This week signals a change in leadership at the Houston Press.

The new editor is Margaret Downing, 45, who returns to Houston after an absence of four and a half years, during which time she was managing editor of the Clarion-Ledger, the statewide daily newspaper based in Jackson, Mississippi. Downing replaces Jim Simmon, who has resigned as editor to pursue other interests. He will continue to provide consulting services to the paper.

Prior to her Jackson tour of duty, Downing worked for the Houston Post for twelve and a half years, the last several of those years as managing editor.

In addition, Lisa Gray, who had been associate editor at the Press, was promoted to managing editor. Gray, 31, was part of the Press's founding staff in 1989; she's also worked for the Washington City Paper.