The federal judge involved in our retiree health care case against Lee Enterprises recently ordered the parties to participate in mediation. His hope, obviously, is that both sides can come to some sort of arrangement and put an end to all this suing and counter-suing. Towards that end, tomorrow morning (May 1) the Guild and Lee will sit down with a federal mediator and discuss settlement possibilities. Two days of meetings are scheduled.
Though the mediation was mandated, a settlement was not required by the judge. Therefore, if these discussions bear no fruit, the case will continue as before. Currently, depositions are scheduled for later this month. We will keep you advised.