Rick Wartzman leaving Times

The editor of West magazine told his staff today that he has given notice to become a senior fellow at New America Foundation. But he will continue to write for the LAT on a contract basis as a once-a-week business columnist. His focus will be on California-related issues (Biz section has been without a general business columnist since Michael Hiltzik lost his twice-a-week Golden State gig.) Word around the magazine is that the number of pages will be cut back in '07, but details have yet to be firmed up. His last day at West will probably be sometime in January. Wartzman overhauled the book earlier this year (including changing the name) with a thoughtful mix of memoirs, photo essays, cartoons, fiction and investigative reporting. Two pieces getting particular attention was a list of Socal's 100 most powerful people and Claire Hoffman's talker on Joe "Girls Gone Wild" Francis. Before taking over West, Wartzman was the Times business editor. He came to the paper from the WSJ.