The management committee of the Detroit Newspaper...

The management committee of the Detroit Newspaper Agency announced it will implement a business merger of the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press on Feb. 6, despite the possibility of further appeals. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals voted 2-1 late last week to reject opponents’ challenge to approval of the joint operating agreement by former Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III. The panel unanimously lifted a stay barring implementation. All business, production and circulation functions would be combined, while the newspapers maintain distinct news and editorial departments.