I guess Jim Newton really didn't want to leave the Los Angeles Times to write his book about Dwight Eisenhower — and that Publisher David Hiller was the main reason he resigned in June. Well, Hiller is gone and new Publisher Eddy Hartenstein just made the announcement:

From: Hartenstein, Eddy
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 11:50 AM
Subject: Editorial Pages Editor

I’m pleased to announce that Jim Newton has agreed to return to The Times to resume his duties as editor of the editorial pages. You all know Jim, so no introduction is needed. I would like to note that his decision to rejoin our enterprise, despite the demands of his book-writing career, is a vote of confidence in what we are trying to accomplish.

He’ll start on Monday and report to me. In the meantime, Jim asked that I send along this note:

“As you all know, The Times has a special claim on my heart and I’m convinced that Eddy represents our best chance for sustaining and building great journalism. Given that, I’m delighted that he’s offered me the chance to return, and I’m thrilled to move back into my old office—the best in the building. See you all in a few days.”

Please join me in welcoming Jim back to the team.

eddy

Interesting side note: Newton is very close to Henry Weinstein, the reporter who left this summer very disgruntled about the Sam Zell ownership and is one of the ex-staffers who sued Zell this week alleging he was ruining the value of Tribune and the Times.

Add lawsuit: Phillip Gregory, one of the attorneys in the federal class action lawsuit against Zell, and Times columnist Dan Neil — one of the plaintiffs — talk about the suit on this week's "Deadline L.A." on KPFK. The show, hosted by Barbara Osborn and Times staff wrirter Howard Blume, has moved to Fridays at 3:30 pm — just before "The Pocho Hour of Power" with Lalo Alcaraz on KPFK (FM 90.7).