Head of Bay Area newspaper giant quits

The instability continues at the company that publishes all the Bay Area daily newspapers that are not the San Francisco Chronicle.

George Riggs, chief executive of California Newspapers Partnership and former publisher of the Mercury News, has resigned, according to Editor & Publisher. His resignation follows that of the editor of the Mercury News, whom he hired.  Riggs, 61, says, "I may look at doing something different, outside the business."

Asked about speculation that his departure had something to do with the surprise resignation earlier this month of Mercury News Editor Carole Leigh Hutton, whom he hired last year, Riggs said only, "she is an outstanding journalist and editor so I was sorry to see her leave."

Reached by E&P today, Hutton declined comment.

The departure of Riggs came on the heels of Hutton’s exit. The San Jose Mercury News pointed out today, "Hutton had been appointed by Riggs and had proposed a sweeping transformation of the Silicon Valley newspaper into a three-section publication."

CNP is based in San Ramon, and is owned by MediaNews Group, Gannett Co. Inc., and Stephens Media. Riggs has been replaced by a MediaNews VP. The Merc has a more detailed story that will disappear into the paid archives in a couple of weeks.