In a conference call with investors, Scripps' CFO dropped a bomb when he hinted that Scripps is aware of "newspaper valuation" issues and that all options are on the table. Needless to say, the KNS would be in the cross-hairs.

Michael Silence has a full roundup with background and a message from the Scripps' VP of Newspapers to all employees assuring them there are "no plans" at this time, although he does mention "soul searching" in relation to determining their future. As a veteran of the corporate trenches, I can tell you that the mention of "soul searching" in a memo from the suits in the corner offices is never a good sign.

Jack McElroy says that the Scripps companies are still controlled by a family trust that requires them to be in the newspaper business. Hopefully the trust can stand up to an onslaught of greedy investors with torches and pitchforks and slick lawyers. I'll take a family run newspaper, biases and secret personal agendas and all, over corporate run PR/propaganda outlets any day.