By PAUL GRANT, Associated PressWashington – The Associated Press and the New York City newspaper, the New Jersey Journal-American, have joined forces to merge the two newspapers.
The deal, which is expected to close in the coming weeks, is subject to regulatory approval.
The Associated News was acquired by Bloomberg LP for $1.65 billion in 2015.
The New York Journal-Americans will continue to publish the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the Associated Press will continue as the nation’s largest daily newspaper.
The merger, which will result in the creation of the new New York Observer, is expected in the second quarter of 2021, the newspaper said in a statement.
The merger is expected be approved by the New England states comptroller.
The two newspapers will continue publishing the New Brunswick News and the Albuquerque Journal.
They will also continue to carry the national editions of the New Hampshire Union Leader, New Jersey Business Journal, and the Omaha World-Herald.
The Journal-Americas parent company, which merged with The New England Media Group in January 2021, is the largest daily publisher of the nation, with a circulation of more than 40 million.
It is a member of the Associated Newspapers Association, the National Association of Newspapers and the Association of American Publishers.