Managing Editor next to ditch Daily News

Melissa Lalum's departure from the Daily News make it a clean sweep of the top editors who were there at the beginning of April. Editor Ron Kaye was shown the door and decided to become a political activist. Assistant managing editor George Foulsham left to work for UC Santa Barbara. Here's the newsroom memo on Lalum from editor Carolina Garcia:

All,

On a personal note, I am sad to announce that Managing Editor Melissa Lalum will be leaving the Daily News on July 18. On a professional note, I’m pleased to report that she is joining the journalism faculty at California State University ­ Northridge and will serve as publisher of the campus newspaper. I can’t think of a more qualified and talented person preparing the journalists of the future. Melissa will be a wonderful teacher and the relationship she has built over the years between the university and the DN will continue. We expect her to send us the most talented and aggressive students who can do it all ­ print, multimedia, desig.n

It would take all of a front page and more to list the many accomplishments, talents and energy she's brought to the newspaper in the 12 years she's been here. Melissa has led the newspaper through tough times and she's been a mentor, friend and ally to many of you. She has been an advisor and friend to me.

Please join me in congratulating Melissa on her move.

I plan on restructuring the management of the newsroom, moving away from the more traditional model we’ve had in place here. If you have any ideas, suggestions, swing by.

Gracias,
Carolina Garcia

There has been a bunch of other newsroom exits since Kaye was pushed out, including columnist Bridget Johnson and education reporter Naush Boghossian.