The L.A. Times Shuffle   

City Editor Bill Boyarsky, other long-timers to leave.

After more than 30 years at the paper, the Los Angeles Times' beloved City Editor Bill Boyarsky announces his resignation, effective March 31. "It's a huge loss," says Times reader representative Narda Zacchino. "He's been the heart and soul of the paper for many years." Boyarsky, 66, decided to leave after hearing that Times veterans Nick Williams, deputy editor of the editorial pages, and Jim Bell, deputy national editor, were accepting early retirement. He engineered a similar buyout, he says, so he can finish a book about longtime California politician Jesse Unruh. "A man deserves a change in life. I can do other things," Boyarsky says, and adds, laughing, "I hope!" Change continues apace at the Tribune Co.-owned Times: Leo Wolinsky goes from executive editor to deputy managing editor; consumer columnist Kenneth Reich quits his column after being told it would soon be killed; and A-3 columnist Mike Downey departs as Managing Editor Dean Baquet was considering moving him back to his previous job as a sports columnist.