Remember the big scythe New Times management swung at the Village Voice? The LA Weekly staff got the same treatment, as LA Observed reported. K-Rod writes:

News editor Alan Mittelstaedt is out and controversial columnist Jill Stewart is coming in to edit local news coverage.

Mittelstaedt hired David Zahniser, Jeffrey Anderson and Daniel Hernandez, and Stewart will now be in charge of this core of reporters.

Stewart was a columnist for the old New Times Los Angeles, and Village Voice Media EIC Mike Lacey evidently had liked her work. K-Rod seems to disapprove:

Tinkering with the formula would be a risk for Lacey, since the ad-rich Weekly is more profitable --and better read--than his New Times Los Angeles ever was. But he brings a rap as a tinkerer. He'll have at least one loyalist in the newsroom in Stewart, and maybe she will win over others. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see more departures--voluntarily this time.

Also laid off were the fact-checking desk, co-managing editor Tim Ericson, a music editor and a layout staffer.

FBLA is acquainted with the carrot-topped cranky-pants and want to see what happens next.