Grumpy Editor finds some business writers often jump the gun, saying a company has been sold, when it still --- often over a period of months --- has to clear shareholder and regulatory hurdles before the deal is finalized.
Such is the case with the announcement that MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., plans to acquire NV Energy, Inc., for $5.6 billion.
The pending acquisition needs the approval of NV Energy shareholders, Nevada’s Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The lengthy procedure for approval could extend to next year’s first quarter.
Yet, some sources already report a done deal --- or close to a green light.
The daily Nevada Appeal, Carson City, says NV Energy “has been sold” to MidAmerican Energy.
An Associated Press report mentions MidAmerican Energy “will buy Nevada electric and natural gas company NV Energy…” (Incidentally, no natural gas is connected with the Nevada power company.)
Meanwhile, Michael Yackira, NV Energy’s president and CEO informs customers that his company “will be acquired by MidAmerican.”
Fresno Bee snubs retired veteran staffer’s visit
Are former newsroom staffers welcomed back to visit where they once met deadlines?
After veteran newsman Bill Patterson, now retired, read an Editor & Publisher story that the Pasadena Star-News and San Bernardino Sun are inviting the public to sit back and relax in their newsrooms, he grumbled that wasn’t the way he was greeted when he attempted to show a friend where he toiled for 42 years at the Fresno Bee, a McClatchy Co. paper.
E&P mentioned the Star-News and Sun unveiled “news lounges,” open to the public during business hours, that are equipped with computers, Internet access, tables and sitting areas.
Digital First Media, parent of the Star-News and Sun, opened more than 20 similar "community media labs" around the country, part of a "community engagement initiative."
Patterson, who drove more than 500 miles to Fresno two years ago, said he was greeted by a “grouchy receptionist who informed us our contacts were at lunch and not available,” thus blocking the visit.
Rather than create a fuss, Patterson --- who worked in just about every part of the Bee editorial department, including the City Hall beat, business editor and 20 years covering courts --- simply departed.
In case you missed these…
The full photo operation, involving about 30 staffers, at the Chicago Sun-Times (and suburban subsidiaries) was sacked as the tabloid plans to rely on reporters performing double duty in shooting photos and video, along with taking notes. The newspaper said, “The Chicago Sun-Times continues to evolve with our digitally savvy customers, and as a result, we have had to restructure the way we manage multimedia, including photography, across the network”…Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway was busy last week. In addition to the NV Energy planned acquisition, it said it will add The Roanoke (Va.) Times to its growing list of small and medium-sized newspapers. With a daily circulation of 76,000 and Sunday circulation of 90,000, it will be Berkshire's 30th daily newspaper…Veteran television host Larry King has joined RT (also known as Russia Today), the Russian-based 24-hour cable news network. “Politics with Larry King” debuts this month. RT will also host “Larry King Now.” Programs will be recorded in Los Angeles and Washington…Cumulus Media Networks, through Friday, raised almost $4 million for Oklahoma tornado relief…With a high outbreak of tornadoes and thunderstorms, the Obama administration has shelved plans to furlough Weather Service staffers under budget sequestration…Veteran Associated Press correspondent Hal McClure, whose overseas coverage --- ranging from Singapore to Turkey --- spanned 21 years, died in California. He was 92.
The Internal Revenue Service spent about $50 million to hold at least 220 conferences for employees between 2010 and 2012, according to a House committee report.
