Slog readers may recall me weeping into my keyboard a couple weeks ago when I reported on outstanding political and City Hall reporter Emily Heffter leaving Seattle's big daily paper, making her the fifth woman to leave the Seattle Times newsroom in recent months. I called it an XX Exodus, because chromosome jokes. And today brings word of a sixth.

Suki Dardarian sent an e-mail to staff announcing she was quitting, too: "I am loading up my wagon and heading eastward: Next month, I begin a new job as Senior Managing Editor/Vice President at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis." She leaves the Seattle Times March 21.

It's not surprising Dardarian is leaving after being passed over for a job as Seattle Times executive editor. That position had been held by David Boardman, who left in July after 30 years to work at Temple University in Philadelphia. Boardman was replaced by managing editors Dardarian and Kathy Best, who has since been selected for the full-time position.

In addition to Dardarian and Heffter, recent departures from the newsroom include Melissa Allison, Nancy Leson, Maureen O'Hagan, and Joni Balter. Editorial board member Lynne Varner also left recently.