Los Angeles Times to Name Jim Kirk as New Editor

Jim Kirk, the former editor and publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, will be named as the new editor in chief of the Los Angeles Times on Monday, the newspaper announced late Sunday. Kirk, a veteran journalist who joined the newspaper’s parent company, Tronc, in August, will succeed Lewis D’Vorkin. D’Vorkin will be moved to another position within the company after his brief stint as editor in chief reportedly caused unrest in the newsroom. The newspaper has been undergoing a dramatic transformation in recent weeks, with publisher Ross Levinsohn placed on unpaid leave this month over allegations of “inappropriate behavior.” Reporters and editors at the paper have also reportedly been on edge recently over new hires that some believe could indicate Tronc is building a “shadow newsroom” to boost revenue. In a statement to The New York Times late Sunday, Kirk said he would seek to bring unity to the paper’s newsroom. “My message to the newsroom will be that we will be working together as one team starting tomorrow to do the best work we can,” he said.