By all accounts, Wednesday’s “The Big Picture” column in the LA Times is Patrick Goldstein’s last.

Kevin Roderick was the first to spot the buried lede. TheWrap’s Alexander C. Kaufman tried unsuccessfully to get LA Times folks to confirm. Then, at around 9 p.m. PT tonight, Nikki Finke swooped in with the details:

My sources say Goldstein decided to take a buyout rather than work for the new leadership at the newspaper announced earlier this year. “He felt there was no more future for him there. It was obvious since all the new people think about is driving Web traffic. They’re trying to put everyone to work doing that,” my source says.

It’s unclear whether tomorrow will bring any official announcement about Goldstein’s departure from the LA Times. On Twitter, Variety’s associate features editor David S. Cohen wasted no time expressing his feelings, making reference to Goldstein’s recent coverage of the trade:

Previously on FishbowlLA:
Patrick Goldstein Takes Kick at Variety Can
Nikki Finke to Patrick Goldstein: ‘I’m Still Calling It As I See It’
Patrick Goldstein Reveals True Barometer for Best Picture Winners