Tribune Company Defections: Los Angeles Times Publisher, Chicago Tribune Editor Resign

NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Times says publisher David Hiller has resigned after 21 months at the helm of Tribune Co.'s largest paper.

The news comes the same day Chicago Tribune editor Ann Marie Lipinski resigned from Tribune's flagship paper, continuing a string of executive defections amid a broad cost-cutting effort at the company's papers nationwide.

Hiller was the third publisher to lead the Times since Tribune Co. bought the paper in 2000. Predecessor Jeffrey Johnson was ousted in late 2006 when he balked at trimming newsroom staff to cut costs.

The Times said two weeks ago it will cut 250 positions, including 150 in the newsroom. The paper did not immediately name a successor.