The Bay Area News Group announced Thursday that its newspapers will now operate under a single, common news management team under the direction of David J. Butler, editor of the San Jose Mercury News and vice president for news for its parent, MediaNews Group. The announcement was made by Mac Tully, publisher of the newspapers and group vice president for BANG. In addition to the Mercury News, the newspapers include the Contra Costa Times, the San Mateo County Times, the Oakland Tribune and various sister daily and weekly papers.