Los Angeles Times’ Top Editor Kevin Merida Exits

is making a change atop its newsroom. Kevin Merida, who has been executive editor of the storied newspaper for the last three years, told staff Tuesday that he would be leaving the company, according to a memo viewed by . “Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I am leaving The Times,” Merida wrote.

“I made the decision, in consultation with Patrick, after considerable soul searching about my career at this stage and how best to be of value to the profession I love.” The news caught the Times newsroom off guard, according to one source. Merida joined the from ESPN in 2021, with owner Patrick Soon Shiong saying at the time that the editor had “a clear understanding of the rigor necessary for independent journalism and how to translate that journalism to multiple platforms.” A newsroom veteran, Merida had led ESPN’s The Undefeated since 2015, and before that had a long run at , where he was managing editor.

In a separate email, Soon Shiong added that the news organization is “conducting an internal and external search for his successor” and that “In the near term, the newsroom’s senior leadership team, Julia Turner, Sara Yasin, Scott Kraft and Shani Hilton, will be overseeing the newsroom, with Terry Tang continuing to lead Opinion.” THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter.