Peter Kaplan, the longtime editor of the New York Observer, is resigning from the paper on June 1. To spend more time with his family, he says.

The rumor started going around fast this afternoon; Nikki Finke broke the news, followed shortly by the NYO's own story. Kaplan has been at the paper for the past 15 years, following earlier stints at the NYT, the Charlie Rose Show, and as a magazine editor.

"I had a little newspaper in New York City! You can't beat that. No matter who you are. I had a little newspaper in New York City. That's as good as it gets. It's better to have a little newspaper in New York City than a big newspaper in New York City. Because then you only have to report and write for the people you care about. And nobody else."

Hear hear. The same goes for blogs! We wish Kaplan the best in his family man-ing and other endeavors.
[Related: Jared Kushner denies our earlier post saying he wants to sell the Observer. Pic via]