Aug 4 (Reuters) - The New York Post Media Group plans to

launch the California Post in early 2026 in print and digital

formats, including a mobile app, the News Corp ( NWSA )-owned

tabloid said on Monday.

Nick Papps, a veteran at News Corp ( NWSA ), has been named the Los

Angeles-headquartered publication's editor-in-chief, the group

said.

The group is known for operating the New York Post and

its entertainment news segment, Page Six.

The California Post's launch comes at a time when the

state's prominent publication, Los Angeles Times, has been

facing turmoil.

The newspaper laid off

more than 20%

of its newsroom staff in January 2024, as it faced

financial losses and leadership exits, including Executive

Editor Kevin Merida and Managing Editor Sara Yasin.

At the time, LA Times' owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, said the

paper was losing $30 million to $40 million annually.

Last month, Soon-Shiong said he plans an IPO of the

143-year-old publication within the next year.