New judge in bankruptcy

The bankruptcy proceedings involving the owner of the Daily News and Inquirer have been assigned to a new judge, according to a filing made yesterday in federal bankruptcy court.

Judge Jean K. FitzSimon had been handling the case since the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February. Stephen Raslavich, chief judge of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's U.S. Bankruptcy Court, will now preside over the case, according to the filing.

Sources said that they believe that the case was reassigned because FitzSimon had health issues.

"We don't know why the case was reassigned," said Christine Reimert, a spokeswoman for Philadelphia Media Holdings.

Reimert also said that attorneys didn't know what effect the reassignment would have on the bankruptcy proceedings.

The court had given the company until Aug. 31 to produce a reorganization plan.

"They will know more tomorrow after consulting with the new judge on scheduling matters," Reimert said of the attorneys involved in the case.

The newspapers' lawyers also filed a motion yesterday asking the judge to order that the exclusivity period be extended to Oct. 30, during which time libel lawsuits would be stayed.

Staff writer Michael Hinkleman contributed to this report.