Washington Post Managing Editor Spayd To Step Down

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington Post Managing Editor Elizabeth Spayd plans to step down at the end of the year after the 2012 elections.

In a newsroom memo Monday, Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli announced Spayd's plans. She has served as managing editor since 2009.

Spayd was the first woman to serve as managing editor at the newspaper. She oversaw daily planning and sections including national, foreign and business news.

Spayd's co-managing editor Raju Narisetti left in January. Former Rocky Mountain News editor John Temple was recently named to a managing editor position that has included oversight of local news and sports, among other sections.

Brauchli credited Spayd with piloting the newsroom as a "bulwark of sound judgment."

A departure date has not been set. Brauchli says Post executives plan to think about whether to adjust the newsroom structure.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)