At long last, Ken Baker is leaving Us Weekly. In what can't exactly be described as a surprise, he's ending his eight-year tenure at the Wenner tabloid, which in recent years included endless gossip about ethical lapses and payola, demotions, Ryan Seacrest loving (and favoring), scandal, and yes, his departure.

In an email to colleagues, Ken writes, "I just wanted to let you all know that I was recently asked to relocate to NYC and continue my editorial director work for Us Online. As a family, however, we decided that now wasn't a good time for a move. So, after nearly 8 amazing years on staff at Us Weekly, I am moving on to some new and exciting opportunities."

Ken, of course, has been running UsMagazine.com since being "transitioned" away from his West Coast Editor role. So where is he off to? His email doesn't say, and usually-knowledgeable sources close to him say they aren't sure, either. In any event, you're probably about nine seconds away from no longer caring, so here's his email, after the jump.

Friends,

I've decided that Golden Globes weekend is a good time to join the Hollywood writers and go on strike!

Kidding aside, I just wanted to let you all know that I was recently asked to relocate to NYC and continue my editorial director work for Us Online. As a family, however, we decided that now wasn't a good time for a move. So, after nearly 8 amazing years on staff at Us Weekly, I am moving on to some new and exciting opportunities. Seeing Us grow over the years into a celebrity media powerhouse — and then watching Usmagazine.com almost double its audience since I helped relaunch the site last January — has been gratifying and humbling beyond words.

It has been a really fun ride at Us, and I am so grateful for all the doors it has opened, and I must give many thanks to Jann, Janice, Gary, Mark, Kathryn (to name a few), and the mag's super-talented edit crew, especially in L.A. Not to mention Lindsay, Britney, Paris and Nicole!

You'll be seeing my new work very (very) soon, and when I can share all the exciting details I will let you know everything.

Best wishes,
Ken