Publisher of New McClatchy Paper Quits

By: The publisher of Idaho's largest daily newspaper resigned Friday, saying his depature was a mutual decision with McClatchy Co., which completed its purchase of The Idaho Statesman and other former Knight-Ridder properties less than two weeks ago.

Mike Petrak had been the president and publisher of the Boise newspaper since August, when Knight-Ridder took over the newspaper from Gannett Co. in an exchange involving cash and other newspapers. The Statesman has a circulation of 64,815 daily, and 85,552 Sunday.

Prior to becoming publisher of the Idaho paper, Petrak had been a Knight-Ridder marketing vice president since 2001. The Statesman reported his resignation on its Web site.

Sacramento-based McClatchy acquired Knight-Ridder on June 27. Robert Weil, McClatchy vice president for Northwest and Midwest operations, said the company planned to name a new publisher for the Idaho paper shortly.

"We are grateful to Mike for leaving us with a newspaper so well-positioned for even greater success, and we wish him well in the next phase of his career," Weil said.