Wendi Thomas has resigned her position at the Commercial Appeal effective immediately, sources say. The specific circumstances related to Thomas' departure are still unknown. The staff received an announcement from Editor-in-chief Louis Graham at 11:20 a.m. Thursday, September 11.

The announcement isn't especially surprising. In June, after 10 years as The Commercial Appeal's Metro columnist, Thomas was asked to lead "expanded coverage of crime and justice" in the Memphis area. The change was almost as controversial as Thomas' columns, sparking much public discussion, and Thomas was vocal on social media, complaining about the adjustments to her job description.

Newsroom sources are surprised by the sudden departure, however, saying they didn't see it coming. Thomas worked Wednesday night and her story about actor James Woods ' was on the CA's front page this morning.

More on this as information becomes available.