Conflicting reports on whether U-T is close to buying OC Register

John Lynch, the vice chairman and CEO of the Union-Tribune (recently shortened to the U-T), told a luncheon audience on Tuesday that the paper was in "final talks" to buy the Register. But asked today by the North County Times to verify his remarks, he emailed "Not true." U-T owner Doug Manchester described Lynch's Tuesday comment as "premature," according to San Diego public radio station KPBS, but he confirmed that talks were taking place. In March, Manchester told voiceofsandiego.org that he was interested in the Register and possibly the North County Times. The Register is owned by Freedom Communications, and the North County Times is owned by Lee Enterprises.