beard?

* Arthur says stories are wrong: He emails that "reports of my ascension are premature--and possibly fabricated. I haven't spoken to Jim O'Shea or anybody else about this job. Jim is en route to Chicago today....Jim is out of town until Thursday and he told the staff yesterday that he'll soon 'begin the process' of selecting a successor to Doug." 8:50 am

Yesterday:
Frantz back to Istanbul
Frantz out as Times managing editor