  The temperature dependence of the electronic and atomic structure of the
colossal magnetoresistive oxides $La_{1-x}Sr_{x}MnO_{3}$ (x = 0.3, 0.4) has
been studied using core and valence level photoemission, x-ray absorption and
emission, and extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. A dramatic
and reversible change of the electronic structure is observed on crossing the
Curie temperature, including charge localization and spin moment increase of
Mn, together with Jahn-Teller distortions, both signatures of polaron
formation. Our data are also consistent with a phase-separation scenario.
