Nick Goldberg, who has run Op-Ed, officially gets the title of deputy editor of the Los Angeles Times editorial pages with added responsibilities. Sue Horton, who was editor of Sunday Opinion until 2004, comes back from the news side upstairs to run Op-Ed. The memo this afternoon from the editor of the editorial pages alludes to the layoffs and buyouts landing in the newsroom this week; I hear some meetings are on tap for today.

From: Newton, Jim
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 3:23 PM
To: yyeditall
Subject: two announcements

Colleagues,

As we work through the various challenges here at The Times, it’s a treat to be able to make improvements in our journalism. In that vein, I have some good news to report.

Nick Goldberg will become the new deputy editor of the editorial pages, a position that will give him overall responsibility for our daily report. He will coordinate and integrate our editorial page, Op Ed page, letters and Sunday Opinion, as well as supervising our increasingly adventurous and exciting web presence. In addition to continuing to solicit and edit some Op Ed pieces and columns, Nick will join the editorial board and work with me in devising and trying out new features across our department.

Well known to all of you, Nick has been at The Times since 2002, serving as Op Ed and Sunday Opinion editor. His arrival here came after years of reporting for Newsday, where, among other assignments, he covered the Albany statehouse and Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign before becoming Newsday’s Middle East bureau chief, based in Jerusalem. Nick and I have worked closely together on the editorial pages for the past 18 months, so I've already had the pleasure of appreciating his keen eye and sound judgment. He brings intellectual depth to our Opinion coverage, and is both an extraordinary editor and a valued colleague. I'm delighted that he's agreed to broaden his responsibilities and help me in managing the department.

Which brings me to my second announcement, an equally exciting one. As Nick moves up to become deputy editor of these pages, Sue Horton will take his place as our Op Ed and Sunday Opinion editor. This move marks Sue's return to these pages. She worked for three years as editor of Sunday Opinion before going to Metro, where she is currently deputy California editor. Sue previously was the editor of the L.A. Weekly and spent seven years as a USC professor. She also is the author of a nonfiction book, The Billionaire Boys Club, which was the basis for an NBC miniseries.

Most importantly, Sue is one of the most creative, enthusiastic and talented editors at The Times. She will bring a new energy to our department and will help us think freshly about what we're doing and how we're doing it.

With these moves, Sue and Nick join a strong, dedicated team of writers and editors who produce our Opinion coverage. I couldn't ask for a more capable or collegial group of colleagues.

Please join me in congratulating Nick and Sue.

Jim

Edited post