Nancy Cassutt is leaving her position as executive director of Minnesota Public Radio's news operation to accept a temporary post in Los Angeles with the business-focused program "Marketplace."

Cassutt, who has been at MPR for nine years, will hold the title of managing director, helping to establish the show's digital strategy in the coming year.

Both "Marketplace" and MPR are part of St. Paul-based American Public Media Group. After the "Marketplace" stint is over, Cassutt plans to return to MPR in another capacity.

"This was a one-chance-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said Friday. "I see this as a new, fun adventure in my career."

Cassutt also is looking forward to working in Los Angeles, where one of her daughters resides.

MPR will announce plans to find a replacement to run MPR News, which boasts one of the biggest newsrooms in the state.

Cassutt said recent changes at American Public Media were unrelated to her decision.

NEAL JUSTIN