Bill Richards

Estimates put the sale price at $30-40 million, about a $200 million loss from the 1998 purchase price. And the Seattle company apparently has to carry unfunded pension liabilities as part of the deal...

P-I presses stop; Times troubles roll on

The print P-I's end is near. Why no call from Hearst?

Advertising in February was down 45% over the previous year, and the Times' pension plan has become underfunded, according to a memo to the staff.

E-mail to staff strikes an urgent note, saying the paper faces a liquidity crisis and "cannot afford to delay."

Hearst has been working on an e-paper project for the past year. Plastic Logic, a firm working on such a product, says Hearst won't be a partner.

It wouldn't be the final answer for the paper's problems

Could it work here? Some parties are exploring the notion, which creates a hybrid corporation that can receive charitable donations while running as a low-profit, community-owned entity.

If no buyer is found, paper will shut down between March 18 and April 1, Hearst says.