(Updated) Scott Libin, who has done two successful stints in the Twin Cities, is back on the job market. WCCO's GM Brien Kennedy, who just took over duties this summer, announced to the staff Monday morning that Libin was out. Mike Caputa will temporary act as news director.

Libin, who ran the newsroom at KSTP from 1998-2003 and came back to area in Nov. 2007, is the latest departure in a station that has had a busy revolving door. Reporter Heather Brown announced last week she was leaving for New York and anchor Don Shelby goes into retirement in November.

I was at an event honoring Shelby Friday night and chatted with both Kennedy and Libin. Nothing seemed to be amiss - but then - you never know with these things. I should also add that Libin has been open and available to me during both his stints here. He's also highly respected throughout the country, so much so that he's taught on more than one occasion at the prestigious Poynter Institute. He'll be missed.

UPDATE: This just isn't LIbin's day. I chatted with him by phone shortly after 2:30 - as he headed for the dentist for possible root-canal surgery. "I've had better days," he said. As usual, Libin was a class act. He insisted there was nothing sinister about his departure (It's not at all unusual for a new GM to want new blood in major seats.)

Libin spoke generously about his WCCO colleagues and his stint there. "I'm proud to have even had the opportunity," he said. "It'll always be a thrill for me to say I worked there."

Libin said he would be open to the possibility of leading another newsroom in the future. "I've certainly not soured on television journalism in any respect," he said

Terry Sauer, Star Tribune

Here's the memo Kennedy sent the staff, followed by a note from Libin:

Team, I have decided to make a change in our newsroom leadership effective immediately. During this transition Mike Caputa will be acting News Director and will work closely with the leadership team here at the station while overseeing the day to day operation of the newsroom. I will begin the search for our News Director right away. I want to thank Scott for all his work during his time here and I know all of you will join me in wishing him well in his future endeavors. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition please feel free to drop me a note or come by the office anytime. Sincerely, Brien ========== I'm grateful to Brien for allowing me to send a few words of my own about his decision, and I will keep it to a few. The most important of those: Thank you. For almost three years it has been my genuine pleasure and privilege to be part of this team. I will always be proud of that experience and will always benefit from the things all of you have taught me and shared with me. I haven't had time to figure out what's next, but I promise I will do my best to keep in touch. It would mean a great deal to me if you would do the same. What you do here is important. I look forward to watching your work for a long time to come. Sincerely, Scott