Friday morning headlines

Times-Tribune war: Did the LAT get wind that the WSJ was planning a major piece on the culture clash between Tribune Co. executives and the Times newsroom? Or did the WSJ get wind that the LAT was planning a major piece detailing those same clashes? Maybe it was just a weird coincidence that both papers came out with more or less the same story on the same day with pretty much the same headlines - "A media match plagued by a clash of cultures" (LAT) and "Clash of cultures exacerbates woes for Tribune Co." (WSJ). As for the two pieces, it's waaaay more than most readers would ever want to know about the sniping between L.A. and Chicago. The Times had the most interesting revelation to us outsiders - that editor John Carroll became so disgusted over Tribune's cost-cutting demands that before resigning in 2005, he had a meeting with Eli Broad. During the session, according to the Times, Carroll asked Broad to consider buying the paper. Broad agreed to look into the acquisition, but concluded that tax complications would make any such purchase prohibitively expensive - not that the paper was even for sale at that point. Other than that, the two stories rehash a lot of old ground that essentially boils down to this: Chicago says L.A. spends too much and covers the world instead of its own backyard; and L.A. says that Chicago isn't interested in great newspapers, just boring, parochial ones.

Oh no, not another Tribune story!: I promise, this is the last one this morning. It's from the LAT and it's real news: Tribune's investment bankers are showing KTLA Channel 5 and stations in NY and Chicago to potential buyers. KTLA's broadcast license expires next month and there's concern that Tribune could be found in violation of FCC rules that prohibit ownership of a newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same market. Remember, there's a Democratic Congress now.

Sarbanes-Oxley changes: Regulators will propose guidelines next month to help companies interpret a section of the Sarbanes-Oxley law in a way that will save them time and money. Section 404 requires that companies first review their systems for ensuring accurate financial reports and then have them tested by outside auditors. The rule is intended to prevent any kind of fraud or manipulation, but it was considered a major hassle in preparing financial statements.

Catching up on Disney: So why are Disney shares down 2.8 percent this morning after the company reported that fourth-quatrer earnings had doubled? Apparently, some analysts felt the Mouse House didn't adequately spell out how it would grow next year. Disney's fourth-quarter profit doubled, in part because of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

The party's over: L.A. gas prices are up for the first time in 12 weeks. They had been edging higher in other parts of the nation, so it was just a matter of time. The decision by OPEC to cut back production of crude might have been a factor. The weekly Auto Club survey has the average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area at $2.417, which is 1.5 cents higher than last week, 22 cents lower than last month, and 27 cents lower than last year.

'Studio 60' renewed: Looks like we'll have the Aaron Sorkin drama to kick around a while longer. NBC picked up the show that everybody either loves or hates for the rest of the season. There were hints, though, that it would not stay in its current Monday 10 p.m. time slot. Saturdays at 9 maybe?