News Tribune owners looking at newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina

Little Rock-based WEHCO Media, which recently bought the Jefferson City News Tribune, is considering buying newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina, according to an article in today's Arkansas Business:

Paul Smith, president and general manager of the Democrat-Gazette, confirmed Friday that Wehco Media of Little Rock had requested information about properties owned by Landmark Communications of Norfolk, Va. Smith specifically mentioned The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., The Roanoke Times of Roanoke, Va., and The Greensboro News & Record of Greensboro, N.C. He said the he didn't know whether Wehco would actually make a bid.

Smith said Wehco requested information about the Landmark papers during the first stage of a possible sale. Landmark announced in early January that it was considering selling many of its properties, including The Weather Channel and The Virginian-Pilot, according to Editor & Publisher, a trade publication.

Wehco has not made a bid on the properties and is among many possible bidders, Smith said.