Nation IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Publisher of Life Takes Over Time

Jim Gaines, the publisher and managing editor of Life magazine, acceded to one of journalism’s top prizes when he was named editor of Time magazine. In a move that had been expected for days, Time executives created the opening for Gaines by moving Managing Editor Henry Muller to the No. 2 corporate post of editorial director. Time insiders say Muller, 45, may be the heir apparent to Jason McManus, Time Inc.’s editor in chief. Gaines, 45, was a national affairs writer for Newsweek in the 1970s. He spent 13 years at People and has run Life since 1989. Muller, who has been Time’s top editor since 1987, replaces Richard Stolley, 64, who is retiring.