The Daily News took a double morale hit today. First, Publisher Doug Hanes decreed a new dress code that proves the secessionst's main point: the Valley (or at least Woodland Hills) really isn't culturally part of Los Angeles. The rest of L.A. may be more casual than ever, but at the Daily News denim is now banned.

* Managers and professional employees should dress for business daily; never jeans or tennis shoes. If unsure, recall how you dressed when you interviewed for your position.
* Casual Friday is an option. Business casual always presents a good appearance, never jeans, running shoes, T-shirts, flip-flops or beachwear.
* Business casual is a good choice for evening work in all departments outside of production.
* Clothing should be clean, unwrinkled and in good repair.
* Denim including designer jeans is never appropriate for the workplace.

The newsroom — already faced with more rumored departures and generally bad morale — apparently wanted to tell the publisher to shove it. Then another shoe (but not sneaker) fell: Chris Weinkopf confirmed that he is leaving as editor of the editorial pages. He will be around until August 22, but says as of then, "I'm leaving to spend more time with my family. (And that's actually true!)" Weinkopf also writes a column, blogs on the DN's Friendly Fire opinion blog, and has a personal blog but doesn't use it much. He follows editor Ron Kaye, managing editor Melissa Lalum, assistant ME George Foulsham and several reporters — and that's just the exits in recent months.