Tribune Publishing will announce Tuesday the termination of highly regarded L.A. Times publisher Austin Beutner.

Beutners leave-taking may be announced as a resignation. The firing is an unexpected one, though one built on long-brewing differences between Beutner and his boss Tribune Publishing CEO Jack Griffin. It also follows quickly on Tribune Publishings rejection of overtures from a would-be buyer for the Times, an acquisition that would have taken the Times private. The firing and sales overture rejection are not unrelated.

Tribune Publishing told me it wouldnt publicly comment on the unfolding events, nor would others involved.