Times upgrades California Editor

David Lauter was promoted to L.A. Times assistant managing editor. "This appointment reflects David's skilled leadership of our largest and most important news-gathering operation, the local and California report," says the memo from editor Russ Stanton. "He has strengthened key beats and encouraged reporters and editors to pursue an ambitious agenda. And he has worked to maintain the high quality of our print report while reorganizing the department to maximize our reach on the Web, becoming a strong advocate for the importance of innovative online journalism." Whole thing at the paper's Readers' Rep blog.