Lots Happening in the Newsroom at 900 North Tucker

Let's start with the bad news: the imminent departure of St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigative reporter Joe Mahr (who the RFT just named its Best Reporter of 2009 earlier this month.) You probably saw his byline, along with that of fellow muckraker Jeremy Kohler, atop this past weekend's smackdown of the municipal judicial system.

A memo to newsroom staff says Mahr is moving on up to the Chicago Tribune, where he'll sniff out corruption and other shenanigans in the metro suburbs.

Mahr joined the Post's masthead in 2005. He's revealed abuse inside group homes for the mentally retarded, and pointed out how numerous folks with felony warrants go free. Mahr also worked with Kohler on the St, Louis police department towing scandal that led to former police chief Joe Mokwa's resignation.

In other news, no more layoffs for now. In fact, the Post is hiring... Last week the paper put out word that it's looking to hire three reporters: one to cover the health care business, one to write entertainment stories for the front page, and one to do computer-assisted reporting.

No word from editor Arnie Robbins as to whether this portends more growth at the paper, or if voluntary layoffs of older folks paved the way for new hires. (Gail Appleson formerly covered the health care business; art critic David Bonetti previously wrote arts stories for A1.)

Last item of note: Robbins announced yesterday that Jody Mitori takes over as the paper's features editor. Mitori replaces longtime P-D scribe/editor Christy Bertelson, who went to work

for Governor Jay Nixon.

Mitori was previously the editor of the Post's arts & entertainment coverage, including the Go! section. She's a Mizzou journalism grad who's toiled for McClatchy-Tribune and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.