Urbana council holds cable-franchise talks in closed session

The cities of Urbana and Champaign have been unable to negotiate new cable-franchise agreements with Comcast, and both city councils now appear likely to grant short extensions to Comcast while formally requesting franchise-renewal negotiations, triggering an administrative process.

Meanwhile, The News-Gazette is formally objecting to a closed session the Urbana council held Monday night to discuss "pending litigation," where aldermen discussed cable-franchise negotiations with attorney Brian Grogan, a Minneapolis attorney who is acting as a cable consultant for both cities.

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• Attorney general files suit against Gibson City contractor
• Champaign Wal-Mart reopens after bomb threat
• Gov. Quinn coming to Champaign-Urbana tomorrow
• Local groups to pursue stimulus money for broadband network
• House on fire in east Urbana; University traffic detoured
• Business picks up with reopening of North Neil Street
• Lincoln's Challenge kitchen will reopen Wednesday
• Health official: Virus likely caused illnesses at Lincoln's Challenge
• Obituaries

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