Biz Stone, John Montorio, and Many More Join The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post would really like us to stop thinking about last week's layoffs and Bill Keller quips. As predicted, they unloaded a breathless, four page-long press release of hires and other good news this morning.

The most surprising is Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, who will join as strategic impact adviser, which is a vaguely defined philanthropic position. Media Memo says he's getting equity for it.

They've made 11 newsroom hires to be overseen by Howard Fineman, who has shifted from political editor to editorial director.

New York Times and Los Angeles Times editor John Montorio was hired to be culture and entertainment editor, and they've grabbed White House correspondent Jennifer Bendery, culture/style reporter Caroline Dworin, workplace reporter Dave Jamieson, general assignment writer Sakie Knafo, news editor Simone Landon, and real estate editor Catherine New.

They also named four of their Jefferson Young Journalists—Katherine Bindley, Laura Gottesdiener, Joy Resmovits, Laura Stampler—whose biographies we will not reprint here because they intimidate us.

Lastly, Patch.com will expand to two "underserved urban locations in Newark, New Jersey," in partnership with America's favorite mayor Cory Booker. Patch.com has been criticized for being the underpaid last resort for laid-off print journos and generally trying to convince us they are a start-up building communities through information.

kstoeffel@observer.com :: @kstoeffel